CH. 1: New Beginnings

It had been a normal day for King Logan. He had meetings the whole morning with Royal officials. He had overseen the army's drills. He stood still for an hour for his portrait that /needed/ to be painted, according to Jasper. He listened to Rose practice for her proposal banquet. Christian had practiced his sword skills. And Paladin... the fourteen year old had been studying all day. A normal but busy day, indeed. And now, it was dinner time.
Logan gave a tired sighed, resting his head in his for a moment as he sat in his throne. He stood up, tall and regal, to go collect his youngest brother from his studies. Logan walked off to Paladin's room. He gave three leisurely yet loud raps against the solid oak door of his brother's domain.
"Just a moment." Was the soft reply he received. A second or so passed before the youngest of Logan's siblings emerged. He was a very beautiful man, with long, white hair tied with a golden fabric. He wore his signature outfit, which consisted of a blue royal top with gold trim, light blue above the knee shorts, which also had gold trim, white leggings and heeled, dark blue boots. He wore his medical eye patch as always, concealing his right eye. The left one was an electric blue. His skin was nearly as white as his hair.
Logan couldn't but smile slightly at the sight of his brother. There was no doubt, nor trouble admitting it (at least from Logan's point of view) that Paladin had the most potential to lead the kingdom. Not to mention that he was the most well behaved. If the king could only get the young man to partake in more physical training, he would practically be suited to rule now. Logan looked at Paladin, "Dinner will be ready soon. Come down to the table."
"I shall in a moment. I am reading a very important book written by Father and Mother Hannah's friend, Lord Garth. It is quite extraordinary that this one man has invented this many potions and spells! Its remarkable, and it makes me long to be a Hero-" He quickly stopped himself. He then continued in a calmer voice. "Yet Heroes are nothing but fairy tales brother. Father met his fate. All Heroes do. I wish to rule Albion correctly. That will not happen if I am to become a Hero." The 'child' before him gave a small smile.
Logan nodded, putting a hand on Paladin's shoulder. He had so much pride for the boy who was not a boy, but perhaps a man. Although being his big brother, Logan would not and could not accept such an idea about his baby brother. Not quite yet at least. Logan nodded and turned to leave the fair haired male.
Rose was walking down the hall. She walked with the grace and beauty of an angel, and her eyes were averted, proper for a virgin girl around this time. Her brother had received many letters, letters from nobles and royals. All asked for him to let them wed his 16 year old sister. Rose had become a woman at 15 with the start of her period, so it was only natural for her to wed. Girls younger than she were already mothers. Although the idea of her marrying was uncomfortable to Logan, it never hurts to look at the options. And Rose was the perfect woman. She had cascading curls of burgundy running down her back, fair skin, and dark brown eyes that melted the soul. She wore a gown, like she did every day. Proper and perfect.
Logan gave a slight nod in approval towards his sister. He looked at her, "I will see you at the dinner table, yes?" He asked , pausing near her to do so.
Rose kept her dark eyes to the ground as she curtsied. "Yes brother Logan. I am in fact heading there myself." Her voice was very soft. "If it does not bother you, would you accompany me there? I am quite sure Christian is waiting for you to grace him with your presence, your Majesty~"
Logan thought he might have detected a hint of sarcasm in the young lady's voice, but he brushed the thought off quickly. He nodded at Rose, "Yes, alright. To the Dinner table we go then." He walked beside her as the two headed to the dining hall.
Sir Walter Beck approached the weary king the moment he entered the dining hall. "Your Majesty, I have to tell you something!" Walter seemed very nervous and on edge, almost guilty like. Rose looked between the two men before quickly averting her gaze back towards the ground. The eldest of his younger siblings, Christian, was not in sight whatsoever.
Logan's brow furrowed and he looked at the male before him. "What is it Walter? And where us Christian, I didn't see him here. " He frowned, expecting there to be trouble and that it would be well, troublesome.
"That's... what I needed to tell you..." Rose quietly excused herself once Walter said this. She left the hall. Walter fiddled with his sword's hilt. "The Prince... is nowhere to be found, your highness..." Walter recoiled slightly, prepared for an outburst.
Logan was silent for about thirty seconds before speaking in a quiet voice. "Excuse me? What exactly did you say, because I must be hearing things. You couldn't possibly have just said to me that my brother is missing. /Right/?"
"I did say he was missing. He's been missing since late noon. I searched for him myself, but I could not find him. I have no idea where he could be-" His king cut him off.
Logan glared at the soldier before him. His eyes flashed with rage. "How in the world could he just disappear?! Since late noon you say, and you did not bother to alert me of this sooner?! How dare you let such insolence transgress! You will find my brother, or /else/!"
"C-certainly your majesty! Right away!" Walter hurried off, giving orders to an apparent search party. Young Paladin entered the dining hall and glanced at his brother. "Why does Walter seem so uptight today?"
