Greenery

After walking for some time between the castle walls, Sethius finally stepped onto the garden path. 

Sunlight filtered softly through the towering majestic trees, creating a mosaic of light and shadow that danced across the neatly trimmed hedges.

The royal garden seemed almost alive, every beam of light and rustle of leaves weaving an intricate image, designed to soothe even the most restless minds.

Yet, to Sethius it was utterly meaningless.

As he approached a towering oak near the garden's edge, the tranquility pressed against him like a dull weight, a futile attempt to smother the chaos that exists within. 

His crimson eyes flicked briefly over the serene landscape, cold and disdainful, before he sank beneath the tree's massive, sprawling branches.

The grass was soft beneath him, the bark cool against his back, but these sensations were as distant as the garden's beauty. Sadly, they couldn't touch him—not the calm, not the stillness, not the unimaginable beauty. Nothing.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his silver hair falling over his face as he stared unseeingly at the ground. His hands twitched, fingers curling and uncurling as if eager to feel a blade's hilt or the warmth of blood again.

"Tranquility, huh." he muttered, his voice low and sharp, "such a beautiful and useless concept."

The garden's peace couldn't silence the images flashing in his mind—All of those falling bodies, the satisfying resistance of steel meeting flesh. It was a symphony he craved to conduct once again, a crescendo that no flowers or birdsong could ever hope to rival.

"This place is wasted on me," he said, a resigned smile forming on his face. "This silence, this stillness...this peace it will never be towards my liking"

He sat upright, his crimson eyes narrowing. The memories of the novel's plot churned in his mind—his role, the protagonist, and all the goodies he can steal along the way.

"I think with my little brain," he said suddenly, his voice amused and delighted while humming a little. "Which thing should I put under my name first".

Saying this, Sethius let out a dark chuckle while standing up, the sound cutting through the garden's serenity like a sword. "Now, it is very unfortunate for you old me but," He paused as if rethinking his choice. "I think... this euphoria that seeing red brings needs to go bye-bye"

And, as if understanding his intention his bloodlust surged, untamed and irrepressible. "Yep. It really needs to go for now ". He said, his eyes now fully resolute.

...

After making that decision, He decided to continue his walk, his boots crunching against the gravel path as he scanned the garden with a bored gaze. 

It was then he spotted the boy—a small figure crouched by a bed of vibrant flowers, his white hair catching the light like a black hole.

Sethius slowed his pace, his crimson eyes narrowing. Aether, the third and last prince, sat obliviously among the blossoms, his small hands carefully tending to a patch of peonies. The sight was almost laughable. The royal family's bloodline, and here was this pathetic child playing gardener.

As Sethius drew closer, the sound of his footsteps reached the boy, who froze mid-reach. Aether turned his head, his bright red eyes widening as they met the piercing crimson of his older brother's gaze. 

Fear flickered in his expression, a rabbit realizing it was caught in the wolf's sight.

"Brother," Aether said, his voice timid and uncertain. He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from his tunic as he tried to stand tall. "I-I didn't know you woke from your coma."

Sethius tilted his head, a cold smirk curving his lips. "Clearly. Otherwise, you wouldn't be wasting time with weeds and would be helping me relive my boredom" He gestured lazily to the flowers with a gloved hand, his tone dripping with disdain. "Tell me, Aether do you find comfort in pretending to be a servant?"

Aether flushed, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "They're not weeds," he said softly, though his voice trembled. "And Father says it's good to learn patience as a prince."

"Patience," Sethius repeated, his smirk widening. He stepped closer, towering over his younger brother. "That's what they tell the weak so they feel useful"

Elyas flinched, his gaze darting to the ground. "I'm not weak," he mumbled, though the words carried little conviction.

Sethius laughed, the sound sharp and devoid of warmth. "Not weak? You're standing there with dirt on your hands, trembling like a leaf. Do you think Father would call that strength?"

The boy's lower lip quivered, but he bit it to keep it still. "Father says there are different kinds of strength…"

"Father says this, father says that, blah blah blah" Sethius mocked, leaning in closer so his shadow engulfed Aether while patting his shoulder. "Let me tell you something, lil bro. The only strength that matters is the kind that can crush your enemies, silence their screams, and leave nothing but ashes behind."

Aether took a step back, his breath quickening as Sethius straightened, his presence looming like a storm on the horizon. "But… why does it have to be like that?" Aether asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because" Sethius took a small pause while looking at his younger sibling. "That's the fucked world we live in. If you don't have the will to fight, to take what's yours, then you'll be nothing but prey. Is that what you want to be, Aether? A lamb waiting for slaughter?"

The boy shook his head quickly, tears welling in his eyes. "No, I don't want that…"

"Then stop sniveling and start acting like you're worth something," Sethius said coldly. He turned, the flowers crushed under his boot as he walked away. Over his shoulder, he added, "Until you learn that, you're nothing more than an embarrassment that I can't call my brother."

Aether stood rooted to the spot, the echo of Sethius's words lingering in the still air. As his older brother disappeared into the shadows of the garden, the boy sank to his knees, his hands clutching the delicate flowers he had been tending moments before.

But, strangely for the first time in his life, he wasn't angry at his older brother's behavior. This time, it wasn't the old mockery—it seemed to be encouragement.

And, as if struck by a sudden realization, Aether turned sharply in the direction Sethius had gone, his eyes catching the faint silhouette disappearing into the distance.

"He... he called me lil bro," he whispered, disbelief mingling with a strange warmth in his voice.

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A/N: not only did I post 3 days in a row but this chapter is also nearly double the length of the past ones. I feel like I should celebrate or some shi (⌐■_■)

Also from the next chapter forward (I think) I'm done with the introductions atm (which I pray I did a decent job doin') and enter the juicy part.