The morning, by all means, could be considered calm. I continue to lie down to this cold early morning. I swipe the black hair from my eyes, and I smile to myself.
The stay in the palace was great, certainly not the way I thought it was gonna go. Though I never expected my brothers to be the best part of my stay here in the palace. Certainly didn't expect to enjoy their company.
I haven't enjoyed myself this much in both lifetimes—the comfortable lifestyle of a prince and the enjoyable time one can have with a family. For me, it is the definition of bliss.
And is something I've always desired. I sigh in contentment, content in laying in my bed as the dark sky is painted orange, inch by inch.
Though I was interrupted when a hurried knock blasted from the door. a quick argument followed by shouts. "Julius, NO!" Someone cackled once and shouted, "Julius, YES!"
A loud kick was heard from the door, followed by a pained yelp. A knock followed, and an elegant voice spoke, "I know you're awake already Charles, please open the door before this idiot does something dumber."
I shake my head, amused by their antics. I stood up and answered the door. Seeing my brothers waiting for me along with the guards standing guard outside.
"Uh, why are you guys here so early," I say perplexed, we never really met at this time of day. Julius boisterously spoke while nursing his feet. "Father called for the three of us, and We're going out."
I swallow dryly, a bit anxious, and noticing this, Aron puts his hands on my shoulder. "Father does this from time to time, and I believe he calls it bonding."
I nodded to them and went back in. "Wait for me, and I've got to dress first." They nod back at me, and as I close the door, I hear the start of an argument.
I shake my head in amused exasperation, and their antics never fail to make me laugh. A few moments pass, and I finish dressing and fixing myself for the morning, dressed in light clothing. The same way they both seem to be dressed.
I open the door to see them both disgruntled, perhaps from the argument. Standing at their side is father, with his supermodel face and midnight eyes.
I smile at him, and he smiles back and speaks excitedly. "Cmon, kids, well be going out for an adventure." he claps once and starts to skip.
I look at my brothers, weirded out, and see them both embarrassed. Both of them put their hands on my shoulder and whisper. "You'll get used to it."
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The four of us walked through the castle. Surrounded by guards, we passed by a gazebo—a gazebo occupied by four women. I saw mother wave at me, and I wave excitedly back.
The four of us continued on our way. As we reach the gate, I see the sights. The immense size of the city overlapping with the rising sky, the road covered in mansions comes into view. And the districts dotting the landscape.
A nudge from my side broke me from the view, and I turn my head to see Julius nudging me to enter the carriage.
I excitedly follow inside the carriage, and I sit with Julius on one side as Father and Aron on the other. We passed by the mansions, filling me with questions.
Father looked at me and smiled, speaking softly. "This is the noble district, though they tend to be empty most days. When an event starts calling for nobility, this district is filled with life." He gestures around. As people walked around dressed in formal clothing.
He stopped talking and proceeded to look at each one of us, taking his time. Seemingly taking in our features, as he closes the distance to our faces. We look at him weirdly, and he smiles brightly.
"I just wanted to see more of my son's faces." He spoke with amusement. I smile at him brightly with equal measure. The response from my brothers, though, baffles me.
Aron turns his head away, looking out the window, beet red, as he replies, stuttering. "W-Well, F-Father, Even so, such breach of personal space shouldn't be allowed for a king."
I giggle at him, making me wonder why they react so shyly. Though such thoughts were interrupted by Julius, burying his face behind my back.
I shake my head as father sheepishly smiles. Father then spoke to change the topic. "So, what have my dearest boys been up to?" Putting his shoulders around Aron, waking him from his stupor.
Aron pushes himself away, "W-Well, since you kindly asked, I have recently replicated the so-called printing press." He excitedly rants as he describes the different steps it took him to replicate such processes.
Father nods, acknowledging his success, rubbing his head. "Then I'm sure the other invention will be a piece of cake for you." A few moments pass.
He stops rubbing Aron's head and looks towards Julius, asking him about his studies after a smile. "How about you, Julius? has there been an important milestone you wish to share?"
Julius stands straight and coughs in his hand, trying to compose himself. "Well, I've been researching military history, and I've been trying to recreate Siegfried's military doctrine.
He shyly plays with his hands as he whispers, "Though I've remained lacking in certain areas." Despite his whisper, he was heard by Father.
Father smiled again and spoke consolingly. "Julius, don't be hard to yourself, men before you have tried to copy Siegfried, none succeeded,"
He puts his hand on his shoulder. "Even then, you've achieved more than they did." he looked him in the eye with a smile. Julius nods happily, returning his smile in equal measure.
Julius then looked towards me and spoke softly. "How about you then Charles, What have you been up to."
I spoke excitedly, wishing to describe our exploits in magic. "Well, I've been trying to fly with magic." gesturing my hands to depict flying. Only to see Father's smile falter.
I look at him, anxious afraid of his reaction, only for him to reply apologetically. "I'm sorry, my son, it's just that magic isn't exactly that powerful here in the capital, though any advance in magic. Is sure to be a great help."
I nod, a bit disappointed. While they look worried at me, my father hugs me in his arms as he whispers in my hair. "I'm sorry, I promise to make up for the time lost."
I struggle, embarrassed, as I see my two brothers laugh cheerfully at me. Resulting in the four of us laughing together, teasing each other.
Moments pass filled with laughter and giggles.