Valoria Palace
How does one start a conversation with your childhood friend turned enemy?
Shay hadn't spoken a word to Stan since they were seven, but on occasion, he'd travel to the poor district to watch his family from a distance. It had been difficult not to notice the drastic differences between the two districts.
Shay had attempted to bring the issue to his father but he'd waved him away saying that the people in that district are well able-bodied people who are lazy.
His father then forbade him from ringing it up again. Shay was sitting on a marble bench facing the open field of grass his mom had yet to add to the garden.
Mallory and Cress were playing there with Silvyr. With her earth abilities, Mallory kept creating beautiful arches made of grass, flowers, and vines that twisted its way up.
He believed she was doing it to impress Cress, who looked stunned by the display of abilities.
Now the two of them were taking turns showing off to the other. With a piece of metal from his armor, Cress molded it to make first a heart and then a figurine of Silvyr (both Silvyr and Mallory approved) that Mallory was all too eager to take.
Someone cleared their throat to his left - he didn't have to turn to know it was Stan. His discomfort and hatred radiated off him in waves.
"You summoned me, your highness." Stan hissed.
Shay fingered the intricate design on the metal bow in his lap. "So I did." he got to his feet slinging the bow on his back. "I have somewhere we can talk privately."
"You sure you don't want to berate me where everyone can see?"
Shay reached out to Silvyr. Hey, Stan's here. I'll be back - make sure nothing happens to my sister or Cress.
You got it, boss!
Groaning, Shay turned away from the field and started walking away. He passed the sparring area and kept walking until he found his favorite spot behind the palace where a large lake was surrounded by trees and thick vegetation.
He'd always come out here after an argument with his father went south, or because he'd just wanted some alone time.
Hopefully, Stan didn't find the stack of journal; entries he'd written and hide in the bushes.
Shay sat on the far right side of the bench and stared out at the water. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and clothes. The low branch of a tree touched the lake's still surface sending ripples across the surface.
Stan sat hesitantly on the edge of the bench to make it easier for him to jump up if necessary.
"Why am I here?"
Alright. Straight to the point, then.
"Why'd you do it?" Shay whispered.
Stan's mouth moved but no sound came out. Finally, he managed. "It was the right thing to do."
"Was it?"
"Heavens! What did you want me to do?!" Stan explodes, whirling to face him. "Leave you to fend for yourself when you clearly couldn't? Let you freeze to death?"
Shay turns toward him, his gaze landing on the blue rose pinned to his shirt. Avery.
"Yes, Stan. That's exactly what you should've done."
Stan scoffed. "Oh, really? I'd be down in the dungeons if I hadn't helped the crown prince."
"So that's why." Shay turned away, lips pursed. "You saved me because you didn't want to end up in the dungeon."
"That's not what I meant!"
Shay just stared at the still lake. With a sigh he got to his feet he wasn't sure what answer he expected, but it hadn't been that.
"I'm sorry for wasting your time-"
"I helped you because if I didn't I knew no one else would." Stan blurts, cheeks bright red. "Seeing you like that reminded me of my dad who-who I hadn't been able to save."
Shay sat back down.
"I'd been nine when I saw him stabbed to death in the market." Stan gritted his teeth, fighting tears. "I hadn't been able to heal him, fix him, anything. All - all I could do was scream."
"I'm...I'm terribly sorry you had to witness that."
Stan shrugged, a tear slid down his cheek but he didn't move to wipe it away. "That's the life for the poor."
Shay had barely heard him as he tentatively reached a hand toward Stan's face. He rubbed his thumb on Stan's cheek wiping away the warm tear.
Startled, Stan blinked at him and Shay sat there frozen with his hand hovering over Stan's cheek.
A guard came bounding down the path startling both of them. Shay pulled away quickly and Stan lurched to his feet as the guard came into view.
"Your Highness! I've been alerted that your mother is in labor and Noah has been found."
Shay got to his feet. "Is he alive, Avery?"
"Barely, your father requested your presence," Avery said, bowing. "Shall I take-"
"No. Take him to where Noah is and have him help." Shay commands. If anyone questions his presence tell them I sent him."
Shay then took off running toward the palace entrance.
....
When Shay arrived at the nursery, Mallory was sitting outside the room stroking Silvyr's back.
He opened his mouth to ask why she wasn't inside when he heard loud voices or rather his father's loud voice.
"That's no proper name for a boy!" his father roared.
Shay looked up and down the hallway, even though the guards and passing maids appeared to be focused on their work - a few subtlely leaned in to hear.
His mom argued, voice barely above a hoarse cry. "You allowed me to name our first son!"
"And look how that turned out." his father hissed. "Instead of roaming the ground of the palace to play with noble sons or practice swordsmanship - he explored the garden with you."
His mom tried to speak but his father cut her off. "He didn't want to use the sword because you and your mother had been secretly teaching him how to wield a bow and arrow."
"What's wrong with that? what's wrong with any of that?!"
"They were not the activities of a growing prince. Now he's out there sleeping with whatever man winks at him." his father blew out a deep breath. "Change the names, Patricia."
"Or what?"
"I'll kill them both."
Mallory was frozen in shock the entire time, her gaze drifting between the door and Shay.
Shay was too angry to do anymore than clench and unclench his fist struggling to keep his fire at bay. When the door opened, Mallory jumped to her feet her eyes brimming with tears. "You won't do that father? Will you?"
"Of course not, my little butterfly." He patted her head like an owner would a dog. "You may go in to see them."
Mallory hesitated to glance back at Shay. Their father waved her off. "I need a word with your brother."
Not my son.
Or Shay.
Just, your brother. Shay's blood boiled and he tried not to let his anger show. Shay gave a slight nod letting Mallory know he'd be ok. When Mallory slipped into the room closing the door, his father turned toward him.
A cruel smirk lifted his mouth and his black eyes were cold and empty.
"Shay." he pursed his lips. "Not too long ago you were knee-high to a blade of grass, now here you are nearly a man."
Shay wasn't sure what to say so he said nothing at all.
I suppose that's what happens as years go by. But if you'd given a hoot about me you would've noticed.
"Surprised to see you here." his gaze traveled to the silver bow strapped to his back. "Don't you have beds to warm and hearts to break?"
Silvyr perks up narrowing his gaze on the king, his tails twitch. Shay's father glanced at the creature seemingly unbothered though there was a flash of fury in his eyes.
"Private Avery said you requested my presence," Shay murmured, finding his voice.
He hates the effect his father's presence had on him. As though he were a cowering mouse in the shadow of a lion.
"Surely he must've been mistaken."
It was one thing for his father to shun him, forget his very existence but for him to bar him from seeing his younger brothers?
That was a new low, even for King Agnus.
"I don't think he was," Shay growled, straightening his spine.
"Excuse me?"
Shay was aware of the guards leaning closer. "You just don't want me to see them because I like other males." Shay laughed dryly. "What are you expecting me to go in there and do?"
King Agnus narrowed his eyes. "I don't want a thing like you around them."
"Oh. So I'm an object now, hm? When has what I do and who I do it with bothered you?" Shay folds his arms, trying to control his temper. "My whole life you've shunned me, made me feel like a piece of shit for just existing."
His father stared at him. "You are the crown prince adored by countless women - yet you sleep with the same sex." his voice grew dangerously low. "You're no son of mine."