Devastatingly bad news

Almost a full year goes by. The incident with the assassins was dealt with as well as it could have. The guard detail was strengthened in the wing of the palace the we reside. Nothing like that happened ever again. The investigation hit a dead end. No one could figure out who the assassins were affiliated with and who hired them.

The training was going great. Owen stopped going easy on me during our mock battles, which is a clear sign of progress. He was very impressed with how I dealt with intruders. He also tried giving me a similar pep talk that Elora tried giving me about taking another life. My answer to that was the same. They deserved it. I have been doing good with the bow. Arti was the one doing wonders with it. Our instructor says he is a natural archer. I was also greatly impressing him with my throwing skills. Magic training was also going great. Arti and I just recently finally reached the adept level with the water and earth magic. That means that we will start learning plant magic from Emerik. Probably after our debut ball. Progress with fire and wind magic was going splendidly well. For me at least. Arti struggles a bit to keep up. Elora says that she has never seen someone learn fire and wind magic as fast as I do. Not even her. At the rate I am going, I will reach the adept level in several months.

Learning to play fiddle turned out to actually be quite fun. In part, because our music teacher was starting to get slightly mad from how proficient I became in the instrument. He thinks I could have spent my energy and talent to learn to play a more worthwhile instrument. Arti makes amazing progress with the piano as well. Our studies have been going great. We learn everything at a fast pace. It seems like we both absorb knowledge easily. Despite my brother’s teasing, I was doing good in my etiquette and dance lessons.

I woke up this morning feeling refreshed. There are no study or training sessions today. No, today is the day of Arti and mine debut ball. Preparations for the event started a couple of weeks ago. We saw the reception hall yesterday and it looked magnificent. It looked like it could fit several thousand people in there easily. There is a big area in the center for dancing. Around it, tables are set for people to eat, drink and chat. On the opposite side of the big doors, there is a large golden staircase that goes up and then goes in the opposite direction, to the left and the right.

Arti and I allowed ourselves to sleep in tonight a little since we only had to start getting ready in the afternoon. Nevertheless, I woke up before him because I wanted to do my usual workout. Over the past two years, I have built a lot of muscle and become a lot taller. Arti has become taller as well, yet still quite a bit shorter than me. I was a whole head taller than him. He also now has a more toned body. Still quite slim, but not the same thin stick he was two years ago.

I got out of bed and got dressed, before quietly walking out and closing the door behind me. I start walking towards the training hall. On my way there, I bump into my mom.

“You are up early,” she comments with a smile. I love her smile.

“Yeah, didn’t want to skip on my workout. Don’t worry, it won’t take too long. I will be back in an hour to start preparing for the ball,” I smile back at her.

“Alright, don’t overwork yourself, you hear me?” she says.

“Yeah, yeah,” I reply and continue walking towards the training hall.

I managed to complete a full workout without issues. It was empty in the training hall. Everyone must have been busy with the ball. After finishing my workout, I return to my room. Arti is already gone. Must have started preparing for the event. I enter the bathroom and start the shower. My body is sticky with sweat after the workout. Once I am cleaned, I put on fresh clothes and go to the reception hall. It is about time for us to meet there and go over the details for the evening.

I arrive there shortly. Mom and Arti are already there with some servants and event planners. Mom sees my approach and smiles at me. “Good. You are just in time.”

An older man steps forward and bows. “Greetings, young prince Zenovia. Congratulations on this splendid occasion. Let us start the discussion of how this evening will follow. The guest will start arriving at 3 pm and will keep arriving until 5 pm. There will be lots of different kinds of beverages and foods prepared for guests. Both alcoholic for adults and non-alcoholic for those who are underage. At 5:30 pm, the king will give the opening speech which will indicate the beginning of the banquet. An hour later, the king will give another speech. This one will be to introduce the young princes. It will be your cue to enter. You will each enter from one side of the stairs and make your way down until you meet in the middle. Then, you will both walk down the stairs and into this hall. After that, there will be an hour to mingle with the guests. Then, at 7:30 pm, the ball will start. You will be required to dance with the guests. You can either accept any invitations to dance or invite someone to dance yourselves. Who you choose to dance with is at your discretion, however, do try to dance with as many partners as possible and don’t refuse any invitations without a good reason. Your actions during the ball will reflect on the entire kingdom, after all. After the ball begins, it will go on until the closing time at 9 pm. You may take breaks to eat, drink, and converse whenever you like. At 9 pm, the king will give a closing speech and the ball will be concluded. We expect the guests to leave by 10 pm. You are required to stay till then to see everyone off. Any questions?”

“No, thank you,” Arti and I both say.

“Splendid. Then you may go and get prepared. The guest will begin to arrive in an hour. You have a bit over four hours before you are required to make your entrance,” the old man bows again and steps back.

We nod and take our leave. Our mom stayed behind to oversee the final preparations. She is already almost prepared herself. The only thing left is to put her dress on. Arti and I spend the next couple of hours reading in our room. When the time comes, the servants arrive to help us get ready. Among them is Sabrina, who gives me a friendly smile. I smile back. She is 26 already, but still as beautiful as ever. She is responsible for styling my hair. I chat with her while she does that.

“Try not to make me look too good. I enjoy having my wild charm,” I joke.

She chuckles. “Doubt I can make you even more charming,” she jokes back. “But don’t worry, I will help you retain your look. It would be a crime honestly to mess with your hair too much. They already look great. Wild, yet sophisticated.”

“I appreciate that, Sabrina,” I chuckle with her. “How have you been? We don’t have that many opportunities to interact.”

“I am doing great. In fact, I got engaged recently,” she states proudly.

My heart got frozen in my throat. I cough once to clear it and speak hoarsely. “Engaged? Wow, that’s…amazing.” I say halfheartedly. “Who is the lucky guy?”

“He works in the royal stables. His name is Eric. He is really sweet and gentle,” Sabrina dreamily says.

I want to puke. “I am happy for you, Sabrina. You deserve to be happy,” I say actually meaning that. “If he treats you badly, come and see me. A talking from the second prince should set him straight.”

Sabrina leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Thank you, Zen. I will be sure to come to you if anything happens. Though, I doubt I will need to. Eric is such a sweetheart.”

Eric just earned himself a place on my shit list.

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