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Malleus had never learned much about the humans that existed in Briar Valley, he knew they were there but considering he was rarely allowed to leave the castle, he only hear about them through stories Lilia had told him. Even his grandmother never told him much about the political affairs of humans, as she didn’t see the point.
That was until today.
Apparently two humans had tried to start a rebellion in Briar Valley, claiming the land rightfully belonged to them. An outrageous claim considering all the fae could easily track down when the land was first settled like the back of their hand.
Yet that didn’t stop the two humans from causing chaos with the group of others they lied too. Of course they were no match for Lilia hense why they were now kneeling in Maleficia’s throne room, begging for her forgiveness. If there was one thing Malleus’s grandmother took after the Thorn Fairy was her forgiveness and elegance, fortunately for the two humans.
“I don’t see why I should lock you up or harm you, humans can be childish and think emotionally, it’s bound to happen.” Maleficia exclaimed from her throne “In fact I think we shall offer you a gift, to show their is no bad blood between us and humans.”
A few of the other nobles muttered to themselves at the queen’s decree.
“You shall tell what wish to General Vanrouge,” the Queen said with smile “and he shall name the price for your gift.”
The fae soon understood what she was doing. Having the general that destroyed their rebellion attempt was a cruel irony to it. It was likely to also serve as a reminder how merciful the fae could be even when they have every right not to be.
Lilia Vanrouge walked up quietly, looking every bit like the feared general he was. To Malleus it was new, he was used to seeing the kind playful side of Lilia, something that was only reserved for the prince.
The two kneeling humans began to whisper to each in hushed tones as they had figured out what they wanted to wish for.
“We have decided our wish” The male human said, “We wish for a child...”
“A child…” The court whispered.
“What a wonderful wish.” Lilia replied “I’ve always wanted a child myself…I’ve decided. I’ll grant your wish and give you enough magic to help you produce two children, however for the price, I will be given one of the children to raise as my own.”
The court immediately began to mutter about the price, it was far in terms of fae but it was still juicy gossip, General Vanrouge wanting a child? That was news?
The two humans began to whisper before finally the female human spoke up “We will accept the wish.”
Finally, an agreement was reached, with this, they hoped that fae and humans would avoid any possible bloodshed in the future.
To Fae months or even years are the equivalent to blinks for them, they pass quickly like second to a human. However, as they waited for nine months for Lilia’s new child it felt like every day was an eternity.
Lilia Vanrouge was preparing for the child with an infectious joy that seemed to spread to everyone in the castle. The joyous nature Malleus was used to was everywhere, how his face lit up with joy as he got the crib and other furniture in the room closest to him. The way his face lit up when he got tiny clothes and toys for the expecting child. The confused looked when he read human ‘how to care for baby’ books or asking the human that aline themselves with fae tips on raising a child.
It was wonderful, the Queen even found herself smiling more as her longtime friend scrambled for a new baby. Malleus was happy as well, a permanent smile resting on his face, while Lilia still acting as his guardian/tutor, it didn’t stop him from talking about the new residents coming soon. Even if Malleus could never admit it outloud that he saw Lilia as a father figure, nothing would stop him from accepting the new baby as his little brother. The joy was so much you could practically see it in the air.
Then the guard assigned to look after the two humans came back in a hurry, stating that the two humans had disappeared, and must have run away sometimes late at night.
They weren’t going to honor their deal…
The joy quickly turned to sorrow and rage faster than anyone could blink.
Lilia tries to act like it didn’t affect him, he began to laugh about the idea of having a child before going off to train. Malleus could see it though, the expression Lilia made when no one was around, how he looked at the nursery he built longingly but never dared to step one foot inside. He saw how Lilia tried to hide his tears, trying his best to not let anyone know just how much it had affected him.
Meanwhile Maleficia and Malleus were steaming with anger, the fact the two humans not only didn’t keep their side of the deal but the joy that so quickly destroyed. Briar Valley had experienced a few weeks of harsh thunderstorms because of their anger. Malleus tried to keep his anger in check, like Lilia had taught him, as he tried his best to cheer up Lilia. Meanwhile Queen Maleficia was plotting, she wasn’t going to allow the humans to get away with this.
