A little boy of eight walked slowly toward his chamber. His shoulders were slumped, his amber eyes dull with sadness. No one wanted him,not his father, not his half-brother, not his half-sister. He was always alone, a beautiful child trapped in a world that rejected him.
Yet, even in despair, his looks were otherworldly. His amber eyes alone told everyone he was Arianna's son. Those who saw him whispered behind his back.
"Isn't that Dario… the second prince?"
"Such a lonely loner."
"I heard he killed his mother. She died giving birth to him."
"He's… so cute. I wonder how he'll look grown,girls will fall for him."
"Even the king despises him."
Dario heard everything. Every cruel word sank into him like a knife, yet he walked on silently.
"Hey, Nemesis!" a harsh voice called.
He froze. He knew it was the first prince,Javier, the son of the first queen.
"I'm calling you a bastard!" Javier shoved him roughly.
Dario stumbled but held his ground.
"Leave me alone, Javier. I don't have strength for your stupidity."
"What did you say?!" Javier shoved him again. Dario pushed back, but Javier didn't budge.
"Stop it!" A deep masculine voice echoed through the hall. Javier immediately fell, crying.
"Father, it's Dario! He pushed me!"
King Basmus's eyes narrowed on the boy, but Dario kept his head bowed.
"He started it, Your Majesty," He defended himself.
The king's hand rose to strike but before it could fall, King Henrik, his friend and ally, stepped forward.
"You shouldn't hit him," King Henrik said calmly. Beside him, Princess Thana, his young daughter, watched Dario with wide, curious eyes.
"Your Majesty," Princess Liza's voice cut through. "Prince Dario must be punished. It is taboo for a younger prince to disrespect the elder."
All eyes turned to King Basmus. The tension was thick.
"Guards," the king commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the guards answered.
"Take him to his chamber. No food or water until tomorrow."
Javier and Liza smirked as Dario was led away.
"Wait!" Princess Thana's small voice rang out. "Father, his hands are hurt. May I apply balm to them?"
King Henrik glanced at Basmus. "Sure," he said. She approached Dario.
For the first time in his life, someone offered him kindness. His amber eyes softened slightly as she touched his wounded hand.
Something stirred inside him, something he didn't understand. He closed his eyes and when he opened them, the amber had turned bloody red.