The Courtship of a Brother [Private] w/ XiuLin 18+

[XiuLin]

"I'll tell you, if you come with me to my study and amuse your older brother for a bit." He said turning on his heels to walk down the throne room's carpet. He stopped by his forces of guard's and army men and gave a firm salute in their honor. He then turned quite military like headed out the door, but before he did leave; he passed some words of encouragement to the less excited ones that maybe heading to war. But he had waited at the door of the throne room to see if Zen would share his words or a hand shake with the people of their kingdom.

 

Now in Kaiden's study with door closed.

 

Kai had arrived there quicker than his younger brother. He had removed the button to his modest jacket; which hung above his mid boots, around his ankles. He now was sitting in his desk chair and ready to converse with his brother about the "Situation" in private. He had a gloomy expression on his face which was quite serious. His servant was already there, waiting. He then served his master a drink of water without a word, feeling the vibe of his master. He was thinking about the incident again, it ever present in his mind. He drank the contents and saw the form of his younger brother coming into view.

[Rhye_Meow]

Zen followed his brother obediently, he wanted to know what happen that required or force the king to consider Zen ; a lowly prince will be qualify as king. As the footsteps sound resonates the floor, Zen's nervousness intensify. 'Why is this so?' He ask himself, a little uncomfortable around his stomach.

 

He observed Kai carefully, his face change from carefree to..serious. 'This is not good.' He thought. He slowly walk inside gauging the Kai's mood. Zen looked at the chair and sat there , not waiting to be ask to. He spoke in a soft voice, searching for Kai's eyes. "Brother, i do not like nor had any ambitions to be a king. Let me help you whatever you may need to suceed the throne." He made his intentions clear.

[XiuLin]

The spoken word of Kaiden's brother made him smile. "Well that's very nice of you, Zen." It also lightened the darkness in his heart over the "Situation." "You most likely have better knowledge of military formations and tactics against the rebels. May I know, if father has beening having you're tutors keep you up to date with the rebels?" He tried asking. His servant, poured the brunette prince a glass of water, but I put my hand over the rim of the glass. "Dearest Brother, would you want something stronger to drink? Or would drinking be a blunder?" He asks as he connects eyes with his servant called Keo, then held them for a moment before making his eyes travel to the locked liquor cabinet behind him.

[Rhye_Meow]

"No drinks for me, thank you." Zen waved his hand indicating he isn't drinking and was surprise a bit, since his brother took what he said easily. "Yes, i am knowledgable of what is going on at the rebellion, but that is because i have observed the people near me from time to time. Whenever i have a free time, i go on markets and town squares and hear alot of stories. Since nobody knew i am a prince, i can do that freely; well before but i don't think it's possible now." Zen said with a hint of sadness in his voice. He look at Kai and said "i can assure you brother, i will help you succeed the throne, but first you have to tell me what happen. So that i cna come up with a plan. Military tactics and manipulation i guess is my field of expertise. Also, i have extensively studied how the governing works. The flaws of those who sway fathers decision making. " Zen relaxes and lean back on the chair.

[XiuLin]

"Well my brother had a life of leisure and peaceful strolls in my absence. I'm glad you enjoyed it." He said with a very faint smile. "But, It's going to cease here. This is a horrid place, trust me." He said on the last sentence, his facial expression turning grim. He looked at Keo, who excuses himself after clearing his voice. "If I may, I'll go so you can speak freely, my majesties." Kaiden nods and the blonde servant leaves in haste.

 

Once the door was closed tight, Kai spoke up. "My innocence was stolen from me, from a woman no less. I was forced by her, just recently and well father did not take that lightly since it was a very dear concubine's daughter of his. Our half sister...Disgusting whore. I bet you can imagine what father did to her." He said looking out the window absent minded, trying to bury the topic matter in his memory once more.

 

His throat was craving the wet burn of liquor once again. he came back to the earthly plain of reality, after getting lost in the bright white clouds of the bright blue sky outside. He then nervously drinking down almost the whole pitcher of water. His eyes had gone clouded over in hate and fear of the concubines. "The concubines, be wary of them. They are evil women with faces and bodies of angels." He warned his dearest brother.

