DISCLAIMER: This story will contain sensitive subjects, trauma and sexual content that might trigger some people.  The "episode" will be tagged as "mature" for you to be warned of the sensitive subjects it will contain.

The sun was setting in the High Elf kingdom. Its warm orange light was licking the white marble towers architecture of the Soveryn Elves. Birds were flying in flocks, trying to find a safe place to spend the night. The air was filled with a hint of salt as the city was located near the Elebore Sea. The Soveryn metropolis, Ornamen, was built on a plateau as the towers reached high in the sky. The beautifully carved columns varied in shape and sizes and their white to bluish marble stone complemented the turquoise color of the sea. However, one structure of the city of Ornamen stood taller and more imposing than the rest; the citadel. Its towers were built by the finest architects of Sitrinn. Sunset-colored crystals adorned the edge of the elegant dark grey to greyish blue to whites and golds massive columns that were shimmering as the last rays of light dropped to make room for the night to come. Every aspect of the artistic and exquisite Elven city gave it a mystical yet alluring ambiance.

Even though the scenery was breathtaking, inside the castle’s walls reigned a peculiar feeling. In fact, it was not a very populated place for its importance as fewer guards were patrolling the halls than usual this evening.  Most of the castle’s royal guards and servants were all busy preparing for the festivities of tonight. Only a few servants were still doing their usual chores before the night came and the others were probably already in the ballroom, making sure everything was ready before the guests would arrive. 

But as Ifanthien was wandering the empty hallways of the castle filled with tall windows that reached the ceiling, he didn’t pay any particular attention to that fact. He had other things in mind; finding his two little siblings that were hiding from him.

The Elf Prince had earlier accepted to play a game of Hide and Seek with them before they had to go get prepared for the party celebrating his older brother’s engagement. His mother warned them to be back in time, although Ifanthien did not worry about that. He knew his little brother way too well to know where he would hide, and his little sister, Ilithya, always hid with Kolthen. It was so easy to find them that he wondered why they still wanted to play this game with him.

He was approaching the room where he knew they were hiding. It was a simple guest bedroom located in the east wing of the castle and only very few guards were patrolling at times. This wing of the castle was always empty, and dust could be seen floating in the air as the last rays of sun filled the untenanted space. He didn’t know why this area of the citadel was unused like that. The east wing was packed with beautiful frescoes, paintings that would take the entire hallways, telling stories of their ancestors, and much more fantastical tales of slain creatures of the olds. Some would have narratives about the three ancient Gods. Paintings of the Goddess of life in all her might and beauty along with the Deity of love with their gaze filled with unconditional love towards the mortals. There were even portraits of the God of Chaos itself, despite his dreadful reputation. The Elf Prince’s father always thought that no matter what he did, the God of chaos was a part of the history of the world and one shall not forget what he did so that the same mistakes would not be repeated.

As Ifanthien calmly strode towards his destination, he gazed upon the many decorative armors that stood silently. They almost seemed like they were guarding the place, staring at him behind their helms. Countless bust statues were placed here and there of the numerous ancestors of the Lurandin royal family. The Elf Prince had to learn each one of them as part of his training as heir. He didn’t really get why, but his father thought it was useful for him to know their history and what great things they had accomplished in their long life as sovereigns of Sitrinn.

After taking another turn leading to a large hallway with windows so tall that it would take a flying mount to reach the top and be able to clean them, he finally arrived at the room he was looking for and where he knew his little siblings would be hiding.  Ifanthien slowly opened the dark oak wooden door as it made a quiet creak. Only a small crystal lit the place with its orange light and the warm sunset color going through the window gave it a welcoming feeling as particles of dust were shimmering in the rays. He knew Kolthen and Ilythia were here as he clearly heard his little brother make a muffled gasp that came from the wooden wardrobe of the guestroom.

A smirk appeared on the Soveryn Prince’s face as he began to silently approach the dark oak wooden wardrobe decorated with elvish carvings and hid on the side of its doors. If they were going to hide at the same spot over and over again, he shall allow himself to tease them a little. Especially Kolthen.

