Chapter Text
MEMORIES OF OLD
Palace of Zerith, Gardens — May 7, 1861
“Regulus. You must listen. Remember what it is we tell you. You will not end up like your disappointment of a brother.” Walburga’s cold eyes pierced the sorrowful and soulless ones. “Yes, mother.” the younger black brother whispered, his voice heard only to the ears of whoever cared to listen closely.
“Louder. You won’t be a disappointment and an absolute disgrace like your brother, right?” asked the mother, sternly.
“Yes mother.”
“Good.”
“And you, Mister Lupin. You will work as hard as possible and train day and night to ensure you will become the captain of the royal guard. This is the payment you and your commoner family will give as payment for your family’s tax debt.”
The father turns his head, “Remember, Regulus. You as well, Sirius. You may be a disappointment, but you still carry royal blood—” Orion stops, looking at Sirius, with nothing but disgust in his eyes. “You are forbidden to mingle with the commoners, especially those with magic. Magic is a devilish feat of the cursed children of Satan.” Now the father of the brothers spoke, as usual, reminding them of the do’s and don’ts as a royal who is, quote on quote, ‘religious.’
Palace of Zerith, Grand Ballroom — July 24, 1861
“My prince, come forward. I will teach you the art of waltz.” the instructor ordered. Regulus could not do anything but follow. He couldn’t, for how could a little 6 year old boy oppose his parents? “Yes, sir.”
“Just follow the instructor, and do as he says.”, the voice of Orion rings in Regulus’ head. “Follow the instructor.” the prince murmurs. “Alright, my prince. I will be teaching you basic waltz steps. Mind you, this requires grace and beauty in movement.”
Regulus looks nervously, finding the man’s body language odd. “Now now, don’t be shy, my prince. Copy my position, and follow my lead.”
Palace of Zerith, Dining Hall — August 13, 1864
“Ah, the duchess has arrived! A wonderful day to you, Duchess Druella. It’s such wonderful news that you’ve come to teach my sons basic etiquette.” greeted the Queen, with a forced smile on her face. It was written on her face that she doesn’t like the fact that she had to reach for the Duchess’ help to educate her sons. Even so, it’s come to her attention that it’s needed, for they don’t seem to be learning from previous mentors.
“You may leave the room, Walburga. I’ll make sure your sons learn some..manners.”
With that notion, the mother leaves, her sons left at the care of the Duchess. “Well, Sirius, I expect you to know basic etiquette by now. Do what it is you can and I will then fix what you do wrong, and teach you more that you must know, as you are the breadwinner and heir to the throne.”
Druella turns her head to face the younger, scanning his face. “Tell me, Regulus, when is the time you stop eating on the occasion the royal monarchy is with you?”
Silence filled the room, as Regulus thought long and hard. “When the Queen or King stops, your grace.”
Druella’s eyes light up, seeing how educated the boy was. “Excellent.”
Palace of Zerith, Royal Library — August 13, 1864
“Walburga, Orion. May I offer a piece of advice?”
The latter raises an eyebrow, curious as to what advice his sister had to offer. “Pray tell, what advice do you have to give?” Druella smiles, a cunning spark in her eyes. “Forget about Sirius as the heir. Regulus has more potential. In my short period of time mentoring the two, Regulus seemed to have much greater potential than his brother.”
“But–” the queen spoke. “Ah, let me finish, dear.”
The duchess sighs, “I personally think, Zerith will benefit much more if your younger son becomes king. Unlike Sirius, he seems to be more under your control. He’ll be easier to mentor and shape into the perfect leader this kingdom needs.”
Orion and Walburga both share a look, considering the idea. “We will think about it, sister. Is there anything else you’ll add?”
“Nothing more. I will take my leave now. Choose wisely, Orion.”
Palace of Zerith, Music Room — October 16, 1867
“Music is something a noble man like yourself should know. It is the art and essence of showing one’s feelings. Much more, it is an art that is evident among royalty and the rich.” said the maestro. “Now, for the start of your lessons, you will learn Beethoven's Moonlight Symphony.”
The maestro hands him a music sheet and Regulus opens it. It’s littered with notes that seem to be making Regulus dizzy just by looking at it. “Well, we will get to Beethoven’s music. After you learn the basic notes.”
“Basic notes?” But I can already pl—”
“Hep hep hep. Quiet, my dear prince. You will learn to play basic notes, in order to fully grasp the musical beauty of playing the piano.”
Palace of Zerith, Regulus’ Office — June 29, 1868
The day went by as usual. It was all the same, until a guard trainee summoned Regulus who was in his office, reading a novel on his window nook. A knock disrupted the silence of the room, following a voice. “Excuse me, Prince Regulus? May I come in?”
The prince in question sighs, standing up to open the door, allowing the Lupin boy to enter. “Yes? What is it?”
