I am once again sitting in my throneroom, Aquilo is standing to my right, and my vassals are surrounding us. My sons make their way to the front of the room and stand before my throne. My eldest son, Siris, is assisted by a crutch, but he is the first to speak. 

“Father, despite my leg, I am still the eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne. Tell these foolish nobles who support my brother that I am the only suitable candidate to handle the situation at the border!”

 My younger son, Seth, quickly responds. “Father, please talk some sense into my brother. The journey is long and dangerous, and I fear that he will suffer along the way. Please, choose me to be the candidate to be sent to the North!”

Their bickering reminds me of when they were children. I rest my temple on my fingertips and study my two sons closely. They have both grown into young men, but despite being twins, they look nothing alike. Siris resembles their mother, with the same raven-black hair and brilliant blue eyes, but Seth and I share the same blond hair that shines like sunlight. But in Seth’s eyes, I see a familiar gleam of ambition, the same look my brothers shared many years ago. Looking at him now, I feel sick to my stomach.

Where had I gone wrong? I had always made it clear that Siris was to be the next King, and I took special care to openly favor him to quell any doubts amongst the nobles, who had caused the conflict between my brothers and I all those years ago. Why were things turning out this way?

“Enough,” I say. “I will consider the matter and make my decision at tomorrow's meeting.” I dismiss the nobles and return to my office, slumping into my chair and letting out a heavy sigh. For the past few years, it had seemed like Seth had finally accepted that his brother would be heir to the throne, so why was he acting as though he was still a child? I sit at my desk, deep in thought until there is a knock at my door. 

“Enter.” I say, straightening into a more regal posture. The door creaks open and, to my dismay, Prince Seth enters the room. I quickly grab a piece of paper and a quill from the drawer of my desk to avoid meeting his gaze.

“What have you come here to say?” I ask, pretending to write something down.

“Father…” he says, his voice trembling,  “I have come to ask you again, please allow me to be the one to go to the Northern Border!” 

As he speaks, I hear the thud of something heavy falling to the ground, and I instinctively look up. Seth is kneeling before me, and his emerald green eyes are burning with the fires of ambition. As I look at his face, the heavy iron-tinged scent of blood is ripped from the dark recesses of my memory, and I can once again hear the deranged cheering of the crowd, and the sight of my brother's disfigured face floods my vision and almost causes me to retch.

He looks just like Gaul.

I swallow back my disgust and once again lower my eyes to the piece of paper on my desk. My issue with Seth’s appearance has only magnified as he's gotten older, and now that he is of-age, I can’t bear to look at him for more than a few moments at a time. He is a horrible reminder of something I would much rather forget. But perhaps…perhaps today is an opportunity for me to finally be rid of this reminder.

“I will allow you to travel to the border on behalf of your brother,” I say, and my son springs to his feet.

“Thank you, Father!” he says, and instantly, I feel a heavy weight lift from my heart. Yes, this will be the best solution for everyone. The trip would be too difficult for Siris to make, and maybe, after a few years at the border, Seth will grow up a bit more and I will be able to look him in the eyes without fear.

“Go and prepare for your departure.” I say, and the Prince quickly leaves after expressing his thanks once again.  

Just before the door closes behind him, Aquilo enters the room as quickly as the winter winds. 

“Your Majesty,” he says, “You know that I will always follow your orders, but are you sure that it is wise to send Prince Seth to the North? Our enemies at the border will use any opportunity to cause instability within our Kingdom, and I fear that they may use the young Prince as a pawn to take the throne.”

I feel a rush of pride as I listen to his warning. Ever since his return from the border and our discussion in the courtyard, Aquilo has gotten better at speaking his mind. But despite this feeling, I remain firm in my decision.

 “It will all work out for the best, Aquilo, trust me.”

As soon as those words leave my mouth, I feel the sensation of someone grabbing my shoulders and am suddenly lifted up into the sky, leaving the world in front of me behind.