Lorn’s life

An uneventful week had gone by, to Lorn the encounter at the garden had started to feel like nothing more than a fading dream with only the pendant he hung around his neck as evidence of that night and the old man was nowhere to be seen. He continued in his lessons as usual, astounding all his tutors with both his skills and intellect. As usual this brought about dissatisfactions of the concubines and cultivated envy in the hearts of his siblings. Not that he paid any mind to it though. They occasionally poked at him. It was hurtful but bearable when they called him names and tried to make his life miserable with their childish and what he considered stupid antics.

If they had so much energy to try and make his life miserable, they could use that to become better versions of themselves he thought.

The pendant always felt warm against his skin. As if there were a fire constantly burning within it. It was reassuring, not knowing why, it made him feel safe as though no one could hurt him.

This time around, the second prince, Glin and his mindless minions stole into his room to damage his things. Not that he had many of them but the few possessions he had were destroyed. He had few people at his service and fewer of them were trustworthy. They would often take bribes from the concubines to spy on him and sometimes damage his possessions. Today was no exception. Normally, one would not have access to his room unless let in by a servant.

“My room has been messed up again, do you really want to say you have no idea of how this happened?”

“I have absolutely no idea.” The servant replied and walked away without a care in the world.

What an obnoxious reply. You could have at least pretend to be shock or bothered.

It’s fine. Everything will get better. A thought he had often repeated to himself as a form of comfort. I could tell the old man but I’m sure he has far more important things to worry about. There had been recent talks about the empire being on the verge of collapse and as the head of the council he probably has far more important things to worry about. He proceeded to clean up the mess that was his room.

This is exhausting. Why would they feel so threatened by me when I have no interest in the throne? Although young, he knew quite well what he wanted. A quiet life, away from the palace. He had always served as a source of ridicule for the concubines and their children. He was often called names and hurt. It became worse when the old man suddenly took an interest in him when he attended the etiquette lessons organised by the royal parents for all the children. Lorn had planned to ask his royal father for permission to leave the palace and abandon his title as a prince when he turned 15 and move to the outskirts of the capital. He wanted to retire out of the palace with Ioran. Maybe become a teacher or start a business. The capital was known as a place when one’s trade thrived.

Perhaps I could become an apprentice first... he looked forward to the day he would leave the palace, greatly. It was the hope of that dream that made him tolerate life in the palace.

“Just 8 more years... surely, I can hold on for that long...” he muttered to himself. The days were going by fast but on days like this, he felt like time was creeping by. He was done with the room now. All things were in place, only to throw away the damaged items most of which were his clothes and books.

“Young prince, the elder wishes to see you in the royal library” By the door stood a messenger of Ioran. Ioran also had few people at his service. These few were the only people who really cared for Lorn. The messenger threw a threatening glance at the servants who stood by and watched as Lorn had cleaned up the mess Glin had made. They were afraid to meet with gaze. Lorn had asked that such matters be left to him to handle for fear of being a bother to the old man.

They both left for the library and the servants in fear of Ioran’s punishment. They wondered if the few pieces of gold had been worth it for this particular aide would definitely not listen to the words of their master about handling them himself.

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