Shattered Throne

Chapter 1

Julian

I know what I'm doing will probably look bad in the eyes of others, but they don't understand how some things are better kept as secrets.

I don't have complete faith in my plan though. Many things could happen against my favor, but it is the right thing to do. The right thing for the future and for everyone I care about.

I haven't told anyone about it, obviously no one can truly be trusted, either to tell someone else or to try to stop me.

I also possess the high advantage of my ability. When I really think about it, I could probably accomplish anything. I know people have always gossiped and predicted that I would someday steal the throne from the Calore House, but a role in politics is the last place I want to be. I prefer company with my books and Sarah. If only I could stay in libraries and read all day, without having to get in the way of others and their lives.

Besides Cal of course. It is difficult enough to try to keep him away from Annabel. I guess decades of her constantly being forced to put up a facade has ultimately changed her for the worst.

Cal has many, many of his own issues, and I have always felt bad for the poor boy. The pain of losing Corraine still aches within my bones, but I can't imagine how he must feel. I almost didn't give him the journal, selfishly wanting to keep it for myself. He has grown tremendously over the past year. And his hurt over losing Mare is something even any Lakelander who doesn't know him could easily see.

There are many, many different sides to that boy. The rightful king, following in his father's footsteps, the strong silver soldier, the traitor prince, fighting for the one he loves, and the older brother, who feels responsible for Maven's calamitous childhood.

Although the former boy king has made insurmountable offences, I do pity him. He could have been, and hopefully will be so much more. Of course, considering this all goes smoothly.

Cal would certainly not agree with this plot to save his brother, but I know for a fact that he would jump on the aspect of some plan. That premier Davidson, such an odd, stoic person, seemed to have snuffed his hope.

But Davidson does not know as much as I do.

I first stumbled upon the possible remedy translating a manuscript from one of the red slum towns. One of the techies who were forced to work in those soul sucking, dust saturated factories, must have had a knack for engineering. There were plans and ideas for developing a sort serum that was created by the DNA, drawn out of silvers. The documents regarding her death had definitely been tampered with. No doubt that it was some sort of foul play either by a silver guard or official.

This kind of discovery could be revolutionary, changing the boundaries between silvers and reds. Which is why of course no one must know.

Will it even work? Or is Maven's mind just that corrupted by his mother?