The night was young and the moon was full. It hung like a yellow orb high up in the dark sky, thousands of stars dotted the dark canvas. The figure took a step forward, causing the fallen leaves to shatter under his foot. He ran a hand through his silk-like hair as his azure-blue orbs followed the path before him.
There before him, stood a lone grave. Surrounding it were carefully bred white roses, encasing the grave in an aura-like way. A smile grew on his lips as he kneeled down; muttering a soft greeting.
His fingers ran across the surface of the grave, caressing the little bumps gently as though they were jewels. His dark eyes trailed the words as memories played once again in his mind. He remembered the soft touch on his skin, the warm breath on his neck, the warm lips on his lips, the gentle voice saying his name.
Pain filled his heart as he silenced the yell threatening to come out. He did not understand why he had to lose his love. He glared at the full moon; it seemed to be taunting him, mocking the fragility of humans.
The sound of birds chirping awaked him along with the voice, asking him to rise.
“Your highness, His Majesty wishes to se you. Your highness, please, awaken,” the voice became clear – a female. “His Majesty wishes to see you in the dining hall.”
He blinked a couple of times trying to focus on his surroundings. He realized, he had fallen asleep in front of the grave the previous night, as he rubbed sleep out of his eyes. The maid repeated the request hoping that the prince would quickly get up and go see the King. They all knew what the King’s temper was like and did not want him to get angry.
The prince stood up, bowing to the grave before he turned and hurried to go meet his father…
“Were you at the grave again?” the King, King Benedik asked as he finished his drink.
The prince bowed his head and took in a deep breath. He could smell the scent of roses on his clothes, he had no excuse now; he was in trouble.
“How many times do I have to repeat myself? Time and time again, I warned you about visiting your mother’s grave and you keep defying me!” the King roared slamming his goblet onto the floor.
“Father, Christophor misses her. Just let him be.” Anastasia, the prince’s oldest sister said.
“When your mother was alive, she spoiled him, treated him like a jewel. You three, as his older sisters are spoiling him the same way your mother did, now look at him, he is almost female!” the King retorted angrily.
“He is our darling baby brother.” Emily said, grinning at Christophor.
“Like you said, brother. So shouldn’t he act more like a man instead of a woman? Instead of playing dress-up with you three, he should learn how to fight,” the king uttered, staring at Christophor. “This is linked to the issue which I am about to address.”
With this, Christophor sat up straight, placed his utensils down and looked at his father. His azure-blue eyes stared into emerald-green orbs; they seemed so cold, so distant that Christophor looked away. He had inherited most of his mother’s looks; her blue eyes and light-purple hair.
“We all know that the peace treaty between our country Zanela and Cerenia is not very strong. The peace that we currently have would not last unless we do something. Therefore, the King of Cerenia and I have come the decision that you, Prince Christophor Anderson of Zanela is to wed King Henson’s second son, Prince Anderes Cersario.” The King announced.
Metal hit porcelain, gasps sounded. Christophor tried o process the information, he could not believe it while Cassandra stood up – speechless.
“Father, you-you betrothed Christophor to a man?” Cassandra asked, her voice shaking.
“Prince Anderes prefers males, and Christophor is almost female. To ensure the peace between our two countries, this is how it has to be. Christophor, you’ll be leaving for Cerenia in two days time. I will assign a special guard for you; your wedding would be decided by the other party. You will not be allowed to return her after that. Understand?” the King said wiping his mouth.
“Father! You cannot do this!” Anastasia said standing up.
“Not Christophor! He’s only nineteen! He should not be sent to the gallows for this! Please father-“
Emily said before the King interrupted.
“For our country, this is a must. If Christophor was more like a man, I would never do this. Blame it on the fact that he never tried to stand up for himself.” The King roared.
“Father-“
“This breakfast is over! Christophor, you are going to Cerenia whether you like it or not!” the King bellowed as he stood up and marched out of the room.
Christophor felt his eyes sting as hot tears formed at the corners of his eyes. He did not want to leave Zanela; he did not want to marry some gay who was in fact the enemy. His vision blurred as he felt a drop on his hand, his sisters crowded around him, tears in their eyes, trying their best to comfort their little brother.
“Christophor, don’t cry. I’ll go talk to father again, don’t cry dear…” Anastasia muttered hugging her brother.
“Father cannot do this, he cannot! How can he just hand you over to the enemy? How-” Emily sobbed.
Cassandra placed her arm around Christophor, tears trailing down her cheeks. Christophor felt his world crumble, his clothes crunched up in his fists, hell was breaking loose.
“Anderes…” he moaned as their lips met and is tongue entered the familiar place.
“Anderes. Hey Anderes!” a voice called.
He opened his eye and looked at the person who called him. His jet-black orbs met fiery red ones. Even though they were related to each other by blood, Anderes could see how different he looked compared to his older brother, the Crown Prince of Cerenia, Prince Nathan. Anderes was a year and a half younger than Nathan; he had shoulder-length black hair in contrast to his brother’s deep red hair.
A grin grew on Nathan’s face as he settled down beside Anderes on the steps leading to the courtyard.
“It is true then?” Nathan asked.
“What’s true? That you have an idiotic grin?” Anderes asked, breaking into a similar smile.
“So do you,” Nathan laughed.
“I’ve heard that, father has betrothed you to some prince from Zanela, and that he would be arriving in five days time.”
Anderes kept quiet. Anger flashed in his eyes as he recalled his father deciding on the decision without his permission. A slap on the back indicated to Anderes that another sibling had joined them on the steps.
“What are you two talking about out here?” she asked.
“Don’t worry Anderes, I’ll make it hell for that poor soul who would be coming.” Nathan proposed, cracking his knuckles in excitement.
Elsie delivered a hard blow onto the side of Nathan’s head before settling down on the other side of Anderes. Anderes knew that among the five children, Elsie was the voice of reason even though she was the second youngest child.
“He must be having a worse time. He has to move away from his country, his people, his family, and come and join us here. People whom he was taught was enemies till recent years and, he is only nineteen, a mere two years older than me. Imagine how he must be feeling.” Her red irises shining brightly as she looked out towards the horizon.
The rising sun splashed the sky with bright orange and red, causing the puffy white clouds to look slightly roasted. Anderes sighed and looked at the clouds, it reminded him of past memories, those that would never happen again.
“Are you thinking about Savan?” Nathan asked cautiously.
Anderes smiled, he could remember all the memories he had with Savan. His gentle touch, his loving voice calling his name, his warm kisses, nothing would be able to make him forget Savan.
“Would you shut up some time?” Elsie yelled as she delivered another blow onto Nathan’s head.
Anderes laughed. Being the only girl in between four brothers did not help Elsie to become a proper princess. He pitied Nathan as Elsie’s blows were unusually painful, but he knew she only used force because she wanted to help.
When Savan died, he did not shed a single tear during the burial, everyone though he was alright, that he accepted the fact that Savan was gone. Elsie, she was the only one who came to him after the burial, she was the only one who realized the real pain he was suffering inside, the tears that were falling – inside.
“It’s alright Elsie. I’m happy to say that I am thinking about Savan. I loved him and I still do. Even though he is gone, I’m very sure that he is still in here.” Anderes said pointing to his heart.
An image of Savan came into his mind. His blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, his purple eyes radiating gentleness, his smile grinning brightly.
“Be happy Anderes!” he waved and disappeared.
Anderes stood up and stretched. The sun had risen and it was time to go get ready for the day ahead. He had to finalize he plans for Christophor’s arrival, and to decide on what he could do to make the younger boy wish he was never born…
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