Prologue

A vast kingdom of Lordaeron was at rest, for peace was achieved and the war was ended. The enemy that threatened the kingdom was defeated by crown prince of Lordaeron, Arthas Menethil. The prince drove the enemy out of kingdom and sailed to the northern continent in a chase. Hundreds of soldiers followed crown prince to the edge of the world where they fought, and ultimately put an end to the evil. Ever since the news were received about triumphant return of the prince, the people of Lordaeron have been celebrating. Songs were sung about heroic prince and feasts were prepared all over the kingdom. Most prominent place was the Capital City itself, where king Terenas happily awaited the return of the hero, his son.

''Did you hear, Ash?'' Calia Menethil said to her younger brother as two rode their horses through Tirisfal forest, just outside the Capital. Her fair hair was tied to a ponytail and she wore a rider's trousers with a knife at her hip. Her white velvet shirt had a lace collar. She looked at her younger brother with a green eyes.

''Hear what?'' Asher replied to a question with a question, and looked back at his sister with the same sea green eyes.

Calia smiled and stroked her silver mare on the head ''Father will prepare a huge feast for our brother once he returns.''

''Your brother.'' Asher corrected his older sister. He was a bastard son of king Terenas, looked down upon by many in the kingdom. Living through fourteen summers, Asher knew well enough what it means to be a bastard. Which was obvious just by his appearance. Asher had a black hair as opposed to fair heir of Menethils, which was why his black stallion suited him perfectly.

Calia sighed. She was a beautiful, no matter what face she would make, and her beauty was well known across Lordaeron. Only two years older than Arthas, thus making her twelve years older than Asher himself, she still wasn't married.

''You brother or not, he saved the kingdom.'', Calia stated.

Asher rolled his eyes. ''He did, but that still doesn't make him my brother.''

''So that's it.'', Calia teased and smiled ''You're jelaous.''

Asher's blushed when his sister accused him ''No, I'm not!''

Calia laughed. ''Stop laughing.'' Asher's ordered quietly which made her laugh even more. After she calmed down, they rode for a few moments in silence. They enjoyed the change of pace as they raced through the forest just few minutes ago, a thing both of them did at least two or three times a week. Asher has become an experienced rider during that time.

''If you want, I could talk to him.'', Calia said in a low, melodic tone, ending the silence.

Asher knew what she meant. ''No. I don't want that.''

''Why?''

''Just.. because.'' he said quietly, fearing sister will see anger in his eyes. He could still remember well how his brother received him when king Terenas brought him to the court. Asher's relationship with Arthas was a complex one, born out of mutual hatred for each other. Which was ironic, in fact. Before he met him, Asher admired Arthas.

He felt his sister's hand on his shoulder and looked at her. She smiled at him kindly and Asher knew if they weren't riding right now, she would've probably hugged him. Her smile alone was enough for Asher to cheer up a little bit. Calia was one of those people that truly loved him. And he was so glad because of that.

Both of them turned when bells rung in a distance. Asher knew the sound very well. They rung in the roughly same time last year, when Arthas left Capital City to fight in the war.

Calia's eyes shifted back to Asher, and she looked at him insecurely.

''He's back.'' Asher said with a straight face.

''I suppose you don't want to come to see the reception?'' she asked.

Asher smiled weakly ''I'll pass.''

Calia rode her horse closer to Asher and hugged her brother with her left and turned her horse around, riding away.

Asher continued to progress slowly through the forest road, enjoying the calm of the woods. He recalled on how much he enjoyed this one year without Arthas' making his life worse every time he would see him. And yet, for some reason, Asher almost missed his older brother. As if, Asher rolled his eyes on that thought and shivered as cold wind blew at him from the north, carrying fallen leaves and whistling between the trees. Stopping his horse, Asher turned it around as if he wanted to see a Capital City, which he couldn't because of the tall trees around him. He cursed at himself in his thoughts because he actually wanted to go to the Capital and see the prince's royal reception.

Bells that rung in the distance meant that prince has returned, and Asher could only imagine his reception. People throwoing rose petals at him from high balconies, him walking through the strees followed by loud cheers of admiration, followed by his captains in plate armors. It was going to be a sight to see, but Asher was too proud to go. Instead, he'll try to persuade himself to enjoy the calm of the forest a bit longer. Turning his horse around yet again, Asher kicked the horse with his heels. A trot turned into a gallop and soon, Asher was speeding through narrow forest road, going away from Capital City as far as possible, with troubled thoughts on his mind.

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Author's note: So guys, if there are any misunderstanding with the story, just know that I am rewriting almost all chapters of the story. Thank you.