I'm Lysander Wystan, the second child of the Wystan family. My eldest brother has ascended to the throne, ruling as the king of Aethorador, while my youngest brother has risen to the esteemed position of commander of the Royal Knights. As for me, I chose a different path. Unlike my brothers, who embraced the weight of their titles and responsibilities, I found solace in a quieter life. The plantation where I worked is owned by the Royal Family which is also mine—a job that allows me to be close to nature and far removed from the politics and pressures of the court.
It wasn't that I was cast aside or overlooked; I simply wasn't interested in the throne or the duties that came with it. I preferred the serenity of the farms, where I could immerse myself in the rhythms of the earth, planting and nurturing life in a way that felt far more meaningful to me. Here, among the trees, plants, and fruits, I found my peace.
Today, though, I had something new to be excited about. Ever since Nerina arrived, life had taken on a different hue. She had been here for just a month, but she had already started making an impact—not just on the household, but on me as well. There was something about her, a blend of innocence and strength, that drew me in more and more each day.
As I prepared to head to the palace, I cast a glance at the lunch box she had prepared for me. It was a simple gesture, but one that meant a lot to me. The care she put into making these meals was genuinely touching, and I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as I thought about sharing it with my brother.
I was scheduled to have lunch with my youngest brother, Lorenzo. As I walked through the grand palace halls, I happened to spot the Vice Commander, who hurriedly bowed before me.
"Your Highness," he greeted respectfully.
"Vice Commander, did you happen to see where the third prince is?" I inquired.
"Your Highness, the commander is in his office right now."
"Thank you," I replied with a nod before making my way to Lorenzo's office.
When I arrived, I found my younger brother buried in paperwork, looking more worn out than usual. A wide grin spread across my face as I called out, "Lorenzo! Let's have some lunch!"
He looked up, surprise mingled with relief at the sight of me. "Brother! It's rare to see you here. I was just about to take a break, too."
"Perfect timing," I said, gesturing to his assistant. "Could you prepare tea and lunch for the third prince?"
As the assistant hurried off, I placed the lunch box down on his desk. Lorenzo's eyes widened in amazement as he peeked inside. "Wow! So much food! And it's beautifully arranged!"
He reached out eagerly to take a bite, but I quickly slapped his hand away. "What was that for?" he protested, rubbing his hand.
"This is mine. Wait for your own food," I replied with a smirk.
Lorenzo grumbled, clearly displeased with my playful selfishness. "By the way, Elder Brother, who made this? Have you finally found a lover?"
"No," I replied, shaking my head. "Not a lover—rather a sister I've always wanted. I just happened to take in a young girl recently. She's been helping out a lot around the house and making these for me every day. She's working at the plantation right now."
My brother chuckled, leaning in again to inspect the food more closely, his mouth practically watering. "Can't I just have a bite?" he whined. "You're already lucky enough to have someone making you food every day."
Sighing, I finally gave in and offered him a small piece. His eyes lit up as he tasted it. "This is delicious! No one could compare this to the food made by the royal chef. Give me more!"
"No," I said firmly, pulling the box away.
"Oh, come on!" he pleaded, but I just shook my head, enjoying the rare opportunity to tease him.
"This was made for me. You can go make something yourself."
Lorenzo huffed dramatically but couldn't suppress his grin. "Fine, but don't think I'll let this go. I'll be coming by your place later for dinner; I'll have to sample her cooking myself."
"Good luck with that," I said, chuckling as I took another bite, enjoying the moment of camaraderie with my brother. "And by the way, wear something more casual, I don't want her to know that I'm a royal. It's not yet time."
He only grumbled at me, "Fine."
He may have the weight of responsibility bringing him down, but here, in this fleeting moment over lunch, we were simply brothers, sharing a laugh amidst the demands of our duties.