Icebound

Chapter 5

Aiden and Cassie returned to the ballroom where the party was being held. Reginald was busy talking with a couple people, but as soon as he was done talking, Aiden nervously walked up to him.

"Hey Reggie," he said.

Reginald turned around. He smiled at Aiden as his brother walked up to him.

"What is it, Aiden?" he asked him.

"Well... I uh... I was just chatting with my friend Cassie here, and... I was wondering if... if I could go on an adventure with her," said Aiden.

The smile faded from Reginald's face. He looked confused.

"Wait, what?" he asked.

Cassie walked over to them.

"My name is Cassie, and I'm a princess from the Eclipse Kingdom. Aiden's a good friend of mine, and I was wondering if I could take him on a journey away from Minetopia," said Cassie.

"Cassie and I talked about it, and I accepted. I just thought I'd let you know that I said yes," said Aiden.

Reginald didn't agree with this.

"Sorry Aiden, but I won't let you go," he objected.

"Wait, what?" asked Aiden.

"Aiden, you just met Cassie. It's unwise to accept an invitation from someone you just met, especially if it involves going away from home," said Reginald.

"But I know Cassie. She's my friend," said Aiden.

"Aiden, what do you know about friends?" asked Reginald.

"M-more than you! All you know is how to shut people out!" said Aiden.

Reginald felt rather hurt by Aiden's last remark. It wasn't like he wanted to shut everyone out of his life. He had no choice but to do so. To protect everyone from his power, especially Aiden.

"I'm still your older brother, Aiden. I just want to look out for you, and I hope you understand when I tell you that you can't go on an adventure with a stranger," said Reginald.

Aiden was about to object, but Cassie was ready to speak up for him.

"Your majesty. Please understand. If I may explain-" she started to say.

"No. You may not. And I'm sorry Cassie. But I can't allow Aiden to go with you," said Reginald.

He calmly walked away and up to one of the servants.

"The party's over. Please close the gates," he told the servant.

"Yes your majesty," said the servant.

Aiden began to panic. He was prohibited from going on his adventure, and now Reginald was about to shut the gates forever. This wasn't going how he hoped it would.

"No! Reggie wait!" he said.

He rushed over to Reginald, grabbing his brother's arm. He didn't keep a grip on Reginald, and he ended up taking Reginald's glove. Reginald freaked out when he lost his glove. He tried to take it back, but Aiden refused to hand it over.

"Give me my glove!" he said.

"Reggie, please! I can't live like this anymore!" said Aiden.

He gave Reginald a sad look as he spoke. It was hard for Reginald to see his brother upset, but he had to keep refusing.

"I'm sorry..." was all he could say.

He turned around and walked away. Aiden started to tear up.