[Early Morning - Training Grounds]
What was green had slowly turned brown; burnt by repetitive torture from the yellow white orb above. However, at this time of day, the bare training grounds were covered in a light mist and the early morning sky was cool and clear. This combination often meant that heat should dominate the day. For now, though, it was calm and still, with a slight chill and returning to bed was at the back of the mind for one.
He trailed a few steps behind his brother. Pushing through the exhaustion, Alex yawned and stated
Alex: -yawn- It’s so early
Roman: An early start is best. Today, I’ll be training you with the sword and nothing else.
Alex: But what about archery?
Catching sight of Roman’s dead stare, he quickly added
Alex: Sorry
Roman: Your skills with the sword are lacking the most and therefore, we’ll focus on that and only that. We’ll be using these..
In handing Alex a wooden sword, Roman continued
Roman: ..for today. From tomorrow, we will use real ones.
The expression made on Alex’s face did not escape the keen eyes of Roman. He swiftly attempted to change it.
Roman: Are you having second thoughts on having me train you?
Alex: No, brother
Roman: Good. Then, let’s begin
**
**
[After Mid-day]
Damian: What is this? Doth mine eyes deceive me?
Into the training grounds he strolled, beaming from ear to ear, Damian, with an air of sarcasm, further added
Damian: The tales of the Crown Prince are false! -laugh-
Upon his entrance, both Princes paused in their sparring. This allowed Alex, who was slightly out of breath to catch a break and ask
Alex: What..tales?
Damian: Don’t you know Alex? Haven’t you heard of the tale of the Southern Crown Prince? They say that he never helps anyone. Not even his own kin. And never apologises. He hides away; always keeping to himself. But honestly, that’s because he’s quite hideous (I would too, if I were him) -
Alex: -giggle-
Damian: However! All proven false today…except for the 'hideous' part I see..
Alex: Hehehe- oh!
Roman’s stern and seemingly bored expression, caused Damian to conclude with
Damian: …I simply jest brother. You know that
Roman: Don’t you have studies to return to?
Damian: I don’t. But, thanks for your concern. So, instead I decided to check in on you…and, erm, Alex?
Alex: Yes?
Damian: Are you okay? You seem a little- Aren’t you hungry?
Alex: I am…but-
Alex began to explain but then shrunk within himself slightly when he glanced at Roman
Damian: It’s well past lunch Roman. Shouldn’t you give Alex a little break by now?
In a calm voice, he replied
Roman: He’ll be dismissed when I say
Meanwhile, Alex awkwardly stood and observed his brothers; they were both silently glaring at each other.
And though, as Alex observed, Damian was younger, he was almost as tall as Roman was, and broader, or maybe it was because he had his arms crossed.
Seemingly unbothered by his brother’s quiet hostility, Roman, while still glaring at Damian, said
Roman: You’re dismissed, Alexander
With a sigh of relief, Alex quickly acknowledged his brother with a slight bow, then strode across to meet Damian, dropping his wooden sword into a basket along the way.
Damian: If I had not decided to come check in on you, I think he would’ve trained you till you fainted away and died.
Alex: -Hehe- No, brother wouldn’t’ve
Damian: I mean, I know I asked him to train you- but why did he have to go on for so long? - on your first day! He’s such an ah-
He glanced sideways at his brother’s expectant face, and intentionally failing to finish his original thought, he instead, with a painful expression, ended with
Damian: ahn..an…unpredictable person
Alex: -smile-
Damian: No one ever knows what’s going on in that head of his
Alex: Actually, Damian… I asked brother to train me
Taken aback, he immediately stopped walking and exclaimed
Damian: Wait.. what?!
Alex: I asked him
With an eyebrow raised, he asked
Damian: And he said, ‘yes’?
Alex: Not really. He wasn’t so…direct
Damian: But he agreed?
Alex: …yeah
Damian: Huh! Well well, I guess there is a way through that steel wall he surrounds himself with. Who would’ve thought? Baby brother Alex found a way in
He dishevelled his brother’s hair and added
Damian: Good job! Although…admittedly, you’ve always been his weak spot. Me, however, he’s been fully disgusted with- ever since that incident.
Alex: What incident?
Damian: Never you mind
Alex:...oh. okay.
He replied but his pale brows furrowed and tensed as he bit into the corner of his lip and fidgeted with his fingers
Damian narrowed his eyes at him and questioned
Damian: What’s bothering you?
Alex: Nothing
He answered and quickly dropped his hands
Damian: You don’t seem happy though
Alex: Uhm..Damian? May I ask you a question?
Damian: Yeah, sure
Alex: Do you… do you blame me for what happened to mother?
His brother took awhile to respond, which caused him to nervously add
Alex: n- Never mind
Eventually, Damian gave reply; stating quite plainly
Damian: Honestly, yes. And you’re free to think harshly of me for doing so…
Alex, dropping his head, softly said
Alex: oh
Damian: That is to say…I did at first. But truth be told, you’re not single handedly to blame
Alex: b-But father said-
Damian: Look. Listen to me. You shouldn’t continue to blame yourself for what happened, okay? In the end, we all have our own choices to make and you should never blame yourself for another’s evil deed, Alex…
Alex: …
Damian:-sigh- ..So, no,.. I don’t hold you accountable for what took place…not anymore
Alex: …
Damian, shaking him by the shoulder, added consolingly
Damian: Hey! …Cheer up
As the pair resumed walking, smilingly glancing at Alex, he said
Damian: I’ll drop by to watch you two tomorrow.
Immediately perking up at his brother’s mention, he asked
Alex: Really?
Damian: Yeah
Alex: Promise?
Damian: Gentleman's promise. So, I'll leave you here now Alex, I’m on my way to visit mother. Shall I give her your regards?
**
**
----------*----------
9th August 18xx
1st day of Training
He interrupted my training today. We only have about one month and this coddling will not do. Alexander is weak because of it. There are no lunch breaks on the battlefield.
I need to have a serious talk with Damian.
When we resumed after lunch- it was as I predicted- He became lethargic. Alexander should be mindful that he does not waste my time, of this I warned him. I wish he would take this more seriously.
-----
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