Chapter 6.5: Hectic Holidays
* Almost 6 years have passed since the Duke decided to declare war again on Sunthunder already. Our army crossed the borders and in the months that followed managed to take the strongholds that were stolen from us. The land where our family's vacation was returned to our father. I really care about it because a large part of my childhood memories are there. Even if for my big brother it must bring back painful memories. 3 years now that the war is over and Sunthunder is now trying to be on good terms with us. However, protesters are against the signing of the peace treaty have started riots across the country causing hundreds of deaths. Despite this, Sun's royal family held on to the damage and remained on good terms with the Duke. It has now been 3 years since the peace was signed and a ceremony is taking place this year to promote the signing of the treaty. Also our father insisted that my brother and I be there. So here we are in a black sedan with tinted windows in the direction of our hotêl *.
-Mell are you okay? * Friedich asked *.
-He uh what?
-You seemed lost in your dream. * He said *. Eh Zell don't you think she's weird these days.
-He uh what?
* He too seemed to come out of a long reflection. Seeing him like this Fried let out an exasperated sigh *.
- Forget Fried, they're not the same family for nothing. * Said the young man next to my brother *.
* The man next to my brother who was smiling the whole way was a friend he had met under very special circumstances. And when I say friend my brother really considered him. Swan Der Linde. Son of Baron Linde and himself future baron. He and my brother met on a hunting trip organized by the Der Linde. Find out why they quickly hit it off and challenged each other in a hunting competition *.
-Fantastic Swan, how did you manage to kill a fox at such a distance?
* Swan stared at him surprised as my brother circled him like he was a freak. According to him the hunting rifles had a practical range of 200 meters, beyond that the precision was minimal. Swan had managed to shoot the fox several yards beyond. Today Swan is a young man even more refined and elegant than we met. Her magnificent dark hair was always impeccably styled. Besides, he smelled really good *.
-Ha when Zell is in this state better not to disturb him. * Said another young man sitting in the front *.
-That makes me think Troy, you still haven't paid me back the money you owe me. * Said my brother *. Where are you with your girlfriend?
-Ah Samantha * Said he embarrassed *. We broke up. * He announced curtly *. It was too expensive for me.
-You really are a jerk Decken you know that ? * Swan told him *. A girl as good as Samantha cannot be rejected.
-Sorry, but superficial girls aren't my type.
* The man sitting next to our driver is Troy Der Decken. Another friend of my brother's but a first-rate goujat. He spent much of his childhood abroad hence his rustic ways, but hey the Deckens are known for their eccentricity. Son of Baron Der Decken he grew up surrounded by firearms and as such he automatically becomes my brother's "safe guy". Besides, I didn't know he had a passion for guns. Alfar is definitely very strange *.
- By the way Mell. * Said my brother *. You could have sat in the car with the other girls.
-We have arrived. * Said the driver *.
* The convoy of two vehicles stopped in front of our hotel. We took turns going down and Fried helped me with the steps, holding my hand *.
-It's simple Zell. * Said Swan *. Your sister didn't want to part with her prince charming.
- You're not funny Linde. * Fried told him *.
-I think the reason is a little obvious there. * Said Troy *.
* Two young girls got out of the tail car. They were both beautiful blondes with long hair but one of them had ashy hair. If Arianne was the type to stay calm in her corner, the other on the other hand *.
-What are you waiting for to unload my luggage? * She yelled *.
* She began to give unmanageable orders to the poor hotel employees who bent over backwards to carry out her whims *.
-Is the tiger skin carpet really necessary? * Fried asked *.
-Are you sure of yourself Swan? * Troy asked *. You can always weigh it down. It's not like the Marquis forced you to do it.
-What you want, we don't choose who we love. * He replied *.
* Marie Steinberg, Swan's fiancée but also a real bitch. Still, she also caught my brother's eye because of her talent for numbers. This girl was incredibly good at counting and handling money. For this outing, she took care of all the expenses *.
