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The boy suddenly awoke from a long slumber, shooting up. He looked across the room, towards the mirror leaning against the cold, stone wall. His hair looked like a rats nest. That's something his mother would say. He'd giggle to himself, thinking of fond, yet distant memories that he had shared with her.
He'd lay back down, rolling onto his side. The boy wasn't ready to face the world yet, he'd much rather just stay in his snug bed for the rest of the day. But unfortunately he had a life to tend to. The boy would stretch, eventually slowly getting out of bed. His cold feet landing on the even colder, wooden floor boards beneath him.
The boy walked over to the other side of his room, still shivering from the morning air. He reached his hand over and would grab the brush on his vanity, admiring the carefully carved ivory handle before brushing his very matted hair. He'd softly brush out all the tangles and knots before gently putting the brush back down on his vanity.
He'd stare at himself in the vanity's mirror. He was tall and lean with an olive complexion. An forest green sapphire earring hung from a golden chain on the boy's right ear, complementing his hazel eyes. He noticed even after brushing his flaxen colored hair, it was still poofy and sticking out in some places. But that's what made him stand out compared to his posh, and elegant, older brothers.
The boy would walk over to his large, arched, window, peeking at the world beyond his bedroom. He'd hop onto the ledge of the window, before meticulously opening it. Harsh, glacial winds suddenly met his face. The boy sat for a moment, allowing the below-zero temperatures to wake him up more. He would grab the cotton rag left on the ledge from nights before, inspecting the twisting and turning embroidery on it. He'd wipe the frost from his windows before closing them.
" CAELLUM!! ARE YOU AWAKE YET..? YOUR BROTHER HAS REQUESTED YOU IN THE LIBRARY." A familiar voice said from the other side of his door.
It was Orion, his personal bodyguard. Caellum thought it was ridiculous for someone as tough, and large, as himself to need a personal bodyguard. But since the one time he had almost gotten killed by ravenous wolves his brothers deemed that Caellum was too clueless, and naïve, to leave his bedroom without supervision. and therefore insisted on getting him one. Orion wasn't all bad though, he was sometimes fun to have around.
" COMING..!! I WILL NEED A MOMENT THOUGH!! " Caellum would shout.
" THATS FINE, JUST BE QUICK PLEASE. " Orion would shout back.
Caellum would hop down from the ledge of the window, quickly walking over to his beautiful, spruce closet; carved to his liking. He'd search through his assortment of clothes, searching for his usual outfit. It consisted of a thick, white, button up shirt. As well as a navy blue harness that held his crimson colored cloak with a thick, fur collar, and fur trim.
The cape was gifted to him from his older brother. Caellum would never admit it, but it meant a lot to him. He still remembered when it was given to him. It was a couple of days after he had gotten attacked by those damn wolves, still bedridden. His brother had come into his room in the dead of night, box in hand. He left it on Caellum's nightstand. When Caellum had awoke the next morning he'd open the box to find his cloak as well as a small note. It read "Next time, be more careful."
He'd finish his outfit off with a golden cloak brooch, as well as his golden crown that was bedazzled with an impressive assortment of jewels. He'd grab his boots, sliding them on before leaving his bedroom.
" Took you a while, huh? " Orion would crack a small smile, looking down at Caellum. Orion was tall, astonishingly tall. Caellum would guess somewhere around 7 - 8 feet. Caellum would just roll his eyes, looking up to Orion's messy, sage colored hair.
" Really, you could've at least brushed your hair. Look, I even brushed mine! " Caellum would boast, pointing to his head with a pleased smile.
" Woooww... You finally brushed your hair without me telling you to. I'm impressed! " Orion replied with a sarcastic tone.
" Oh whatever.. Let's just go to the library please; I'm getting sick of you already.. " Caellum would say starting to walk down the stairwell. Orion would smile, following behind him.
☀
They were quiet as they walked, the scent of freshly cut gardenias filling the air. Caellum remembered all the time he spent within these castle walls. All of the early mornings messing about with his older brothers, walking through the indoor gardens with his mother, as well as watching his father write poems. The nostalgic memories left him with a bittersweet feeling. He admired the array of colorful paintings on the walls as Orion led him through the large halls. Then up a sweeping flight of stairs; leading to the library.
Orion went to open the large, wooden, door in front of them.
" O-Orion, could you please wait a moment..? " Caellum asked, his voice wavering slightly. " Of course, is something bothering you? " Orion said.
Caellum closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. " Just a bit nervous.. He's always so... " Caellum thought for a moment, " Ominous? I don't know! " He sighed, burying his head in his hands. " I haven't even spoken to him yet and I'm already exhausted.. "
Orion put his hand on Caellum's shoulder in attempts to comfort him. " I'm sure it will be fine, he's your brother after all. " The boy sighed once more, moving his head up from hands. " Yeah, you're right. Let's go. "
Orion would open the door; the both of them walking in. The library always smelt of a dreamy mixture of dust and artic lupine. In some ways it was comforting, in some overwhelming.