The Royal Engagement

Chapter 23

A/N: Here's some backstory for you.  Sorry about the wait, assignments and stuff...blah blah. Enjoy!

"I SAID GIVE IT BACK!"

A splash and thump followed. His brother had tripped over the stone fountain's ledge and hit his head on the statue as he fell into its water. The impact sounded like a painful crunch, causing him to flinch in regret at his roughness.

Sniffles and short sobs emerged from his brother's mouth as he clutched his red-matted hair and looked up at him in hurt. He stepped back, too scared by the severity of the injury to even think of helping or comforting him.

They soon turned to cries and screams that resounded through the gardens for everyone to hear. Their mother was the first to rush over, lifting her long, lavender gown and face scrunched in distress. Her maids flocked behind her.

Amongst initial sight of his brother crying, she rushed to his side and pulled him from the water. Her eyes widened when she saw the wound and angrily snapped her head to him.

"Hakan! What did you do! I've told you not to be so aggressive with your brother before! Look what you've done!" she yelled with a bitter expression. There was a flash of hurt in Hakan's eyes as he tried to speak up.

"B-but he..."

"Sarina, come quickly and take Pyro to the get treated!" The maids responded with a 'Yes milady!' and carried Pyro away, cooing and drying him off and they left. He didn't move, staring at the ground, his hands clutching around his precious toy. His mother stared down in disappointment once they were alone. The disappointment of a mother was enough for him to learn his lesson – she was aware of this. So, without a word, she turned and left him to himself.

Alone again....

He gripped his favourite toy, one that his father had brought him from the country of Laphitia when he visited with the King to find peace with them. It was a unique figurine of a king whose arms and legs could be moved. He loved it dearly and didn't mind that Pyro had gotten more presents than him that day. He was simply content with having one special toy rather than five boring ones like his brother...

Yet still...

He glared at the beheaded toy in his hand with hatred, tears welling his eyes.

Even when his brother had much more toys than him to play with...why did he have to break his?! Why take it without asking?!

It wasn't his fault his brother had used it without his permission then broke it! It wasn't his fault he got angry! It wasn't his fault his annoying brother wouldn't give it back!

Pyro was the one that started it! It was his fault!

"SO WHY?!" he screamed to the skies, expecting an answer back. Streams rolled down his cheeks as he held back his urge to sob. "Why do they always blame me?" The crackle of thunder was his only response. The heavens were the only ones that heard him and listened. He had no one else...

The now useless toy slipped through his fingers and splattered onto the mud.

Mother, Father, his siblings...they could only ever hear and see the bright, ringing presence of Pyro... He was just the unfortunate cloud of misfortune that plagued him...

"I don't blame you..."

He widened his eyes in surprise. He snapped his head back to the voice behind him.

A figure stood by the hedges and smiled softly. It rose a grateful blush to his cheeks.

"It's you..." he breathed out, frantically trying to hide his tears. The figure drew closer, the rain seemingly disappearing as soon as she came, and the sun beginning to peak through clouds in an instant.