Then, he stayed silent for a while, not moving. He could hear the panicked breathing of his little brother inside. Kolthen surely knew he was here. He simply didn’t know when Ifanthien would strike, and that always had him panicking. His sister, on the other half, was as quiet as a mouse, but he knew she was there, as usual.

In a quick movement, Ifanthien suddenly grabbed the knobs of the wardrobe and opened its doors. “Found you!!!” The Elf Prince exclaimed loudly with an evil grin on his face.

All Ifan heard was the terrified screech of Kolthen squeezing his sister in fear. His little brother’s scream was so loud that Ifanthien almost had to cover his pointy ears. However, he couldn’t stop the gleeful laugh that escaped his mouth for the reaction of his little brother was hilarious.

“Ifan! Why do you always have to do this!? I-I almost died this time!” Kolthen stridently said, annoyed as his silvery eyes were watering with fear. He was holding his chest as if his heart was about to stop at any moment.

Ifan burst out of laughter, holding his stomach as he wiped tears of amusement from the corner of his eye. “Because you get scared every time and it makes it quite hilarious, I must say.” The Elf Prince chuckled.

“You’re so mean, Ifan!” Kolthen exclaimed, still pissed that he got scared. Again.

“Fann no mean!”

This time, it was Ilthya that had spoken. She had an adorable angry expression on her round face as she said those words. His little sister had beautiful platinum curly hair with bangs and a small braid was kept on the back of her hair. Her eyes were a pretty silvery lilac color that made her look even more adorable. She was a very quiet kid. Even though she was five years old and didn’t talk much, she was bright and curious. Ilithya particularly adored him and was always clinging to the Elf Prince. Whenever she heard someone say bad things about him, she would speak up to defend him. He liked to think to himself that he was her favorite brother, and it gave him a certain sense of pride. His little sister was so precious he had to cherish her as much as he could.  

Ilithya spread out her arms towards Ifan so that he could pick her up and he did. She put her small arms around her big brother’s neck, her rosy cheek glued to his as she was glaring menacingly at Kolthen. “Lili is right, you know. You shouldn’t say that to me. After all, I am your beloved big brother.” Ifanthien said with a tease in his voice.

“Yeah, right.” Kolthen muttered, rolling his eyes behind his rebellious ashy strands of hair, “Well, my beloved big bro, why do you keep torturing me like this every time we play then?” he said with a snarky and irritated voice.

“Maybe if you hid in another place, it would be much more difficult for me to tease you like this. Be more original next time, little brother.” Ifan winked at him playfully.

Kolthen was about to reply when they heard a male’s voice calling for them in the hallway outside of the guest room. “Ifan? The guests started to arrive. Come out and bring those two little brats with you.” the voice said with mock.

Suddenly, his little brother’s eyes went big as he stood straight up to then run in the hallway towards the voice that called for them. “WHO YOU’RE CALLING A BRAT, YOU BUTTBREATH?!” the little Prince shouted.

“Kolthen, language!” Ifan said with authority but still amused by his reaction.

“Bad Kol. Bad lanwaje!” Ilithya said, trying to imitate her big brother.

Ifan smiled with mirth at Ilithya and then walked towards the door to meet with his older brother Athelan, who stood near one of the time-worn dusty statues of their ancestors. His brother was tall and very masculine for an Elf. His posture was imposing, and people could only feel admiration and respect towards him. His long platinum blonde hair was straight compared to Ifan’s white silvery curly hair. Athelan was talking to an annoyed-looking Kolthen when he noticed Ifan approaching.

His brother lifted his lilac gaze towards him and smiled. “So, Kolthen here says that you’re evil and you only like to torture him, mmh?” Athelan’s voice was soft yet filled with strength that could only make people listen to every word he might say.

Ifan gasped and put his hand on his face as he faked a shocked look when Athelan said that. The little princess hanging in his arms was trying to imitate every one of his expressions and movements. “How dreadful! I would never!” Ifan said, acting appalled.

“W-What!?! You’re always doing that!!!” a dangerously raging Kolthen shouted.

“Oh! Ifan, be careful. He’s making The Look again.” his older brother murmured, leaning towards Ifan as he grinned.

