Meet Zeno, eldest of the new Prince Charming brothers from the 3rd World.
The Diary of an Heroic
Prince
Being the 2nd
day of the Frosterdays,
I Zeno being sound in mind
and body, I do take it upon myself to write an honest account of what
is about to take place this year of my life. This day being the 2nd
of the Frosterday. I being not a month past my twentieth year, and in
spite of my youth, have taken it upon myself several times to care
for my six younger brothers and seven younger sisters. The purpose of
this diary is to show proof of future actions, which were done out of
care for them. Namely sister Cassandra. She being but fostered into
the family so as to maintain the boy, girl, boy, girl pattern. Sister
Cassandra has been in her sixteenth year since the time of the
colored leaves and has become quite a lovely young woman. Her red
curls make her more noticed as that is a rare color near the
Glittering cities. My father being King of the Islands and quite
stern, would not think twice about punishing me if I was guilty of
murder. This diary will provide the facts of why I might be guilty of
so hideous a crime. My recent enemy, Lord Bluebeard, a captain and
counselor of my father's court, has taken to looking with favor upon
sister Cassandra. She is but a child yet and needs much counsel and
care. Lord Bluebeard can give her neither. Of my recollection, and an
acquaintance of him. he has been married twelve times. Before that I
know not how many wives he had buried. The saying is that no bride of
Bluebeard has lived beyond a month. It would seem that they are
cursed mightily. I will not let that be the fate of dear sister
Cassandra.
Being the 7th
day of the Frosterdays
I have been watching sister
Cassandra with great care these past five days. I have shared my
concerns with none but my dearest sister Anne. She is wise in advice
and counsel.
“Have a heart brother,
Zeno.” she assured me cheerily, “Surely no man of such years as
Lord Bluebeard would care to have a child like dear sister
Cassandra.” but I could not take heart. When a man has married
himself a bride more then twelve times in two years. Then he can
hardly be too particular. Besides sister Cassandra holds a great
exotic foreign beauty. She would be the only woman in all the nine
Glittering cities with Red Hair. Curls are quite rare too. But I also
posses them. Blond hair is only a little more common then red hair.
My father is a conqueror, he seized lordship of Nile city the
foremost of the glittering city. My Madra is a local princess. I hope
to be a better king one day then my father on account of his
flattering tongue. Sister Cassandra seems to share his favor. I fear
the attention of the deceitful lord has flattered her far more then
it should. Little brother Tarek does not understand such matters. He
has only voiced complaints to Madra about eating in style every night
to entertain him. little brother shows no pleasure in silly court
procedures. He will be a wise man one day. Brother Xander, who is the
closest to sister Cassandra in years suspects something. He shows
great anger that sister Anne and I share no confidence in him.
brother Yaron and sister Beatrice have no mind for such thoughts.
Sister Deborah also seems fare jealous. She pulled sister Cassandra's
hair and threw a vase at her. It shattered over the cushions. I am
shamed of both sisters. The triplets are violent. But sister
Cassandra's temper angers them. I fear there will be much more
trouble.
Being the 17th
day of Frosterdays
Many things can take place
in ten days. I fear that I have not watched sister Cassandra as close
as I might have. My business elsewhere is pressing upon me. I must
seek more recruits for my father, the King's army. Dearest sister
Anne confides that sister Cassandra is far too reckless. I fear she
is right. Madra has spoken, but sister Cassandra is far too
impetuous. She heeds not the wise words of our Madra. Dear Madra
wishes me to speak. She feels sister Cassandra has great respect for
me. I think not. When sister Cassandra takes hold of a thought, she
will let it go for nothing. My good friend Rupert said she could use
a well placed spank. I fear he is right. I must approach sister
Cassandra today. I leave for the boarder tomorrow.
“You wish to speak to me,
brother Zero?” sister Cassandra asked as she danced to my side. I
would not smile at her. This is quite hard as her smile is like a
light in the dark.
“Sister Cassandra, why
must you encourage Lord Bluebeard's attention?” I asked her sadly.
Her smile soured like cold gravy.
“Brother Zeno, Madra told
you to speak to me?” she accused angrily. I could feel the heat
rush to my face. She was right.
“Sister Cassandra.” I
choked, “Madra is wise. Listen to her. Lord Bluebeard has married
twelve times in two years alone. Have a care sister, who knows what
fate could be in store for you.”
“You would care if I
continued seeking his attention?” she asked thoughtfully. I nodded.
“Yes, sister.” I said.
Perhaps Madra was right and she did listen to my counsels. Her eyes
flashed.
“I would understand now,
brother. You are just jealous that I would be married before you,
Anne, Yaron, Xander and Beatrice.” she spat and ran off sobbing.
Such thoughts had never entered my mind. But I paused to think them
over now. Was I jealous? I was the heir to a king. A lord of the
Glittering cites. A captain in the army, since my sixteenth year. I
was fair and generous to the people. Any number of the court ladies
would vie for my attention. I truly could have my pick of any girl. I
was just not interested in marriage at the moment. Sister Cassandra
was wrong. I was not jealous of her. I was concerned. I cannot
pretend to know the minds of Brothers Yaron and Xander and sisters
Anne and Beatrice, but I can guess somewhat. Sister Beatrice is
jealous to the point of sickness at Sister Cassandra's fortunes. Not
of Bluebeard's attention, but that Cassandra might perhaps marry
before her. Brothers Xander and Yaron mostly could not care less.
Sister Anne is difficult. I cannot tell what is hidden deep in her
heart. She keeps her own counsel.
Being the 18th
day of Frosterdays
Being a 2nd
captain in my father's army, I was required to go to the boarder and
take command of my regiment. Brothers Yaron and Xander accompanied
me. Brother Yaron is fair and wise. He is a good and steady soldier
for being only eighteen years. Brother Xander is but sixteen still.
But he has earned the right to call himself a warrior. Father appears
to think he shall be a natural warrior in time. I fear that he may be
right. But not in the way my father the King thinks. I have every
reason to believe that brother Xander will get himself killed, doing
the most foolish thing he can think of.
Being the 20th
day of Frosterdays
War camp is hard. We are on
the boarder over looking the divide. Enemy ships blacken the water.
Brother Xander has already expressed great interest in being the sole
posse to take on the ships. He would fight this battle alone if I did
not have the sense to let brother Yaron advise him. They have been
speaking these two hours. Battle master El Tee is still listening
patiently. Brother Xander dropped off to sleep after the first two
minutes. As long as he remains asleep I can drill my men in proper
procedure. Brother Yaron is wise, but to be honest no one ever
listens to him. My younger siblings the triplets call him Captain
Yawn. I can hardly blame them. I have taken to ignoring such trivial
comments. It would never do to discourage truth.
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