[Rhye_Meow]

Zen was surprise to hear his brother's story. How in the world did a woman force him for sex was beyond his udnerstanding. All he knows is this is not something he have to take lightly. And this is not the place to discuss this. "The walls have ears." Zen press his fingers to his lips indicating that his brother should not speak any sensitive matters further. Zen stood up and "Brother, if you have some time later this afternoon, will you please join me for some tea and chat with me at the garden. I haven't tour that part of the castle yet." He said and bowed to Kai. Hoping he got the message he like to convey. Zen is overly suspicious as to why their own half sibling would do such a thing. But the reason behind it is simple; they wanted to sabotage Kai, and Zen wont allow it.

[XiuLin]

It was later in the afternoon, Kai was heading to the garden after some studies. Which now seemed like it was useless or needed to be forced from the king's orders, put in practice. He needed a cup of tea to calm him. He needed advisement from his brother. He would be of use to him as mincing thoughts strayed into his mind as the next king. He forced those thoughts from his mind. He walked out into the garden and began looking for Zen. He walked to the other side of the table, gently and affectionly brushing his brother's shoulder length to anounce he was there. It might have been a daring move but he could care less.

[Rhye_Meow]

Zen had prepared tea for his brother and waited for him at the garden. His head was running into the possibilities of what happen to Kai. He held his chin and think of the reasons. Just after he let a sigh out, he felt a brush against his shoulder. He didn't flinch or fidget and just calmly wait for his brother to sit. When he finally did, Zen poured tea for Kai and gave him the cup. He spoke in a low yet clear voice. "Brother, i think someone is after your position. Earlier i have poke around and ask about that sister of ours, turns out she had a brother. It's fishy why would she force herself on you, resulting you into a habit of drinking. Anyways, it's too early for me to conclude what it is exactly. I just want you to know that you shouldn't trust anyone right now. Well.." Zen pause and look left and right and when he knew that the coast is clear, he reached out for Zen's hair and removed a leaf off his hair. He pulled back and speak again. "The only thing i am sure of, that military mission father gave us, we will be assassinated if we are not careful. I'll help you in any way i can. I have expertise in this field. The question is; do you trust me?" He look at him sternly.

[XiuLin]

Kaiden spoke in a whispered but clear tone. "Yes I do. I am the rightful heir. We just need to beat them to their game. All though running away with you sounds better. I just want to go back a year from now, when we need not worry about our lives." He sighs heavily. "Her brother needs to be taken out Zen. Perhaps the other lose ends also. Not trying to be personal to you, but half royals are not fit to rule."he finished speaking to his brother.

[Rhye_Meow]

"I don't think it has to do woth half royalty brother."Zen answered a little annoyedly. "It's how you lead the nation is what matters. And i am an introvert. I don't like talking much. And i know most of king's job involve diplomacy, which requires alot of talking. Something i'm not suited for. Which you do," he said plainly. Zen is a little sensitiveabout this matter, especially since he just saw his mother that dinner night. He sighed and sip his tea, rest his cup and gave a smile to his brother. "I'll be your shield , brother. We'll make you king. " he said and stood up. "First, i need to catch up on reading some reading the last few years records of the military strategies and advances we made. I need a room to read these peacefully, and people have been knocking on my door everyday. Can i read these on your study?" He ask Kai.

[XiuLin]

"Yes, you may use my study. Would you like Keo to serve you there while you are studying up on that?" He asks of his brother then finishes his tea. He stands up and rest his hand on the back of the garden's chair he was using just moments before. "Wait perhaps not even my servants? I guess I can sign some paper work, giving them the day off for now." Kaiden said once he had arrived out of his slight worry. But still he was nervous that he could not trust anyone from his brother's advice.

[Rhye_Meow]

"I do not need servants, brother. And thank you for letting me use your study." He smiled at Kai. Somehow his attitude towards him is warming up. Just like in the olden days when they had only each other. Because of this feeling, Zen remembered a bit of their past and his face immediately blush. He realize that it must have been obvious, he quickly gaze to his side. "Ah.. i'll have somehow.. clean this up, and i'll- i'll see you later at your study. I.. I better go now. See you." He said stuttering , and he bowed to Kai. With haste, he walk back inside the castle, clutching his fast beating heart. It's loud, almost galloping inside his chest. 'I thought i'm over it.' He said to himself.