Indeed, Kolthen had the habit of making a sulking expression as his face was bright red with annoyance whenever his older siblings teased him too much. He looked like a harmless angry kitten ready to attack its prey. Both Ifanthien and Athelan found it hilarious whenever this happened as their little brother was so easy to trigger. As Kolthen was about to throw a tantrum at them, he was yet again immediately interrupted by a familiar voice coming from the far side of the empty hallway.

“By the Gods! There you are! What are you doing all here? The party has already started!” their mother stormed at her children. The siblings all turned their heads with an anxious expression on their faces. “Ifanthien! You are not even dressed yet?! Oh, for Davinn’s sake! Go prepare yourself this instant!” she pointed her elegantly slender finger towards the few servants that had followed her around the castle in search of her irresponsible children.

They looked like a group of stressed ducklings following near their mother and trying to keep up with her. Ifan pitied them for a moment. He knew his mother was not always easy to deal with at times and she seemed like she could run all day without showing an ounce of exhaustion.

Queen Arinuien, with long strides imbued with grace, came straight towards them. She was wearing a high collar long silk baby blue dress with long sleeves, extensive transparent and shimmery fabric hung from her shoulders, making it float around her with every gracious movement she did. The blue gown went perfectly with her cascading platine hair and lilac eyes, the same as Athelan’s. At her neck and ears were beautiful silver Elven pieces of jewelry decorated with violet and white gems that complemented her delicate features. The Queen might be 1234 years old, she still looked like a beautiful woman in the prime of life. As she was approaching Ifanthien, she wore a displeased expression on her face even though she tried to stay calm.

“I apologize, mother. I did not seem to notice that time was passing so quickly.” Ifan replied, lowering his head in respect as he tried to keep his composure, but still a slight smile tried to creep its way on his face as he was still amused by his little brother’s reaction.

“You are the crown Prince, Ifanthien. We expect you to act like one and be on time for events.” She scolded his forgetful son. “Even your brother is already ready.” the Queen said, exasperated by his son’s irresponsible behavior.

Indeed, as soon as he got out of the guest room, Ifan had noticed that his brother was particularly too well dressed for the occasion. He wore the official prince’s outfit, which was a long dark blue cloak with long sleeves. His undershirt was a pale purple with golden embroideries and his trousers were a darker shade of violet that fitted perfectly around his muscular legs. On top of that, he had tied his platinum silky hair into a slicked-back ponytail and two small braids with silver beads starting at his temples were attached to it. His brother really got out of his way to look way too handsome for only his betrothal party.

“That’s because he’s going to see Lady Laeria tonight. He wants to impress her.” the Elf Prince replied, smirking back at his slightly flustered older brother at the mention of his fiancé. “Although I’m not sure how he can do that with the face he has. It’s a lost cause. I pity his fiancée” Ifan added, acting sorrowfully.

“Wow. That’s nice, Ifan. I would say the same for you, but every woman in the kingdom will want to see me dead if I dare insult your beauty.” He scoffed as he shrugged, accepting his defeat against Ifan’s teasing. “At least I’m presentable and on time.” He added, grinning back at him.

“Of course. Anyone would be on time if they took all day simply to prepare for a party.” The Elf Prince retorted back.

“Ifan, I’ll let you know that appearances are very important for royalties. You need to be presentable at any time.” Athelan argued as he cleared his throat.

“Yes, you are right. Appearances do are important, my dear brother. Especially to a special someone you want to impress,” he said back with a smug face.

Ilithya was still in his arms and, as she saw Ifan doing that face, she immediately tried to imitate him, making Athelan look more annoyed than anything by the fact that his cheeky little brother was right.

“That’s enough, both of you.” the Queen ordered. “Ifanthien, go get dressed. Now.”

“Yes, mother. My apologies, mother.” Ifan said as he reluctantly put his little sister down and headed towards the servants that were waiting for him hastily.

As Ifan was walking, he could hear Kolthen complain about him and Athelan to his mother. The little prince was all flustered with anger as he explained how they were so mean to him. Ifan couldn’t help himself but chuckle a little. How he loved to tease his beloved little brother.