Chapter 1 : Kyle

The morning sun hit my face like a slap. Don't get me wrong, I love the sun but I don't remember leaving my curtains open and I certainly didn't plan on being woken up by it today.

I slowly opened my eyes and I could see Mercy, the head maid, adjusting the big purple curtains across my room.

She was wearing a tailored black dress that flowed into a pleated skirt with a white apron that covered its front. Lace edged the cuffs and collar, and a gold insignia pinned near her chest distinguished her high rank among the maids.

"Wake up, your highness. You have a busy day today," she said in her usual soft tone.

For a woman who is in her late forties, her voice didn't age a bit. It always reminded me of a sweet young girl who only thought of butterflies and rainbows her whole life.

"Can't I get like five minutes of grace, please." I turned the other way, covering my face with the pillow.

I could hear her walking closer to me until she sat on the side close to my head. I could feel the pressure of her hand touching the top part of the pillow as she spoke.

"I wish I could give you those extra minutes to sleep in but you know that your father will be furious if you don't start getting ready, your highness."

I turned back to face her as I removed the pillow from my face and placed it back under my head.

"Is Timothy awake?" I asked her even though I was very sure what her answer would be.

"Your brother's bedroom door is locked. I could not get in."

Typical. That meathead always gets what he wants just by these little stunts he pulls.

"I'll see you downstairs then, Madam Mercy," I gave her a warm smile. "Just give me thirty minutes tops."

"Of course, your highness," she said as she stood up before bowing down and leaving my room.

I threw the blanket off and dragged myself out of bed. After my opera concert in the shower, I brushed my teeth in the mirror and got dressed.

Looking good, Kyle.

I winked at myself in the mirror as I straightened out the collar of my royal coat. The dark blue fabric sat perfectly on my body with golden embroidery running neatly along the edges. The kingdom's crest shone brightly over my chest and I couldn't resist topping it off with my trademark glasses that I always wore over my neatly combed curly, black hair.

Since mum hasn't come to check up on me yet, I reckon I still had some time.

Closing my eyes and holding my hands out, I concentrated on this warmth I could always feel inside me. I didn't know how to explain the feeling but it just felt kind of natural to me.

After a few moments, a faint glow began to appear in my palms until a tiny sphere of light formed.

There we go.

I smiled at myself.

I slowly lifted it a bit higher and watched it hover above my hands. I decided I would try to hold it up like this for about five minutes.

I counted in my head, trying my best to keep my concentration on the sphere intact while doing so.

Fifty-eight.

Fifty-nine.

Sixty!

Yes! I did it!

I finally lowered my hands before dropping to the floor, the sphere disappearing in an instant. The room suddenly began to spin and blur before my eyes.

Deep breaths, Kyle. Deep breaths.

I muttered to myself.

After a few seconds, the room looked normal again.

Darn, I need some water.

Getting up from the floor, I walked out of my room, heading downstairs to the kitchen. On the way, many maids greeted me and I greeted them back.

I really wasn't a big fan of the attention this royal life gave but the perks it came with were really to die for. An exquisite wardrobe, endless service, a full belly and not to mentio-

"Kyle."

I could recognize that deep, daunting voice from anywhere.

"Yes, father?" I replied in a soft tone, immediately turning around as I quickly lowered the glass cup from my mouth.

All the maids who were in the kitchen with me rushed out without a second thought.

"I hope you have been practicing your magic."

"Yes I have, father."

"Good. Where is your brother?"

Oh god. Why is he asking me that?!

"He is on his way here, father." I lied, slowly lowering my head.

Truthfully, I didn't know whether that meathead was still asleep or not and I couldn't face Dad after flat-out lying to him.

Please don't get me killed, Tim. Please.

I prayed internally as I couldn't stop my hands from trembling.

"I'm here, Dad."

Thank goodness, you twig!

I let out a quiet sigh as I slowly looked up at them staring each other down. There was silence for a moment until Dad finally spoke.

"You two get ready, we are about to leave," he walked out of the kitchen majestically without looking back at us.

"Took you long enough, bro."

"I just saved your ass and you aren't even gonna say thank you?"

I just rolled my eyes.

"C'mon, let's get to the carriage before Dad breathes fire down on us again," I said walking forward as I motioned for him to follow me.

"On us? You were the one who looked like you were gonna collapse just from the stare he gave you," he said smugly as he just stood by the kitchen table.

I didn't say anything back 'cause what he was saying was true. Dad has always been this intimidating alpha male to me and I always trembled under pressure when I talked to him. I mean, who wouldn't?

Dad knows six magic types and could easily take down any opponent who dared to rival him, plus he is a ruthless ruler who only cares about the job being done.

What could I even possibly do against him with a floating ball of light?

I closed my eyes in defeat.

"Aww, did that hit a nerve, 'bro'?" he said in a mocking tone.

"Shut up, Tim." I retorted, clenching my fists as tiny sparks of light began to form around them.

"Oh, looks like Mr. Privileged is upset now."

"I said shut up, Tim!" the tiny balls of light began flaring across the kitchen, "it's not my fault I was able to learn magic and be liked by Dad unlike you!"

For a split second, I could see something flash behind his eyes as his smile dropped to a frown. It looked like a cross between anger and regret.

"Tim..." I unclenched my hands as I took a step toward him, "I- I didn't mean to say that..."

"Let's get to the carriage," He said bluntly as he walked past without looking me in the eye.

Oh for crying out loud.

I squeezed the bridge of my nose as I followed him out of the castle and into the courtyard where the chariot was waiting for us. I could already see mum talking to two men who seemed like they were going to be our escorts on the ride.

The enormous royal-blue chariot was twice the size of the usual ones we used and its gigantic wheels gleamed with a faint golden glow while a crystalline crest of the kingdom's insignia burned with the same golden glow.

Timothy greeted her before climbing straight into the chariot, not looking at me once.

"I hope this trip doesn't get any worse than how it's started out," I mumbled to myself before greeting mum and sitting next to him.

"Tim?"

"I don't want to speak to you so please stay silent," he snorted as he scooted away from me.

This is gonna be a long trip.

I sighed.

End of chapter 1