Chapter 3: Chapter 3 “All Flowers Bend Towards the Sun.”
The garden surrounding the palace of Nõv Aeoss was one of the most delightful places in the entire Heaven realm. Its length was twice as big as the Gilden Keep and went as far as the Silver Mountains. The wide stone paths circling the grove were twisted like vines. It was called a garden but it resembled more to a forest. Trees of all kinds stretched towards the sky. Cypresses and junipers, and hemlock trees, their leaves gold, saturated by sunlight. Thousands of flowerbeds were arranged throughout the park, their colours and species varied from the most common plants to the strangest flowers in the entire universe. Marble benches had been placed in every spot so the visitors would rest while admiring the stunning view.
At the centre of the park erected an enormous pavilion encircled with roses, with its alabaster columns and light strikes of gold. The inner part of the dome was decorated by rare gems, creating patterns of the sun with stars around it.
Sitting at the upholstered bench was a teenage boy. He looked around sixteen years old, his blond curls caressed his sky-blue doublet as he turned a page of a massive tome. Straight edged letters were curved on the leather cover; it was old and tattered, its yellow pages crammed with long paragraphs, yet the boy's eyes were gleaming with every word he read. He returned pages back, midway through the parchment was a stiffly drawn figure of a man. The letters pointed at various parts of his body, giving their names and descriptions of their functions. He traced his fingers on to the lines of the figure and phrased the words quietly.
"What are you leering at, little pervert?" Grinned a young man from the pavilion balustrade.
Frey jolted in shock before realizing the person's identity, the book flew away from his lap and hovered in front of the redhead. The teen reacted and reached his arm towards it when he lost his balance and tumbled over to the other's feet.
"A naked man?" Raziel raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you are at that age after all. Should we have a talk about—"
"No-no-no, you're misunderstanding! It is just a human anatomy figure." The teen covered his flushed face.
"Oh," said Raziel, sounding almost disappointed, "what is so interesting about the human body? They hardly differ from our own build, in appearance that is."
Frey stood in a flash and dusted rose petals from his pants, he looked at him with big bright eyes. "You want to hear about them? Really?"
Raziel stared at the boy and shrugged with an apathetic face.
"I do not care either way," he said as he tossed the book back at him.
Frey clutched it in his arms and chased behind the youth. "Did you know that an ordinary human can live up to seventy years only? And not all make it till that age. A lot of them die in wars, with illnesses, some of them starve to death." He paused as his eyes drooped. "Isn't it unfair? We have so many resources and food we do not even need to survive, why can't we share with them? Plus our physicians are exceptionally clever, they could create medicine and—"
"Again with your classless ideologies. For heaven's sake, why bother with their matters? We do not associate with them for a reason. The Empyreans are the dominant species, and humans are not. That's life, that is how the Universe created it, unequal."
Frey had grown tired of that claim. It pained him how Raziel agreed with the cruel beliefs of the rest. "I never wanted to be dominant," he uttered.
"And I never wanted a whiny little brother yet here you are, yammering about problems that do not concern you."
The boy sighed and went quiet. He wondered why he even bothered to share his thoughts with him.
They passed the peach orchards in silence. Two man attired in white stood near as they admired the blooming pink flowers, having a cheerful conversation. They quickly noticed the young man strolling down the pavement indifferently yet radiating courtliness with his every motion. He wore a rich mahogany tunic, tied around his waist with a gold sash, his copper-red curls fastened into a high ponytail, their perfume so sweet, it smothered the peachy fruitiness of the flowers. The scholars bowed their heads to the youth with excitement, ignoring the teenager beside him.
"It is truly a pleasure to meet you here, your excellency," said the one with the bald head and a beard that made him look like an elderly goat.
The other chimed in. "Such a lovely weather to visit the gardens. Why don't you join us?" He looked younger than the other, his hands hidden in the oversized sleeves of his white cloak.
Raziel feigned a smile. He was always good at playing the role of the perfect prince. "I'm afraid I am only here to fetch my dear brother."
The pair observed the boy who posed awkwardly, pretending to find the peach trees amusing.
"Ah, by all means, the inauguration of our young lord takes place on the morrow. I trust you are so proud, your excellency, for your wee brother to join the Union at such an early age."
"A shame that quirky lad has surpassed him already. How old was the last blood of the dragons when he was first scouted by the Holy Council. Fourteen, I recall?" the man glanced at his companion with a brooding expression and continued without waiting for his approval. "Kids born with heavenly cores are prodigies indeed. It is unfortunate we have got only five of them. Tut-tut."
The man with the chin puff shook his head. "Be it as it may. We have high expectations for you, sweet princeling," he said, a weird smile appearing on his face.
Frey shuddered and glanced at his brother whose expressions darkened in an instant, a spark flashed in his usually uncaring eyes. He took a step back when a hand grabbed his wrist. Raziel ignored the duo still speaking and dragged the teen with force. The two scholars were left standing in wonder, staring at the figures fading in the orchard.
The grip on his wrist hurt, but Frey followed without struggle. It had been a while since he felt close to his brother. He was not as affectionate as before, instead he became hostile towards him. Frey lowered his gaze to the ground and tried to ignore the dirty looks of citizens around the park. He was used to them, but they still bothered him.
Raziel paused when they reached a thick forest and released the boy with a yank.
"Why was I not informed about this? Were you going to tell me just before the ceremony?" He snapped. "Did Ellisar pressure you into accepting the Council's proposal? What did he say to you?"
