Eighteen years had passed since that fateful night. Prince Lawrence and his royal guard Aegues were returning back to Tenerife after finishing their patrol to nearby village. As they made their way along the winding forest the air getting thick with Aegeus looking around cautiously to trace any kind of danger since the syrena forest was dangerous mythical forest guarded by mythical creatures.
"We must go carefully Aegeus" prince Lawrence alerted his sky blue eyes scanning the shadowed forest for any signs of movement. "This forest is dangerous we do not know what danger lies ahead"
"Aye your highness" Aegeus replied his hand resting on the hilt of his sword "but fear not I shall protect you with my life"
As they pressed forward the sound of forest seemed to grow louder rustle of leaves and the chirping of crickets echoing through the trees . Suddenly a movement in the words caught their eyes.
" Who goes there? Aegeus asked while exchanging wary glances before cautiously approaching the source of movement.
Slightly emerging from the dark they saw a lone figure standing between the trees and since it was dark they couldn't make out his face they approached the figure slowly but stopped dead in their tracks when they saw his eyes bloody red eyes!
Aegeus stepped forward and putting prince Lawrence behind him in protective manner swinging the sword forward asking the figure "who are you? State your business!" Aegeus demanded tightening his hand around the sword
Moonlight shined bringing source of light which made Lawrence and Aegeus able to see the mysterious figure he had pale skin and long white hair as for his face he wore a mask hiding his face.
The young man stepped forward slightly and said "hi! I mean you no harm " holding his hand in peace sign. "Wooow! You're so handsome who are you if you don't mind me asking? The boy asked hopefully
Prince Lawrence said" I'm prince Lawrence Orion Alaric Iver, the first son and heir of king Alaric Iver of Tenerife kingdom and this is Aegeus my royal guard "
" Wow! Why so serious? The boy laughed "but I can say prince Lawrence you're handsome especially your eyes sky blue! Would you like to be my friend as you can see I only have one friend that is Haemal you and your guard can be my second friends it'll be so much fun to so many friends.... The boy continued talking and talking
Prince Lawrence looked at the bubbly boy he was so shocked because no one talked so casually to him even after revealing his identify he looked at Aegeus and he had the same facial expressions shock! He quickly interrupted the boy
" Wait a minute so you stopped my journey so you can ask me to be your friend? Do I look casual to you? Or do I look like I need a friend or maybe do you thinki have time to waste on you? For what you did I could easily kill you for disrespecting me but obviously I can't do that since I'll be wasting my energy "he rudely said to the boy but the boy didn't seem to mind prince Lawrence behavior he had the same smile he said " no need to be rude but it's fine it'll be so much fun to have more friends don't you think? Furthermore I like you you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen not like I've seen many people "he laughed
Aegeus looked at the boy like he was possessed then he chuckled prince Lawrence wasn't pleased with that he asked Aegeus" did you just laugh? Should I give you a reason to cry isn't it? "
" No your highness pardon my mistake "Aegeus replied
Turning to the boy they were shocked to see no one was there anymore. Aegeus stepped forward looking around but he didn't see the boy
" He escaped? better now let's hurry to the palace I need to have my shower I stink! Lawrence said
They carried on their journey till they reached Tenerife prince Lawrence entered the courtroom to meet his father "father I have arrived"
"Ooh how was your journey son? King Alaric asked
" It was good we inspected every village and everything is fine for now"prince Lawrence replied his father. King Alaric stepped forward and hugged his son it was no doubt that king Alaric favorite was Lawrence since he was sensible patient and obedient moreover he inherited many features like white hair and blue eyes which made his siblings to be jealous of him.
Lawrence had other two siblings whom he shared father but had different mothers. Princess Tovah daughter of queen lyssandra second wife of king Alaric and Gwyneth daughter of concubine Juliette.
