When Rigarez was very young, Queen Laviosa and her two sons were not treated well in the kingdom. Reminick and Rigarez had to spend most of their time stuck in their mother's room because they weren't entirely welcomed by the members of the palace. Then one day, a festival was held just outside the palace walls.
To the youngest prince, the event looked so thrilling compared to his monotonous life of confinement. He skipped meals and begged his mother and brother to take him to the festival. His mother sternly disapproved, but Reminick, who had a soft spot for Rigarez, couldn't deny his younger brother the opportunity to have some fun.
Having fallen for Rigarez's adorable plea, Reminick ended up promising his younger brother that he'd take him to the festival. The festival visit had to take place in secret since their mother had already forbidden them from attending, so the two princes put their heads together to devise a plan. And just like that, their first adventure began.
They were clever little princes, for they decided to get the attendant who had first informed them of the festival in on their plan. They knew they could trust her as an accomplice because she was a familiar face around the castle, having worked for them for about half a year already. Paying her with two golden buttons, they assigned her the task of sneaking them out of the palace and guiding them to the location of the festival.
Ultimately, their plan was a success, and they made it to the festival. They followed the attendant around, enjoying watching plays, shopping, and snacking on sweets like cotton candy. It was a wonderful day, a successful adventure, indeed. The best part was that this now could be a precious memory between the brothers, which they could recall any time they wanted. Even when they got into a fight, this would be the little secret that would encourage them to apologize quickly and make up. It was the sort of childhood experience they could bring up in front of noble ladies as adults as a demonstration of their exceptional brotherhood.
Their first adventure out alone had been such a promising experience for the two young boys. That is, until everything fell apart. The princes were unable to return to the palace. As night began to fall, streets became more and more dangerous for the boys, especially when the attendant who had accompanied them disappeared without a trace. Not long after she vanished, bandits appeared and kidnapped the terrified princes, while loud explosions from fireworks conveniently distracted any potential witnesses.
Later they discovered that they had been sold to a secluded monastery overrun by fanatics. Along with many other unlucky children, Reminick and Rigarez were held in the dungeon of the structure. Locked up in a different room from the other children, the princes were devastated by the darkness of their cell and the putrid air that hung heavy inside of it.
Whenever Rigarez trembled in fear, Reminick consoled his younger brother by telling him that there was nothing to worry about. Reminick's serene voice was so trustworthy that hearing it always helped Rigarez quickly regain his composure.
Three days of shuddering violently every time a creepy ritual took place slowly passed, when another problem arose besides the terror.
"Reminick, I'm so hungry."
"Hang in there, Rigar."
The boys were fed twice a day but no more than watery oatmeal and a small piece of bread each time, so it sounded like there was a war going on in Rigarez's stomach. His hunger endured, even when his older brother gave his own portions to him. Despite his gnawing hunger, Rigarez noticed a change in his older brother, his behavior significantly shifted on the fourth day of their confinement.
"What's the matter, Reminick?"
His questions were met with silence.
Suddenly, Reminick began devouring all the food they were given, even the portions that belonged to Rigarez. Unable to endure it any longer, Rigarez raised his fists to protect his food, yet Reminick didn't budge as he turned his back toward his brother and forced the food down his throat. He kept this up, even as he choked and gagged, almost as if he'd been possessed by a ghost. Two days had passed this way, and Rigarez was flat on the ground, barely able to breathe or move due to the intense pain in his stomach. He stared at the ceiling with his vision fading as he waited for the end, consumed with thoughts of how much he hated his brother and how much he wanted his brother to die.
That night, though, Reminick had abruptly shaken Rigarez awake. The emaciated child could hardly hold himself up as Reminick placed a piece of bread he'd been hiding in Rigarez's mouth. He couldn't understand why his brother was suddenly behaving this way. All he wanted to do was spit out the food he'd been given, but his jaw instinctively started chewing the bread against his will.
Visibly relieved, Reminick began to remove the stones that had been piled up in the corner of the jail cell, revealing a small hole that was big enough for two little children to crawl out of. While Rigarez froze with shock, Reminick explained that he'd been going back and forth from that tiny hole to look for an escape route.
Has he been stealing my food so that he could build up the strength to roam around at night? All of the resentment that had been building up in Rigarez's heart began to melt away as soon as he understood the reason for his brother's cruel actions. But the young child couldn't help but show the lingering fury within him.
"I still hate you. I wish you were dead."
"I know..."
Recalling this moment, Rigarez thought it was a relief that he could hardly remember his brother's face, for his fading memory spared him from recalling the expression Reminick wore after he had uttered those awful words. The only thing that clearly remained in its place was how his heart had throbbed when he witnessed Reminick's reaction.
Feeling bad, Rigarez wanted to take back what he said, but the words were stuck in his throat. Instead, he promised himself as he followed his brother's lead, that after they escaped he'd tell Reminick that he didn't mean what he had said and that he loved him more than anything in this world.
Unfortunately, their empty cell was discovered not long after they crept out of it. Noticing the fanatical believers had started hunting for them with torches in their hands, Reminick and Rigarez ran for their lives until finally reached the outer wall. Along the bottom of the tall, thick stone wall, the boys found a small tunnel, similar to the one Reminick discovered inside their cell.