"Uncle didn't say anything… It was my choice. I agreed because I wanted to." muttered the boy.
"Your choice?" Raziel now laughed like a madman. "You think your naïve little brain is ready to make such major decisions? I don't know what to do with you anymore. I feel like giving you so much freedom was a bad approach."
Frey was stunned. "What—stop treating me like a damn child! I am old enough to choose what I wish to do with my life. If you think I will simply stand by and watch you rule with arms folded, you are so fucking mistaken," he shouted, "I am not a little toy for you to play and discard whenever you feel like it."
His brother was silent for a moment, staring at him with a face devoid of any emotion. At times like these, the boy wished he knew what he was thinking. Only that way he would understand his extreme outbursts.
"You will not join the Union or chain yourself to the Holy Council in any way." Raziel seized the boy's chin and approached his face, "I am the only one in this world who cares about you. Why won't you listen to me?"
Frey felt his hot breath, the clutch on his wrist was now scorching. Raziel was fuming, in the literal sense. The boy's ocean eyes welled up with tears, he could not take it anymore.
"Everything I do is to protect you, Frey. So you can live the carefree life you desire so much… but if I let you free, you will run away. You will leave me, just like him. Just like father."
The boy shoved the heavy book at him, it was enough for him to escape before he heard any crueller words. He ran and ran as tears blurred his vision, ignoring the pain of the reddened skin and scratches left by thorny bushes. They would heal in no time anyway. A massive tree root protruding from the ground made him trip and he rolled over on a steep slope with a horrified scream.
Frey woke up laying in a stream of water, he pulled himself up, quickly blowing the fluid from his nose and coughed violently. He observed his surroundings, remembering the events which led him to that place.
The river was shallow, reaching a little above his ankles, clear as a crystal, exposing the rocky base. Tiny fish looking like tree leaves at first glance glided around his feet, their colourful scales sparkled as the sun rays flashed over the watercourse. He heard the chirping of birds coming from the dense woods, their repeating noises resounding all over the area. Tall slender trees covered the watershed completely, their branches tightly packed together, hardly letting enough sunlight in.
He squished the water out of his breeches, the thin fabric was now draped around his hips, clinging on to his legs awkwardly. He looked around with a complex expression, his eyes followed the tiny path going upwards and he began to climb.
The sun was gently disappearing into the mountains when the boy finally reached the hilltop. He leaned on a tree, huffing and puffing, his body besmirched with dirt and leaves. Unfazed by his filthy looks he pounded his fists on the bark.
"You sick bastard!" he shouted, "Stupid, entitled jackass!... I'll do whatever I want! You hear me? It's all your fault… now I'm stuck in this stupid place…"
"Personally, I quite enjoy this place," said an appealing voice out of nowhere.
Frey let out a scream and tipped over, he noticed the strange figure emerge from the back of the tree. A boy around his age was leaning on the trunk of a eucalyptus, staring at the setting sun. He had a tall physique and white porcelain skin, his black hair tied up with a silver ring, strands dangling over his shoulders like curtains. His dark robes perfectly fit his lean body, the silver wrist cuffs on his arms were embellished with dragon-like shapes. He scrutinized the boy and chuckled.
"Who are you?" Asked Frey, his face flushed.
"A simple wanderer fancying the view," the other mused with a smile.
A creep, the boy thought. "I'm Frey… Pleased to meet you, I suppose."
"Certainly." The lad glanced at him with the corner of his eye, "The crown prince everyone chatters about."
Frey grimaced and sat down next to the tree. "You're mistaking me with my brother. He's very… adored by the public," he sighed. "If only they knew his temper."
The stranger chuckled and positioned himself close to him. Frey was taken aback by the sudden friendliness, his suspicions grew more.
"Pardon me. By chattering I really meant denigrating," he added, "the mob enjoys speaking of troubling individuals."
The boy could not hide the offence, "You think I am troubling?" he protested.
The other shrugged. "Does it matter what I think? I simply impart the things I hear here and there. It is only fair."
Frey could not find himself to argue with the stranger. He plucked a few weeds and dispersed them to their initial place. "What does the mob say exactly?" he asked in a low voice.
"Well, it appears the junior crown prince frets about the human realm. So much so that he plans to join the Union for a chance to travel the earth."
Frey was silent for a while, staring at the sky that had turned dark without his notice.
"My powers are sealed until I become a part of some authority. I don't have another choice. I need to get stronger for the sake of humanity… and for him too."
The teen burst out laughing. "Such a noble desire! As well as quite problematic. No wonder your brother does not acknowledge your schemes."
"It doesn't matter... wait, how would you know that? Are you my brother's lackey? Are you here to harass me in his place?" Frey snapped. The other gave an innocent smile and leaned closer. The boy flinched, not expecting the sudden approach.
"I assure you, I am not an informant of such sort." He offered a hand to the boy. "It is dark already; shall we get back to the city? Everyone must be searching for you."
"I doubt it." Answered the teen as he stood up and gestured, "Go on then. Lead the way."
"That will not be necessary," said the stranger as he held out his hand. When Frey ignored it once again, he sighed and grabbed him.
"Hey!"
Frey was suddenly engulfed in darkness, in the blink of an eye, he found himself at a busy street near the Gilden Keep. He looked around, seeking the strange young man, instead, he was met with annoyed glances from the town folks.
The boy gave a bitter laugh and mumbled. "A simple wanderer, you say."
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Robin_Sensei
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