~Prologue~
Diary of Lemongrab II, Entry 1
~Nearly a fortnight has passed since my once dear brother savagely devoured my lower half, along with a portion of my head. The incident had occurred over a relatively small disagreement. Very trivial, now that I pause to give it thought. Strange, the way a lemon can exude such rage over such simple things, like how to play with a doll properly. Of course, I have always understood my brother's fury… the only one to truly understand him, I suppose, for that is what I was made to do.
But now, it is how deeply I understand my brother that makes me fear him so much. His rage, it goes so much deeper than mine...~
"SUBJECTS! Help me out of my chair!" commanded the Earl of Lemongrab. He had been putting on quite a bit of weight, most of it due to swallowing the legs of his twin. Frantically, a team of lemons hurried to their leader and lifted the earl from his throne. Swatting them away with a grunt, he dusted himself off and began his daily walk (some would call it a waddle) through the palace halls. His brother, Lemongrab 2, hovered a few feet behind him.
"So, my brother, I see that your new hovering device is working quite well. I hope you find it acceptable?" the fat lemon asked.
"Y-yes. Acceptable."
"Good. I want to see you using it tomorrow night when Mother Princess comes to visit us. She will be very pleased to see how quickly our technology has advanced in the Earldom."
The half-eaten lemon is barely listening, something else is on his mind.
"Brother… I do hope you will forgive my asking…" Lemongrab 2 nervously begins. "But… have you noticed that our children have been behaving… different?"
"Different?" Lemongrab 1 asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, brother, they seem to be quite intimidated. Especially around yo- err, around us. I fear that our recent industrialization projects may have taken a toll on their spirits."
"Nonsense, brother. the Earldom is finally a sophisticated society. Our people should rejoice in that fact. Those who are malcontent are only holding us back, dear brother! They deserve nothing better than the DUNGEON!"
Lemongrab 2 realized suddenly that he had touched a nerve with his brother, and instantly felt a hot wave of dread rush down his spine. However, against his better judgement, he ventures further.
"B-brother, is the dungeon really the answer to everything? Don't you think that your methods of discipline are rather… harsh?"
The earl's eyes widened with anger as he turns to face his floating twin. "Harsh?! HARSH?! I'll tell you what's harsh, my brother! Harsh is being rejected by the person who gave you life, simply because she does not understand, being forced to spend all your days in complete solitude! Yes, I was very alone before your creation brother, and you have never known that loneliness! You will never understand!"
"But I do understand!" protested Lemongrab 2.
"No! You may be like me, brother, but you are not me. I have been shaped by years of pain and solitude. You have known only love and acceptance since your creation. My love and acceptance!"
Lemongrab 2 hung his head. His brother was right. The floating lemon was suddenly filled with shame.
"Maybe, dear brother…" Lemongrab 1 continued, narrowing his gaze at his hovering sibling, "That is why you are soft. Maybe, that is why I am the true Earl of Lemongrab."
The fat lemon turned away from his companion once again, and resumed his walk. "Now that we have an understanding, make sure the subjects are making the palace look good for Mother Princess's visit. It is an evening that none of us will soon forget!
~Aaaand, there we go. The next chapter will be out soon. Please review, all feedback is appreciated. Muchas gracias.~