Blades of Desire

Crown Prince Kaius lay on his majestic bed, his brother sitting beside him as the royal physicians tended to his wounds. He sustained many small cuts during the fight with the assassins but nothing too serious. He was able to hold them back and fight astonishingly well, besting the two assassins even though he was always one mistake away from losing his life or them getting past him to strike his brother.

The gruesome injury he sustained was inflicted by the arrow he failed to deflect in time which grazed his arm and left a much deeper cut than he realized due to the adrenaline and the danger he was in then.

The assassin's identity continued to haunt Kaius's thoughts. Their exceptional skill and seamless coordination hinted at a long history of training and fighting together.

The two assassins who had attacked him and his brother had been partners for a considerable time, honing their abilities to anticipate each other's moves with uncanny precision. They had struck with a silent understanding, their simultaneous attacks a testament to their flawless communication.

As Kaius delved deeper into his thoughts, replaying the fight in his mind and scrutinizing every detail, a disturbing realization began to take shape. He became increasingly convinced that the skilled assassin who had engaged him, managing to hold her own against the best warrior of Everia, was, in fact, a minion of the infamous Vesper. This unsettling thought sent a chill down his spine.

A sense of impending doom settled over Kaius as he contemplated the implications. If Vesper's minions were this formidable, what unspeakable terrors awaited him when he finally faced Vesper herself, along with her three ruthless sisters? The very thought seemed to whisper a haunting warning: "Your worst nightmare is yet to come..."

Kieran, sitting beside his brother, was feeling bad about himself and his lack of incompetence. He couldn't do much to protect himself against the assassin, and he was also a distraction for Kaius, which could have cost both of them their lives. Also, they were able to escape using him as leverage.

When the fight was still raging on, even at the start of it, Keiran couldn't help but notice that the assassin's main focus was on him. The first arrow was aimed towards him before his brother managed to deflect it and save his life, but what he couldn't understand was why he was their main target. Very few people in the kingdom can differentiate him apart from his brother cause they look the same apart from some little hints.

Prince Keiran and Prince Kaius are identical twins of extraordinary beauty. Their dark golden-brown hair, soft and slightly tousled, glows with warm copper undertones, perfectly complementing their piercing golden-amber eyes. These eyes shimmer like liquid sunlight, captivating with their depth and intensity.

Though identical, subtle differences distinguish them. Kaius's demeanour is calm and poised, reflecting quiet authority, while Keiran carries a playful charm with relaxed confidence. Their voices are rich and smooth, yet Kauis's carries steady reassurance, while Keiran's holds a mischievous lilt.

"Your royal Highness," The royal physician tending to Kaius's wounds said, bowing lightly. "Your wounds are not too serious and I've applied the ointments on it. Please rest well, my Prince, and do not engage in your martial practice, at least for today, to avoid the wounds from opening up again, especially the cut on your arm".

"Thank you for your help," Kaius said softly, appreciating his help. The Physician bowed deeply to Keiran as well before exiting the room.

Keiran had managed to remain unhurt during the attack, thanks to Kaius's swift intervention. Kaius had prevented the attackers from going past him, using both his sword and body to defend his brother.

"I'm sorry," Keiran said, his face etched with apology. Kaius chuckled softly, placing a reassuring hand on top of Keiran's.

"You did well, Keiran. It's not your fault," he said, sitting up on the bed. His expression turned serious, a warning glint in his eyes. "This is the second time the palace walls have been infiltrated and It's clear now that we're the targets. We need to be more cautious."

The first attack hadn't been too dangerous. The assassin had been spotted on time, leading to him taking his own life. But this time, the attackers were female warriors with skills so marvellous they had managed to infiltrate the palace walls unnoticed.

"We can't let our guard down, not even for a moment," Kaius emphasized, his voice low and urgent. "We need to increase security measures and..."

"I should have been more vigilant," Keiran interrupted, his voice laced with frustration. "I should have been able to protect myself."

Kaius's expression softened. "Keiran, you're not..."

"No, Kaius," he cut in, his eyes blazing with determination. "I want to become better. Teach me, brother. Teach me everything you know about swordsmanship."

Kaius's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You're not ready, Keiran. You're not.."

"I am ready," Keiran insisted, his voice rising. "I'll do whatever it takes. Just teach me."

The air was charged with tension as the brothers locked eyes, the silence between them thick with unspoken challenges.

A sharp knock at the door broke the silence. "Your Royal Highnesses," a palace messenger announced, his voice steady but formal.

"Enter," Keiran said, his tone clipped. The messenger stepped inside, bowing low before straightening to deliver his message.

"The King has summoned all ministers and those of importance to the royal court. Your presence is required immediately."

Keiran exchanged a brief look with Kaius, whose face betrayed a flicker of irritation at being pulled from rest. "We'll be there shortly," Keiran replied curtly. The messenger bowed again and exited.

