Path Of The Broken

24. Jealousy

24

Jealousy

In The Time Of The Sundered War

Simon slumped onto the bench next to Kevin after his own practice bout, exhausted but trying not to show it. He took a deep, slow breath, glancing around and hoping no one actually noticed how much practising combining fighting with the veil cost him. He knew he could do better, he just needed the time to get stronger. If they found out they would kick him from the inner circle, and he would lose the advantage of the training that he gained by being in this particular set.

After all, how many in the realm could claim to be in the inner circle of a prince? And not just any prince, but a powerful one, even if he didn't know it. Then there were his closest friends, scary beyond belief, yet somehow they rated him in their number. Still, there was Ed, then his inner circle, Kat and Cal. No one was breaching that friendship. Then there was the circle beyond that. That was the circle Simon was in. Even if others didn't realise the difference or notice that the layers existed, he knew that he wasn't quite in Prince Edward's actual inner circle.

Feeling a surge of the veil, he looked back at the fight that was still ongoing. Edward was fighting, and doing superbly well, as he always did. Simon fought down his own jealousy and anger. How could one man be born with so much advantage over everybody else? It wasn't as if he actually deserved all the attention or accolades that he received. Still, he put a pleasant look of approval on his face; it wouldn't do for Ed, Kat or Cal to realise how he really felt. If that happened, he knew he wouldn't be in any circle of the prince—regardless of how good he was using the veil—for very long. Being kicked out of Edward’s company was not in his plans.

“Careful, Simon, your expression might be pleasant but you’re leaking how you really feel.” Kevin spoke in an undertone.

Simon glanced around, noting the noise in the training grounds would have been sufficient to cover the comment. He was grateful everyone else was too busy watching Ed fight to pay attention to him. Concentrating on strengthening his personal shield, he shot a grateful glance at Kevin. He was the closest he had to a friend in the Cohort.

Simon chuckled as Ed stumbled. "Come on, Ed, you can do better than that!"

Simon grinned, quite enjoying the fact that Edward, for once, was being run around the work ring by the weapons master. It was rare to see Ed actually have to exert himself. If he spent as much time practising his skillset as he did running away partying and drinking, it would be sensational. The only indication that Simon had that Edward had heard his taunt was a slight flicker of amusement on his face that was quickly replaced by a tight grin. It was clear that Ed was actually enjoying this fight with the weapons master.

He concentrated and switched his view. Now the world was overlaid by the veil. He could see the strong colours thickest around Edward, passing through him and coming from him. It was one of the ways you could tell how powerful someone was. The power of the veil was always drawn the most to the individual that was the most powerful. That person in these training grounds was Edward. If only Edward stopped pretending to be so noble, he would realise that he would be a much better ruler for Vallantia than his untalented normal sister, the crown princess who would be queen when their father the king died.

Still, there was always potential. There had been rumblings of late that some of the people going through transition were going totally mad. Rumours were flooding in of entire families being slaughtered. The king and his council were contemplating how they would react and what that would do. As with all things related to a committee decision, it was taking time. Simon was hopeful that Edward would be sent to investigate. If Edward were dispatched to investigate, that meant Kat and Cal would go with him. That in turn would mean that Simon would be going with them as well. Their entire circle would, since they were the ones who could combat the Kin. This might mean the chance he was looking for, for Edward to realise that he could take control of the realm. Ordinary people couldn't hope to stand against them if they chose to rule.

A smile spread on his face as he contemplated that potential future where he would be the power behind the throne that controlled the realm. He just had to nudge Edward in the right direction.