Eury glared at the Fifth prince as she quietly held the King's summons in her hands two days later.

"Your Highness, why didn't you show this to me when it arrived?"

Somnus idly played with the fountain pen in his hand, an innocent expression on his face.

"I honestly thought that Sir Urien had talked to you about it. Didn’t he look for you right after he left my study?”

Eury sighed, pinching the middle of her forehead, her shoulder sagging in defeat.

“We are lucky that our residence is only two days away from the capital, and we could make it in time. I will have the servants prepare your things and…I’ll have a look around to see what gift we could present to the new King under your name.”

“Is it really necessary?” Somnus asked curiously. “What if we go there and then Xanthus declares that we will continue on living as prisoners? Or worse, he’d declare that we are to be executed?”

“Somnus, dear. King Xanthus has been like an older brother to you, and he had doted on you two regardless of your circumstances, although he could only do it from afar. He gave you your second names, didn’t he?”

The prince only gave her a stoic expression before sighing. “Peiren said something to me when he was here last.”

He'd rather ignore the comment about their second names, as Somnus is still convinced that those were given as some prank or to humiliate the princes.

Who in their right mind would give boys a second name that's too feminine to use?

“Oh? Do tell.” Eury said, her eyebrows raised curiously.

Somnus gazed at her for a moment longer before shrugging. “It’s not really my business if the former King died of natural causes or if it’s a conspiracy, as long as my brother’s safe. However…Peiren said that you and the Central Church are under suspicion for his death. He said it happened right after you sent the request to bring those merchants here.”

Eury stared at him in shocked silence, while Somnus took that chance to lean forward, resting his chin on his hands.

“You’ve raised us as if we were your sons, much like how Sir Urien has raised us. However…” He said, clearing his throat to clear it as it’s hard for him to accuse her. “However, if you or the Central Church planned to use us for your own gain, I will not stand for it.”

×××

The next day.

Things were being loaded into four carriages by the busy servants since the early hours of the morning.

Urien was having breakfast with the princes, as Letum had insisted since they were young boys, and couldn't stop glancing every now and then towards Somnus.

"Did Lady Eury tattled on me for you to be this worried?" Somnus asked rather pointedly as he cut a manageable piece of his pancake with assorted fruits on it and scooped up the syrup around his plate before eating it. 

Letum glanced up at the two of them, idly reaching out for a piece of bell pepper sticks in the crudités before him and dipping it in his favourite salad dressing.

Having been briefed by Somnus the day before about the issue with Eury and with the faction she's affiliated with, he's curious as to why his brother would be this indifferent towards Urien, who's supposed to be their only true ally in this place as he's an Imperial citizen.

Urien ignored the soft crunch that Letum made when he bit into the vegetable and fully frowned at Somnus.

"She didn't tattle on me, she went off on me for your rudeness towards her." He scolded the prince. "Why would you even recklessly suspect the two factions that run this kingdom?"

"You told me that I should protect my brother, no matter what, that's why I did that."

"I don't need protection." Letum chimed in as he finished the bell pepper and started on a celery stick. "The next time I see a respectable merchant, I'll ask them if they have some ways of obtaining some sense of self-preservation for you."

"Oh, so my little Letum is all grown up now?" Somnus said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yep, your little Letum is taller than you now by two centimetres."

Urien sighed heavily at how the two of them avoided his scolding and started bickering about their heights.

Then again, it's not like he doesn't have any suspicion as well.

The mere fact that the crown princes took their respective thrones with mere months in difference, it was too much of a coincidence for his taste. And now, even the Central church has been dragged in.

He'd rather be called an alarmist than ignore his gut feelings.

×××

Somnus and Letum stood by the door to their carriage, staring up at the estate with reserved expressions.

Both of them were wearing comfortable yet still luxurious travelling clothes, one would think they were sons of a Count or Duke instead of Imperial Princes.

"Get on, children." Eury called them from the carriage. "We have to reach the Capital in time for the coronation."

The twins ignored her as they took in the sight of their home for fifteen years.

They didn't feel good leaving it like this, even though there's no guarantee that they will see it again or even be alive after this.

The two of them glanced at one another, the same thought running through their minds.

'No matter what, we will return to our rightful home even if we have to fight our way through it.'

Urien had also promised them that he will help them escape if things turn sour at the Capital.

Their second option is to join the nomads and discard the luxurious life that they have grown into in order to live a peaceful life without the fear of dirty and unfair politics of the nobles.

“Don’t leave my side, Letum.” Somnus told him as they turned toward the carriage. “We don’t know what awaits us beyond the gates.”

Letum chuckled. “You think I’d leave my brother who doesn’t even put his own life as his first priority alone? I have to keep you alive, so I can live an easy life. I have no intention of doing any of your administrative things.”

Somnus let out a bark of laughter at that, thinking that his brother was joking.