I can hear the buzz of the television as we sit in comfortable silence, we are sitting in my room. You can smell the obnoxious cologne Apollo is wearing, but in his words ‘I like annoying others with my amazing scent’ so can’t do much about it. Although in my opinion I just think he is self conscious about his BO, though honestly I don’t know why he would be, we have been best friends forever and I’ve literally seen him naked. 

Me and the twins are sitting on my bed, I’m curled up into Artemis' chest while Apollo is laying across from us. When Atremis and I sat down, Apollo made a grossed out face, though we all know he was joking. My guards Ren and Izled are standing/sitting in the corner ‘watching’ us. Ren is standing there staring at us but Izled looks pretty out of it, sitting on a chair, to Ren’s dismay. 

The television is playing the news (the only somewhat correct one), they are right now showing a protest on tiff control. There have been a lot of them taking place ever since the war let out, but specifically in the past couple weeks, there is way too much unrest. 

Artemis suddenly breaks the silence, “Your dad needs to deal with all these protests and soon, the country is extremely angry at his strict no nonsense rules.”. I sigh, Artemis is right, my dad does need to deal with this before something really bad happens, but sadly his response will not be exactly what we want. “But, we all know he is never gonna get off his high ass pedestal and join the real world where we act like grown ups.” I respond. That makes Apollo laugh, “That guy’s got a major stick up his ass”. We all laugh, I even hear Ren let out a small giggle as he tells Izled to stop laughing cause they are quote ‘on duty’ and she can’t act like that. 

This is exactly what I need before an important broadcast, my best friends. 

“Ren, we all heard you giggle.” Artemis states as Izled gives him a face of ‘and you told me not to laugh’. Ren doesn't respond, giving Artemis a face of betrayal before glaring at Izled. 

Apollo gets up, signalling that he might actually have something serious to add to the conversation and I get interested. “What's up Apollo?” I ask, “Huh?” he responds, “You sat up, you only do that when you have something serious to add” I respond confused, “Oh, I was just thinking about how the public would react to this scene. The twins of the richest family in Cavince, one of the twins, a girl, is cuddling with the Princess while the other twin was just laying there, barely showing off any of his amazing features, even though he is supposed to be the heart throb. All the while the crown guards are mostly slacking off, one is trying to be, professional, and isn't doing a great job of it, while the other doesn’ seem to give an flying fuck”. “Good observation Apollo, we are a walking criminal offence as well as public offence”. Artemis responds, very sarcastically, before we all burst out laughing, well everyone but Ren. He looks very disappointed in his corner, and it seems he might have straightened his posture, something I didn't think was physically possible.      

We are cut off by the loud sound of the 5 hour notice for the television broadcast tonight. My dad, well really the King’s team, organises weekly broadcasts where he gives weekly updates about the situation with other countries, the climate and economics and many other updates. They are mandatory to watch and each television in the nation will automatically turn on the news station until the broadcast is concluded. People’s televisions also send out loud warnings every hour for the last 6 hours before each broadcast. If you're caught skipping you can be put in jail, if you skip enough you can be locked up for life.  

“I wonder what's happening tonight, it's rare that he has some big announcement, let alone one that involves you two.” I say. “I know it's too bad, the country deserves to see my beautiful face more often.” Apollo replies, before Artemis kicks him. “I wonder if it has something to do with all the protests and activism on tiff and economy problems, maybe something to calm everyone down?” Artemis adds, “But what does that have to do with us; non-royals?” Apollo questions, “You think I know Apollo? It was just a guess.” 

I’ve known Apollo and Artemis all of my life. They are twins and the only children of the richest family (not including the royals) in Cavince. Apollo and Artemis look relatively the same, though Artemis is a good amount skinnier than Apollo. They have wavy chocolate brown hair, Apollos being pretty short while Artemis hangs right above her shoulders. Their tiff is ice control and even though they aren't royals they have trained their powers to the point of being considered to be on the level of an average royal. They can create ice out of nothing and even if they can’t directly affect the temperature of it, they can melt it directly into gas, getting rid of it. Though if they use their tiff too much they will get dehydrated.

I’ve been dating Artemis for a couple years now and we are very happy together. The only people who know we are together are Apollo and my silver guards Ren and Izled. We  know we will never be able to be together publicly and both our parents would disown us if they found out we were dating, but we are happy together. 

“Hey Ren, what do you think is going on?” Apollo asks, laying back down. “I think that the King plans on announcing some sort of distraction for the country, something to make them think about while he thinks of a way to permanently calm them down, though I have no clue what the distraction might be”. “Oh that's a good idea Ren, I’m just worried that he wants to bring you two into it.”. “Don’t worry about us Aki,”, Artemis says, “We will be fine, you don't have to protect us, you are not the only one who has been in the public eye since you can remember.” “I know, I know, I just can’t help but worry.” Artemis leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Begh, get a room!” Apollo yells, making a disgusted face, and we all laugh, destroying the seriousness we had. 

“I bet that he plans to announce a new kid, Marlee is young enough,” Apollo jokes. “This castle is already filled to the brim with trama filled individuals we don't need any more. Though he would probably do anything to get me out of line for the throne.” I respond, half joking. “Yeah that guy shouldn't be a father, and Apollo, what does that have to do with us?” Artemis responds. “I don’t know, maybe I’m the godfather?” Apollo says. “More like our dad is,” Artemis retorts. “Apollo I doubt the king is having another baby, Marlee doesn't seem like the type to want a kid” Ren cuts in before whispering “Though she is the right age for it”. That makes us all burst out laughing, including a loud chuckle from Ren himself, and all I can think is that I’m so happy these people are my friends and I’m lucky to have Ren and Izled as gaurds. 

“Why must you all challenge my composure so much, every time you guys talk to me it takes time off my life.” Ren complains. “Ren, we all know you are a giant softy on the inside, so accept that you like us and don’t just do this job for money and honor and give Papa Apollo a hug.” Apollo says giggling. “I'm sorry, did you just say ‘big daddy Apollo’ to one of the highest ranked members of the crown guard?” Ren asks, absolutely repulsed. “Yes I did.” Apollo replies proudly, not a bit of remorse in his voice, “Besides Ren, my man, you need to act more like Izled, she always laughs at my jokes.”. “Please Apollo, do not call me ‘your man’, we must keep some semblance of professionalism.” Ren replied. “And Apollo, I just wanna add that you are not that funny, I just don’t give an actual fuck so…” Izled says. “Izled nooo, don’t ruin my confidence.” Apollo cries. “No Izled, please do.” Artemis cuts in, “Be happy too.” Izled says mildly proudly. 

Suddenly a loud ‘buzz’ echoes through the room and Ren tells me that it's time to get ready. “Come on guys, time to go get our faces beaten.” Apollo jokes. I motion for everyone to go out first and as I’m about to leave, I zap the lights, turning them off.