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Leona looked in the mirror, still unable to grasp what just happened as he gazed at the necklace around his neck. The beads of jewels glittering in the sunlight coming from the balcony just off his bedroom.
A soul bound necklace. In myths it is said the sun goddess loved the first king of the Sunset Savannah so much she created a necklace to bind their souls into one. While the faith is less common, the tradition stuck around and people make necklaces with beads made of precious stones for those they wish to be with for longer than this life.
A symbol that transcends romance, friendship, and family. A spiritual connection. Lovers usually do it, but warriors and blood brothers have shared these with each other. And his father made one for him.
His father wanted, if reincarnation existed, to be able to find Leona again. Not his older brother who was meant to be king, not the queen herself. His father had this necklace made for him.
Taking in a shuddering breath as he remembered the words the royal advisors strong disapproval once Leona left the room, Leona focused on the words his father said as he held the necklace out.
“I know you have an unfortunate fate, and I'm sorry for bringing it upon you, but know that I love you more than anyone. As long as you are there to help your brother, I know the future of the Kingdom will be bright.”
Leona let a tear fall, holding the beads in a reverent grip. He knew he would never be king. Accepted it long ago. And yet, despite giving up and no longer trying at anything, his father trusted and loved him so much as to bind their souls so they could be together for the rest of this life and the next.
Leona jumped and this bedroom door opened and he had to hold back a growl seeing his brother, the crown prince, standing in the doorway.
“I heard shouting in the study. Did he really…?”
Leona turned, facing his brother, and allowing the necklace to go on full display. He expected Farena to jeer. Yell at him for taking their father's soulbond.
But Farena was always a bag of surprises, as he instead lit up in an even bigger smile once he saw Leona's neck.
“Bro! Congrats!”
Leona's brain paused at the phrase. He was… congratulating him?
Farena came in, getting a closer look before making eye contact with the younger. “This is huge! People thought father would never soulbind after he didn't do it with mother for so many years. You must be pumped!”
Leona looked at his brother with wide eyes before his brain caught up with what was happening. “You're… not mad?”
Farena tilted his head, face morphing into confusion. “Why would I be mad?”
Leona once again touched the necklace. “Because he chose me and not you. You're the older one. You're going to be King. You're loved by everyone. I'm the opposite of those things and yet…”
The silence between the brothers stretched as Leona once again turned to look in the mirror.
“Leona,” Farena said, walking to stand next to his brother. “You don't think people hate you just because you're the younger brother. Do you?”
Leona scoffed, turning away and walking towards the window doors. “Think it? I know it. Every day, all I hear is people singing your praises, and wishing I was more like you.” Farena followed as Leona stomped to his balcony. “Everything I worked for when I was younger was never enough. You were always the better brother because you were older. Anything I excelled at was thrown away because you were better at it, or if I was better they scolded me for trying to one up you. So once I saw that no matter what I did, everyone would hate it, I stopped trying to impress everyone. But even that was the wrong move cause all I hear now is ‘Look at Lazy Prince Leona. He should be more like his brother,’”
Leona was vaguely aware he was ranting, but couldn't bring himself to care as he paced back and forth, hands running through his hair while Farena watched, worry of him brow.
“Even today. As soon as I left father's study everyone in the room wasn't afraid to tell him of how they disapproved. Telling father how it should have been you.” Leona gripped the railing, almost surprised at the cracks that appeared in the solid stone. “It's always you. No matter how hard I work or what I do, it's only you who shines. And now, I finally have this one thing. This one undeniable proof that father does care about me and all anyone except you and him and say is how much I don't deserve it!”
The two brothers stood in the sun, Leona panting at the exertion unleashing all this pent up anger caused. After a minute of silence, Farena moved to lean against the railing, a couple feet of distance between the two lions. The silence stretched once again as Leona took deep breaths, muscles relaxing with each exhale.
“Can… can I talk?” Farena asked, hesitant and not wanting his brother to become even more angry.
“If you must,” Leona growled, underlined with a sigh.
Farena looked out at the view before them. “I'm sorry. I always assumed we received the same treatment from the servants.” Farena moved his hand closer to the other, but left his hand halfway between the space, not having the courage to reach further and cause Leona to retreat. So, he kept trying to reach him with his words.
“I was blind to your suffering but I promise that I'll pay attention and shut down anything negative anyone says about you. I can't control people's thoughts, but if I could then I would want you to see yourself the way I see you. You're awesome. You're smart, strong, dedicated, and when you apply yourself you can do anything. It's their fault for not being able to see the amazing lion under the mane. You are just as special as any member of the family.”
There was once again silence, Farenas hand reaching for the other as Leona stayed leaned against the railing, looking at the land, but not seeing it as thoughts seemed to swirl around the younger's head.
Just when Farena was considering leaving to give his brother some space, Leona brought his own hand over to rest on top of his brothers. The two closed the gap till there was only a few inches, and their tails intertwined. Something that hasn't happened since Leona began schooling.
With their tails around each other's, Leona pulled his hand back and linked it with his own, looking down at the courtyard below still thinking, but the storm of thoughts seemed to calm. Farena simply stayed in silent support as his brother sorted out his thoughts.
Eventually, Farena looked at Leona, nudging the other with his shoulder. “I miss this. Just being with you without a meeting, class, or competition keeping us professional.”
Leona gave a small smile, his necklace a comforting weight on his shoulders. “... Me too.”
I like when we're brothers and not the first and second Prince.
In the close future, The King would die a peaceful death with his sons and daughter in law at his side. Farena would have a child that many say acts much like the late king when he was a child. Leona would be accepted into Nightraven. Leona would then forget all the efforts his family made to make him feel loved from now till then, repeat two years, and overblot. The Royals will heal once the four are united for good.
But for now? It was just two brothers who were struggling with the weight of expectations, each working to ease the others burdens for a few short minutes.