"My lord, it's a healthy boy" spoke a servant nanny as she held a newborn covered in blood to the Lord of Visince, a kingdom apart of the Revolution Empire. The strong and sturdy man looked at the baby with no emotions present on his stern face. This Lord was powerful and got his position through battles both won and lost, yet he was a man of justice and provided for his people well.
"A daughter would have been easier to manage" was his only words to the 5th young prince of Visince before he took his leave. The nanny holding the newborn looked down at him sadly as she wrapped him up to maintain heat to his cleanly washed skin.
It was a shame in her mind that the 3rd wife of the Lord died while giving birth to the 5th prince but it was even more a daunting thought that this 5th prince would have to compete with his older siblings.
'Born to a commoner, he's sure to have no special attributes' as she put the young prince down in a crib after giving him warm milk from her breast. A common thing among nobles to have nanny's fully raise their offsprings. She exited the room and was immediately approached by the Lord's right hand butler.
"The 3rd wife to the Lord died while conceiving him. Did she say a name she wished to call him in her final moments?" The butler asked her as she nodded.
"Quill" she stated as she looked back at the room she had laid the young prince to rest.
Over the next couple of years the 5th prince grew up loved and nurtured by his Nanny, 'Pots' as he called her. There were many other nannies but the 5th prince favoured her the most.
"It's time for dinner Quill" she shouted as Quill came running from the woods with a stick in hand. She'd noticed the boy had quite the adventurous attitude and would wield the stick like a sword or wand.
"Nanny! Nanny! Look!" Slowly Quill opened his other hand showing a small white butterfly that seemed to like the 5th prince a lot.
"Oh a butterfly, they say the Gods bless butterflies with gifts and that if your worthy you'll be able to receive one" Quill looked down at the small white butterfly as it took off from his small palm. "Come along now, we can't leave the Lord waiting"
Quill looked down to his muddy shoes at those final words, he wasn't welcomed there and it didn't take a genius to know it. His siblings got rooms in the castle while Quill was put in a small cottage house in the castle walls just behind the the horses stable. For whatever reason the Lord had separated Quill from his older siblings as if to rule him out of seizing the throne.
After being dressed up appropriately they both entered through the kitchen back door. The whispers immediately began as Quill was hastily pull along by his arm so he didn't have to hear them. But he always heard them-
"The 5th prince is so pitiful"
"I feel sorry for his nanny cause she gets equal treatment"
"I heard the 3rd wife the Lord loved the most, guess he blames the child for her death"
Usually a young child wouldn't understand this yet but Quill was quite a genius and because of this his nanny feared the worse for him.
Upon finally entering the dining room the other siblings were already seated waiting for the Lord to arrive. Their heads immediately turned and looked at Quill, there was quite a mixed response from pity to downright hate.
"Damn what's that smell?" Spoke the 3rd prince Vonic as the 4th prince Lino chuckled in response. The second eldest Antha glared at her younger brothers in disgust as she felt bad for her cute youngest brother. The First oldest Ryan simply ignored everyone as Quill sat down while his nanny excused herself, a servant unless a butler couldn't stay in a room when royal family would break bread or socialise.
"So how's the stable life?" Chuckled Vonic edging for a reaction in Quill, yet Quill simply clenched his fists on his lap.
"Seriously you piece of-"
"Shut up Vonic." Ryan finally snapped cutting his younger brother off as Vonic glared at Ryan across the table.
Antha sighed in relief as Lino changed the subject to the second oldest whereabouts, according to Antha the second brother Octaves was on a mission for the kingdom. Something Ryan scoffed at indicating that his dear brother was 'scoring brownie points' with fathers good graces. Suddenly the double doors on the far end opened with a forceful push. In walked the kingdoms king and their Father who held an air of pure silence with a chilling glare. As he got closer even Vonic's big mouth stayed closed, his strides echoed as the butler pulled his chair out to which he sat down slowly upon. His eyes scanned over all his children, including Quill who accidentally locked eyes with him.
Slightly caught of guard, he hadn't realised how old his youngest was now. Nor did he really enquire about Quill to a point he tends to forget he exists till his butler presents a monthly report on the wellbeing of his children. Quill resembled his mother too much was probably why he barely could handle looking at him too long. His father looked away first as Quill felt dejected that this was probably the only time he saw his father and siblings.
Every 2 years they would sit down like this for a family dinner but even that wasn't set in stone as Quill had barely seen the second oldest Octaves. Even their father tended to not come by sometimes because something could have come up needing his attention more than his flesh and blood.
"So" their Father's voice echoed through the dinning hall as all of them flinched except Quill. Quill in some regards was saved from his fathers beatings living out of the castle. But his siblings all knew if they spoke out it would very well be the end for them. Quill wasn't stupid nor innocent, he had to hunt out in the forest for his meals while his Nanny watched helping him with support magic.
"I heard a neighbouring kingdom is interested in your hand in marriage Antha." Flinching Antha finally looked up at her father knowing that he would expect full attention while addressing her.
"That's correct father." She answered simple, cut and with no hidden emotions. Rather a raw response that left no misunderstandings in tone or body language. Something she'd mastered perfectly over the years when she'd slipped up with an undertone by mistake.
"The young lad. What's your take on him." It was a genuine question that caught Antha off guard as she planned her words collectively.
"He's not at all what I'd take in a partner, not because of looks or wealth status but rather his attitude. If he was to ask my hand in marriage, I'd expect at least his attentive service to the troops list. Yet he lacks in knowledge of military and magic." Their father listened as she finally finished her short and clean response yet the air was filled with tension as Quill looked at his older sisters stiff shoulders.
"Hmm, very well, it wouldn't be of use if he wasn't in tune to military and magic. Especially considering we are the pinnacle kingdom that has provided the best military and magic service this empire has seen with all it's generations." As he finished the double doors on the side that Quill had entered opened bringing food in it's wake.
"Regardless, I still want you to attend the annual courtships to find a suitable partner Antha"
"Yes Father"
Ryan who sat next to Antha gave her hand a reassurance squeeze under the table as she relaxed a bit feeling their fathers gaze off her.
"Vonic, Lino. I hear your studies are going well." The two boys upon their names being called slightly tensed as they smiled nervously in his direction.
"Yes father, my tutor says I should be able to master the level 4 spell Thunder by next month." Slightly gloated Vonic as Lino grit his teeth at his shamelessness. Yet their father merely nodded in response before looking in Lino's direction for his response.
"I've read every book on military history and magic equipment engineering. With your consent and best wishes, I'd like to apply my knowledge to our future father" it was a very bold request that had the oldest look at Lino with wide eyes. Even Antha held her breath at his sudden confidence in his words. But the confidence was merely a mask as their father's eyes seemed to pierce straight through Lino.
"Very well. I'll secure you a division." Shock was evident in everyone except Quill. As they all sighed under their breath. "I'd want to see clear results in a month." A month was plenty of time as Lino smiled to himself but kept composure as their father finally signalled to eat.
Digging in Quill was by far the shabbiest eater, not being brought up in the castle made him look more like a beggar as he munched loudly. His brothers and sister seemed to look over at him wearily as their father simply ignored the behaviour.