-It's not gonna be simple with her on her back. Call me if you want to get away from her. * Troy told me *.
-Hey you there. * Shouted Marie *. Come unload this baggage.
-Yeah we coooome.
* The boys let out an exasperated sigh but did so without making a fuss. Roll on the end of this damn ceremony. Still, Troy was incredibly nice to me today. Besides, he had changed his haircut which looked a bit like Swan's. It looked good with her red hair. In the evening after the shower we all gathered in our private living room. Our respective fathers had all put their hands on the paw so we had the floor for us. This stingy Marie had made a list of places to visit but also of what we had to spend *.
-You don't think that's exaggerating a bit, Marie. *Say Swan *. We are here to have fun spending as much as we want not...
* Marie gave him a black look that intimidated all the men *.
-Do not try to soften me up, you guys we know each other. At the first opportunity you will squander everything in horse races, stupid games or bars.
-We are only 16 years old. * Said Troy *. So not the age to bet or drink.
-You don't look your age you know. * noticed Arianne *.
* Marie also glared at Troy and pulled out a suitcase thinner than the others. Given the shape pn easily guessed what was inside *.
- Besides, what is that? *She says*.
-Uh uh ...
-We said no weapons. * She yelled *. But you brought a rifle. You're lucky the police didn't get their hands on it.
* Troy rushed over to his suitcase and hugged it tight *.
-No Lily is mine. There is no way I can part with it. This is my first rifle.
-You disgust me. * Said Marie disdainfully *. No wonder you don't have any girlfriends.
* My brother stood up and put his hand on Marie's shoulder. I saw her blush for a short moment then pull away *.
-Thank you Marie for your efforts but I will take over.
-It's not too early. * I say aloud *.
-How he masters it too much. * Said Troy *.
-I'm almost jealous. * Told Swan *.
* My brother now at the board the atmosphere suddenly dropped and turned serious *.
-As you know in two days the Crown Prince of Sunthunder and ours will march through the streets of Prada.
-Why does it look like a Briefing all of a sudden? * Fried asked *.
-The itinerary has already been communicated and the two princes will be in the same car. Since the parade will take place the day after tomorrow, you will have free time to visit the city as you see fit.
* Arianne until then silent got up and came to stand next to my brother *.
-Now the pairs. * Did she announce *. Mell you will go with Decken.
* As if I already suspected it *.
-Fried you will go with Marie. Swan you'll go with Zell.
-Uh Arianne. Why I'm with Zell already, he's not my fiancée. * He said mockingly *.
- Don't worry, I don't intend to marry you either. * He laughed *. But I would like us to visit what you know. Don't worry, you'll thank me later.
* What were these two up to? And I found myself with the bastard of the gang. Marie definitely has too many chances. The next day then we went to town. The boys had all put on their coats, but Friedich was still the most elegant. Swan gave Marie a kiss and eclipsed with my brother. Arianne remained alone at the hotel, I fill her up, the poor thing, but it was she who had chosen these pairs. Outside the city was quite busy. At least the part we were seeing. We weren't the only residents of Elysion in the city, there were plenty of nobles and rich people, not to mention foreigners. We walked around the restaurants and shops as planned but I could tell Decken was bored with the smile he was showing. He pity me so we went to an antique shop. There his smile became more radiant *.
-What are we doing in this seedy place? * Complained Marie *.
-You really don't know anything about Marie art. * Friedich told him *.
-I would never pin your interest in junk. *She says*.
* The boss rushed over to us to show us his items and Decken went straight to his flintlock pistol collection. Strangely his smile disappeared at this precise moment. Besides, Fried had become calm as well, as Marie became more and more interested in antiques *.
-In fact, these pearl necklaces are not bad. *She says*. And this bracelet too.
-It belonged to the cousin of Queen Agathe. *I said*. She offered him to seal the friendship between their two families.
-Well, the queen's cousin has a good taste.
-Yes. Too bad she died poisoned. * I continued *.
