Chapter Text
Farlos was such a beautiful place for sore eyes. With the huge dense forest surrounding it as the houses are polished with rain being abundant. But for Zephyr it was different. He was a royal, the last prince in line for heir to the throne. It would seem perfect for anyone but... For Zephyr, it was just another day in an unloving family, a day filled with reminders that he’d never truly belong. Being adopted was a scar he couldn’t hide, no matter how hard he tried. It's a shame, really. Someone else was supposed to be the biological son to the king of Farlos, but they died, and Zephyr was only taken in due to the similarity in appearance. If it wasn't for that, he would've been in an orphanage. Even then he would still get hurt verbally and physically by the royal family for this.
His other brothers, with the best one Lucian, are great at fighting and beast taming. The things he's supposed to be good at. But he never got abilities to control vines, or the fact that never got the voice that made beasts calm down and do anything under his commands. But he was always able to be great at sneaking into places and running. He was stealthy, a fox in disguise of a family full of snakes.
But the only hope was his "brother" Lucian, he was the best but treated him fairly. Trying to help him find the powers he had, knowing Zephyr had some due to Zephyr having a strange mark at birth. One with a crow, the tattoo moving around on Zephyr's skin. But the thing is? It's like it isn't working. No matter what, the powers don't come. With the crow moving around at a calm pace each time he tries. Even with Lucian's help, he fails. As then, Lucian decided to help him with combat, as with daggers and fists. It isn't much, but it gave enough to him that he had hope he be a strong fighter.
But even with Lucian's protection, it isn't enough to protect Zephyr from the other 3 brothers and the two parents that hurt him. It was the same each time,
"Why did we keep you?"
"Are you always this useless?"
"God your pathetic!"
Something that was said over and over. Like a horrible nightmare. But it's fine, it was indeed, although always bullied, he was left alone. Never the center of attention or was wanted as a husband. When he turned 28, which was in 2 months, he could leave this family and live his life freely. Maybe even visit back for Lucian. It was the perfect dream in his eyes, away from prying eyes of the noble lead while living in a forest. In a cozy small house while helping lost people time to time find their way out.
Best part? Lucian and the king supported it. Even though it was due to the king's hatred towards Zephyr, it was nice to know he wouldn't be chased down for wanting this. With Lucian supporting him due to seeing him as a family member instead of a burden. Everything was fully perfect for him, until he noticed something.
Zephyr noticed as 2 days went, everyone was getting their best look. Noticing how his abusive siblings like Ace or Pho, decided to leave him alone to get to a tailor to get traditional outfits. With the king and even Lucian following in suit (Heh, a pun) and even getting their hair done. It felt Zephyr spiraling in confusion. He tried getting information from the king, pleading but the king didn't give ny. Hating Zephyr for not being his bio son. Zephyr was more so confused afterwards, no information on what's happening at all. But he did know something he could do. Get information by sneaking through, something that has worked. He soon took a mask and asked people around.
He decided to use his usual plan like he always did; it helped him found out he was adopted too. The first act, find out what's causing the commotion. Second act, find information on said person or thing causing commotion, and then act three. Try figuring out the motive from the thing or person, while also trying to find out how it made a huge commotion.
Without missing a bit he left the palace, deciding to wear some causal clothing. Not wanting to make the citizens kiss his ass with every step he takes. with him walking through the crowded streets, noticing a small kid as he approaches a seemingly poor boy with a newspaper. Thinking they could perhaps have information
"Hey kid! Do you know why the royals are dressing so nicely this week?" Zephyr soon said with the kid staring at him before shaking their head. With Zephyr sighing before the kid gives him bread, as he smiles before giving the small child three shiny silver coins. "Don't waste it all now! Buy some yummy food." With Zephyr smiling before walking off. Wanting information and not willing to give up.
Soon he went to a tavern, full of drunk but knowing people as Zephyr flashes a friendly smile. "Hello there! Can I have a word with you guys? I have some questions I'd like to have answers to." With the small group of men suspiciously looking at him before one pipe up. Their face full of distrust "Give us a reason why we should trust the PRINCE when your family has done nothing but be gree-" With Zephyr soon letting out a soft sigh before cutting them off fully. With him saying loudly "Their drinks are on me until I leave! I'll pay the bill before I go." As suddenly the drunk men smile before one brings Zephyr in a tight hug. With Zephyr hugging them back.
"Oho! I didn't know you'd give us a free drink! What do you need prince?" The strange chuckles out as Zephyr sighs before getting out of the hug with a smile. With Zephyr responding with full kindness in his voice as three beers get placed on the table.
"I would like if you had information on WHY my father and other royals are dressing so nicely and getting ready. It'd be APPRECIATED, really it would." With Zephyr saying that as the people laugh like the drunk idiots they are. With Zephyr thinking to just murder them before one respond after taking a huge gulp from their beer.
"Oh haven't you heard? A princess is coming to town! A popular one at that fully. Heard of Arianna?" Soon the man's words hit Zephyr, Zephyr definitely heard about her. How her beauty is unmatched, her skills in sword ships almost perfect, while also having handsome men at her hands. It was confusing but he never dived TOO deep in it. Why would he? In his mind, he's a second choice or even fifth choice for people. It wouldn't make sense at all to choose him, so he was uncaring to the news of Arianna.
But now? He has to know who she is exactly and if she's even trustable. He'd be damned before letting Lucian or even his other bastardly brothers date someone that could be terrible. So soon, his next act went in motion. He had the first part, get information on what's happening. Now the second act on getting information on WHY this happened.
