Beguiling: A Frozen Heart

What is honesty to you?

The morning light came softly shone through the curtains of Ryu's room, casting a warm glow over the five figures gathered inside. Ryu lounged on his bed, tossing a small ball of fire into the air as he looked between his siblings. "Can you believe he just showed up like that? The brother we never see? The brother whom I forgot even existed." Ryu broke the silence, his voiced laced with disbelief and aggravation.

"Like the nightmare he is...what a way to ruin our reputation in just one night." Cadmus remarked, fingers trailing that markings on his arm that tend to show up whenever he was nerved.

"Don't be mean, he's still our brother you know. Even if he's less...human than we are." Jani interjected, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She knew almost nothing about her brother, she was just a child when he was essentially outcasted by the family. All she knew is he had wings, horns, scales, a tail, and talons. Although she wouldn't say it, he was more dragon than the rest of them...

Stephan leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, "Nobodies being mean. Just...speaking the truth. Why even bother calling him a hybrid?"

Their mother, Queen Junaiva, remained silent, her gaze focused outside. Ryu noticed her unease and dissipated his ball of fire, moving to her side. "Mother, what is it?"

She hesitated before responding, "I-I haven't seen him for so long. He stopped answering me and your fathers letters."

"What's he doing out there?" Stephan asked, peering over his mother's shoulder.

They all turned to the window, and there he stood—Sephtis, cloaked in his dark cape, an imposing figure in the serene beauty of the Isenfall garden. He was perfectly still, as if he were a statue carved from the very stone of the earth, the sunlight glinting off his silhouette. Bundles of dark cloth covering every inch of his body.

"Just standing there," Jani whispered, a mix of fascination and concern in her tone. "Is he... is he waiting for someone?"

"Or trying to summon something," Cadmus sneered, his voice low. "You can't trust a man who hides behind a mask." The boy was still hurt from when he attempted to play with his brother in their childhood. Sephtis, not used to socialization, swiped at his brother. Leaving a large scar all down the younger boys back that was still evident to anyone willing to look.

"Cadmus, stop," their mother said, her tone sharper now. "This isn't the time for your judgments. He's family, whether you like it or not. We need to understand what he wants."

"I think he wants power," Ryu chimed in, crossing his arms. "He's been away so long; maybe he's trying to claim his place."

"What does that mean for us?" Stephan asked, a hint of anxiety creeping into his voice. "What if he wants to use Anaya to secure his position? That's not fair. He's already dragon enough. Besides, last night it looks like he was trying to woo the boy. Maybe he's here for romance..."

Queen Junaiva finally spoke up, her voice steady. "I'll go out and see what he wants."

"Mother, no!" Ryu exclaimed, gripping her arm. "What if he's dangerous? What if he has some hidden agenda?"

"He is my child just as the rest of you are. Let me go." Suddenly, her scales flared up for a brief moment, catching the light and casting shimmering patterns across the room. Her hair floated slightly, as if a gentle wind surrounded her, amplifying her ethereal presence. Ryu felt the grip of fear loosen, and he let go of her arm. Although he could take his mother in a fight, he surely wouldn't.

"Alright," he said, his voice softer now. "But please be careful."

She smoothed out her dress, leaving out of the room with a look of peace on her face when she saw the man named "Leif" in the hallways speaking to an advisor. Her future son in law if her children were to succeed in winning the girls heart...surely they must start a healthy connection now.

"Mr. Isenfall?" The boy turned around to her and bowed softly. He looked like quite the respectable man, if not, then his appearance was one surely good at fooling.

"Leif. Leif Iseanfall. You are?"

"Junaiva Azar. From the Light Kingdom." The look of shock on the boys face was only for a second.

"My apologies. I was not introduced appropriately earlier. Do you wish to...discuss the treaty?"

"Of course not, why, such a polite young man. I would like to walk and talk to you. Formalities have never been my accustom."

"Of course."

Leif's demeanor shifted slightly, intrigued by the queen's straightforwardness. He gestured for her to follow him down the hallway, where sunlight streamed through the grand windows, illuminating the elegant tapestries adorning the walls.

As they walked, Junaiva observed him closely, noting the confidence in his stride. "You're quite beautiful, Mr. Isenfall. You are set to take your fathers crown, correct?"

"Yes. If all things go our way." He inadvertently ignored her compliment, a light blush dusting his cheeks which she noticed quickly.

"I see...I do hope you know it is not our intention to take your sister from you by any means. We simply wish to unite our kingdoms. I've heard of how close you two are."

"...Me and my sister are quite close but we both understand her duties. I simply have one question and I will take no more of your time."

"Of course. We must be honest with one another if we expect this unification to work."

"Why us?"

"Hm?" She stopped walking and turned to him in confusion, they had almost reached the doors of the courtyard. Her son was standing right outside those days, merely steps away.

"Why the Isenfall's? There are far stronger folks. We'd lose battle after battle if put into a proper lineup. We aren't good for breeding, our magic is faulty, and our population are ones of embarrassing numbers. We're only alive because kingdoms like yours wanted to speak to their ancestors or falling comrades. So...why us?"

"Thats exactly why. Your honesty despite it making your family look weak. Too many people i met nowadays would skin their parents alive for two slivers of gold. But I have never met one Kitsune to lie to me. To trick me, of course. To embarrass me, why they all have. But never lie. You are not liars."

"I see...thank you for telling me. I have other duties to attend but I wish you...I...have a good day."

She giggled softly, seeing the waves of emotions running through the mans face. He slowly turned away from her and started down the way, finally turning the corner.

'What a bright young man. He could see right through my lies.'