Eight years had passed, and the royal brothers were growing up. Timothy, now nine and a half years old, was walking down the castle hall, his short blonde hair, reminiscent of his mother's, messy and unkempt. His light brown eyes sparkled with mischief as he searched for his brother, Everstone. Timothy's majestic robe, a deep red color with a velvet design and a silk rope to tie it, billowed behind him as he moved.
As the future king, Timothy was supposed to be focused on his royal responsibilities, but he had other plans. He was naturally energetic and loved to ditch his duties to explore the castle and its surroundings. His parents, the king and queen, often found themselves chasing after him, trying to rein in his adventurous spirit.
But today, Timothy was on a mission to find his brother, Everstone. He wanted to grab him and drag him into some fun, to explore the castle's hidden passages and secret gardens. Timothy was itching for adventure, and he knew that with Everstone by his side, they could get into all sorts of exciting mischief. He quickened his pace, his eyes scanning the hall for any sign of his brother's messy brown hair, a grin spreading across his face at the prospect of their next escapade.
Timothy burst into their shared bedroom, a huge space with two large beds and a sitting area. He spotted Everstone sitting on his bed, still wearing his school uniform, looking sad and depressed. Timothy's grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, trying to cheer up his brother.
"Hey, what's up, gremlin?" Timothy said, chuckling and smiling as he bumped Everstone's shoulder with his hand.
But Everstone didn't laugh or smile. He just looked up at Timothy with a sorrowful expression.
"Not now, Tim," he said quietly.
Timothy's smile faded, and he sat down beside Everstone on the bed. "What's wrong, Stone?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Everstone shook his head, his eyes cast downward. "I don't want to talk about it," he said, his voice flat and subdued.
Timothy nodded understandingly, knowing that sometimes Everstone just needed some space. He sat beside him in silence, waiting for his brother to open up when he was ready.
Just then, the king walked into the bedroom, his presence commanding attention. He smiled warmly at his sons, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he took in Timothy's mischievous grin.
"Ah, Timothy, my boy! Aren't you supposed to be getting your clothes fitted for the next royal ball?" the king asked, his voice firm but amused.
Timothy's grin widened, and he let out a whoop of laughter. "You'll never make me!" he exclaimed, taking off like a shot out of the room.
But his escape was short-lived. As soon as he reached the door, a royal guard snagged him, scooping him up in a firm but gentle grasp. Timothy struggled and kicked, still laughing, as the guard carried him off towards the fitting room.
The king chuckled, shaking his head. "I think someone's trying to avoid their royal duties," he said wryly, glancing over at Everstone, who was still sitting on the bed, looking subdued.
Everstone shrugged, a small smile on his face. "Tim's just Tim, Father," he said, as if that explained everything.
The king smiled, nodding. "Indeed it does, Stone. Indeed it does."
The king's gaze lingered on Everstone, noticing that his usual bright demeanor was clouded over. His school uniform looked a bit rumpled and dirty, and there were smudges of dirt on his face. The king's instincts told him that something was amiss.
"Everstone, is everything okay?" the king asked, his voice gentle and concerned.
Everstone shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Nothing's wrong, Father."
YOU ARE READING
Northern Grass Saga
FantasyA young man rules a kingdom but has a mysterious past and has the ability to talk to dragons. Also he is searching for the love of his life and has to deal with threats that can affect his Kingdom and other kingdoms in the world.