One day Maleficia called Malleus to the throne room, informing the next king that she had found where the humans had run off too. The queen has expressed that she was going to send some guards to imprison the humans and take back what was there, however Malleus pipped in.
“What was that Malleus?” Maleficia asked, trying her best to balance between a harsh queen and a loving grandma.
“I ask that you give me the task.” Malleus admitted “Lilia Vanrouge is my guardian and one of my subjects, as the next ruler of Briar Valley it is my duty to return what belong rightfully to Mr. Vanrouge.”
The Queen was silent as if pondering Malleus' request before finally speaking “I will allow your request…make sure the human’s don't forget the Thorn’s fairy mercy.”
Maleficia quickly gestured for Malleus to come closer, so she could tell him the locations of the lying humans. He smiled as he got the location and nodded before going off to get his lost baby brother.
Malleus had perfected his transportation spell years ago and, in a flash, he was in some dense woods, easily looking through the trees he could see a small wood cabin. The prince grumbled as this should have been the place his baby brother should be raised. He felt his magic on his fingertips and began weaving a spell, he needed the adults out of the house, he didn’t want to deal with some screaming humans. Soon a squirrel bolted out the window, a piece of paper in his mouth, running the opposite way; the two familiar adult humans began to run away, screaming something.
Malleus let out a chuckle as he began to walk up to the cabin, opening the door with ease now that he wasn't worried about any distractions.
It was a small cabin, there was only one room it seems, from the door he could see a big bed, a kitchen, some chairs and a table and finally two little cribs close by the door.
Spotting the two little babies Malleus felt his anger burning, he should take both of them, let them humans get a feeling of how Lilia felt.
‘Remember Malleus, you should never take more than you are owed’ Lilia’s voice ranged out in his thoughts.
The prince let out a sigh, calming himself less he summoned a thunderstorm, Lilia was right, even if he wanted revenge, he needed to remember the Thorn’s fairy elegance. So, he walked towards the cribs, both babies were sleeping, they had silverish hair with golden blond tips.
Malleus walked over to the crib on the left, the name ‘Argenis Aurora’ was carved into the crib, what an odd name, of course only humans could pick such a weird name.
The tiny baby opened his eyes, revealing a mix of pinkish blue stared back at the prince. Malleus gave a small smile, but the baby eyes soon filled with tears. The baby soon began to bawl, screaming its little lungs out. Malleus grimaces quickly spelling the house, less the human parents come back.
Malleus walked over to the other crib, the name ‘Astraeus Aurelius’, again humans with their weird names. The little baby had been woken up by his brother’s cries as he stared with blueish pink eyes, curious to the world, wondering even more when Malleus entered his line of sight.
“You’re certainly braver than your brother.” Malleus said to the baby “Maybe you just don’t know to be scared.”
Malleus bared his teeth and claws to the little baby; he would probably cry like his brother.
But that didn’t happen...
The baby let out a sound before it continued, it took Malleus a second to realize the baby was laughing, it wasn’t scared like his brother. He led closer to the tiny baby, maybe it couldn’t see him well? The little one freed its tiny hands trying to reach out, making little grabby motions as he let out coos.
Malleus felt a smile take over his face…this one, this one would be his little brother.
He reached into the crib, picking up the bundle of cloth containing the little baby who just let out coos and other sounds as he got closer to Malleus. The prince mimicked what he saw fae mothers do with their newborns. Malleus let out a grow as he felt a burn close to his skin, he found a spot that didn’t burn and yanked.
Looking in his hands Malleus growled, a small iron chain and a ring, the ring wasn’t iron however Malleus was starting to regret taking the high road. He allowed the chain to fall but kept the ring, it obviously belonged to his little brother, besides they probably stole it anyway.
Malleus walked out of the small cabin with his little brother in his arms, as he walked through the room, he canceled his spells. He got far enough away, completely absorbed in the little baby's coos as he prepared his spell to go back home, completely tuning out the humans who had just shown back up to the cabin because of their lone baby’s cries.
With a sudden flash Malleus was back in the throne room, Lilia was in there as well as the queen likely called him in. The little baby in Malleus’s arms giggled trying to reach for the little green light that was dancing around.
“Prince Malleus, where have you been?” Lilia asked in confusion as he very rarely ever left the palace.
“I was getting what you were rightfully owed.” Malleus said with a joyous smile “Here’s your child.”