Kaius swung his legs over the edge of the chaise, wincing slightly as he stood. "He could have waited another hour," he muttered.

"We're lucky Father didn't drag us there the moment he heard about the attack," Keiran countered. He handed Kaius his coat. "You ready for this?"

Kaius's lips curved into a faint smirk. "When am I not?"

Together, the twins made their way to the palace's grand council chamber. The corridors were alive with whispers of the recent assassination attempt, servants bowing hastily as the princes passed.

"Do you think Father suspects someone from within?" Keiran asked under his breath.

Kaius's expression darkened. "If he does, he won't say it openly. Not yet."

By the time they arrived, the royal court was already filled. Ministers and nobles stood in clusters, their voices hushed but urgent. At the centre of the chamber, King Harold sat on his throne, his presence commanding as ever. The moment the twins entered, the room quieted.

"Father," Keiran and Kaius greeted in unison, bowing deeply before taking their respective places: Kaius to the King's right, Keiran to his left.

The King's stern gaze swept the room before he spoke. "The recent attack on my two sons is a grave reminder of the dangers we face. Our enemies grow bolder, and we must act decisively."

The ministers began voicing their thoughts, a cacophony of suggestions and theories. Some argued that the attack stemmed from internal factions vying for power; others suspected foreign involvement.

Kaius leaned forward, his voice cutting through the noise. "I firmly believe the attack was orchestrated by Vesper," Kaius declared, his voice laced with conviction.

"And why is that?" The King asked, sitting straight on his throne

Kaius's eyes narrowed "We all know Vesper's penchant for working with female warriors. The Iron Sisters, her elite faction, is comprised of the most skilled and ruthless women in the land. It's no coincidence that the infiltrators were female, it's Vesper's signature."

Kaius's gaze swept the room, meeting the eyes of his father and the ministers. "We cannot underestimate Vesper's cunning and ambition. She will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and if that means infiltrating our palace and targeting my brother and me, so be it."

Kaius's expression turned grim. "We need to increase our vigilance and take proactive measures to counter Vesper's moves. We cannot afford to be caught off guard again."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence before murmurs of agreement began to ripple through the court. Several ministers nodded, offering their insights.

Keiran, however, remained silent, his gaze distant. His mind churned with thoughts he dared not voice, not yet.

Once the discussion on the assassin threat drew to a close, the King's expression shifted, becoming marginally lighter. "There is another matter to address," he announced. "Crown Prince Rowan of Eldrida and his lovely sister, Princess Abigail, will be visiting Everia soon. Their arrival must be met with the utmost hospitality."

This news sent a ripple of intrigue through the court. Keiran and Kaius exchanged a knowing look, their shared understanding unspoken but unmistakable. They both knew why this visit was happening. The alliance between Everia and Eldridge was to be solidified through marriage. The only question was: which of the twins would be chosen?

The King's voice broke the tension. "Preparations must be flawless. Ensure the royal court reflects the strength and unity of Everia."

As the court adjourned, the twins lingered, the weight of what lay ahead pressing down on them. "It's inevitable now," Kaius muttered, his tone bitter.

"Perhaps," Keiran replied, his voice unreadable. "But nothing is decided yet."

They turned to leave, but the moment lingered, a silent thought brewing between them.

Somewhere in the shadows of the palace, hidden forces conspired. Two figures stood in hushed tension. The first, a veiled woman, was wrapped in a simple linen garment, unadorned and designed to blend with the countless servants who swept through the palace halls unnoticed. Beside her stood a man clad in plain but sturdy leather armour, worn enough to suggest he belonged among the palace guards. His face remained uncovered, though the faint pre-dawn light kept his features partially hidden.

The woman produced a folded letter, the wax seal unbroken and pressed it into the man's gloved hand. "By the first light, deliver this to Her Royal Highness, Lady Vesper," she commanded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Inform her that Eldrida's Crown Prince and Princess are set to arrive soon. They aim to bind their kingdom to Everia in allegiance, a union Lady Vesper must not allow."

The man hesitated, his eyes scanning the shadows as if expecting prying ears. "This path grows more dangerous by the hour. If we're caught...."

"Then we die as we have lived," the woman interrupted, her tone firm. "As shadows in service to her royal highness. But this must reach her, Eldrida's allegiance with Everia is going to tip the scales in their favour, so it must be stopped."

The man nodded solemnly and tucked the letter beneath his breastplate. As he turned to leave, the woman's voice halted him once more. "Ensure the message gets delivered to our princess. Marlenia's advantage depends on her knowing what we now know."

She disappeared into the gloom, leaving the man to navigate the treacherous corridors alone. As the first faint streaks of dawn began to seep through the palace windows, a singular thought burned in his mind: Failure was not an option.