Calester woke up exhausted. It felt like he just went and did heavy labor, but he was in bed with his eyes shut closed. After a while, he finally decided to get out of bed and start his day preparing for his wedding.
'Will Rad come? This is making me anxious.'
He was phasing back and forth with his thoughts fixated on the same question. Then, a voice came greeting him from the door.
"You Highness, Are you awake?"
Calester eyes quickly shifted towards the door and instantly answered, "Yes, Roy. What is it?"
"It's time to prepare, your Majesty."
Calester glances over the clock that hangs on the wall of office.
"You're right."
After the few exchanges, Roy left and once again, Calester was alone in his chamber.
***
Emerald barely slept the night before. She kept tossing and turning and her mind kept filling up with useless things. Soon, the dawn finally approached and in a few hours she was getting married.
[...show up if you choose to marry.]
Calester's nonchalant words echoed in Emerald's thoughts. With her indecisiveness, it made it harder for Emerald to be firm with her choice. She has become doubtful at a moment like this. Of course, it was because she was expecting that the Crown Prince would be her groom on her wedding day. In her naive mind, she never expected that another man would take the form of her future husband.
Emerald's heart pounded from such ambiguous thoughts, clenching her hands against her chest.
Before the previous engagement was announced, Emerald knew that Emperor Callen would choose his eldest son to be her marriage partner. During the time of the official announcement, Emerald and Calisto were in their early teens.
Emerald had expected it to always stay that way. How could she not anticipate that such a turn of event would happen this way? No one could truly tell the fate of a person.
As her thoughts continued to flow in languid, she could not help but to laugh at her younger self's ridiculous delusion.
She was convinced that she was in love with Calisto. That's why she insisted on waiting for the Crown Prince to return.
As Emerald continued to lay down on her back, she closed her eyes. The image of the young Crown Prince came to her vision. He was kind hearted and charismatic. There was no doubt that anyone would take him for a husband anytime because he was that attractive.
Just like Calester, Calisto has silky silver grey hair and a charming pair of hazel green eyes. They are pretty similar in structure and built. What can you expect from the De Morgues brother's when both have had tough military training since they were teenagers? There are only a few key differences if one would pay close attention.
The brother's height difference can not be noticed at first sight. But, Calester is a little taller than his older brother. Because of the many similarities of features between the two brothers, they can pass as twins. Their exquisite features were known to be their clan's unique characteristics.
When she was a lot younger, she distinguished the two brothers by the length and style of their hair. At that time, it was the only thing that would set them apart.
Calester liked to keep his hair short and neat, while Calisto would maintain his hair long and in a low ponytail.
Emerald turned to her side and hunched her back slightly.
She remembered Calisto's gentleness. It thrilled her heart in some way.
When Calisto left the Palace, it was too late for Emerald to see him for the last time. Her heart ached from the painful memories. It has only been a few years. But the day he left was still freshly vivid in her mind.
'Your Father lied to me...'
Emerald sighed. She has been in bed for almost an hour, still trying to go back to sleep.
"... 2 years is quite long."
She opened her eyes to look at the clock hanging on the wall. Then, continued to talk to herself.
"Where are you now?
"You're a horrible son for not coming back to see your father. You're a horrible brother for making Calester go through this alone..."
She paused for a moment in hesitation. Then, whispered her last words, "You're horrible to me for leaving me with no choice but to marry someone else.'
The reality hit Emerald once again. She almost forgot that today was her wedding day.
What was she supposed to feel? Emerald was confused.
A few days ago, she was so sure that she was ready to be the Empress and be Calester's wife. In fact, she was well convinced that she did not think it through until now. At least, for the sake of their old friendship, she thought it was okay to proceed with it. But now, she was not sure anymore.
Once more, Calester's words echoed in her thoughts.
[...show up if you choose to marry.]
***
After getting ready, there was still time before the ceremony began. Calester approached his desk and opened one of his cabinet drawers. Then, took out a red wine that he kept stored in moments that he was in deep thoughts. He opened the bottle and poured the wine into an empty glass. He turned to look at the window and gaze over the lively atmosphere of the Central Palace. Everyone was there to celebrate a special day. But, he felt distant as if the feeling of celebrating was foreign to him. All the servants were busy preparing for the ceremony.
He turned back to his table and took the filled glass into his hand.
'Brother...'
That was his first thought after seeing the joyous crowd down below. His face hardened at his next thoughts, 'I'm getting married to your Fiancée.'
He blurted out curses under his breath and continued to speak his mind directed towards his missing brother.
'Father gave you two years and still has not come back? How could you... waited.'
Calester drew his own conclusion as he gulped down the red wine that was in his hand. Once emptied, he poured out another glass of wine, filling it up almost to the top.
'Your Emerald is still waiting for you, you Jerk!'
Angry and exhausted, he poured the glass of wine in his mouth quickly.
"How stupid. You messed up my resolution."
As soon as he finished drinking the glass of wine in his hand, he stood up and approached the door. He opened it and walked out of his chamber. When Roy noticed Calester coming out of his room, he quickly followed his master.
"You're Majesty. You still have time before the wedding... where are you going?"
Calester responded absentmindedly, "... to the audience hall"
Roy blinked in confusion, but did not portray a question. He quietly followed Calester behind as they walked swiftly towards the Audience hall.
Calester opened the heavy metal door of the audience hall. It was an empty hall as only white statue figures stood in silence.
"Your Majesty...?"
Roy finally spoke with hesitancy. His eyes wondered what Calester was trying to do.
Calester stood at the door in grim silence as if at that moment he was lost in his own train of thoughts.
"Father... help me find my brother." He prayed as he sought for the presence of the former Emperor.
"Your Majesty, should we summon the High Priest to the Palace?" Roy suggests as he observed the young man in the distance.
Calester turned his heel to direct his gaze towards this wise assistant. Then, he nodded, "Yes, bring him."
Calester walked past Roy as Roy took a bow in acknowledgement to his command.
It was time.
He headed towards the Central Palace before the ceremony began.