Morning.
Dining Hall, Citadel.
Critic-Citadel, Critic-Ishire.
*****************
Theodore felt betrayed and hurt for losing both his parents at the sa ti but Conan was his friend as he was the son of the royal advisor and lady-in-waiting of the queen, so it never got boring.
In the Rhuins primogeniture royal house, Sandra the concubine beca restless as Theodore was soon to be crowned king. She wished she could do sothing to stop it but she didn’t have to do anything because suddenly Theodore decided he wanted nothing of the title.
The two brothers had contrasting attitudes towards this inheritance. Theodore, despite being the heir apparent, showed little interest in the wealth and titles that awaited him.
Instead, he pursued his own passions, interests, and ambitions outside of the family legacy, he prioritized personal fulfilnt over material wealth or social status.
On the other hand, the younger brother, Salvatore, aware of his junior status in terms of inheritance, feels a strong sense of obligation and desire to uphold the family’s honour and legacy. He beca more invested in preserving the family’s wealth and titles, viewing them as symbols of prestige and responsibility. He desired to be king.
This dynamic sets the stage for potential conflict as the brothers navigate their roles within the primogeniture system and their individual aspirations for the future.
Theodore began to go to war as the empire started to get attacked by neighbouring ones, Theodore would lead them and then Salvatore got crowned king as Theodore had rejected the throne.
Theodore had rejected the throne because he rembered Lydia and he would do anything to wait, reducing his enemies.
So as Theodore told Salvatore to remain loyal to his title Salvatore felt attacked. He has beco attached to the position and he would do anything to keep it, he also wishes his brother would be closer to him instead of being so cold and distant.
"What you need is to find more loyal workers, Theodore," he said.
Theodore narrowed his eyes not understanding the context of that comnt.
He started to eat as he asked. "Why did you send for the last ti?"
Salvatore smirked now. "That was what I am just now talking about," he said pointedly. "Your maid" he paused, sipping his wine and making Theodore’s frown deepen "She ca" Salvatore added, his words counted.
"Be fast with it, Salvatore" Theodore urged impatiently, because he suddenly knew now that Salvatore was talking about Mira the maid.
Salvatore dropped his cutlery to respond. "She wanted to join hands with her to destroy you," he said.
He nodded. "I told her there was no way to destroy you and she said she knew a way, that your weakness was Lydia and she worked in the mansion" he continued nonchalantly.
Theodore perked up. "Where is she?"
Salvatore shrugged his shoulders. "Not in my Citadel," he said as he bit on his breakfast.
Startled Theodore barked. "You let her go?!"
"For soone who could threaten an emperor I thought you could handle yourself" he jabbed picking back his cutlery.
"Lydia is alone!" Theodore growled painfully.
The emperor blinked now, realising the gravity of the situation. "She cannot do anything in your mansion," he said, more to himself.
"You better hope so" Theodore retorted reigning on his emotions.
A figure passed the dining hall and Theodore recognised her as Mira of the house Statham. She entered the dining hall and without a word, she sat next to Salvatore.
Salvatore didn’t glance at her while Theodore held her gaze for a second. She looked well.
"Go away Theodore, I called for you but you refused to acknowledge it" Salvatore replied, reminding Theodore of his blatant refusal and threat.
Theodore ran his palm through his hair. "This place is three days away you could’ve sent the information with the guard, you rascal" he countered, his voice rising.
"You are in love with Lydia" Salvatore pointed out in shock.
Theodore stood up, it was abrupt and shocking, he needed to get to his wife he thought.
"You need to find a witch for your problem, I do not know what you are doing with that girl but it is unnatural" he said pointing at Mira as he advised Salvatore.
Theodore turned and left the dining hall banging the door and leaving the premises.
He reached the stable and hastily approached Conan. "Conan we are leaving, leave the carriage for the boys and Blanc, pick a horse"
With his fingers in his hair and with a sigh he added "We should never have left Critic Arley without finding the maid" he regretted being this nonchalant about the missing maid. He had told Hound to look for her but he didn’t expect Hound to leave protecting Lydia for that.
