Alexei-35 / Damian-27
The Snow was falling slowly, the two princes stood amongst the royal gardens of the palace, an arrow cut through the air across the practice range and landed accurately in the center of the red circle
"Nice shot…" Damian smiled at his brother's compliment
"Should I tone it down for you?"
Alexei chuckled "Don't get cocky Damian, I've been doing this my whole life" the eldest prince's arrow flew across the garden, landing in the center of another target
"That was clearly a lucky shot" the eldest snorted
"Believe what you must to make feel yourself better"
The princes continued practicing for several minutes
"…Why did you abandoned your right to the throne?" the question surprised Alexei
He looked at his brother blankly before answering "It is hard to explain, but I guess you could say that I was simply 'not interested'"
Damian chuckled "It's a pity, You would've been a far better king than Gérard it's going to be"
Alexei had his gaze lost on the horizon "One day you will understand it…"
"Understand what? it's clear that you should've been the king instead of Gérard"
"Look, I love Westertyde, Damian, That's my home… I would step to the throne if I really had to, that's precisely the reason why I'm not the king. The truth is I've never agreed with the way father raised us; always competing against each other, always loathing each other… it is sick, he even expected me to hate all of you, but you are my brothers and I could never bring myself to hate you… that's why I decided to abdicate, it was my last way of standing against father, because I am sure that any of you would do the best for Westertyde if you sat on the throne, I trust each one of you enough to support any decision you make-" Damian felt slightly uncomfortable, It had been a long time since he was close to Alexei, and felt slightly surprised by his declaration "-I will spread the influence and power of Westertyde's throne the best way I can, because the throne belongs to all thirteen of us"
Damian snorted "Perhaps you are right…. however, I still can't understand how you came to think like that… since most of our brothers are nothing but idiots" Alexei's features saddened with his words
"Would you like to be king of Westertyde?" asked the eldest
Damian took a moment before he shook his head "No… I'm not cut to be King… I would've liked if you were the king, or Victor... but any of the guys that follow me would be better at the job, regardless of how useless they are... They are my brothers, they'll manage to get it right"
Alexei laughed "That's almost the same thing Gustav always used to say"
Damian chuckled.