Without hesitation, Reminick hurriedly shoved Rigarez inside. His skinny body barely made it through, but with some wiggling, he managed to crawl to the other side.
"It worked, Reminick! Now, it's your turn!"
He thrust his hand through the hole, straining to reach for his brother.
"I can't go, Rigar."
From the other side of the wall, Rigarez saw Reminick smile sadly, as if he'd expected this ending all along. Only then did Rigarez realize why his brother had forced him to starve for the past week, regardless of whether he wanted to believe it.
"Hurry up. Go find help. I'll be waiting."
"Reminick, no! I won't leave you!"
"Hurry! Go!"
When Rigarez didn't leave, Reminick turned around first. The child, only two years older than Rigarez, willingly walked toward the group of religious fanatics searching for him. This was the last he'd ever seen his brother, Reminick. He couldn't remember how he managed to find the villagers and sought help to return to the palace after that, but the palace had immediately sent Marchioness Lecandro to the monastery to rescue the second prince.
Unfortunately, it was already too late by the time she'd arrived, for the fanatical believers had quickly relocated after the prince escaped, leaving only the gruesome remnants of their horrific rituals behind.
By the time Rigarez was done recalling the past, there was a large bruise forming along his knuckles from where he was pressing his fist into the surface of the table. Regardless, he didn't release the bone-crushing clench of his hand.
"Mother, I..." The face of the stubborn boy crumbled as he murmured, "I cannot forgive them."
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That night, Hardale overheard what happened in the Divine Emissary's room through his assistant, mainly because Rigarez had purposely spread the information.
"Rigarez offered the position of crown princess to the saintess and the saintess didn't look entirely displeased?" repeated Hardale as he snorted.
The crown princess? So, Rigarez was planning to become the crown prince and marry the Divine Emissary. Moreover, the fact that the saintess had refused Hardale's gift and offer to join him at the banquet, but had apparently seemed interested in the title of the crown princess made her more detestable than ever.
"Is she planning to side with the queen and her son after all?"
Hardale had quite a bit of support for his claim to the throne because he was the rightful son of the first queen, and because he was thought to be far more cultured and gentle than Rigarez. On the other hand, there was nothing exceptional about him. If Rigarez were to win over the hearts of the citizens, then Hardale's position would be significantly compromised.
Frustrated, Hardale muttered to his assistant, "Tsk. The queen and Rigarez would not have offered that title to her without an ulterior motive. How could the saintess who represents the holy kingdom not be aware of this?"
"It's unlikely that the saintess of the religious order is a keen politician. Her perspective is bound to be limited compared to you, the prince of the kingdom who's spent his lifetime on the battlefield."
Hardale scoffs. "That is why I kindly gave her some advice, yet she insists on remaining ignorant. I'm concerned whether she'd be a suitable crown princess considering her obvious naiveté."
"Perhaps she is more equipped to be used as a useful pawn," his assistant suggested.
Hardale and his assistant understood each other well enough to know that nothing good would come of the nobles seeing a close relationship between the Divine Emissary and Rigarez, regardless of the finer details. They needed to create conflict, a skill Hardale was particularly adept at. After all, had he not completely rid the kingdom of his competitor while he was still only in his teens? Creating animosity between these two parties would be a simple taskâall he had to do was poke at the wrath of Queen Laviosa and Prince Rigarez.
"He will come to his senses once I remind him who is responsible for the loss of his brother."
"You're planning to use Prince Reminick again."
"Again?"
The assistant held his tongue.
"Be careful what you say. Plus, I'm not using anyone. I'm simply trying to help."
"Apologies for my mistake."
The way Hardale reacted was a clear sign that he felt a bit guilty.
"Let's get this matter settled before the saintess offers her blessing tomorrow. I've come up with a better prayer than the peace within the royal family, you see."
"And what is that, Your Highness?"
The handsome prince wore a deceitful smile as he replied, "We must ask her to pray so that my long-lost brother may rest in peace. He's been appearing in my nightmares lately."
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The sparkling light reflected off of the crystals of the chandelier danced around as extravagantly dressed nobles, who looked like brilliant summer flowers, filled the lavish banquet hall. Among them was a group of four men made up of holy knights and royal knights.
"It's alcohol. Alcohol!"
"Don't get caught drinking it, Ephael."
"Why do you keep staring at the entrance, Brother Ray? Are you expecting enemies to barge in or something?"
"Because Ailette has yet to come... Never mind. Don't worry about it."
On the other end of the hall was a raven-haired noblewoman in an alluring dress beside a handsome royal knight in his ceremonial uniform.
"You definitely look like the valedictorian of the knight academy, Sir Prinz."
"Pardon? Why are you suddenly saying that, Bianca?"
"Because your royal etiquette is excellent."
"I'm glad I'm good enough not to embarrass you."
"If only you weren't the grandchild of Grand Duke Heathfenrir...." Bianca said wistfully.
"Pardon?"
"Oh, it's nothing."