"Why? What happened?" Conan was confused as to why they were suddenly in a rush to go back ho, he might wish to see Helena but it wouldn’t make him regret attending this eting. It was duty.
"That maid ca to Salvatore intending he joined hands with her to destroy " Theodore told his friend.
Conan narrowed his eyes finding it suspicious that Salvatore simply told Theodore what happened. "You believe he did not help?" he asked as he moved to get their rides.
Theodore glanced at the Citadel, it stood tall and proud. "He is too prideful for that, if he could, he would do it himself not through a peasant" he comnted on his brother.
"I see, we are ready" Conan comnted offering the horse to Theodore.
Theodore felt his heart constrict, the lungs pumping blood to the heart way slower than he needed at the mont, as he hopped onto the horse. He hoped nothing would happen to his Gooseberry because if by his negligence she died again, then he would deem himself unworthy to follow her again.
"Lord Theodore!" a voice called out to them as they tried to leave.
Theodore turned to them with a response. "You shall ride with Blanc, do well to reach the mansion" he added.
The boys bowed respectfully. "Yes, Lord Theodore"
Blanc showed up behind them in the coachman area of a weathered cart pulled by a sturdy chestnut horse. His strong, sinewy arms gripped the reins with a sense of purpose, guiding the horse along the winding country roads with practised ease. "Safe ride, Lord Theodore" he wished his voice strong.
"Thank you, Blanc, take care of them" Theodore ordered softly. Blanc smiled of course he replied.
The Lord and his right-hand man rode away while the boys hopped into the carriage and began their steady ride ho.
"Let us buy sothing for the Lady" Gabriel suggested dropping a pouch on the space between him and his brother.
"What lady? your damsel?" Tom teased.
Gabriel raised a dark brow. "Oh? So you calling her mine now"
Tom glanced at the satchel of money. "How did you get those Crits?"
Gabriel got comfortable, picked up his satchel before he closed his eyes, relaxing his back. "The Lady with the emperor, she paid to spy on Lady Theodore" he responded.
Tom blanched as he whisper yelled. "And you took the money?!"
"Relax Tommy I was not aspiring to die young" Gabriel retorted, brushing his brother off. "I do not wish to betray the kind lady Theodore so loosen up, will you?"
Tom’s frown doesn’t loosen. "Why then did you take the Crit?"
"Because we need every Crit we can get, Tom, every amount of it"
Tom sighed, resigned because his brother was right, they needed every damn Crit, he took the sa stance Gabriel did earlier, and he laid back with a sigh, his eyes tired.
Gabriel nodded, he was doing the right thing. He believed.
The lady, Mira Statham, wouldn’t report it if he didn’t return any information because that would expose her.
They both sighed and closed their eyes and despite the weariness etched into their caral features, there was an air of quiet determination about them, a steely resolve born from years of hardship and perseverance.
As the carriage rode, their thoughts drifted back to the trials and tribulations of their past, the mories of suffering and loss weighing heavily on their hearts.
Their poor baby sister, their hearts cried.
But amidst the shadows of their shared past, a glimr of hope shone, a hope for new beginnings and brighter tomorrows. Each bump in the road, each jolt of the cart beneath them, served as a reminder of the journey they had endured, and the journey that lay ahead in the lords’ mansion.
They shall get their sister back.
Gabriel gazed out across the rolling fields, his mind filled with visions of a future filled with opportunity and promise. He dread up a life free from the constraints of poverty and prejudice, a life where he and his brother would find their sister and they could forge their own destiny on their own terms.
While Tom’s expression was tinged with sadness, he found solace in the unspoken bond that connected him and his twin. He knew that no matter what trials lay ahead, they would face them together, drawing strength from each other’s presence and unwavering support, they shall be stronger for celine, their sister.
As the miles stretched on, the landscape gradually transford, the familiar sights and sounds of their new city drawing nearer with each passing mont.
AND as the carriage rolled past a point towards their welcoming city, the twin brothers shared a silent exchange, a silent acknowledgent of the trials they had overco, and the hope that burned bright within their hearts for the future that lay ahead in Critic Arley.
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the borderlands, the two caral-skinned twin brothers journeyed howard.
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