Caged Birds Will Fly

•4.5•

T/N: I am currently volunteering at my local library, so I haven't been able to update. Sorry. So to make up for it, I have created a side story for you guys. -A Tired Earl Grey

Chapter 4.5: Crowning Glory

A U R O U S
I sit in my room, her book resting on my lap. I close my eyes and a picture pops into my head of her; her long raven-colored hair, her light blue eyes, and her faint freckles that dotted her face. The way her eyes glistened as she talked about the Royal Knights, and how she reacted to my questions. I spin the rose between my fingers. I remembered her from the evening party two days ago:

I stumbled through the hallway, Sterling clinging to my knees, "Hey! That hurts!"; he ran forward and dashed between my father's legs. I sighed. My butler and close friend Eleanor, chuckled and placed his hand on my shoulders. "Hey, kid! Today is an extremely important chapter of your life, you'll see the most hopeful girls from the kingdom. All you have to do is pick one as a candidate for future Empress". I glared at him, "Really?! That sounds so easy", I stated sarcastically. My dad looked at me, "This is a tradition that has never failed us. You'll do great". I watched as our guards opened the door; everyone bowed, as it is of custom, but one girl still had her head raised. I was about to call her out when I noticed her eyes. Sparkling and full of adoration, but it was not placed on me, rather on my knights. I was baffled, no other woman ever did that. 

Later that evening, while I was in my bedroom, I spotted a portrait of my late mother. Thesis. The name sounds foreign on my lips, seeing as I never really knew her due to my lack of memories of my past.

Now, because am soo nice, I'll give you a sneak peek into something awesome: Aurous's story "Eagles Will Soar". The next book after this one.

I race around the hallways, turning the next corner. My gold eyes scan the halls for my brother; he sits scrunched up under the desk. I gaze at the portrait of my mother that rests above. My mother's light face is framed with her blonde hair, her smile caring and regal; the sun of the Capital. My brother's grey-chestnut hair peeks from under the desk, I grin. "Found you!"

"Hey, that's not fair, you know everywhere in the palace", he pouts. I kneel next to him, "Okay Sterling, how about I hide, and you seek". He nods eagerly and starts to count. I take one last look at my mother. The hallways are massive, decorated with pictures of every royal line. I got my mother's pale blonde hair and golden eyes; Sterling got grandfather's grey hair and father's lively blue eyes. I slump, thinking of how the world must look like, while being stuck here. Sterling, being two years younger, gets more freedom than me. Eleanor tells me people would kill for my spot, kill me. A creak creeps open, that wasn't there before. I crawl into the tiny space; the dark space hugging me tightly. Sterling's tiny footsteps stop at my space; I hold my breath. I peek from the crack it the wall as Sterling's blue eyes spot me. He trembles as one of the guards walks by, giving away my spot. I creep out, tsking at the soldier. He turns his head and gives me a glare. I stand up, shifting to cover the hole, hoping he does not catch my hiding place. Sterling clutches my white shirt, staring, hiding, scared. The guard looks at me: a ten-year-old boy, the Crown Prince of the Capital, a smart-ass, and a sneaker. He sighs, "Prince, you know you are needed in the garden this afternoon, right?". I shrug, I've haven't thought about it. Sterling peeks out. I nod to the guard and whistle. Avolon, our dog, rushes over, "Avolon, take Sterling to the courtyard". The dog nods and pulls Sterling away from me; I groan at Sterling's sad face. I eye the guard, see... see what you made me do! The guard takes me to the garden, "His Majesty, the Crown Prince of the Capital has arrived". 'Finally', he grumbles under his breath. Father leans inwards in his chair, his face serious. I shift. A boy my age sits across from him; his short, wavy, dark brown hair shades his grey eyes that were sprinkled with green dots. He looks up and smiles, "Hello Aurous". My mouth dries, and I breathe a hello. My father leaves us be, grabbing the guard's arm and muttering into his ear. I sit down. The Crown Prince of Raven, one of our greatest ally. Don't screw this up! I drink the tea, its warm liquid sliding down my throat. I smirk, thinking of the secret passage, where did it go? I wondered. Sieur watches me, "What's so funny?", he questioned. I pull myself out of my daydreams and put down my cup. I study him. "Have you ever been outside palace walls?", I ask. He sighs heavily, "Sadly, I have not". I frown. I grabbed his hand, ignoring his pleads and questions, and lead him through the halls. We stand in front of Grandfather's painting, the little creak still showing. I slide it open; the dark tunnel now larger than I thought. I glance back at him; he smiles. I pull him close, "Don't tell anyone of this or I'll have you beheaded". He nods as I crawl in the hole. My hands grab onto the vines, pulling me up. My eyes cloud over into darkness, "Hey Sieur, are you okay back there?", I grunted. I hear a faint 'yes' and move on down the tunnel. A hint of light splashes my face. I blink. I crawl out, my body covered in vines; Sieur is no different. The wind brushes against my face, outside wind. I breathe it in. We walk through the narrow passageway, avoiding trash. We find a box of cloaks; I pull one over my head. "Sieur put on the cloak". We wonder about the marketplace, a place full of people. Scents swirl in the air, women link hands with their children, men sell food. I lean into Sieur ear, "We need fake names here". He nods. I think for a moment, then turn to Celeste. "I will be Clause"
"And I'll be Ryan"
"Ryan?"
"Yeah... my sister used to call me that when we were younger"

I giggle. I jiggle the bag of coins around my waist, searching for a food stand. Sieur points to a shop, "Over there!". We scatter through the sea of people, "Try not to get squashed Ryan", I joked. He frowns.

I get scolded when we get back, but I don't mind. My thoughts are filled with the marketplace, Mrs. Ann, and Sieur/ "Ryan". I lay in my bed, the dim light filling the room. Only thirteen more years before am Crowned, best make the best of it, I scoffed.
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I hope you enjoyed that, I'll be doing other character's side views later on if you guys want. Now let us talk with some of the characters:

Aurous: I finally get to show the world my side. *cocky*

Me: We get it. Stop.

Aurous: I am the prince. You can't tell me what to do

Me: "Aurous's mouth was sealed. His lips tight. His voice forgotten."

Aurous: *megh meh tegh*

Me: Finally some peace and quiet. *satisfied*