-Hey you could keep the dark part to yourself. *She says*. However, since when you have known yourself in jewelry.
* Normal with a father like mine you have to know about history and also ... *.
-I have been studying minerals since I was little. It interests me a lot to know what there is like wealth under the ground and if possible to bring my help when I grow up.
-Well then. Your brother is only interested in geopolitics, arms and the army. *She says*. But I like this necklace I will buy it.
-Just this necklace is ....
* I saw Troy come out of the back room with a box that must have contained a pistol from the last century, but strangely he still wasn't smiling. Even more, he took me by the hand and hastened to go outside *.
-Let's get out of here.
* Once outside he threw his box in the trash at the first crossroads *.
-But ... Why did you do that you're sick. * Marie yelled at him *.
-It's a fake. * He announced *.
-Hey ....
-In fact all they sell are either fakes or replicas. * Supported Fried *. You noticed it for the necklace too, didn't you?
- I saw that the necklace was a replica of the original but the other items ... * I replied *.
- He's probably a smuggler. * Said Fried *.
- Hey, shouldn't we call the police? * Marie asked *
-Not worth it. He surely has a trick to go unnoticed. * Said Fried *.
- Let's go home. * Said Decken annoyed *. That bastard made me nauseous.
* The whole evening Troy shot the face while the others recounted their day. Apparently Der Linde and my brother had a great time, especially since Arianne would have joined them afterwards. Apart from the antiquarian Marie was not bored but Troy intrigued me all the same. The next day the parade began. The least we can say is that the Suns had a sense of organization. There were police at every crossroads, the streets were completely blocked, barriers prevented civilians from approaching the procession. As the Count's daughter I was in the car right behind my cousin. Apparently he seemed to get along well with the Prince of Sunthunder and it was better time. Lancell van Elysée was a year younger than my brother and he was of a really sweet character compared to his siblings. He was the spoiled and pampered child of the family, especially since his androgenic appearance made him look like a woman because of his effeminate manners *.
- Smiles a little more Mell it's getting embarrassing that I'm doing it alone. * Said my brother *.
-Talk for yourself. That forced smile doesn't suit you. And why is Troy in the same car as us ?
-I wanted him to change his mind that's all. * He replied *.
* Something was wrong. Fisrt Swan and Marie had been exempted from the parade and had found themselves in love in a restaurant. Arianne was once again absent as well as Fried and my brother kept scrutinizing the crowd. His gaze was the same as when he began to think alone in his corner but there it was deeper. The procession finally approached the main square where the roundabout was. Lancell and the Prince of Sun then stood up to take their walkabout, waving their hands. At that moment my brother stopped smiling. I no longer had the impression of being on a parade, but on a hunting trip. While the procession had almost gone around the roundabout, the leading car stopped dead, stopping the procession. After that everything went very quickly. My brother jumped out of the convertible and jumped into the princes' carriage *.
- Lower yourself. * He yelled, lowering their heads simultaneously *.
* Troy pulled me to the back of the vehicle and hugged me *.
-Keep your head down.....
* There I could not believe my ears. The deafening sound of a machine gun echoed covering the panicked cries of the crowd. It's ... The Prince's car being strafed. And my brother who was ... *
-BIG BROTHER.
* I tried to get up but Troy pulled me back into the back seat. When the noise finally ceased I raised my worries. Most of the guards in the procession were dead. The others were seriously injured and my brother's car had a hole in it. But I heard him scream. *
-DECKEN.
* Troy Der Decken pulled out a pistol at a speed I had only seen in theaters. With an extremely quick gesture he eliminated the shooter who was armed with a heavy machine gun. I saw my brother get up and look around the crowd like he was looking for someone. His eyes were moving so fast it was scary *.
-11 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock.
* At each indication Decken shot a man in the crowd who appeared to be an assailant. My brother did not see the guard who had slipped just behind or he did not care because right after this man took a bullet in the head *.
-A sniper shot? * Thought I *.
* I looked up and noticed smoke billowing from a cannon on the terrace of a restaurant *
.
