The Second Prince Arsene

Midnight was near and the only sound that could be heard was creaking of doors when father went to sleep. Artemis made sure that there were no people around her room. She began.

"Breathe in. Imagine the blood in your body leaking out of your fingertips." she thought by herself. She opened her eyes and to her shock the bed-sheet was soaked in crimson liquid, the stench of blood wafted in the air, her hands trembling, fingers dyed scarlet. It was much more bizarre that she didn't feel any pain or agony. She was perfectly fine. She tried to release more until the blood reached to the floor forming puddles. She imagined it having a definite shape like a cube and the blood became solid. She tried to absorb it back, leaving no trace of blood. The room returned to as it was. " Monster", she whispered as if she was in a trance.

...

Ther was no way I could reveal my affinity. I would labeled as the devil. I would be abhorred and detested. I didn't care what people thought of me but I couldn't put my father in harm. I didn't want to destroy that care and love I felt. He was my only family now.

I couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. The stench always lingered near like a phantom ghost I couldn't forget.

I continued the training, pretending as if nothing happened. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The day had finally come.

We stood opposite of each other, but the air was tense. The man standing before me was my foe, not father. He made the first move, jabbing straight towards me. I dodged to the left but was forcibly pushed to the right by the wind. He wasn't going to play fair. Fairness had no place in the battlefield. I ducked below, faster than his eye could have seen, pushed his sword below his adams apple. " Fine. You win." he groaned and laughed at the same time. I could have used two swords but father didn't know I was a dual wielder. A lot of secrets he didn't now. I would tell him if I lived through the war. The desire to go back was gone. I had nothing left there. But I had something here. Something I could cherish for.

...

The king was delighted to send Archduke Kratiste to war. It would mean removing the biggest thorn on his path. But he was not pleased at all when he saw a 16 year old boy come hand in hand with the Duke, as a replacement for his father,to go to the battlefield. The King smirked," So, this is where you hid your child. Such bravery! As expected of a Kratiste." Artemis could sense the hostility and mockery directed at her and her father. " Fine. You can send him to the battlefield." the king agreed. If Artemis died, the duke would have no heir for succession. ' A good bargain' the king thought.

'When you reach the military camp, you will use another name. No one should know you are a Kratiste. The king will try all means to murder you so don't disclose your identity. Fight well. Remember the most important priority: to be safe. I believe I will see my daughter return in glory." he said with sincerity. Tears streamed the corner my eyes as I hugged him one last time. Soon the scenery faded into the distance. I turned back and almost got a heart attack. Lacy was sitting beside me wearing full armor from head to toe.

"Why are you here?" I asked as my heart calmed down from the trauma.

"To keep an eye on you." Silence filled the carriage. That was how most conversations went with Lacy. We were dropped off two miles from the barracks. Lacy went her own way while I registered.

"Name?" the centurion asked. "Art Castella." I leisurely spoke. I loved eating castella and since I had no creativity with names. I just went ahead with it. "You are assigned to the second prince's battalion." he said pitifully as if I were entering a lion's den. What in the world? The non existent second prince was here. Leading the army. And I was assigned to his unit.

I arrived at his tent. Upon entering, I saw the Prince. He looked nothing like the shrewd king. But what was more unsettling was that he looked exactly like Althea. The only difference was the eyes. His royal lineage proved his eyes correct. They were amber but different from Lachesis's eyes. His eyes advised caution.

...

The second prince, Arsene Kronos Basilius, was a prince who was not widely known. King Basilius, observing that the south side of the country would soon be waged in war, sent one of his disposable pawns, his own son to the front line. Arsene detested his father. Even hate was not enough to express his feeling towards the wretched king. He had lost his mother by watching her strangle herself to death in her room. There was a lot to avenge from the king and he would begin by returning in victory. Arsene needed a commander who was worthy of his name, but he couldn't find one that easily.