Always, For You

Chapter 5

Camille has never been close to the crown prince. The crown prince was always busy. Whether it be in class or in political matters. Thus, she didn't see him much even when she was his bride to be. So actually getting the chance to meet the crown was pretty exciting.

"Welcome my lady." The crown prince greets him. Camille is blown by how much the crown prince look like Kaizen. Same hair. Same eyes. Just... More luxurious? And Kaizen has much more softer gaze.

"Greetings your highness." She greets with a proper bow as she had always been taught in the etiquette classes.

"Please call me Caelus my lady. We are to be married. We might as well be friends if not more." Caelus says with a smile.

"If you.. say so Caelus." She said feeling a little shy. After all it was not everyday someone is allowed to address the crown prince by name.

They spend hours talking about various topics while sharing a great tea and meal time. Camille genuinely finds herself enjoying it. When it was time to return, a maid comes to escoret Camille.

"Well then my lady. I will see you soon." Caelus says as he kisses the back of her hand. Flattered with such gentlemanly actions, all Camille could do was smile. After saying her goodbyes, she walks away following the maid.

Once she is far away, Caelus stops smiling. A cold look replacing his warm expression. "Ah.. what an annoyance. Why would mother make her my fiancee? There isn't even anything special about her... How boring." He mumbles to himself as he walks off from there.

Caelus El Erindel, the crown prince of the Erindel empire. He was doted on and pampered ever since the day he was born. He never acted out. He never made mistakes. He was nice.

But that was for those who couldn't read what went through his mind. Caelus was selfish. Someone who saw everyone as below him. But it was oh so amusing. Acting nice to people. They were so easily deceived with just a few kind words and smiles. It was amusing to say the least. It was as entertaining as watching a play.

Caelus still remembers the day when Kaizen was introduced to him for the first time. They were so alike. From their hair to their eyes to their features. Every royal features were there. But he knew, Kaizen was way below him. He was the crown prince and he was just a second prince that was bound to live his whole life with restrictions. At least it seemed so and he thrived off of playing the act of a caring half brother. Until he found out a truth.

A truth he was never supposed to found out. A truth that should never get out of the royal palace.

On the other side,

Kaizen wipes off his wet hair. The butler had shown him his room where all his stuff were already settled. He stands in front of the huge window. He could see the snowy mountains from afar. It seemed so peaceful and in a way so quiet and assuring.

'So this is where mother grew up...' he thought to himself. His hands against the glass. He really did hope he could bring his mother back here one day.

A knock on the door breaks him away from his thoughts. "Your highness the second prince. Meal has been prepared. Everyone is waiting for you in the dining room." The butler's voice came.

Kaizen opens the door. He follows Omar to the dining area and just as he said the duke along with a woman and a little girl were already there. "Come sit." Fenric says. Kaizen sits down opposite to the woman and the little girl.

"I am sure this is your first time meeting the duchess. This is Arianne, my wife and our daughter, Marilyn. She is your cousin." Fenric introduces. Kaizen looks at the duchess and bows. The duchess looks soft, the opposite of what Fenric is like. She has a soft smile, one as comforting as his own mother.

He then looks at the little girl who looks at him with wide curious eyes. "Papa can I call him brother?" She asks. Fenric cleara his thought. "He is the second prince sweetheart. And what do I always remind you? We should always address someone properly." Fenric says. Kaizen notices the way he talks so softly towards their daughter. His whole demeanor softening.

The little girl, Marilyn pouts and Fenric looks like he would give in any second to it. "It is okay. You can call me whatever you want." Kaizen says. It makes the little girl smile. They make small talks throughout the meal. The duchess is kind and Marilyn is just a little girl who is curious and excited about having a cousin brother. It us relaxing and Kaizen feels the warmth radiating off of them.

After the meal, Kaizen heads back to his room. On his way there he came across a room. The door bigger than others. Something compels him to go inside there. Like something was pulling towards it.

When he steps inside he is surprised to see a portrait of his mother hung up. He assumes that it must have been his mother's room. He is surprised by how well maintained it is. Not even a speck of dust is present. The realisation of how much Duke Fenric must have missed his own sister hits him.

He walks around looking at the small bookshelf. The study table and so on. A box on the table catches his eyes. It is a bunch of letters placed properly. A royal seal on each of them.

He opens up one out of pure curiosity.

"Dear Milenna,

Spring has come to the capital. Every flower that blooms in the royal garden reminds me of you. I dearly miss you with every bits of my soul. Would it be greedy of me if I ask when would you be coming back to the capital?

I feel impatient. I wish to have you as my wife already. I have asked my father, the emperor, for permission to marry you. He doesn't seem against it. Milenna I promise to make you the crown princess. I love you dearly.

- Your beloved, Aurelius"

The name on the letter makes his hand shake. Aurelius. Aurelius El Erindel? The prince who passed. Was his mother in love with him? Were they in love? There were so much question flooding into his mind. Just then Arianne walks in.

She looks shocked at his presence in the room and the letter in her hand. "I guess we should talk." She says.

Her words make Kaizen feel conflicted. A part of him is scared of knowing and figuring out what the letter meant.