The revenge of the weak

The shadowed brother

Elenora fascinated Nicholas. Although they were introduced sloppily, he knew exactly who she was, as there were rumours at court for a week that she would come.

Of course, he knew she didn’t come here for him. She came to meet Daniel. It was always Daniel.

His one-year older brother has always gotten everything. It’s been that way since they were little. Daniel and Nicholas never had the same teachers. Daniel deserved the best of the best. Meanwhile, Nicholas only got a second-rate education, just as well that no one could doubt his father not fulfilling his duty. Not like there was anyone who dared to question his authority.

Nicholas was a part of the education system so that in case something happened to Daniel, he could come to the rescue and help.

This, too, wasn’t likely to happen, as Daniel was always guarded by a private group of guards who accompanied him wherever he went. Daniel had always had the attention of his mother and father, while Nicholas’s only company were the grey-haired maids. But even they hardly ever spoke to him because of their position. They were nice to him, and always smiled when he came near them, but they never really spoke with him.

Nicholas thus preferred to spend most of the days outside in the woods, shooting a bow or galloping with Kasegi. He was much better at riding than Daniel.

And now Daniel got a wife. Not yet, but soon enough Daniel would ask Elenora to marry him. After that, he would probably mock Nicholas he couldn’t get the bride. Of course, Daniel would “forget” the fact that he also didn’t get Elenora by himself.

Nicholas didn’t want to get married soon. Still, it would be nice to see if his father thought he deserved a bride himself.

Nicholas was smart and persistent, he knew how to be charming. Maybe he could convince Elenora that he was right for her and thus prove to his father that he is more than just an unwanted son. A marriage to Elenora would be pleasant. Elenora was astonished. She had a pretty smile, but it would have been even more beautiful if she had dedicated it to him and not to Daniel.

Still, Nicholas didn’t want to give up. He would take Elenora away from Daniel, he told himself. He deserved to have something beautiful.

He eyed from Elenora to the girl next to her. She was probably a servant from Elenora’s home since it was the first time he has seen her, most likely Elenora’s lady’s maid.

She wore a simple grey dress, sewn in several places and completely muddy. She stared angrily at him as she was studying him, but when she realised he saw her looking at him, she quickly turned her head towards the ground and shut her mouth.