A Good Mood

Noel was in a good mood this morning. He'd just received news that Lionel Boone had left The Valleys. And Emilia would be arriving any minute now like she had been doing for the past two days. Today, he would get to question Emilia about her feelings. 

"You need to get rid of that smile. With the way you have been pretending to sleep whenever she comes, there is a chance that she won't come to see you. And that would serve you just right, little brother."

Noel scowled at AJ who was as always, ready to sour his mood and snapped," Ha! Having a brother like you is punishment enough."

"You mean a blessing. I am the King of Leland and yet here I am, washing fruit to peel for you. If that is not being a good brother then what is?"

"You are letting the royalty thing get to your head AJ. Doing your brotherly duty and being a King are mutually exclusive to each other."