After long talk with his father prince Lawrence went to his chamber and took his shower and decided to sleep in . Few hours later he woke up and went to horse stall to see his horse Bren after spending time with Bren he started returning back to the palace but when he passed maid chambers he overhead them saying
"Prince Lawrence is grown up now I wonder how he would be if he had his twin growing up" one maid said
"True I feel sorry for the boy he had to die as an infant because of his curse but who knows having red eyes doesn't mean he's cursed I've seen people in other villages with red eyed children" other maid exclaimed
"I bet other prince would be as handsome as prince Lawrence" the maid said but before she could carry on the head maid Alma interrupted "if you continue to talk you are going to regret better be back to work" she said with cold eyes the maids ran away and she proceeded to the palace.
Prince Lawrence was shocked to hear that he had a freaking twin and no one especially his parents told him! He stormed back to the palace to confront his parents.from a distance Aegeus could him with a furious look storming towards courtroom door he ran fast and stand in front of him preventing him in barging the courtroom.
"Your highness what's wrong?I have never seen you this furious? Aegeus asked Lawrence
" Aegeus I do not have time please let me in I have to talk with my father"Lawrence replied
" Before you go to your father first ask me I may know whatever you wished to know but first calm down"Aegeus explained and Lawrence agreed they stepped in Aegeus chambers prince Lawrence sat down and told Aegeus all he heard in maids chambers. Aegeus didn't look phased at all he sat down beside prince Lawrence and said " I have also heard the rumors and I can say they are true but do not panic when you were born you had blue eyes while your twin had red eyes shaman Sybil immediately discovered that your twin was cursed so she suggested that he had to die but your mom was against it but at the end he had to die since your twin was danger he would harm you or your family so your father ordered the guards to kill him that's it"Aegeus finished but when he looked at Lawrence he had sad and dreadful look on his face.
" I'm really sorry your highness but it was for the best"Aegeus consoled his prince he was never a person to show emotions but he knew Lawrence needed it and he considered Lawrence as his younger brother. Prince Lawrence stood up and went to the door but before he could leave he turned back to Aegeus and said" it's okay Aegeus I understand but I can't help but feel as if some part of me is gone"he explained he looked so conflicted that it affected Aegeus.
After his talk with Aegeus prince Lawrence was summoned to the courtroom where he met all of his family with queen lyssandra and concubine Juliette alongside their daughters.
He sat down and his father began talking" I see you all have made it here the purpose of this meeting is that I want all my children to prove themselves I want to assign you new positions but inorder to do so I've prepared a challenge or you can say trial for you to pass the challenge you have to fight and win against the knights inorder to get new position.
he finished everyone was murmuring but didn't dare to say anything he got up and left the courtroom after his departure everybody else left the courtroom to their respective chambers leaving prince Lawrence and his mother queen Imogen.
His mother approached him and asked" what's wrong honey?is something bothering you?"queen Imogen asked his son Lawrence nod his head as yes and said"indeed there's something bothering me mom but I don't know if you would be fine or willing to tell me "
"Oh baby!you can talk to me ask me anything and I'll answer truthful you're my only child so I'll be willing to share anything with you" queen told him
"Ok mom I overheard the maids talking about me having a twin he died when he was a baby is it true? He is cursed too because he had red eyes? Is it true mom?" Lawrence asked quietly
"What are you talking about son?" Queen Imogen was getting nervous with the topic
"Mom I'm talking about the rumors of me having a twin with red eyes you didn't even care to tell me after those years! Is this something stupid or unnecessary to you? Doesn't it concern me?" Prince Lawrence yelled his mom flinched because of his loud voice and he immediately kneeled down taking his mom's handsin his and said"I'm really sorry mom for yelling at you but can you please tell me the truth because I'm really getting crazy here!
" Ok but promise me you won't panick son I Know but this is also sensitive topic for me so please"queen Imogen pleaded with his son . after Lawrence calmed down she told him everything about his birth and his twin death
" I'm really sorry Lawrence but I didn't have choice and I regret my decision everyday"
" It's ok mom I understand but if the guards took him out of the kingdom then he can be alive maybe they didn't kill him and I can feel it mom I'll find my brother for sure I don't know how but I'll for sure"Lawrence hugged his mom both shedding tears.
After few minutes of sobbing Horata queen's Imogen personal maid came to fetch her for some snacks leaving prince Lawrence alone in his chambers he vowed to find his long lost twin whatever it may takes.
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