The king had yet to return from Mythoria, for days and the crown prince was left to fulfill the duties of his majesty, after all he was the next in line to the throne.
Words couldn't describe how grumpy the crown prince had been the past few days. Like he wasn't busy enough, his father just dumped all his duties on his poor neck.
" your Royal Highness" Malcolm walked into the room before bowing deeply.
" General Ragnar, and his men are bringing the slaves tonight, he sent a letter. They would be arriving soon" the crown prince only stared at him.
" Merchant Percival would be arriving tonight" to this the crown prince's expression turned grim. He couldn't believe the merchant got robbed despite the amount of well trained guards with him. Loe Cuad' von just how daring and meticulous could he be...
He sighed.
" what about the message I sent you?" The prince finally turned to face him, after putting on the last of his attire. He secretly prayed in his mind that Aurelius responded to him this time. Malcolm knowing what he wanted to hear just shook his head as the prince leaned forward eager to hear from him.
" your Royal Highness, Prince Aurelius has refused audience with you" Malcolm coldly dropped the news looking away from the prince whose shoulder drooped in disappointment. He pursed his lips before turning away without a word.
Crown prince Caspian, is the first prince of Alcheria and the biological son of Queen Malisande, while prince Aurelius is the second prince of Alcheria or as the Queen liked to call him, the bastard child. Prince Aurelius was a half blooded Royal. His mother was forcefully taken by the king and this had resulted in his birth, after which his mother died.
The Queen, Malisande hated Aurelius to the core, he was a living proof of her husband's dirty affairs. Though the king is allowed to own any woman she still hated that he fell for a lowly wine seller. someone as classless as that woman had no right to stand before the nobles talkless of the King. As she couldn't deal with a dead person she instead passed all the aggression towards the second prince, she maltreated and abused prince Aurelius stripped him if All privilege a prince should have , she hated his gut even more, no matter what she did to him he had never shed a tear.
She had watched him grow under the harsh treatment but he never shed a tear much to her annoyance. He would instead suck it in and hide away, he never complained it was as if he knew his place. She loved how pathetic he was, even getting bullied by the servants but Caspian always stepped in to help him, countless times he would stop anyone even his mother from bullying Aurelius. She hated it, and unconsciously he had grown to hate his mother after her constant mistreatment towards his brother
Sadly Aurelius didn't like him, he didn't like or trust anyone. He always hid himself somewhere no one could find him until the Royal guards search for him. It disturbed Caspian greatly, even after so many years till now Aurelius still wouldn't trust him he still was so withdrawn.
He sighed again at Malcolm's feedback, the latter only watched his prince with little to no care about the second prince.
'It was for the best ' He thought to himself.
" About five hundred and eighty nine slaves is being brought over. The duke said there's an extra one as a gift" He handed over a letter while talking.
" Then we better also prepare him a gift too" He smirked knowing why the duke was trying to earn favours. He slipped the letter into his robe before walking out. Heading towards the Royal dining room.
As the king is absent, he was in charge of everything including trivial matters between the kings concubines which he so much hated. Everyone had to await his presence before they can eat anything, it was tradition.
When he entered the dining area he noticed his brothers absence, Much to the Queen's delight. Aurelius couldn't Skip breakfast whenever the king was around as it meant disrespecting the king. King Atticus had purposely insisted he never missed breakfast but this didn't apply if he wasn't around and as the king wasn't around he saw no reason to force himself to dine with the royals. His mother sat there with her numerous maids waiting for him.
"Caspian, good morning my son, How's work?" Her smile broadened, he only glanced at her. Her thick make-up made him sick, he had made sure to sit far away from her.
" it's prince Caspian to you" He commanded and everyone stilled, from the concubines to the servants. Though they were acoustomed with the prince treating his mother indifferently, today was new. It showed his hatred for the Queen, he had the reputation of the nicest man in Alcheria but he hated his mother. He was very respectful even towards his father concubines as far as they didn't cross him he was an Angel but to his mother....
The women at the table held back their laughter at the situation the Queen was in. They honestly won't have it any other way, their so called Queen was nothing but vile and viscous. Behind her sweet appearance is a wicked and two faced schemer. Caspian was sick of this woman.
" Oh common, I'm your mother for crying out loud. I deserve some respect" She protested bitterly, embarrassed, but one cold glance from him made her swallow the rest of her words. She knew her son too well, he might seem sweet and all but underneath him was a dangerous temper that only burst out once in a blue moon, at the Same time one shouldn't test him. He was unpredictable, she couldn't go against him anyways he was the future king and held as much power as the king. Though she hated his guts but at the same time she was pleased, as it was her son who was in power and not the bastard living with them.
Caspian had his breakfast in peace before heading out with Malcolm, leaving his seething mother behind.
He couldn't forget All she did to his brother, how could he regard her as his mother.
"if you still want your head on your neck, make sure my brother is well Fed" was Caspian straight order the moment he stepped into the Royal kitchen. He knew his mother would take advantage and starve Aurelius for not coming to the dining room. He had to make it clear to the chef ,who was in power.