I am the fourth son of Duke Meleck.
I am eleven years old, and I know I will never inherit my father's legacy.
Even so, I spend my days in lessons of economics and accounting.
I only hope that, when one of my brothers takes over this house, he will allow me to remain under his rule.
In the kingdom, my father is seen as the economist who lifted the nation, who avoided poverty with his ideas and leadership, sparing many from misery during the first war, which took place before I was born.
For me, however, he is not a good man.
He is violent and repulsive. He sleeps with women who are not my mother, visits brothels, and messes with the servants. This time, he brought his lover to the palace, declaring she would stay there. I saw her… Verenci, his lover, with brown hair and blue eyes. She only disgusted me.
My mother never says anything. I… also have no voice in these decisions. I can only watch what happens.
After a few days, that woman only made me feel pity. My father became even more cruel, both sexually and psychologically.
Later, the kingdom was affected again by another war: the Kingdom of Milete wanted to conquer our land. The war was harsh, and I was grateful to be a child during that time.
Five years passed. Now I am sixteen, and I am engaged to the third princess of the kingdom, by order of the king and my father.
My eldest brother died in the war. He insisted on joining, but he fell in the third row. For me, he was just an idiot; he didn't have to go, but he wanted to fight for the kingdom. All that remained of him was his sword and a memory of gratitude for his sacrifice.
My second brother died of the "survivor's disease," not called that because it meant survival, but because the few soldiers who returned from the battlefield died soon after. He wanted to help the commoners and paid with his life.
I remember his last days: his flesh wasting away, his cries filling the hallways. No one could do anything, only listen. Prayers that never reached the heavens. I could only watch from the corner of the door.
My third brother, Yellet, seventeen years old, is preparing to take the reins of this house and the title of duke.
—You want the legacy too —he asked.
—I don't care about the title —I answered.
—Just don't ruin my day when you take our home, brother.
He smiled and said:
—I won't. Ulet, you'll always be with me…
I am quite fortunate, then, brother.
I will be your company.
---
Time passed.
Sometimes I look out the golden window at the sky, like that bird trapped in its cage.
This week was quiet. I didn't hear the whips striking the servants, nor the screams and moans of Verenci. My father wasn't there.
Then dawn came. Today I had to present myself at the royal palace of my fiancée. But as soon as I opened my eyes, I heard screams:
—Young master! Young master! Your father! Please, come!
My father had died in his bed. "His heart stopped," they said.
I dressed quickly and went to his room. I observed the golden decoration and then just looked at my mother and the lover. Their faces were empty, neutral.
When Yellet entered, everything changed. Suddenly, his tears fell, and so did my mother's and Verenci's.
As if practicing for theater.
Then I realized they had something to do with it…
But I didn't care if they had killed him. They had reasons: my mother, abused; Verenci, beaten and humiliated.
My gaze turned to my father, that man he had been. The one who lifted the kingdom was now dead.
Then…
Everything happened too fast. We were already at his funeral. The gray sky seemed to refuse to cry for him.
My fiancée, Clavet, approached:
—Ulet, are you all right?
—I'm fine, thank you —I answered.
I didn't feel anything for him.
She took my arm and accompanied me until my father was buried.
—Ulet, I must speak with you… can you give me a moment?
—All right.
She said goodbye to the guards:
—You may leave. I will be with my fiancé a moment.
—Very well, princess —they replied, bowing before leaving.
She looked at me calmly, measuring every word:
—Ulet, you know that now your father is gone, you can break the engagement.
—It's not necessary —I replied—.
My father requested my union with the princess, and the king accepted out of gratitude for lifting the nation from misery.
My father never stopped. Always hungry for power and recognition, he never cried for the death of my first brother; he got angry because he wanted him to marry the second princess, and his death frustrated that plan.
—Very well —Clavet said, lowering her gaze—. I do not ask this because I want to break it. I only want to know your opinion. We have been bound since childhood by the will of the king and your father.
—Yes… —I whispered.
—But that doesn't bother me —she smiled slightly—. I am glad to be the one who will be your wife.
—Why? —I asked, almost without voice.
—Because I will be your family, Ulet.
The family you don't have.
I could only watch my fiancée's beauty as I listened to her words.
—You must know, even though it was the king's order (my father), he loves me, and he always asked for my opinion.
If I had opposed it, this would not have happened.
—So you must know that if we are together, it is because I chose it.
—But you must know something, Ulet.
I looked at her: those red lips and skin white as snow.
—You must always be there for me. Understand?
As her husband… later, that will be my duty.
I bowed my head.
—Very well, then.
Changing the subject, dear Ulet.
She smiled gracefully with those green eyes.
—Tomorrow you must visit the palace, all right, Ulet?
—All right, my princess.
I will present myself at the royal palace.
I thought my fiancée only came to explain the love her father has for her.
It must be something good, I thought.
I returned and saw them from afar; the people were leaving, and only my brother and mother remained.
Verenci stayed in the house, so as not to tarnish our reputation, and she did not attend the funeral.
What would happen to her? What would Yellet do? His words were now law in the palace, and I would be by his side until he decided.
I saw Yellet's eyes, hollow from crying. My mother hugged him, consoling him gently.
—Ulet, did you go with your fiancée?
—Yes, mother.
—It's time to return —said Yellet.
I put my arm around him to help him walk.
—Are you all right, brother?
He looked at me empty.
—Yes, Ulet… I'm fine.
We arrived at the palace and saw Verenci ready to leave.
—Why are you leaving? —I asked, firmly.
Verenci was startled.
—But… my lord… your father is no longer… I don't see why I should stay.
—But I am here —Yellet replied firmly—. Doesn't that count?
She looked at him confused.
—Yes, my lord… —she whispered.
Yellet went upstairs and entered the palace.
I was confused. My brother had let her stay. Honestly, I thought he would have expelled her. Verenci looked at me, seeking help. I also wanted her to stay. Perhaps… I was getting used to her presence.
After all, if they killed my father, it didn't matter. Whether it was her or my mother… or maybe both, it was their right for all they had endured.
Yes… Yellet was right. She should stay.
Suddenly, my mother spoke with authority for the first time:
—Verenci, enter. Didn't you hear my son?
—Yes, my lady —she replied, bowing her head.
My mother stepped forward.
And I looked at Verenci.
I only saw her tears.
I approached her:
—Why are you crying, Verenci? —I didn't understand, and honestly, it annoyed me. Shouldn't you be happy?
Before she could say anything, I said:
—Now we will be a real family. My father is no longer here, aren't you glad?
Verenci looked at me, scared.
—… young master… —her eyes opened wide.
I had never spoken to her that way.
She fell to her knees, crying.
I smiled. I entered the palace.
Happy, it was now Yellet's palace.
—Apparently, princess… now I will also have a family —I murmured, holding back my smile.
Trying to cover it with my hands.
Copyright — Caleb Y.Y