Call of Kronos *On Hold*

Chapter 4 - The Feast

"Mira."

Strong arms wrapped around her.

"Brother." 

A sigh of relief passed her lips as she hugged him back, tears glistening her worried eyes. He had been gone for months, as soon as they had gotten a word of Naidans raiding their villages, he had left with their troops.

And now he stood before her. 

Even though her brother did not bring news of victory, he was finally at home, and Mira believed that with her brother by her side, they could win any battle and emerge victoriously. She faintly smiled.

"Are you well?" He asked, pulling away and cupping her face. Just as she, he was worried. 

She nodded, taking in the tiredness around his eyes and the faint scar along his face. She was well but he was not. A frown etched into her face and her heart ached.

"Are you?"

He gave her a tight smile, "Better now." 

"We'll get through this," she promised in a way only he could hear. Unfortunately, eavesdropping was not uncommon in this kingdom and she did not want other people to be worried about the kingdom's future, especially when things were so bleak. 

He looked behind her and then to his sister, a forced smile appearing on his young but wise face. "We will but let us not spoil the feast with talks of war." 

She shook her head in understanding, but her eyes promised for them to talk later. She knew her mother wasn't telling her everything about the war, after all, she was not the queen. But Mira had to know, the burning curiosity in her would not go unquenched, that she knew for sure.

Slowly, her gaze wandered around the tired but happy faces of the people around them. 

High ranking soldiers and generals, along with the noble families of the kingdom had gathered in the feast honored for the return of their men. Most were alive and unscathed, and that was exactly what their people needed. Their return was a glimmer of hope in the face of darkness. So people drank and ate, as they have done for centuries to celebrate what was a brief victory for them. 

"Mira."

Her shoulders tensed.

"Yes, mother."

She turned to face her. Standing regal with a pure crystal dress, her mother wore a delicate smile on her face. One that radiated not warmth but caution, only for those that could understand.

"I see you have missed your brother," her hand reached out to her son and she slowly caressed his cheek. It was a gesture that was far from loving and sadly, not many in the kingdom knew about this. 

"He brings us shame tonight but we still throw him a feast," her threatening smile widened. To the outside world, she looked like a mother that was happy with her son's return. But Mira and her brother, those that truly knew the queen's mind, knew that she was gravely disappointed by Maxwell. There would be consequences. 

Her brother's lips pressed into a thin line and he clasped his hands behind his back.

"You should be grateful, dear." Her words chilled her son to the bone, she lightly gripped his chin and forced him to look into her icy eyes. 

"Thank you, mother." 

His words were void of any emotion, just as his guarded eyes. 

"All I do, I do it for the both of you," she looked at Mira and then back to her son, "do not forget this."