"Carolyn!" Alec embraced his younger sister, and he took a deep breath as he smelled her familiar fragrance. "I am so sorry!" he cried, taking her long hair tightly in his hand. It was strange to feel her in his arms after such a long time. As she embraced him, he realised how much he missed her and his family.  Kenneth watched his guard sobbing on his sister's shoulder, and it pained him as he felt guilty to have deprived him of his family for months. It was he who threatened him to stay at the palace in exchange for his family's protection. At the same time, he felt slightly jealous of Alec because of his love for his sister and brother and their affection for him. He hadn't known that feeling since he was a child when his parents were still alive, and he had been craving it for many years. His twin brother —Keith —was still alive, but alas, he despised him. "I am sorry f

A tempting food fragrance reigned around the kitchen, along with quiet conversations and laughter. Kenneth watched his guard teasing his best friend and helping his sister cook their lunch, and for a moment, he pictured himself having a family to laugh with, a sister to protect and teach, a brother to support him, and parents to love him. The king could not recall the last time he had a pleasant chat with someone — aside from the time he escaped to the other palace. If he could give himself a chance, he would like to go back to the past and correct everything that shattered his family. Kenneth would give everything to live a different childhood and grow up with his parents, his twin brother and his little sister by his side. His life would have been happier if nothing happened to them. Kenneth quietly observed Alec and how his eyes got smaller when he grinned — he thought he looked adorable. His smile was one of t

It was very early in the morning when Carl and Todd headed to the king's chambers. Their steps echoed in the empty corridors. They found Alec standing outside the door, getting ready to start a new day. He raised an eyebrow when he saw them approaching."Good morning, Alec," Carl greeted, "We have something to tell you before the king wakes up," he whispered."What is it?" Alec frowned as he knew something must be wrong."We happened to hear a strange conversation yesterday evening," Carl replied, "I was with Todd, and the other new guard also joined,"Alec pressed his lips when he understood he was talking about his best friend. "And?"Carl made sure there was no one else around before he whispered, "The queen was with the pri

One hour earlierAfter he made sure the gossip spread around all the servants in the palace, Alec decided to take a small break in the garden as he had been busy for the last few days. He took off his heavy jacket and placed it around his arm as he walked between the trees and the flower bushes. The weather was nice that morning. The scorching sun rays kissed his forehead and cheeks, and the gentle wind embraced him and accompanied him during his walk.Alec was humming a song he heard the maids sing in the servants' quarters when he heard voices. He stopped, and his heart jumped when he spotted the queen arriving with her father. Strangely, they were alone with no servants following them. As they approached, Alec hurried to crouch behind a bush as the last thing he wanted was a conversation with Gwendolyn to ruin his morning.

Alec's feet got heavier at each step. Every place and every corner in the village holds a memory. He and his sister arrived at the area where he used to perform his sword show with Keith. A crowd waited for them every two or three days to appear with their swords and smiles. It was nothing much, but those days meant a lot to Alec. It was exhausting—sometimes boring—but he enjoyed doing something with his best friend. He could never imagine his life without Keith, but lately, he felt too far away from him.Keith did not leave the castle, nor did he try looking for him. Alec was angry at first, he felt betrayed and abandoned, but then, wasn't he the one who convinced his best friend to trust the king?Keith had a hard time trusting Kenneth as all his life, he only heard rumours about him. Alec almost lost him for trying to make him understand that the king was a good man