“The King and Queen ask for your presence, sir.” Remus replies.
Regulus sighs once more. “Alright, Remus. Tell them I’ll be there.” The trainee nods, and bows before he walks away. ‘What do they need..?’ Regulus thinks.
For five painstaking minutes, he walks to his father’s office to meet with his parents. When he reaches the door, he knocks. “Mother? Father? You called for me?”
“Come in, Regulus.”
The young prince opens the door, his eyes immediately landing on his older brother with his parents. “We need to talk.”
“About what, Mother?” Sirius asks.
“About the throne.” Orion pauses. “We will give you a choice. Either Sirius learns to behave, and he gets the throne, or—” his eyes divert to Regulus. “You will be crowned as the kingdom’s crown prince in three years.”
Shock laces the eyes of the brothers as the biggest decision of their lives was laid out to them, like food on a platter.
Zerith Kingdom, Greengard Meadows — September 4, 1868
“My princes! Are you both hurt? What happened?” Remus asks, running to Regulus who was crouching on the floor with Sirius. “It’s nothing, Remus. Not to worry.” the youngest replies, with not a hint of worry or hurt in his voice.
“We just fell off the horses. Don’t worry, no one’s hurt.” The older one says, quelling the nervousness in the trainee’s voice. “Are you sure? I can get the royal physician if needed, my prince.”
“Yes, I’m quite sure, Remus. Don’t worry.”
Remus extends both his arms to help the two brothers stand up. “Thank you, Remus.” the mentioned boy smiled. “It was my pleasure helping you both, my prince.”
“You are a great friend, Remus. Truly. Even Regulus says he trusts you, and it was to my surprise when he said so. I think from what you know, you can gather we trust no one in this godforsaken castle.” Sirius admits. It was true. Regulus and Sirius both felt that no one in the castle was to be trusted. It was too risky. Anyone could be on their parents’ side. But Remus was different. They both felt that he was worth giving their trust to.
Palace of Zerith, Sirius’ Sleeping Chambers — March 5, 1869
Sirius paces the room back and forth, worried when his brother would come. His worries soon melt away when a knock is heard on the door. It wasn’t just any knock. He recognized the rhythm to be the one he created to know that it was not an enemy. That it was his brother at the door. “Come in, Reg.”
The younger walks in, tears in his eyes. “Sirius..”
Sirius’ eyes widened, shocked to see his beloved brother crying. “Regulus? What’s wrong? Come inside, talk to me, yeah?” He pats his bed, beckoning Regulus to sit. “What’s wrong, Reggie?”
“Mother and Father spoke with me. You’ll either marry a girl or I’ll accept being crowned prince in 2 years. I accepted. I couldn’t do that to you. I know you’re gay, Sirius. I couldn’t strip you of the opportunity to fall in love. Like in the books, you know?” said the blue-gray eyed man. He lifts a hand to wipe his tears, as well as the tears of his brother.
As if his eyes could get any wider, Sirius wears a look of surprise on his face, the emotion evident in his eyes. “What? Regulus, why did you—”
“It’s okay, Sirius. Truly. I’ll survive.”
“Regulus… Why?” the younger smiles. “Because, I love you, Sirius. I know how much your freedom means to you. If you’re not in line to rule, then you’d have that freedom. Plus..”
“Plus what, Reggie? Why would you sacrifice your own freedom for mine!?” Sirius asks, tears now brimming his own eyes. “I have a plan, Sirius. You know that once I inherit the throne, Mother and Father will have lesser power. That I would be in control. We can use that to our advantage. We can finally be free of them. They trust me, Sirius. I won’t let this opportunity slip.”
“..Fine. Okay, I'll help you.”
“I would honestly strangle you if you didn’t.” The statement makes both the brothers laugh, as the previous tears in their eyes still continue to fall.
“We need allies, brother.”
Regulus hears snapping and muffled voices, to which it brings him confusion. “What? Do you hear that, Siri?”
“—ur Higness? Your Higness!”
Regulus is then brought back to reality. “Your Highness, are you listening?”
“Yes, Lucius, I’m listening. Carry on.”
“As I was saying, the council agrees on an alliance with Aetorus. It’s good for trading business, as well as for power. The said kingdom is highly influential, and it’s good to be allies with someone of that..power.” Lucius speaks. “I think we should let the crowned prince have a say in this, Lucius.” Remus interjects. The interruption makes Lucius scowl.
‘Funny how a shy royal guard trainee grows up to be a royal adviser and a council member instead.’ Regulus thinks.
“It’s alright, Remus. The point was understood. I agree with this alliance. Get me the papers ready, and set up an official document signing with the ruler of Aetorus. I will be in my office if needed.” Regulus says, bowing slightly to pay respects as he walks out of the council meeting room.