Lucien was just done with his morning bath. It was another day of the week where his uncle trained them in the act of swords fighting.
He was quick to get dressed putting on a light leather cuirass with bronze accents over a green tunic with chainmail inserts, slim leather greaves and flexible boots, reinforced gloves, a wrist guard, and a short hooded training cloak, perfect for agile swordplay.
The field was quite a long walk from his Chambers as his uncle preferred a place where only the three of them would be, alone and undisturbed but it was still within the palace.
***
The palace itself was a big magestical structure, it was the biggest building in the whole of "Raindeint".
It was very spacious, with a space enough for some small entire villages to fit in, with out the inclusion of the spaces the buildings occupied.
***
Your stance is still so weak, said Ares to his nephew who walked towards him to pick up a fallen sword.
How are you getting bad, instead of better. He added.
Thorne was not in a good mood but he better not show it. The training session was two hours from now but his uncle had made him come here this early, cutting short his sleep.
He picked up the sword and set a pose, ready for another session.
He charged first only to get knocked out again but this time he fell on his stomach and his face hitting hard on the well cleared grass field.
He groaned slightly trying to suppress the voice coming out from his throat.
His uncle not giving not bothered at all aurged him to get up quickly.
Don't be a pregnant woman now and get to your feet young man. He said harshly.
Back on his feet, with a small red swell around his left cheekbone. He stood for another fight.
The blade on the swords where not sharp, they used blunt blades for training, that was why his uncle was able to give him a good spanking this time around with his sword, the leather he wore wasn't able to calm the stinging pain from the blade as he fell and trew his sword away as a sign of defense.
Only then did his uncle let him be.
Your early. Ares said and Thorne turned his head ( still lying on the grass ) to see the intruder.
Started without me.
He knew that voice, if it wasn't the cousin he hated.
Lucien only sneaked a glance at Thorne before returning it to his uncle.
I want to show you this trick I learnt. He said to his uncle.
Let's see then, his uncle said and walked a few steps away from Thorne who was trying to get to his feet.
Lucien did the same.
Adjusting his clothes and dusting them, Thorne felt something like dry grass in his mouth, he quickly reached out to pull it out. He trew the dirt from his mouth on the floor before his gaze fell on his uncle and cousin.
Both had one hand behind them and the other on their swords, they were fighting with only one hand. Their pace was very fast, both matching each other's speed and accuracy.
Something stired inside him. He knew what the feeling was, this was the feeling he always felt towards Lucien. He hated him so much.
Lucien was everything he wanted to be, a good swords man, people loving him and most importantly a handsome appearance.
He sometimes tells himself that he was three years younger so Lucien who was older should be good at something's than him but it never really helped him.
Thorne... Thorne.....Thorne....
He was still gazing at Lucien given him a wicked glare without realizing they had stopped fighting. He heard his name on the third call.
What's wrong with you ? His uncle asked his, given him a hard stare.
Lucien smirked at him, this annoyed him a lot but he had been staring at him all along and he must have probably noticed.
Sorry sir.... Came his calm reply.
Come closer, his uncle ordered and he did as he was told.
Uncle Ares is the commander general of the royal army.
Your skills has increased a lot. Ares said to Lucien. Very soon you would beat me.
Lucien smiled.
You should learn from your brother. Ares said to Thorne.
Before turning around and about to walk forward when he heard Thorne speak...
His not my brother...
What did you just say. Ares asked him even when he heard what he said.
Thorne was now filled with anger. I said his not my brother. He retored.
Ares moved closer to him, with his face only inches away from his.
Prince Thorne stormwwolf, apologized to your brother this second. His voice held authority.
Moving away from his uncle searching eyes, he retored again...
I said his not my brother, would you please stop calling him that. It's annoying.
Lucien only watched the drama playing before him. He already knew Thorne hated him, and he hated him back.
I don't need his apology, Lucien said. Am not his brother anyways, he added.
Ares wasn't happy with his nephew's behavior but he decided to let it go.
Next session we would go hunting, the one with the biggest catch gets the other person to do whatever they want for a whole day.
Thorne knew this was his uncle's way of punishing him, there was no way he would have a bigger catch than Lucien.
***
Princess is time for your morning class. This was the head maid trying to coax the princess into attending her morning classes.
Just like how the princes trained so does the princess learn ethics and manners, she was fourteen years old but still lacked a lot of manners a noble laby like herself should have at the age.
What's all this ruffles about. This was Queen Sarephina, she just stepped into her daughters room.
I was telling the princess to get ready for her lessons, the head maid said with a low bow.
The queen immediately turned her attention to her daughter after signalling the maid to leave them which she did.
Darling what could be the problem, why are you refusing to attend your classes ? She asked as she walked over to her daughter.
I don't want to marry who ever father is planning for me to be engaged with.
What ! What do you mean engaged with. Sweetheart you are engaged with no one.
No mother, I over heard father talking to one man at the front garden. He said he would give me out in marriage to him.
Queen Sarephina only stared down at her daughter. The girl wouldn't lie about such a thing.
That worry, I would look into it. She reassured her.
Mother please don't let father marry me off, I can't marry another person, I can't mother. She pleaded.
Don't worry there, I won't let that happen. But do you want to marry someone ?
No mother ! Why would you say that ?
You just said you can't marry another person!
Yes ! I already like someone.
And who could that be ?
I would tell you when the time is right.
You this "Little trouble", now get ready for your classes. You can't marry anyone when you are still far behind.