Sylvester Hampton was the last of three children, Eric and Shyla were his elder step-silblings, as a child he wasn't loved or cared for, even his siblings despise him, so he trained and fought, he fought to prove himself worth his family prestige,
He's mother died after delivery, and he's father took him in and made him part of the family only in name, he was a bastard child,
Even as a boy he was relentless magical genius, quickly winning his father's favor, rivaling his step brother for succession.
Eric tried to prove himself time and time again, but Sylvester was always a step ahead,
Lauretta, a simple Baron's daughter, was Eric's only escape from his stepbrother and father, she was simple, kind, and graceful, and of course beautiful,
He'd confessed love to her many times, but she turned him down each time, saying she wanted to marry a man she loved, not just someone who loved her..., she believed they'd never be truly happy together,
Eventually he gave in to her demands, and just stayed by her side as platoic companion.
However, Sylvester being the sly, taunting devil he is, decided to woo Lauretta just to mess with his brother, but she wins him over with her grace and kind heart, he falls helplessly inlove with her.
With Lauretta guidance, he was becoming a better person, he even withdrew himself from the line of succession, to prove his feelings were earnest.
Eric wasn't having it of course, fueled with rage and jealousy that she'd pick his lousy brat of a brother, over him!
He challenged Sylvester to dual for her hand, which he lost painfully.
He was so envious that he planned to have Sylvester assassinated, but that only brought disaster to their house, since Mage's of the society weren't allowed to kill eachother, it was punishable by death.
But since It was a mere attack and Sylvester was left unharmed, Eric only got a warning and was striped of his title as heir, which was handed over to Sylvester...THE FAMILY PRIDE...
Unable to accept such a humiliating defeat, Eric took one last desperate step, ...he was found in his bedroom one morning, life less, throat slit open.
..><><><..
(So father's an illegitimate child, that wasn't included in the book, or was it unimportant? )
I pondered on this knowledge I gained from the family library, and some of the older maids,
I could hear Gia and Mia giggleing outside, I looked out the window, there they were,
Mia carried Gia in a small wind vortex, while she plucked mangos,
I can think of three easier way to get the mangos faster, but I doubt they didn't already know,
"Just having magical fun"
I saw my reflection in the window, vague, but I saw it.., turns away,
Seafoam green, in others words, the color my eyes turn when I'm jealous, having so much magic and not being able to use it, so I don't die.
I chuckled at the thought, before I could think further, a soft subtle harmony starts playing ahead, I followed,
Eventually I got to the music room, I clicked the door open slowly not wanting to startle the artist, the sight I saw melted my heart,
Theo sat back to the door, so he couldn't see me, and luckily he didn't hear me either,
I slipped in, carefully closing the door behind, I approached him stealthily... I probably didn't need to, he was so ...into the music, every note, every key he hit, so concentrated...
(He's got talent, to bad he can't pursue a musical career )
I was standing next to him now, he didn't stop, still didn't sense me, (anyone would if you even have magic at all ) I stared at him, eyes closed... my eyes widen at realization,
(How's he playing so we'll with his eyes closed?, is he really that go- )
He suddenly hit a missed key, and stopped, he let out a breath opening his eyes
"Hi!" I retorted
"Onita[1]!!" Obviously surprised, his whole face suddenly turns red, he pulls the fallboard shut,
"Wh-what, how long have you -"
"Oh, not too longer" I smiled, then pinched on his already rosy cheeks "I didn't know you could play the piano!, and so well too, are you keeping secrets from me now?... Um Theo" Still holding his cheeks
"I wanted to surprise you!"
"Uh?" I let go of his cheeks, taking aback
"The song I played just now, I wanted to surprise you with it on my birthday" he pouted "but now you've ruined it"
I couldn't believe what I just heard, this kid, was seriously planning on surprising me on his own birthday, I almost wanted to cry at his innocence, but instead "hahahahahahaha!!" I burst in laughter, so hard my eyes watered
"ONITA!!" his face turned so red, it just made me laugh even more
"This is why I didn't want to tell, you're so mean!, can't you just accept a beautiful gesture?, so annoying... now you've ruined my section, it's not-"
"It's beautiful" cutting him off "I love it" wiping my eyes, still laughing...
" But Theo, how long have you been practicing, who taught you "
"Mum taught me, but nobody knows about the surprise ... until now" he looked up at me with a sullen expression, which just made him cuter
I couldn't stop smiling "I'm sorry" as I patted his head (you've cast a love spell on me)
..><><><..
Some time passed, Theo's party was a success, I gifted him a dragon dagger, with his initials on the blade, that dagger was to start the chapter of his life,
Theo's underated now, cuz he can't cast spells and has no elemental control, but he's no ordinary mage, he's a Pyromancer.
Once discovered, he'll need a weapon of conduct, else he could end his life, without a weapon of conduct his fire burns internal... unless he has sufficient control over it.
We sat across the tea table, having our new found tradition of nightly tea before bed, today's special was herbal, mother made me choose it since Theo was being picky with his food, except when I suggest it
(This love is overwhelming. )
I watched as his expression kept changing, from wrinkled eye brows, to tighten eye lids, but he didn't gag ..not once, as much as he obviously wanted to
(This kid's really something else, his holding back his gag so I don't feel disgusted )
My lips curve into a smile, as I continued taking sips of my tea, I've been smiling a lot around Theo lately,
The night ended, and we spent the night together,
( I knew I was getting too attached to this kid, but he's the cutest thing I've ever seen!! )
..><><><..
One night, at the imperial palace, in a dark room, the moonlight sips in softly through the window,
"mph..hm."
Prince Raymond turned over and over on his bed, sweating, looking disturbed and ... scared
He eyes suddenly shot open, springing up on the bed, his eyes widened, panting uncontrollably,
He puts a hand over his face, pauses then stares at his hand
"Why am I sweating?"
[1] Means "older sibling" in this world