Odette paused briefly before continuing, "... Hence, the relationship between the brothers is quite complex. They are neither enemies nor friends, and Nicholas has been the only one with enough guts to encounter his brother this 'friendly'," she emphasized with mild sarcasm.
"Once, when they were younger, I heard the elder Prince was even said to have gone wild and tried to strangle his brother to death, yet Prince Nicholas has never absconded from him."
Rain inched closer and asked softly, "Could it be the reason he's confined to this fortress?"
"No." Odette shook her head. "From what I heard, Prince Derek was brought here on the same day he was born and has dwelled here ever since. I doubt he has ever seen the insides of the palace."
Soon, the Princes downstairs exchanged parting nods.
