Days went by slowly in the kingdom of Elyptis with no major news popping out. The people went about their activities without a care for the world but them.
It was as such that another day in the kingdom came unhindered, people had woken up to see the gloomy atmosphere looming over their heads, promising a light shower of blessings for the day and truthfully as it was, getting to noon, rainwater trickled on the lands of the Elyptisians.
Ely stood in her room, watching the rain trickle down her window. She was lost in her thoughts and didn't notice her brother standing behind her.
He was also immersed in searching for what could have captured his sister's attention that she didn't acknowledge his presence in her room.
He tapped on her shoulders to see her jerk her head sharply to look at him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" He sat on the couch that was placed close to the giant glass windows. Leaning his head back, he could feel the cold wind brushing his nape.
"When did you arrive?" Ely inquired, laying her head on his shoulders. Philip stiffened for a second before he regained his composure and took advantage of it. After all, it was not every day that he got his sister to openly express herself before him.
"I am here to listen to you whenever you want." He said, petting her golden hair. How nice, he thought. He wished it would always remain the same. Ely hummed in response and continued lying there until the butler came to call them for dinner.
The rain had grown heavier at this point and she was glad that she didn't have any work outside the palace. The hallways felt cold, but with the presence of her brother, it seemed to be negated a bit.
She stared at the cream paintings of the walls which had become dull after years had passed. She still remembered the days when the palace was full of energy and life. A faint but precious memory lingered in her.
"Ely, you cannot walk like that. You have to subtly hold the hems of your dress to prevent you from tripping on it." A beautiful woman who bore a strong resemblance to Ely but was mature and elegant exclaimed softly.
A little girl with golden hair and piercing blue eyes pouted." Why does it have to be so complicated mamma? Why can't how I want?"
The mature woman pulled on her daughter's cheeks softly before replying with a smile, " That is how society is, people judge you with what they see, not what is inner you. That is why you must grow up quickly to show everybody that not all things physical are true."
The memory faded away just as quickly as it appeared and Ely smiled, a sad smile.
She cut her meat with her knife and pierced it with the fork before staring at her brother who ate his food with a calm expression.
She often wondered what went through that mind of his.
"What do you think about the crown?" She asked.
He paused for a second before dabbing his lips with the napkin picking up his wine and swirled it.
"It is too heavy." His succinct words reverberated in the hall.
Ely hummed in response and twisted her lips." Would you like to rule, Philip?" Her sudden question had caught him off guard and he stared at her with a raised brow. After a few minutes, he smiled and asked her teasingly,
"Would you give it to me if I said yes?"
She scoffed at his antics but still replied." The crown is not mine to give. I was merely taking care of it for the future owner."
She picked up the braised rice with the fork and ate it," So I take it, you would love to rule?" She questioned while looking at the rice, as though it had touched a nerve in her taste buds.
She stared at the butler who stood a few metres away from her and nodded in acknowledgement and the latter bowed to the compliment.
"It would have been a pleasure, however, listening to the kingdom's anthem does not even strike a chord in me." He stated blithely, tipping the silver container in his hands to sprinkle pepper on his food.
Ely stared at him in disbelief and the butler would have also, if only it wouldn't have cost him his job.
"And you call yourself the Prince of Elyptis."
Philip shrugged in response and continued eating. Ely shook her head and also continued with her food. At this time, the rain had turned into a drizzle, bringing a warm vibe into the hall.
Philip stared at his sister with a complicated expression, if it were up to him alone, he would have told her everything and released her from the stress but he couldn't because she wouldn't allow him to give her the pleasure.
He sighed and looked outside the window, watching the trees sway to the cold winds.
The cold weather of the lands ravaged it to its extreme. It was ironically lukewarm, one time it was gentle and soothing to the skin and the other times, it was cruel and harsh. It could be very well likened to their lives.
On the outside, the royal family looked like the perfect family, having no fighting amongst them while they loved each other dearly, this would have been true a decade ago when the Queen still lived and took care of the family.
A time when their mother cared for them all, trying her best to teach them the right ways and not the ways society expected them to be.
She was the reason they turned out this way, he thought staring lovingly at his sister. If they had followed the rough, pretentious way of society, Ely would have never thought of taking the throne and would have been one of the numerous coy and brainless women out there who can't even think for themselves.
He sipped his water and then dabbed his lips, crossing his cutlery on the plate. He was done eating and so was his sister who also seemed like she was still in her thought train.
His lips twisted itself into a smile and pushing his chair back slightly, he got up and walked to the other end of the table and stood in front of her.
Ely stared at him for a second before a smile found its way to her face. Not her usual polite smile but it was a whole different smile, one that looked like it was her very soul smile.
Philip cooked his head to the side and wondered what was wrong with his sister today. She held his hand and off they went to the garden.
"I am nervous, in the case Papa chooses me. I wonder if I will do a good job." She said softly while they watched the butterflies hover atop the flowers.
Philip stiffened for the second time that day, he looked at his sister who was seated by him with a soft look. He blinked twice to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him. It had been a decade since he last saw her look that way. So vulnerable.
"You will, Ely. No one can manage the people better than you can. I trust you and I know the King also does have the same trust in you."
Ely didn't say anything about how he referred to their father by his title or could it be out of the anxiousness and nervousness building up in her. She chewed her lips and inquired, looking into his pale blue eyes.
"Are you certain?" Philip looked into her eyes and pulled her into his embrace, humming," I am more certain than I will ever be. You will be the most beautiful and wise Queen." And that will be by my side, he added in his thoughts.