Malleus quickly placed the cooing baby into Lilia’s arms as the older fae looked in puzzled confusion as he finally put together what had happened. Lilia looked doubtful for a second, acting as if he was going to say something before the coos of the little baby got his attention.
Lilia's expression soon melted away into a sweet smile as he soon began to rock the little baby, making little chirping sounds, almost as if he was trying to mimic the sounds the baby was making.
“I assume you handled it?” Maleficia asked.
“Yes grandmother.” Malleus replied. The queen nodded to her grandson before exiting the throne room, happy to deal had made it through towards the end.
Malleus turned around to see Lilia glancing at the tiny blanket the boy was wrapped in, the prince hadn’t noticed it, but the blanket was embroidered with the names that were on the cribs. Maybe the human parents really couldn’t tell the twins apart?
“Astraeus? What a completely outrageous name...” Lilia said “If I had my way, I would name you Silver, after your wonderful silver spun locks.
The little baby let out another laugh followed by a coo.
“Silver it is then.” Lilia said, bringing the boy closer to snuggle “Silver Vanrouge.”
The day passing after Silver joined the castle was a joyous chaos that Malleus wouldn’t trade it for the world. He quickly finished his tasks the tutors set for him so he can help out Lilia with Silver. There were a few missteps with the baby, like Lilia not screwing the bottle cap tight enough and milk dunking on Silver, or Malleus trying using his magic to float and rock the baby nearly giving Lilia a heart attack.
Thankfully Silver was a very easy-going baby, he would only really cry if he was hungry or had a full diaper, other than that he was a happy little baby, cooing or able to sleep through any sound.
Everything was perfect, wonderfully perfect.
Until it wasn’t…
It started small at first, Silver seemed to get fussy more than normal, he wouldn’t outright cry, but his little sounds make it very clear something was upsetting him. Lilia and Malleus try to be helpful, originally thinking he was adjusting to the new environment.
Then the crying became more, never when he was hungry or upset, it just seemed he was crying for no reason.
Then it became horrible shrieking cries and they never ended. The little baby just cried and never stopped, it got to the point Lilia had to use his magic to make Silver sleep, less he screamed his little throat raw.
Malleus and Lilia were besides themselves trying to figure out what made baby Silver so upset. Even the castle could feel the tension that something was wrong with baby Vanrouge.
Malleus had been searching for an answer in the library, he had taken the books up to study, anything in here could possibly have the answer to what was making Silver Vanrouge sick. He was walking in the halls slowly lost in thoughts.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN MAGICAL POISONING?!” Lilia voices screamed out. Malleus jumped at the sudden sound, only to be greeted by deep dark doors that lead to Silver’s nursery.
‘Magical poisoning?’ Malleus thinks as he leads close to the door.
“I have no reason to lie to you Vanrouge.” Another voice said, “It’s magical poisoning, I’ve seen it many times before and during the wars.”
“But his family was mages” Lilia’s voice pleaded from the otherside.
“And he will be a strong mage as well, one of the strongest if trained properly “The other said “But right now his body can’t filter all this magic, he’s living in a fae castle after all.”
Lilia voice replied something back, but Malleus couldn’t decipher it.
“Really Lilia…you know the answer, if you don’t get Silver out of here, he won’t live to see his first birthday” The voice replied making Malleus’s heart drop “If you need a place to stay let me know, until next time Vanrouge.”
Malleus felt his heart leap in his chest as he kept walking with the books in hand. He wanted it to be wrong, for the man to be mistaken, he knows his grandma knowing about the situation would have an answer soon.
Everything would be alright soon…right?
Lilia came into the throne room one day with baby Silver in his arms, asking to be put on leave. He tearfully explained the magical poisoning Silver was experiencing and that for his son’s own safety he needed to leave until his son could handle more magic.
The Queen, despite her bitter expression, granted Lilia’s request as well as wishing Silver a safe recovery soon.
Malleus looked on with a teary expression, he knew he couldn’t stop Lilia from leaving however he thought he would help Lilia raise his baby brother. He couldn’t stop himself, he didn’t wanna look Lilia in the eyes.
“Now, now, Malleus…no tears.” Lilia said using his free hand to get Malleus to look at him.
“It’s not goodbye forever...”