IT was now approaching a year after Claudio’s enthronement. He received a letter bearing the Empire of Centaur’s official seal. Assuming it came from his father, he was surprised to learn it was from his older brother. He suppressed the commotion in his heart before unsealing the envelope and extracting the letter. All it said was that he wanted to have a long talk with Claudio.
Claudio had been king for less than a year, so it was too soon for him to leave the country for the Empire. He decided to consult with the new chancellor, Cruz, on how to respond.
“Hm, I think I have a solution,” Cruz said. “What if we requested a meeting with the imperial crown prince on one of the Federation’s riverboats? It would be neutral territory for you both. You can avoid the public eye as well as unsavory characters hoping to eavesdrop.”
“One of the riverboats. I hadn’t considered that. I heard the Federation’s riverboats are quite luxurious, so it would be an excellent occasion to study one too.”
“Understood. I’ll reach out to the Federation then.”
Chancellor Cruz set about the task at once. He contacted the necessary officials in the Federation and made the appropriate arrangements. Claudio would be meeting his brother next month. It would be an informal meeting. Once they set the agenda, the only thing left for him to do was await the day. He found himself stewing in anxiety.
Though he and his brother had lived together on the grounds of the imperial castle for his first fifteen years of life, Felix had never once visited him and his mother in their villa. Yet he wanted to meet him after he had left the Empire to become this island nation’s king. A kernel of suspicion sprouted in him, and Claudio wondered if the empress was scheming again.
Then the day finally arrived. Under the pretext of inspecting their riverboats, he headed to the Federation and boarded the Karina floating on the surface of the Saran River. The pure white vessel reminded him of an elegant, beautiful swan treading water. The Karina traveled upriver just a bit, docking at a wharf close to the imperial border where his older brother embarked.
Feeling nervous, Claudio shook Felix’s hand and then they both sat down to a lavish luncheon prepared for today’s meeting. Silence reigned for a time as they stared at the spread of food, tea, and spirits. Felix spoke first.
“It’s been quite a while since we last saw each other, Claudio. You’ve grown even more imposing in stature and aura.”
“Thank you for the kind words. If you don’t mind, I’d like to know why you asked to meet.”
He knew he couldn’t help his cold voice and blunt words. After all, their relationship had never been a brotherly one. They shared a father, but they might as well be strangers for the distance they’d kept from each other all their lives.
“I want to apologize for not engaging with you until now,” Felix said.
Why now? The thought popped into Claudio’s head immediately. There was no way Felix didn’t know what the empress had done to his mother. That he and his mother had led such suffocating lives for his first thirteen years because of her.
“I’m actually grateful you ignored me. If you hadn’t, I have no doubt my mother would have suffered even more.”
For a moment, Felix was overwhelmed by the fierce emotion in Claudio’s words. A part of him had known about the cruel malice his mother and her attendants had inflicted on his father’s concubine and her ladies-in-waiting. But Felix had lived his life pretending not to hear or see it. If he had said anything in defense of Diana, his mother would have become emotional and accused him of betraying her just like his father.
Felix had learned at a young age not to behave in any way that would agitate his mother. The habit was so deeply ingrained in him that he still fell into it even now as an adult. It’s well past time to break free though, he thought to himself. Because if he didn’t apologize now and at least try to make amends, his relationship with his brother would end as something even less than strangers. So he stood up quietly and bowed his head deeply.
“What are you doing?! This is unbecoming of the Empire’s crown prince. Please, stop,” Claudio said.
“I was weak. Though I suspected Mother and her attendants of performing nasty deeds toward Lady Diana, I did nothing to stop them,” Felix confessed.
“It’s all in the past. My mother’s life has become much easier since I left the Empire, so I don’t need your apology. Please raise your head.”
The intense torrent of anger instantly roused by his brother’s remorseful words and attitude confused Claudio. It made him realize how angry he’d been all this time and how much he had suppressed the emotion. He had even almost said “my brother,” but had caught himself in time to change his reply to the “Empire’s crown prince.” He would not acknowledge him as his brother. He wouldn’t.
Felix hung his head, clearly saddened. After a beat of silence, he murmured quietly. “You aren’t the only one who hates our father. I hate him as well. He should have faced Mother head-on and been honest with her. But his lack of consideration and effort hurt both my mother and yours. Then you left, choosing to abandon our country. I think everything is Father’s fault. But I was weak too. So no matter how much I apologize, I know it will never be enough.”
His older brother’s words calmed the storm of rage running amok in his heart. Because Claudio had known the truth as well. How his and his mother’s very existence wounded the empress.
He remained silent for a time, organizing his thoughts. Then he found himself surprised too by the unexpected words that slipped out of his mouth. “Brother, have you met the Southern Federation’s leader, Cecilio?”
“No. I’ve only seen him from afar in the castle back home.”
“He’s a man incredibly worthy of respect. Not just as a ruler, but as a man. I myself admire him to the ends of the world, like a maiden in love almost! And I swore to myself I would be like him.”
“Then you and His Excellency are close, Claudio?”
“We are. We’ve exchanged dozens of letters until now and continue to do so. He’s the first one I write to when something is worrying me.”
“Then I’d like to meet him as well. Would you mind introducing me to him?” Felix requested.
“Of course. Why not on this visit? He said he’ll treat me to a delicious dish of ball rabbit grilled over open flames.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’d very much like to talk to this man whom you hold in such high and fond esteem.”
“Excellent. I’ll speak to him then.”
Pleased by their first extended conversation, Felix smiled gently at him.
“I think that’s the first time in my life you ever called me ‘brother.’ Thank you, Claudio.”
Claudio smiled ruefully. He hadn’t even been aware he’d said so until now.
“Brother, I won’t take a concubine. I intend to love and live my life with only one woman.”
“Does this mean you already have a wife in mind?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Bah, and here I was hoping to know more about her.”
Claudio burst out laughing at Felix because his older brother truly looked disappointed by the news. “Don’t worry. I’ll find the right woman and tell you all about her when I do.”
“Good. I happen to agree with you, by the way,” Felix said. “I’ll most likely marry whoever Father chooses for me, but I don’t plan on being unfaithful to her.”
“Please do, brother. I don’t think the world needs any more victims like me and my mother.”
A myriad of emotions crossed Felix’s face at his younger brother’s response.
“You’re right. It would be infinitely better if everyone in the palace lived happily together. No more unhappy children like you and I ever again.”
“I’m glad we’re of the same mind on that front. Right, then, why don’t we enjoy this fantastic feast the Federation government prepared for us? Would be a pity to let it go to waste, don’t you think?”
“Indeed it would. Everything looks delicious.”
Felix raised his hand to call over the staff, who described each dish to him. While he listened, they both started eating.
“This is incredible, Claudio.”
“Yes, it is, Brother.”
The relaxed atmosphere within the cabin was worlds apart from the tension cloaking them both when they first met.
A waterfowl perched on the boat’s railing, peeking inside the room. It saw two young people who strongly resembled each other enjoying food and conversation.