The Crowned Captive
A Brother's Love

Cordan was going to find himself in a world of trouble if anybody caught him away from his post. He knew none of the guards would tattle on him, all respecting him enough to keep this secret, but he still crept through the dim hallways like a criminal. Finally, finding himself in front of the door he had been searching for, he let out a breath and knocked.

Of course, Rowan took his time answering his door. Nobody interrupted him on his off-time and didn’t wait. Cordan stood in the hallway, anxiety at being caught skipping up his spine, staring at the door deadpan. When he heard his brother flop down onto the bed, he let out a sigh of irritation. Nothing would ever change the self-righteous asshat.

“I get you wish to be left alone, but I want to talk. I would sincerely appreciate being permitted entry instead of barging in, which I will,” Cordan called. A long moment passed before Rowan finally deigned to heave himself off the bed and open the door.

“If I am not mistaken, you have somewhere you should be currently. Somewhere rather important. Somewhere that your absence from will cause us both a world of pain...” Rowan said as a way of greeting, looking at him as if he expected an immediate retreat from his rooms. Cordan merely shouldered his way through the door.

“I was told to guard her, which in my book means to protect her from any possible harm. I am currently doing such.”

Rowan frowned, obviously seeing the lack of a lie in Cordan’s words, but said nothing for a long moment. Cordan looked around Rowan’s latest rooms as he entered, somewhat impressed at how large they had gotten. Large bay windows sat along the eastern wall of the entry, adorned with rose vines that had an array of blooms forming. Beyond their panes, the royal gardens sat, the maze coming nearly to his windows. To the left, beyond the messy desk and hastily hung weapons, was the bedroom. To the right of them, a door led away into another room, likely an oversized ensuite. A huge four-poster bed sat in the centre of the bedroom, the curtains drawn back to reveal the sheets and pillows lying in a messy array. The latter surprised Cordan not, as he knew Rowan would never let servants into his private space, knowing too many to be the King’s spies. He was surprised that he had worked himself high enough up in the royal hierarchy to be given a room fit for a princeling.

“This better be good,” Rowan muttered, and Cordan resisted the urge to throw the sullen elf another withering look.

“This better never have to be something I say again.”

“Cordan, I swear to the Gods-”

“No, Rowan, sit down and listen. I am not here to meddle in whatever exactly is going on between you two, but Morana is just about convinced you hate her, and it is directly affecting her lessons. If you are so intent on ignoring her, whatever, but make it clear whatever went wrong. You and I know well enough that if she doesn’t live up to expectations, our king will not hesitate to end her.”

“You have feelings for her, don’t you, Cordan?” Was the reply Rowan thought appropriate. Cordan threw his hands up in exasperation, not understanding how someone so smart could be quite so thick-skulled.

“My feelings for the princess are irrelevant, Rowan. Her well-being is my issue here.”

“If you wanted my permission to fuck her, you can go right ahead. I have dashed my chances so feel free to pick at my leftovers like you are so good at doing. Just know she will disregard you as quick as the rest when the next lordling shows their fancy to her.”

Cordan knew he would get nowhere with Rowan today, the depths of his hurt too deep currently. Nothing would get through his thick skull for the next month if he was lucky. If he was to dash his head against a brick wall to get his point across, he may as well get his satisfaction from it. He levelled Rowan with a venomous look, and let his tirade forth.

“At least my fancy for her is not because she is the next stepping-stone to the throne, brother. Amazingly, she can’t see through your shallows for the plotting prick you truly are.”

“Do not pretend to be on a high horse here, Cordan. You just like her because she has big tits when emaciated, and likely even bigger ones when she is back to full form. Hopefully, she is entertained with you long enough to enjoy them.”

“You know nothing, Rowan.” Cordan would not reveal the depths of his affections, not now. If Rowan could not see the thread that tied them, he would not make it obvious for exploitation.

“Yet you come in here like her knight in shining armour, ready to ride off into the sunset with her when you declare yourself her saviour. Your foresight is worse than what little you can offer her. How about instead of preening yourself to win her favour, you let the perfectly autonomous woman turn us both down and make her way onto better things.”

Cordan resisted the urge to close the gap between them and use his fists to communicate. Whilst it would likely work its way into the dullard’s head a little easier, it would still only earn him bruised knuckles and no solution to the situation.

“When she makes her choice, Rowan, you nor I can interfere, at least promise me that. If she decides to choose someone, the other must bite their tongue or look the other way.”

“I will make that promise, Cordan, but only because I know she will never be happy in your arms.”

All Cordan had done today was work himself into as bad of a mood as Rowan was in. Bitter anger coated his tongue as he glared at his friend, who had turned his back and was currently working on sharpening his stupid prized dagger. He wished he could take it and shove it up the prick’s ass.

“Meet me at the ring this afternoon. I am teaching Morana how to disarm an attacker. I would love to reiterate your distaste for her and further crush her spirits,” Cordan spat as he turned to leave, earning a startled look from Rowan before he slammed the door behind him. Pausing outside to gather his breath and not scare some poor servant as he prowled the halls, he thought over how his little discussion had gone.

Honestly, it was altogether far more successful than most he and Rowan had.

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