A THRONE OF BLOOD || bxb

II | Royal Family Gathering

[Lucian]

Days and weeks had passed since the passing of King Henry. The castle's already hollow corridors managed to get even more emptier. I could only enjoy taking walks along the castle's garden. It was the only place filled with life in this awful castle.

A few handmaidens were following me closely from behind. Despite my efforts to shrug them off, it still annoyed me at how persistent they were.

"Prince Lucian? We have to get you ready soon. The Queen is calling for a gathering of all royal family members." One of the ladies said, bowing elegantly.

Mother called for a gathering? What is she up to?

I merely nodded and followed them to my room. One of the handmaidens pulled out my traditional outfit from one of the rooms that stored all my outfits.

It was a maroon vest with golden trimmings. Rose flowers and thorny stems were seamlessly woven onto the vest. The handmaidens clipped on a long Prussian blue cape that draped to the floor. My height didn't really help the situation...

Before I could leave, I placed the golden crown neatly. The emerald beads embedded in the crown sparkled under the light of the crystal chandelier, speckling the floor with dazzling reflections.

The handmaidens bowed before taking their leave. I sighed heavily. I wasn't looking forward to this gathering. I think I already know what Mother is going to address. And I'm not at all interested in it.

••••••

I stood in front of the double doors where the two guards opened them for me to enter. I trudged slowly into the conference room, my heart heavy with unease. I just wanted this to be over with..

The conference room was a dull room that only allowed access to members of the royal family. A large oval mahogany table sat right in the center. The walls were only decorated with portraits of the royal family. A lonely bonsai tree sat in the corner of the room in a black square vase.

It was depressing just to be in this room. There was barely any light. The attempts at decorating this room was upsetting. Things have really changed the moment Father died.

Father would always be in here, and I would remember this room to have more colours and life.

The castle is no longer the same.

I sat down at the table, seeing only two faces watching me with piercing stares.

"Lucian.. You took quite some time, didn't you?"

"Apologies, Mother." I tried to speak despite having a weak voice that was barely loud enough for even myself to hear.

Rose sat directly opposite of me. Her flaming red hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, the curly locks cascading neatly down her back. She wore a simple golden tiara and was clad in a navy blue knee-length dress. She normally hated frilly dresses, but she is forced to live with a wardrobe where almost every dress of hers has frills either at the hem of the dress or at the sleeves.

Mother, on the other hand, had a new crown on her head. A rather big one. It was a crown befitting a ruler. I eyed her in confusion.

Eventually I sat down quietly, facing Rose on the opposite side of me as Mother sat at the end of the table to my right.

"Where are the others?" Rose finally broke the silence in the room, to which Mother responded with a long sigh.

I stood up immediately and groaned out loud. "If they're not coming anytime soon, I'll be taking my–"

Before I could even finish my sentence, the doors burst open with a loud bang. Zero waltzed into the room, yawning as he stretched his arms. His cape was flowing in a much more elegant manner than mine thanks to his height. He wore a black and gold vest, and was twirling the long braid at the side of his head with his fingers.

"Let's get this over with. Ares is still on his way back from some kingdom you sent him to. Thea's on a mission with the rangers. What do you want?" Zero crossed his arms behind him, stretching. His aqua blue eyes stared right back at Mother.

"Zero! That is no way to speak to the Queen, you impudent little–" Rose's eyes flickered in shock and anger at how laid back Ivor was while speaking to Mother.

"Oh shut it sister. Trying to act like the older sister when in fact I am the older twin." Zero grinned playfully, sticking his tongue out at Rose.

Rose's face contorted with irritation. It seemed as though steam was shooting out of her ears.

Watching the twins behave that way would usually make me chuckle. If our family needed the bundle of joy, we could rely on Zero and Rose for that.

I looked at Mother's countenance that hadn't changed one bit amidst the snickering of Zero and Rose's tirade in the background before chuckling softly.

But the laughter subsided the moment Mother cleared her throat. I tensed up in my seat. The air in the room felt as though it got heavier.

"I called this gathering to make an official announcement. It is a pity that Ares and Thea cannot join us. But I trust that they are old enough to know that this is bound to happen.." Mother's voice trailed off as her eyes glinted in sorrow.

She took a long look at each of our faces before continuing.

"With the passing of King Henry," she began as she laced her fingers together, "the throne is now empty. Beckoning for a new ruler to step forward and take charge."

And there goes the bomb being dropped. I may be the youngest, but even I had the brains to know that this was Mother's intention for calling a sudden gathering. And maybe she had more to say. This family is always full of surprises.

"I know you're still trying to get over your father's death. But it can't be helped. I have to choose a successor as I reign as Queen. You will all be given 6 months to battle it out and prove yourselves to me." Mother's voice shifted to a more valiant tone.

I gulped nervously, watching Zero and Rose who were staring blankly, their eyes fixated on Mother. The choice of words Mother used didn't really seem... nice.

"You make it sound like we have to kill each other for the throne!" Zero scoffed, scratching his head.

"Did I say it was a physical battle? You know what I mean, Zero." Mother grinned softly.

Rose had a look of worry on her face. Our eyes caught each other's, exchanging the same look.

"One last thing. King Henry's tragic death has made me convinced that we will need to tighten security in the castle. More guards will be hired, and the best guards will be chosen as our personal bodyguards."

"But where will you get more guards, Mother?" Rose questioned.

"The citizens of our kingdom. I will be sending a few servants out tomorrow to spread the word. All of you are hereby dismissed." Mother ended, standing up and leaving the room slowly.

••••••

I rested my chin on my palm, looking out the window. From my room, I could see a few parts of the towns and villages that spread across the empire. The civilians looked like black moving dots as they went about with their daily lives beyond the castle walls.

My attention shifted to the sound of the door creaking open. Zero and Rose stood at the door, smiling cheekily as they waved at me.

"Brother! Do you want to have some fun tomorrow?" Ivor wrapped his hand around my shoulder.

"Tomorrow?" I asked, looking at the two of them in confusion.

"Rose and I came up with a plan." Zero's smile grew even wider.

This could only mean one thing.

They had an idea. An idea that could anger Mother.

"We're going to sneak into town tomorrow. And you're coming with us."