Blades of Desire

King Harold's face turned crimson with rage. "Why are you such a disappointment?" he thundered at Prince Keiran. The king's eyes blazed with anger, and he struggled to restrain himself from slapping his son.

Prince Keiran laughed defiantly. "You raised me this way, Father. Remember? So why are you disappointed?" His words were laced with sarcasm.

A thunderous slap struck his face immediately. He said that, spiting his father and sending him stumbling backwards. He lost his footing and crashed to the ground.

Prince Keiran and his twin brother, Prince Kaius, are the remaining sons of King Harold and his late wife, Queen Elaine. The eldest son, Crown Prince Orion, fell in battle years ago, dealing a devastating blow to the kingdom of Everia. Beloved by all, Prince Orion was renowned for his kindness and compassion. He dedicated much of his time to the welfare of his people, actively engaging with commoners and addressing their concerns.

He was the most skilled warrior in the kingdom and led the armies to many battles claiming victory and butchering their enemies. When news came that he died in battle, it was very hard to believe, and even harder when it was said that he was defeated and killed by a young girl.

Prince Kaius and Prince Keiran were deeply affected by their brother's death. For Prince Kaius, the loss was particularly profound, as he had learned invaluable skills, including swordsmanship, from his elder brother. Despite their identical appearance, Prince Kaius's personality differs significantly from Prince Keiran's. While Prince Keiran is known for his extravagant lifestyle, Prince Kaius is more reserved and introspective. He greatly admires his late brother and has devoted himself to studying governance, swordsmanship, and politics. Prince Kaius is resolute in his determination to make his parents proud, honouring the memory of his mother, Queen Elaine, who sacrificed her life giving birth to him and his brother.

He was given the title of the crown Prince and the coronation ceremony came up shortly after the burial rites of Prince Orion. He continues training hard after his brother's death, learning new Swordsmanship skills to complement that of his brother. He was striving hard to become the best because it was the only way he could avenge his brother. He talked his twin brother into practising together, but he had to stop trying hard after he realised his brother was too damaged and too spoilt to put in his effort into learning martial arts.

Prince Kaius was resolute in his quest for vengeance against the young girl who had bested his brother in combat. The memory of his brother's demise burned within him, fueling an unyielding determination to avenge his fallen sibling. Yet, despite his unwavering resolve, he harboured a deep-seated trepidation. His brother, the kingdom's most skilled swordsman and his mentor, had fallen to this very girl. The implications were daunting: if she could vanquish his brother, her prowess must be extraordinary.

He dared not underestimate her, nor did he presume victory would be easily his. He recalled the countless hours his brother had spent honing his craft, the sweat and toil that had forged him into a formidable warrior. If this young girl had managed to defeat him, she must possess skills that rivalled, if not surpassed, those of his brother. Thus, he devoted himself to intense training, driven by the conviction that their paths would cross again.

When that day arrived, he would avenge his brother's death, even if it meant facing his demise. He vowed not to perish alone, ensuring his adversary would share his fate. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he steeled himself, knowing that this was a sacrifice he might have to make. His brother's memory demanded nothing less.

"Why are you doing this?" Prince Keiran's thoughtless words, spoken with a nonchalant air as he lay on the floor, ignited King Harold's ire. The king's expression turned stern, his displeasure palpable.

"Please, Father, let him be; you know slapping him will just make him do much worse next time." Prince Kaius said. It was not at all convenient watching his brother being slapped by their father, but he couldn't blame the king; he had been patient enough, but Keiran had indeed gone too far this time.

King Harold's expression turned cold "You're defending him? After what he's done?

"Dad, I just wanted to give her the best treatment, and besides, you should blame the maids; there was dirt in my room, and my bed wasn't probably laid. That's why I took my concubine to your bed instead. Besides, Mom is no more, and I haven't been seeing you with other ladies lately, so I don't know why such a majestic bed should just be lying still; I was only warming it for you. You should be grateful, Father." Prince Keiran said nonchalantly, still lying on the floor.

He felt a sense of shame and sadness when he mentioned his mother in that manner. Despite her passing during childbirth, which left him and his brother without the opportunity to know her, he maintained a deep connection to her memory and would have cherished the chance to learn more about her. If anyone had spoken of his mother disrespectfully, he would have reacted with great hostility; however, he desired to express his hurt towards his father and possibly his brother as well. He experienced feelings of betrayal, a lack of love, and neglect, which he found deeply troubling. Moreover, he resented the expectations placed upon him to mirror the virtues of his brother. He longed for the freedom to live his life as he wished, unencumbered by these pressures.

The reality is that he holds deep affection for his family, especially his brother, valuing this bond above all else. However, they have experienced a gradual drift over time, particularly following the demise of the Crown Prince. His brother, Prince Kaius, generally refrains from participating in activities he once enjoyed. He has completely retreated into himself, focusing solely on the matters of the kingdom and honing his swordsmanship skills.

"How dare you speak about Mom that way, Kieran? What is wrong with you!!? Prince Kaius's eyes widened in shock.

"I didn't want to do this, but you gave me no other choice. I won't let this nonsensical behaviour of yours go unpunished. For bringing a concubine to the King's bed and talking without regard to the king and the crown Prince, you're hereby sentenced to ten strokes of lashing with immediate effect and three days of house arrest," King Harold sentenced his son. He was mad at him for speaking about his wife in that manner and even saying it with a carefree face.

"No, Dad, please take back your orders", Prince Kaius pleaded for his brother. Even with his brother's attitude these days, he knows he does deserve punishment, but ten lashes are just too cruel. He always considered it his duty to protect his brother. He knew his brother was a weakling, and he couldn't handle the lashes.

"Why are you pleading for me? I guess you must be happy about this", Prince Keiran said with a smirk.

"No, Keiran, you're my brother. I can't endure seeing you being tortured. Father, please revoke your order; he can't handle the lashes. If you must punish him, please let it be the house arrest alone. I know he doesn't mean what he's saying."

"But I do mean it," Keiran said with a straight face, slowly rising from the floor, a smirk still plastered on his face.

"Kieran, stop this behaviour at once! Why do you defy me and your brother? What have I done to wrong you? You were never like this before. What has brought about this sudden change? I implore you, do not force my hand to punish you. We both mourn the loss of Orion, who fell in battle. Why do you blame me for his fate? His passing has left a void in my heart and our kingdom. Get a grip of yourself, Kieran, and conduct yourself in a manner befitting a prince."

"But, Father, you are to blame," Prince Keiran said, his voice trembling with tears. "You send him to fight your battles every time while you remained here, doing nothing. Your actions led to his demise, Father. That's the truth. Although Kaius may not speak out against you, being the crown prince, I will not hold back. You have failed us, Father; you failed your sons."

With venom in his voice, Prince Keiran continued, "I vow to avenge my brother's death and make his killer pay dearly. I will ravage her kingdom, bring ruin upon her people, and destroy her family, leaving no one standing. When she has lost everything, she will beg for mercy, and I will gladly grant her a swift end. Only then will I get a grip of myself, Father."

The room fell silent, with King Harold and Crown Prince Kaius staring at Prince Keiran unbelievably.