I wish to be free, even for a moment
With the days and nights passing by, Selene felt bored by the constant lessons about Celestia and Solaria made by royal tutors to prepare her for her marriage. She already knew what she needs to know, as the lands possess a rich history. While Lady Merca of Aireia droned on and on about how the Shadow Queen has divided the current lands, Selene was thinking of ways on how she can taste a bit of freedom away from the Lunar Court.
'I could ask father to give me a few weeks to myself' she thought, 'But he would insist that I bring brother with me on my adventures, not that it would matter'
Her brother, Mikael, was given the name the Shadow Prince for his excellence in elusive combat. His high skill of Shadow Weaving combined with his great talent for weaponry and combat made him the favorite among the court. Regardless of what the king would have said about her request, her brother will surely follow her.
While Mikael's prowess is in combat, Selene's skill is in the art of moonlight. By drawing the power of moonlight, she can heal any ailment or wound, and create offensive bolts of light. Her sorcery skills are on par with the great magisters of the old time.
Selene was said to have an affinity to Light, while Mikael to Darkness. A balanced power between the siblings. A healer and a soldier.
When Lady Merca finished talking, Selene excused herself and went straight to the Royal Study to request something from the Lunar King.
------------------------------------------
"I can't believe father allowed you," Mikael said, as he watches his sister fix her cloak.
Selene stood in front of her mirror checking her appearance. The pale moonlight illuminates her room while magical flames on the braziers provide warmth.
"I told him to treat this as his early wedding present for me," Selene replied. "I've been alive for 20 years and not once have I stepped outside Lunaria."
"You'll step outside of the kingdom after your wedding, so what's the rush?" Her brother asked.
Selene looked at her brother. "I am going to be Queen there, and whether the prince likes me or not I intend to be a good queen to his people. And when the time comes, my child will be ruling both kingdoms. Might as well start scoping out my new territory so I can think about my next actions."
"Or, maybe you're just curious who your husband-to-be is?" Her brother teased.
"Why would I be curious about him?" She asked, irritated. "I already know who he is and what his personality is. And base on the reports I have gathered, it is not good." Selene tossed a stack of bounded papers in her brother's direction
"Hmm..." Her brother said, reading through the reports. "Yes, not good at all. But he's young, and probably rattled by his new standing in court. He'll change soon enough, I think"
"Not an excuse brother. Look at me! I'm not the heir to the throne but I don't cause problems at all!"
"Give him time to mature. The Sun Court's not exactly a very warm and nurturing place, dear sister."
"Not. An. Excuse" she said pointedly. "Look at this!" Selene said as she grabbed the papers and flipping through them, looking for something. "This! He has bedded more women than I can count! I'm not even sure if this is the real number or if there are more. He had them shipped off to marry to old nobles in Solaria once he is done"
"Also, this" Selene added. "Destruction of Property. Endless list of fights. He even killed someone on the spot for giving him the wrong kind of alcohol during Solaria's state dinner! I understand that he has the Son of the Sun mark, but by the gods does his brain think nothing but chaos and destruction?" she said, all worked up in frustration. "If I marry this man, then I have to work twice as hard to make the whole 'uniting the two kingdoms' thing work"
"Oh my gods, stop with the endless complaining. You're giving me a headache" her brother replied, clearly not listening to any word she said.
"You're giving me a headache!" She shouted, pointing a finger at her brother. "You're not even listening!"
"Fine. I'm sorry. Do what you have to do" he apologized. "But I'm going with you"
"I didn't invite you" Selene pointedly said.
"You don't have to" he countered.
Selene didn't reply, clearly already exhausted by their conversation. She knows whatever she says, her brother has a response and there is no point in continuing the conversation. She took out her bag and started to pack the things that she needs for her few months-long freedom.
"Why do you need all that stuff?" her brother asked, snatching her bag and rummaging through it. "A notebook? A lot of potions? Selene? Don't tell me…"
"Yes, I intend to visit the Moon Imperium, before going back home" Selene answered.
"You and your weird obsession with magic and sorcery," Mikael said as he placed the contents back.
"It's not about that, though I heard they have recently transcribed a very old journal detailing the final moments of the Eclipsing Hour," Selene said. "No, it's about this weird feeling in the back of my mind lately and it's driving me insane. It's like something is knocking on my brain constantly. I'm going to check if there's any medicinal recipe for that"
Upon hearing what Selene just said, Mikael rushed to her and held her face. He looked her in the eye and said worriedly "Are you feeling anything else? Just the knocking. No itchy feeling, or sudden bouts of headaches? Just knocking?"
"Yes, just the weird knocking sensation. Wait you know this illness?" Selene said as she squirmed out of her brother's hold. "If you knew why not just give me medicine for this?" she asked.
"Father won't let you go if he knows," Mikael replied seriously. Selene noticed that his eyes suddenly became calculating and cold. "I won't even allow you to go."
"Mikael, don't tell father please" she cried. "It's nothing. I'm fine. That's why I'm going to the Imperium, to check and prove that this is nothing, okay? Mikael, please" she looked at her brother with pleading eyes, making extra effort to look like an adorable little sister.
"Fine. But the moment you feel something off I am dragging you back to Lunaria" Mikael conceded.
"Thank you. Thank you! You're the best" Selene said happily as she hugged her brother.
"I know I'm the best" he replied smugly, "Now finish packing and get some rest. We'll leave at dawn tomorrow."