The grand castle of Avaloria shimmered under the golden rays of the setting sun, its towering spires and majestic walls a testament to the kingdom's enduring strength. Inside, a joyous celebration was underway, for the crown princess was returning from the war. Her name was Inora Flora Durness, and she was not your typical princess.
Inora was known throughout the kingdom for her courage and prowess in battle. While most princesses attended elegant soirées and practiced courtly manners, Inora had been honing her swordsmanship and strategy on the battlefield. She was also described as ruthless monster, bloodthirsty demon in the battlefield. Her father, King Roland Durness, had always supported her unorthodox pursuits, proud of her dedication to the kingdom's defense.
Tonight, the castle was adorned with banners bearing the royal insignia, and the air was filled with laughter and music as nobles and dignitaries from neighboring realms gathered to celebrate Inora's homecoming and her upcoming succession. She was the crown princess, the heir to the throne, and this evening was meant to mark the beginning of her official duties.
But Inora, dressed in her ceremonial gown, felt stifled amidst the grandeur and splendor. She longed for the simplicity of the battlefield, the taste of adventure that had filled her days. As the festivities swirled around her, she discreetly slipped out of the crowded hall and made her way to a quieter part of the castle.
There, in a secluded garden illuminated by the soft glow of moonlight, she found her elder brother, Prince Sebastian Theon Durness. He was supposed to be the crown prince, the future king, but fate had dealt him a cruel hand. Physically frail from birth, Sebastian had been deemed unfit for the rigors of the throne.
Inora approached him with a soft smile, her heart aching for the brother who had always supported her unconventional path. "Sebastian," she said, "I needed to escape that suffocating ballroom for a moment."
Sebastian smiled, his eyes reflecting both pride and longing . "Inora, my brave sister, if you can survive in battlefield than you can survive this too."
Inora goans in frustration. "Brother, surviving in battlefield is easier than surviving in this gala. I don't have to socialise and maintain a ladylike attitude in the battle field."
This made Sebastian chuckle. Even though Sebastian couldn't succeed the throne due to his physical limitations but that doesn't stain his relationship with his younger sister. Sebastian was rather proud of his sister for being able to do what he couldn't.
Sebastian might have his physical problems but that doesn't mean he is weak and has no power. He might not be able to conquer a battlefield but the political power he hold is on a different level. He is the King's one of the most trusted in the Royal court.
Both the siblings were powerful in their own way. They always had each other's back. If you think you Inora is a ruthless and bloody thirsty in the battlefield than Sebastian is described as cunning and manipulative in the Royal court. The last thing you ever want to do is mess with this siblings.
"How adorable that my little sister can't stand sometime acting all ladylike" Sebastian playfully mocked Inora making her whine. If a begger got a gold coin everytime Sebastian annoys Inora than by now he would have been the most richest person in the kingdom.
"Come on brother, just for some time. Let's go to the garden for a short walk. We didn't even get to spend time together for a long time" Sebastian gave up at Inora's whining. They got strolled by the pond in the Royal garden and sat on a bench , gazing at the beautiful sky filled with starts.
"It's been a long time we spent time like this , isn't it , sister?" Sebastian asked while still gazing at the sky. "It is Sebastian. It would be a lie if I say I didn't miss my annoying brother" Inora said playfully making her brother give her a mock glare and wrap his arms around her neck.
"Oh come on ! If I don't annoy you then who will I annoy?" Inora rolled her eyes in response. "Anyways tell me about what happened in the kingdom while I was gone" the question made Sebastian sign in exhaustion . "Same usual thing. But it's exhausting to sometimes to even sit in the royal court for hours and listen to the ministers make absolute illogical excuses for the schemes they try to pull something"
Inora pat her brother's back in sympathy. "Poor you." But to her brother it was more like she was teasing him. "Anyways tell me if you taken decision on what the king, our father asked you to?" Now this made Inora look at her brother in confusion.
"What decision? What are you talking about?" Sebastian flicked his sister's forehead making her goan and glare at him "I am talking about your marriage. Have you decided on who you want to marry the list of your suitor or do you have someone you fancy ?"
It wouldn't surprise Sebastian if Inora says she didn't care enough to even see the list at all because all Inora cared only about family, kingdom and war. This woman loved bloodshed.
"I did" this shocked her brother as it was very unexpected. "Did you select someone" he became more curious. "No…no one seemed much interesting. Just a few of them seemed like it would be profitable for the kingdom if I marry them…it's just…I don't know how to explain.." Inora said while staring downward at the pond.
Sebastian held her hand and squeezed it , comforting her to continue. "It's just that when me and my army were going to the attack the kingdom of Corolia by crossing the kingdom of Elvandar…." Inora paused and bit her lip nervously while her brother stare at her , waiting for her to continue. "We stopped by the river in the forest of the Elvandar Kingdom for some rest. There I saw this wonderful man. He was there for haunt. He looked like someone with noble or royal blood flowing through his veins."
Sebastian was traumatised witness his unladylike, bloodthirsty, ruthless in war sister talk about a guy she met so dreamily for the first time of her live. He feels like he will never recover from this trauma.
"He was tall , fair skin , black hair , blue eyes , good at aiming.." Inora continued to describe the man she meet while her brother was turning pale as she continues. The only things that was going on in his mind was 'did my sister hit her head somewhere?' 'did she get hit badly?' 'Am I delusional?' 'Or did I lose my mind by the torture of listening to the ministers say absolute rubbish for hours in the royal court?'
Sebastian stood up abruptly and pulled his sister up too. "We need the go to the royal physician right now" he exclaimed while dragging his sister to the palace while limping. "Sebastian stop. You will lose your balance. Hold your crane properly" Inora pulled her brother and stopped him from dragging her.
"I don't get it, why are you dragging me to the royal physician?" Inora was so confused. "Because my lovely sister, it's either you lost your mind or it's me or it's the both of us" Sebastian exclaimed making Inora more confused.