Crowns Of Shadows

1: Raven

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The night had just begun, and it was seething with hatred. The tension between my parents, and my eldest brother, Alexander, was strong. My other brother, Lucianno, urged me to stay quiet, while Alexander poked and prodded with his food. This argument was for them. Yet, it hadn't even started. When it starts, it will not include me, and if either me or Luci were to speak, we would be the new targets of our parents slander. Relationships were always rocky in the castle of Isel, trust did not thrive, in fact, this entire court and kingdom was built on my mothers lies, and my fathers manipulation. Even then, my family argues just as much as any other, but the things we argue about differentiate. For example, tonight's argument was bound to be about my brother and the woman sat across from him.

"How dare you decide his future?" And there it was. My father stood, and slammed his hands on the table. His blue eyes staring daggers at our mother. My spine went taut. I glanced over at Lucianno who had done the complete opposite and only seemed to be sinking further into his seat.

The woman across from my brother, Princess Reina, looked up from her food, her big green eyes glaring at Jack. I liked her, I'll be damned, but she wasn't who I wanted my brother marrying, far from it. She's much less- whatever Alihandro was, which was a good thing, but she definitely did not deserve my brother, whether or not she was kind.

"His future was decided before he was born. It is just the way of royalty." My mother held her fork but looked up at my father, unphased. When she looked back down at her food, she smiled. It wasn't a normal smile, it reeked of sickness, and pleasure. I had no idea how she could have been happy about this. My brothers and I knew she didn't care for us, but being face to face with that sort of information, as well as the proof.. hurt.

"That can change!" Jack spoke louder, beckoning for her to give him the satisfaction of attention.

"How would you know?" She stood, looked at him, hatred covered her face. He paused, looking to the side. He didn't have an answer. "Oh, you're right. You wouldn't. I made you royalty. You're not even worth the title." She smirked, as she raised her eyebrows at him, then dismissed him easily with the wave of her hand.

But he wasn't done.

"You're right, but he is our son, we choose as a team."

"Father, please." Alexander finished chewing before speaking again, though relief hit me as he had finally eaten something. My father's, as well as Reina's, head whipped towards him. After finishing, he cleared his throat. "This is my duty." He paused. "My responsibility." He whispered, as he glanced at his food once again, then looked up, his blue eyes shined with nothing but sadness. He looked over to something behind Reina, and his face fell , those same blue eyes shifted to guilt in a minute. I wondered if Dorothy had known he had to choose Reina, I wonder if she would ever know the extent in which my brother loved her.

He looked like he wanted to reach out. All of the color drained from his face. I turned around and my eyes landed on Dorothy. His one true love, his only. The high maid of our palace. This was the woman I thought he would live his life with. I can see why he loved her, her blonde hair softened to a silk, her beautiful hazel eyes always shining with happiness. Though, when I looked at her in that moment, they had hardened into the purest form of sadness, almost as if telling him it would be alright. She was the woman I believed to one day, wear the crown of Isel, and wife to my brother. I believe with my full heart that my mother made him choose the crown.

"Do not argue this case." My father demanded. My brother looked at him calmly, then he too, stood.

"Father-" He started, but was cut short.