-Swan?
-He uses my Lily. * Said Troy *. Exceptionally, of course.
* He was different from the smiling guy I knew. His gaze had become hard and dark *.
-We do what Zell are traitors even among the guards. * Shouted Troy *.
* My brother then turned to the two princes he had forced to bend down *.
-You are fine ?
-Who are you ? * Asked the Prince of Sun *.
-You are ... the son of ...
-Decken we move ...
* My brother got behind the wheel and switched on the ignition. Troy brought me up with the other two princes in the back as he picked up the assailant's machine gun *
-Started
* Zell broke down one of the barricades and walked right into the city. Stuck in the back I noticed steel plates on the doors *.
-That's how he stopped the bullets.
* If it seemed like he was going all the way he actually had a well-marked route. Being his sister I had an idea of where he was going to go. The Embassy of Elysion *.
-I feel like I'm in a bad parody of Tintin. * Said Zell *.
-About what ? * I asked him *.
-Forget it. And keep your head down. * He yelled *.
-Hey ....
* Another sedan appeared behind us and gunshots rang out in the street. Alfar tried to throw them away while Troy strafed them. His gun jammed after a few seconds *.
- Shit this thing is fucked up. * He said, throwing it on the driver *. Do you have a gun?
- Remains that of the guard. * Said my brother passing him the weapon *. 5 bullets.
-That's more than enough.
* I saw Troy lean back despite the shots and aim at the car. But when he was about to shoot my brother suddenly turned which made him miss his target *.
-Stop moving you moron.
-If I don't move we're going to blow ourselves up like rabbits. Do your job instead of whining.
- Please make it stop. * Said Lancell panicked *.
-And shut your mouth. Your moans distract me. * Ordered Decken *.
* I don't know what shocked me the most. Whether that idiot called my brother a moron or outright insult our prince. At the bend of an alley my brother skidded at a roundabout. The car chasing us tried the same but got caught in a truck at a roundabout. My brother parked for a while *.
-But what are you doing, roll. * Said the Prince of Sun *.
* I saw Fried get off the truck. To beat up the 4 guys even though they were already bruised, to break the neck of one, to search his jacket, to remove his weapons and to go up front with us as if he had always been part of the chase *.
-So ? * Said my brother *.
-Cops and real ones.
-I would doubt it. * Said Zell before switching on the ignition *.
* This day will forever remain in my memory. It will have been traumatic in every way. The boys I hang out with every day were actually quite different from what I thought. Decken, Der Linde, my brother and even Fried whom I respected so much, it was the first time that I saw them use violence in front of me and kill people. As far as I knew they had always been kind and tender but I had probably forgotten what world I was living in. In the end we were finally picked up by the embassy. When night fell, riots broke out all over the city. The chief of staff let us know that the anti-peace supporters had infiltrated even the highest levels of government and that it was impossible for us to restore the prince to his condition. Marie was also silent in her corner, she must have seen things. As I sat in my corner I felt a coat pass around me which warmed me *.
-D ... Decken?
-How are you feeling ? * He asked *.
-I dunno. How should I be feeling? This vacation is a joke. My brother has organized everything from the start. But you knew it eh. You knew it and nobody said anything.
* Troy clenched his fists, staring at the ground as if to avoid meeting my gaze. I felt silly yelling at him like that after everything he had for me the last few days. Playing watchdog when you can hardly hear it, save us from this shootout. So I straightened up and hugged him *.
- I don't blame you on the contrary.
* I released him and felt him blush with embarrassment *.
-Oh lala but he's going to steal it from you my little Fried. * Said Swan *.
-Don't fool Der Linde. * Fried told him *. You should also go and apologize to Marie.
* In the end, this day could not be worse. But I want to believe that these 4 boys who are laughing right now are not the monsters I saw today. I'd rather forget that side of them, but I had to get used to the idea that it was this world that wanted it. These men are what they are and nothing will change them *.
* End of chapter *