The late afternoon sun poured through the high windows of the twins' grand chamber, casting long shadows across the marble floor.
Lucian lounged on a velvet chaise, his dark hair falling over his forehead as he leafed through a book of military strategy.
Julian, reclining on the bed they shared, was idly tossing a golden coin into the air, catching it each time with a flick of his wrist.
The sound of the coin's soft clink and the rustle of Lucian's pages were the only noises in the otherwise silent room.
"Lucian," Julian drawled, his voice tinged with boredom, "how long do you think this one will last?"
Lucian glanced up from his book, his sharp green eyes meeting his twin's with a smirk. "This one? Not long, I wager. He's already trembling whenever we call for him."
Julian chuckled, flipping the coin again. "They always do. I think we might've gone too hard on him yesterday. Did you see the way he almost dropped the tray at breakfast?"
