[Late one evening]

*

[Southern Kingdom - Crown Prince's study]

Late into the evening the weary Prince toiled. By lamp and candlelight he sat hunched over the many agendas noted on parchment which required his attention. There appeared no end to the task and no rest to soon indulge in for him; of which he cared not as he was unable to sleep soundly many evenings.

Across the room, a fierce patter of rain against the window was suddenly heard, momentarily breaking the silence within the room and the Crown Prince's focus. The sound seemed to have held his attention, for he paused in his scribblings and stared unblinkingly at the direction of the sound.

His mind wandered and drifted onto many things. And soon he found himself; tea long abandoned, quill down, eyes closed and with his head in his hands.

**

**

[5 years ago]

*

[Evening]

[Great Hall - Prince Damian DuMont's Crowning Ceremony]

-- Brother. Brother?

(The young Prince excitedly approached; eyes of blue-grey sparkled and a wide smile upon his face, his newly acquired gift, sheathed in a black scabbard in hand)

Roman: ...

Damian: Brother? Did you see what father presented to me?

(He said proudly as he held up his dark iron blade. His brother, however, simply stared at both him and it with heavy eyelids.)

(With a tone to complement his lack of zeal, he replied)

Roman: I did, yes.

Damian: You have yet to congratulate me!

Roman: ...I am aware.

Damian: ...Will you not...congratulate me then?

(After a few moments silence and a swig from his glass, the Crown Prince eventually gruffly stated)

Roman: ...Congratulations.

Damian: Thank you, brother

(In accepting his brother's praise, he smiled and lowered his gaze somewhat. However, just then, a boisterous young nobleman interrupted the pair. Cheerfully, he greeted them)

-- Your Highness, good evening!

Roman: ....?

-- Damian! I mean,..Your Highness. Congratulations!

Damian: Thank you, Kendell

Kendell: Shall we go test out your new prize?

Damian: Of course!

Kendell: Fantastic! I knew you would be up for it...

(Motioning with his head, he continued)

Kendell: ...The others are already waiting outside. Let's go then.

Damian: Sure!

(Then with a slight nod of their heads, they bid the statue of a Crown Prince 'Good evening' and took leave of him)

(Unknown to Roman however, his mother was observing his interactions from afar and she gently called to him as she drew close)

Queen Marie: Roman?

Roman: ..? Mother?

Marie: Are you enjoying yourself this evening?

Roman: ...I am

(Marie then lovingly smiled at her son as she considered him before saying)

Marie: I observed as you spoke to your brother...

Roman: ...

Marie: ...must you be so blunt towards him?

Roman: ...

Marie: He only wishes for you to be proud of him

Roman: ...?

Marie: You are puzzled by this?

Roman: ...

Marie: Damian holds you in high esteem, Roman. Certainly you see it?

Roman: ...

Marie: No?

(The Queen clasped her son's rigid shoulder, gave a gentle smile and said)

Marie: Try harder, my love

(With no responses given from the Crown Prince, his mother freed him from her grasp and the discussion and said)

Marie: I take leave of the ceremony now. I bid you a good evening, Roman

Roman: But Mother..are you retiring from the celebrations already?

(Before giving a reply, the Queen looked over to where her husband stood; surrounded by fervent chatter. Returning her gaze upon her son, she then stated)

Marie: You know I usually do not attend, save for special occasions such as today- for your brother.

Roman: ...

Marie: But, yes. It is quite late and I am tired.

(She bade him a good evening once more and departed. No sooner had she left, Roman became startled by someone bumping into him from behind.)

(Irritated, he immediately spun around to reprimand the individual but faltered in delivering his reproach.)

(She appeared quite abashed with round eyes of ruby and hair of onyx black. Her small lips were painted burgundy and they parted as she uttered in surprise)

-- My Prince!

----------

***

Silently it took note of the figure half asleep upon the cluttered desk.

A golden flame, bright and still, sat atop its waxen stem.

As Roman awoke, he squeezed between his brows and crooked his neck.

He stared gloomily at the lone flame upon his desk; and slowly his thoughts and various memories each came vying for attention once again.

Eventually he dismissed them and resumed his work but not before he penned a few words..

**

**

-----------*-----------

XXth September 18xx

Distractions arrive in many forms and always at unfavourable times.

A most favourable time for them to visit me is in the evening, in the form of dreams.

It would have me recall moments spent with others and exchange of words had. Mother; my brothers; the one whom father sternly warned me of. But all these memories serve no purpose. And sleep is unimportant at this moment.

Rebuilding that which is broken is.

-----------*-----------

I feel my thoughts wandering regularly. Though awake, I drift off into a sort of slumber and before I become aware of it, time has marched on.

I find myself in constant worry and matters in need of my attention never seem to cease; and what once brought me comfort now brings me little solace.

There is no one in whom I explicitly trust to voice my thoughts to.

With father bedridden; though I would never dare approach him for such a thing, and mother unwell, I shall continue to write them out instead.

-----

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