Noble Affairs

2. Spare

Looking at the grand castle for the last time, the details are far more intricate than Silas has ever cared to notice. The castle's grandeur showed the royal family's strength and power to all who viewed it. To Silas, it was nothing but a meaningless prison. Born second in line for the throne, he never believed his position to be of high importance. His brother, the heir, and him– the Second Prince. While Silas shares most of their mother's physical characteristics, it was always clear that the apple of her eye was August, the key to her control.

She would decorate the halls with paintings of the Crowned Prince, Prince August the Great. Though Silas was trained as August's right hand, his image hung on only a few halls. The paintings of Prince Silas of whatever region his parents could think of to give to their accident were rare. One was too drunk on bourbon to care and the other too drunk on power to iron out the little details.

Silas excelled in the arts, politics, literature, history, and geography. It was no secret that his physical and mental capabilities superseded the next King. Yet, his talents were forcefully shadowed. No one dared to make August look weaker than his younger brother. Although Silas looms five inches over August, every family portrait depicts August as taller, stronger, and overall, more impressive than Silas. Even their names are of different leagues. While not much thought was put into Silas' name, August was named after August the First - the patriarch of their family's rule.

Pulling on the reins of his horse, he tugs the beast to move in the opposite direction, away from the stifling royal lifestyle; wherever that may be.

Silas is reassured that by the time his note is found, he will be long gone- away from his mother, father, brother, and the likes of them. The capital of Itasa is far too rigid, too suffocating, too royal.

The horse's hooves madly pound into the grass as it gallops away. The churning of the hooves allows the kick-up of dirt to land back on the ground and bury this fallen royal's past.

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Gone is the wide-eyed and curious young prince. In his stead is an older 24-year-old, who has seen what the Kingdom of Ildoria has to offer for the last five years. While August learns of the world through tutors and books, Silas have explored the corner of Ildoria, taking in the sights through in-person vision instead of paintings.

From blistering snow storms to magnificent waterfalls, he has witnessed it all. No longer is Silas the bird locked in a beautifully crafted cage, but instead a human. For the past years, Silas has designed his life, who he is, what he does, and where he goes.

Silas pulls his horse's reins to a stop and retrieves a paper map from his satchel. He removes his hood for a better look as he thoroughly analyzes the paper, scanning for where he needs to go. His fingers nimbly trace where he suspects he is. Silas then circles the area. His fingers then trace an imaginary line to his desired destination: Odella.

Carelessly, Silas folds the map and shoves it back into the satchel. He takes a deep breath and looks at the sun- still sitting proudly in the sky, squinting as he stares at the dazzling blue sky. Silas' golden hair almost glows in the light as he takes in the warmth. He could swear the sun never felt as inviting in Itasa.

After readjusting his hood, Silas clicks his tongue. His horse enters a steady trot as they begin his journey to the South.

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The homes are spread out and separated by little farms surrounding each house. Various plants are growing in the field, and it is hard to tell what belongs to which house. Trotting farther into Odella, he's met with the bustling marketplace. Silas tugs off his cloak's hood to scan the scene without any obstruction.