With only 30 minutes he easily found information about Arianna from women nobles talking bad about her. With Zephyr entering the conversation before speaking up. "Uh excuse me. Can I have a word or two with you guys?" With Zephyr being polite as he can, with one of the nobles sighing before responding to him.
"Fine, what is it, prince? We're quite busy." The noble lad scoffs as he grumbles something rude under his breath before saying with a smile to the lady, clearly wanting to appear kind to get the highest chances of information. "Well, do you know princess Arianna? I'm quite interested who she is! I heard about her, and I just wanted to hear from different people."
The room in almost an instant went silent. With the silence making him feel like he shouldn't have said that. And his feeling was right as then he was instantly kicked out of the room. Damn it, this will be harder than Zephyr expected. So instead, he decided to ask the commoners around the kingdom. He asked everyone he saw, either that'd be a child, a blacksmith, or farmer. He asked around and he seemingly got similar answers.
"Arianna? She's been collecting beautiful men like Erfit or Jade!"
"That princess? She has many men, but I think she means no harm! I mean, she's done nothing wrong."
"Arianna? Just a harlot that wants any strong man in her standards."
With so many similar or different things saying from the people he asked. But all the commoners he questioned all said 3 main key points. She's beautiful, she has a group of men called Jewels, and these men seem like big shots in their own respective kingdom. Like how Erfit is a war general in Xek, how Nell's a duke in Arbezela, with Jade even being in one of the five houses blessed by Mistral of Marloe. It made no sense at all. Not to mention how Haun and Raymond are also important to their own kingdoms. But... It didn't add up to Zephyr in his mind. Why would it make sense? What purpose would she have getting FIVE MEN? It wouldn't make sense for work since Duke and Raymond would be more than enough...
Then, on to act three. What's the motive? And how did it make a huge commotion. It would be harder than usual, but due to the information from the commoners. It seems like she's collecting men for reasons he doesn't know yet. But his two biggest bets are most likely that she needs help with work in her kingdom, or like the king of Farlos, multiple concubines at the tip of their fingers. Which the latter of the two isn't the best thing Zephyr wants.
The huge commotion of the nobles and royals dressing for her? It makes sense, he heard her beauty is unmatched. And any royal would want her, with a ball also happening for her coming there. It felt Zephyr a bit worried, but maybe he could warn Lucian at least! He may not have any information on her, and he'd usually not be judging before personally talking to them or have solid evidence, but at this point? The fact that she collects big shot men and those men are also handsome. He might have a problem, A HUGE PROBLEM.
So, the day before the Ball, he decided to just run away from the kingdom. He would do it anyways so why wait until he's 28? Why wait when he can take action in this moment and sprint before things happen. Soon he started packing small things he can easily run with, 200 gold coins, a small lighter, and a dagger. With him preparing a cloak too as he sets it on his bed. It'd be perfect, there'd be no chance of him meeting the princess, it's a selfish tactic, sure, not warning any of his brothers. Or even saying a proper goodbye, but he has to go.
But before he could, the king entered his room, as he seems to have a cold glare before taking it away. The silver hair ruler taking it away before he speaks in a cold tone. His voice in a low tone while sneering.
"Leaving? You can leave after this ball is done. I won't have you be the talk because you wanted to leave when the princess comes. I'll get an outfit for your sorry excuse as my son. Leave after the ball if you want, nothing important will happen." With the king instantly slapping him across the face. Hurting him as Zephyr bites his tongue. Not daring to speak back to the king at all or protest the abuse.
Soon the king left. Leaving Zephyr as he stands there. Realizing he might be in danger, as he sighs before going to take a bath. Wanting to relax and also clean himself after exploring for so much information. He soon grabbed a towel before going into the bathhouse.
He washes himself as one of the king maids help, with the maid giving a look of pity to Zephyr as Zephyr ignores her gaze. Not finding the pity good or comforting. But instead, annoying. Annoying that he gets pity due him not being loved and abused. That anytime he tries making the king proud, the king ignores him. But he stops thinking about it as the maid responses with a whisper.
"Are you... okay? I'll miss you master Zephyr when you move out." The maid smiles as Zephyr gives a soft smile back, not wanting to be rude as the crow tattoo on his skin moves around peacefully. As if it's free in the air as Zephyr chuckles before nodding and responding kindly.
"I'm fine. But I'll make sure to send letters to Lucian and make sure Lucian shares the letters with you, Amelia. Just don't worry about me." Zephyr stretches his arms before getting out of the bathhouse, wearing a robe as he gets his clothes and changes. With the maid taking his height and appearance.
"The king requested you to be in your best state before the ball due to the princess coming. so that way you wouldn't look like a fool when one of your brothers get chosen by Arianna." The maid smiles as she checks his height again, noting it down before checking if he has anything bad. As she sighs before leaving Zephyr be. With Zephyr being a bit worried about the ball, he didn't know what could happen, but he wouldn't want him to upset the king. He'd prefer not staying in the dungeon again for a week straight with nothing but water.
He pinches the bridge of his nose before standing up and going to get his hair fixed. He couldn't do anything about the king's order unless he wanted to be tortured, or his head served on a plate. Zephyr thought about everything while fixing his braids, soon finishing in 3 hours. Making perfect black braids go down fully to the half of his back. With him pushing a few braids back as he goes to sleep. Worried for might come to the ball as a strange feeling of despair and fear swirls in him.