Ambrose pulled the reins of the horse who neighed but stopped. The guards stared at him with their weapons drawn before one of them approached him

“Sir…please remove the hood and tell us your name”

Ambrose lifted his hood slightly and winked “You don’t recognized your rightful king anymore?”

The guards all gasped before kneeling “Your majesty, you have returned!”

“We all thought you were dead but then we got news that you were kidnapped”

Ambrose smirked “Kidnapped huh? Also stand up and don’t your majesty me! I’m not the king, I was just joking”

The guards hesitated and nodded while opening the gates.

“You are the king, your highness we remain loyal to you despite the other prince being in the throne”

Ambrose nodded fixing his hood and once the gates opened Ambrose galloped to the main palace stable and once there he got off the horse

“Hello Harold you miss me?” He patted the back of a middle age man that was sweeping

“Ha! people were talking about how the poor prince died, the noble ladies all were depressed some even wanted to die but not me I’m full aware you cannot die” He grumbled “You darn immortal idiot”

“Why not? Am I that almighty to you?” Ambrose smiled

“Nah it’s more like you have that curse of immortality” He grumbled again “But I’m glad you are back your highness”

Ambrose nodded, and waved goodbye. He walked towards the main palace, and during his walk he encountered the maid that was once his exclusive maid. Her face lit up once she recognized him after a quick glimpse under the hood and she ran to meet him

“Your highness Prince Ambrose!” She bowed “I’m so relieved you are okay” She wipe the tears that rolled down her cheeks

“Aw Dilara” He patted her head “I missed you too”

She stared at him and shook her head while sniffling “You have become soft both emotionally and physically” She poked his stomach

“Who says?” He smirked while wiping her tears ”Ready for some mischief?" 

***

Ambrose slowly made his way to his brother’s room, while sipping from a bottle of wine. He ruffled his hair and smiled at the passing maids, and when Nicholas’s nanny spotted him she rushed to his side

“Your highness Prince Ambrose…If I may ask where you are headed?” She looked nervous

“To go see my brother...or did he caused such a big scene just to ignore me?”

“But… He’s currently busy…maybe later you can stop by...” He stopped a few meters away from the big double door that led to the bedroom

“He’s with Arabella… isn’t he?” He took a sip of the bottle “Answer!”

The maid lowered her head “Yes…Yes” She stuttered nervously 

Ambrose chuckled and threw the bottle to the door, which smashed upon contact “I’m here you bastard, so come out!” He approached the door and kicked it “Well whatever I just came to do three things and then I leave so keep at it!” He walked away laughing

***

Ambrose arrived to the entrance of the dungeons, the three guards that were on duty upon noticing his presence kneeled and lowered their head

“You don’t need to that, I’m not your king… actually your king is busy making a crown prince hopefully the kingdom is still good by the time that kid takes the throne” The guards stood up hesitantly and Ambrose stretched out his hand

“Your highness!” Dilara came running while holding a key, she gave it to Ambrose

“Sly cat, where do you snatched this from?” The key was the key from Evander’s cell

“Somewhere” She smiled proud and placed her hands behind her

“Thank you, can you please call two doctors and sent maids to get one of the guest rooms ready” Ambrose motioned for the guards to open the door that led to the cells

“Anything else?”

“Sent one of the doctors to the guest room and the other to my room…prepare baths and meals please”

“I got it your highness…is that all?” Dilara pretended to write on her hand

“That’s it for now...wait on my room I might need your help later” Ambrose patted her head “Thank you”

She ran off again and the guards opened the door. Ambrose entered the hallway with cells on both sides, it was dark and humid. He stopped by the first cell that had their light on and there sitting on the floor leaning against a wall was a young man with blond hair and black eyes

“Oi Ambrose long time no see!” He pulled one of his hands which made the chains rattle “You are more than welcome in this cozy cell we have the best stale bread and mud water with its especial ingredient... bugs” He said sarcastically

Ambrose opened the cell and approached the young man “I truly apologize Prince Lucian, my bother tends to be really impulsive”

Lucian chuckled “Nah, you got that wrong he tends to be stupid… I guess it runs on the family” He looked up “What brings you here? I thought you left to be a farmer”

Ambrose unlocked the chain and helped Lucian stand up. Ambrose placed a hand in Lucian’s shoulder

“Your family has been threatening war, and it’s totally understandable but I would like it if we could sit down and come to an agreement…if possible”

“Ah Ambrose… of course we can do that but it has to be you, I’m not dealing with that childish and idiotic brother of yours” He shook his head clearly annoyed

“Yes of course, thank you Lucian”

“I told you didn’t I? That if you decided to give up the crown for freedom you wouldn’t be totally free” He sighed “You need to sit on the throne and stay there…Nicholas isn’t a good king and you know it”

“I don’t know Lucian, I came to release you and Evander, and leave but maybe you are right”

 He placed his hands in his pockets “So is the crown finally staying in your head this time?”

Ambrose remained silent and Lucian nodded slowly.

***

After making sure Lucian was taken to his room and attended to Ambrose continued to walk father down the line of cells while thinking of what Lucian said. He was right, Nicholas wasn’t right for the throne but Ambrose didn’t want to sit on it either and he wasn’t planning on being the king’s shadow forever.

“Damn you seem to be having fun” Ambrose unlocked the last cell on the right side

Evander was chained from his ankles and wrists, his head was dangling and his breathing was irregular

“Took.. Took you long…enough” He mumbled "You missed... the party earlier...which is a loss for you"

“Yeah well I’m here now…sorry for being late” Ambrose unlocked the chains and Evander hugged him

“Oh... I’m so grateful let me reward you…” Evander made kissing sounds while Ambrose stared at him with his lips on a thin line

“Stop spouting bullshit let’s go” He bend over a little to make it easier for Evander to climb

Evander leaned his head on Ambrose shoulder while his arms dangle at each side of his neck. Ambrose supported him by grabbing him behind the knees and started walking

“I knew you would come for me and for that I’m thankful brother” Evander mumbled

“Close your eyes and rest” Ambrose whispered with a small smile on his face