Logan's eyes were narrowed as he watched Walter move about. When he spoke, anger seeped out with his words. It was obvious he was seething. "/Walter/, it seems, has carelessly lost track of your older brother."
"Brother... don't be so worried. We all know that Christian prefers the filth of the outdoors. He will never understand our need for cleanliness. Christian is safe, I assure you." He sounded fully assured.
Logan let out a sigh, long and slow. "Well...I suppose so. But he has missing a while. And that bothers me.." Paladin gave a small shrug. "He is 17 years old brother. I do not think that we should worry." He headed towards his seat at the table.
Logan shook his head gently and followed his brother to the table. He sat down in his seat at the head of the table. Paladin sat beside him, daintily placing his napkin upon his lap. He then pulled out a large black book and began reading. His eyes sparkled with the fascination of a young child.
Despite all of the king's frustration, a smile managed to find its way upon Logan's lips as he watched his brother. He took a drink of the wine he had been served.
All of a sudden, Christian ran into the room, his elegant Prince outfit covered in dirt. "I'm sorry I'm late!" He had bright red hair, which was not at all natural but it was the norm. His usual sky blue eyes were hyper and excited and his light layer of makeup had washed off, revealing his heart shaped beauty mark upon his upper right cheek. Paladin wrinkled his nose, edging away.
Logan let out and irritated breath at the sight of his brother. "Go wash up and change your clothing before joining us. Have the maids tend to you, as usual. " By that he was referring to the make-up which needed to be redone.
Christian looked down at himself. "Oh. Yeah. Probably should go do that." And without another word, the elder of the two princes hurried out and towards his room. Paladin scoffed. "I cannot believe that is the kingdom's next ruler ..." He seemed disappointed.
Logan sighed, "Yes...I tend to share in your sentiments. If I could change things and succession didn't have to be based on age or birth order.." He glanced at Paladin.
Paladin seemed to not pick up on what Logan was saying. "Well, brother. You do not have to keep traditions. You are allowed to change policies." Paladin messed with the edge of his sleeve.
Logan blinked, "Oh right. I suppose you're right." He paused, staring off into the distance as he seemed to be thinking. Paladin slowly ate his meal. Rose approached the table. She curtsied to the two men before sitting down. She carefully laid a napkin on her lap, then began to eat in a dainty behaviour. The sky outside was dark.
Logan ate his food slowly, lifting his fork to his mouth. He was rather distracted by his thoughts as he thought of how he would change the laws and policies of the throne. He knew Paladin needed to be king. It was necessary. He was so distracted in fact that he had forgotten about his food and it fell from his fork that had been in his hand, a few inches from his face.
Almost as if it was an instinct, the young prince grabbed a napkin and picked up the piece of food. A servant took the garbage and threw it away. Paladin, now satisfied, resumed eating, silent as always.
Logan blinked, a little started by the transgression as he was roused from his thoughts. "Hm? Oh.", he mumbled. He stood up, giving a slight yawn, "I will be retiring to my room for the night. I have much work to complete. " He spoke to a servant without looking at him, "Bring me some wine." He walked away, leaving his half filled plate at the table.
Paladin watched him go, his face contorting into an upset expression. Christian ran into Logan on his way out. He gave a weak smile. "Hey bro!" He had a guilty grin that Logan could see right through.
Logan narrowed his eyes at his younger brother, glaring suspiciously. "What did you do this time Christian?" He pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, letting out a sigh. "Nothing! I swear!" He smiled sheepishly, edging into the dining hall slowly. Everything about the Prince screamed guilty.
Logan growled, walking after the prince. He followed him back to the table. "Christian Angel. What the hell did you do, tell me right now?! " His was nearly yelling. "I didn't do anything!" The red haired male seemed bewildered and shocked. "I was just hanging out with Reaver-"
Logan's eyes narrowed and they flashed with rage. "With /Reaver/?! You know you are forbidden to go near him!" He shouted. Christian waved his hands in a nonchalant way as he chirped, "Nonsense brother! He was teaching me how to aim a gun! You know him and father were on good terms! I was fine!"
Then it happened. A loud slap rang throughout the halls, a red hand print on Christian's cheek where Logan had struck. Logan was almost surprised himself, but he quickly forgot that. Christian held his cheek, a look of shock on his features. Tears pricked at the corner of his eyes, and soon they feel. An image of younger Christian flashed through Logan's mind. "You... hit m-me..."
Logan's eyes widened as he watched the glistening tears slip down Christian's cheeks. "I...Christian...", he stopped, not knowing what to say. He had no idea how to remedy what he had just done.
"I hate you!" The words pierced Logan's heart like a hot dagger. The red-headed male shoved Logan and ran up to his room, sobbing.
Logan took in a deep breath, feeling the stabbing pain in his chest. He turned and stared in the direction his little brother had just run off in. Should he go after him? Apologize? No..nothing he could say at that moment would help, and especially not so soon.