The Princess'choice II

Berke The sun shined warmly while I walked out of the cave and stretched my limbs. The still chilly, early spring air filled my lungs and brought a smile on my face. - You'll catch a cold Young Master if you come out this early without a coat! - Maya my nanny scolded me. - I won't! Don't make such a fuss out of nothing Maya! We are planning to overthrown my brother and you are worried about me catching a cold, isn't this a bit ironic? - I asked and she murmured while walked back to the cave. - Dead people can hardly overthrown anything! - I laughed at her overprotective attitude and enjoyed how the soft breeze caught into my long red hair. I was already twenty-five this year, yet she still acted like I was a toddler. Twenty-five , that means that more than thirteen years passed since mother had been murdered and brother cast me out saying my powers were bad omen to the Empire... Wait and see Damien... What blows know, is the wind of changes. Emmett - Come on Conrad! You can do it better! - I said while sparred with my young apprentice. He tried to catch some air and I could see both of our breaths in the chilly spring morning. - Spare me your Highness, I don't want to die this young! - I laughed at his whining. Conrad was only sixteen, but really intelligent and hardworking. His mind was more useful than his swordsmanship. He helped us with the protection of the castle and also strengthening our defenses in the commercial routes. His glance wondered away and I followed it only to see him staring at my little sister Annalise. She was the proud and treasure of our Empire with her special ability. Just like our older brother Sébastien, Annalise was also gifted with a magical ability. I was the only exception. I walked closer to Conrad and gently hit his side with the practice sword. - You better practice more if you want to fight for my sister's hand. We are not giving her to anyone easily! - Conrad blushed a bit but attacked me immediately. Just as usual, he ended up on his bum on the ground. I helped him up and pat his back. - Don't worry, you are getting better! We just need to practice more. - our ways parted when he went to shower and I headed to Sébastien directly. I walked into his office without knocking and he lifted his head from his desk saying. - I wasn't sleeping father! - I busted into laughter and he sighed loudly. - Thank God it's only you. - I came to ask what's up with the news about the neighbors? - Sébastien kneeled on his desk and I sat in the chair on front of him. - Looks like the rumors are true and that bastard has a half sister. The only problem is that no one knows where she is. - But, is she really a witch? - Sébastien nodded. - Based on the gathered information, she is a powerful one. - Why doesn't she simply set her brother on fire? - I asked and Sébastien shrugged. - Because she cannot use her powers to directly harm or the price to pay would be unimaginable. - Conrad said while he walked in and bowed to Sébastien. His short, flaming red hair was still wet from the shower. - Interesting. What do you think, would it be convenient to find her and make her our ally? - Sébastien asked out loud, but before I could react to anything, I saw Lise standing in the door, behind Conrad with her eyes shining and wide open. After a few seconds she shook her head and mumbled. - The Eternal Fire is back....