Chapter 59 - The Eldest's Promise
Chapter 59 – The Eldest’s Promise
Meanwhile, three figures stood on top of one tower in the imperial palace. They all gazed down at the warriors and wolves running around, looking for them.
"It's been a while since you smoked." Hugo glanced at Daniel, who lit up tobacco and puffed in the air. His brother plopped down on the roof leisurely, tilting his head back as smoke ascended.
"Did something happen while I was away?" he inquired, knowing that Daniel only lit a smoke whenever he had a lot of things in mind.
"Nothing, little brother. Aside from that Father is very annoyed this time." Daniel chuckled as he passed the match to Garrett, which the latter accepted. "Garrett, I can't believe you will help him just because you want to see Cora."
"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I just miss my wife so I understood His Grace's feelings." Garrett crouched after lighting up a stick. "His Majesty will surely try to kill me tomorrow."
"You know that already, but you still helped him." Another wave of chuckle slipped past Daniel's lips as if he wasn't a crown prince who should be the first person who should reprimand these two.
"Your Highness, you want one?" Garrett offered Hugo a stick, but the latter shook his head.
"No, thanks." Hugo stared at his brother before he slumped down, hands behind his head. "Father is still as energetic as ever. Did he summon me and does he have to make it sound like it was urgent just so he can punish me?" came out a complaint, a little annoyed that he fell for it.
"Oh, brother. Father really needs you, but it seemed his love for you overtook his reasons."
"Tch. Rinnie and I should be cuddling right now if not for this." Hugo frowned as he didn't trust his sisters, knowing they would snatch Rinnie from him. That was what his sisters were like to the wives of his other brothers, after all.
Daniel's brows rose as he studied Hugo's grumpy mood. His eyes softened as a gentle smile resurfaced on his face, seeing that his little brother seemed to really like Rinnie.
"Hugo, she is not your destined mate." He reminded him, waiting for Hugo to turn his head to face him. "Don't misunderstand, brother. I didn't mean any harm, but I'm just saying. I trust you that you will not succumb to your instincts if ever you meet your destined mate because you will be the person who will hurt the person you treasure the most. You know about what happened to Alice."
Hugo clicked his tongue as he peeled his eyes away from Daniel. "You're always worried about these things. Why don't you find someone you're interested in or search for your mate. It's not good for the crown prince not to take a crown princess."
"Haha! It's not like my little brothers and sisters have any ambition to take this position."
"Well, Tomas wants it," Garrett commented, making Daniel laugh out loud while Hugo chuckled. "Or at least, that's what he claims. His Highness, the fourth prince, shouldn't make his intention so obvious, though."
"That fool is too dramatic not to let his emotions go when his feelings are stirred." Hugo shook his head, thinking that the fourth prince, Tomas, was just claiming to like the title of the crown prince so Daniel could have a break. The eldest had shouldered all responsibility since young and guarded his position so no one would hurt his little brothers and sisters, after all.
In exchange, Daniel had missed a lot of things in life, as he was forced to mature early. For example, meeting his destined mate or having the opportunity to look for her. Not that Daniel ever complained about it, but his siblings were worried — except Hugo as he respected Daniel and his brother's belief in leaving it on fate.
Daniel smiled brightly, gazing up at the moon, which was glowing softly. "There is no greater joy for me to see my family happy."
"Ehh… there you go again, but whatever." Hugo clicked his tongue as he stretched his neck to peek if their pursuers were still there. "Whatever makes you happy. I'm sure you will get married when you get married. Although I'm certain I'll get married first and I don't feel sorry about it."
Daniel slowly set his eyes on Hugo, smiling gently while the latter spoke. "Hugo," he called, waiting for his brother to face him.
"Will you not regret it?" he asked out of nowhere, making Hugo furrow his brows. "Choosing someone else instead of your destined mate. Will you not regret it?"
"Why would I? If for some goddamn reason this mate showed up in front of me, I will strangle her to death." Hugo's reply was quick, but it was sincere and firm. "Rinnie is the woman I chose to be my mate, so it will be like that. If being a werewolf interferes, I will extract my fangs myself or go to the moon myself to kill the moon goddess."
"Your Grace, if anyone hears you say that, another problem will arise," Garrett said in a knowing tone, as they were all firm believers of the moon goddess. And what Hugo said was blasphemy, but they were already used to him.
"Is that so?" Daniel let out a weak chuckle, knowing that his younger brother had already decided. "Don't worry, then. This big brother of yours will make sure nothing like that happens."
"Damn… why do you sound so reliable?" Hugo cast him a side-eye. "But first, I have to make her fall for me. Rinnie doesn't like me… at least, not in that way, as she is someone who just goes with the flow. She's giving me a headache."
"Hahaha!" this time, the crown prince couldn't help but burst out in laughter. "This is new."
"Your Highness, who would have thought you will fall this hard? Now you understand why I do everything to make my wife happy." Garrett also let out a low chuckle as what Hugo said was something none of them expected to hear in his lifetime. Hugo, the person who only knew how to speak the language of profanities, was saying a girl was giving her a headache.
Obviously, that was amusing in itself.
"There they are!!"
Suddenly, yells and shouts resonated from below them. Hugo peeked and saw many people start to gather below them.
"Shit, time to go." He clicked his tongue in irritation while Garrett also stood up. He gazed at Daniel, who remained seated.
"I'll stop here. Make sure to do your reports tomorrow, you two." Daniel waved with the same kind smile.
"Alright. See you later." Hugo didn't idle anymore as he jumped down from the other side of the tower. Garrett tilted his head down before he followed Hugo to run away.
As they did, Daniel just shook his head lightly. "This will be a long night for them," came out a whisper, gazing up at the moon once again.
His smile remained, but his eyes flickered with bitterness. No one knew what he had in mind or the reason his eyes would bear such sadness.
"Leave it to fate, huh?" he muttered and chuckled weakly. "I can't leave my family's happiness to that anymore because the moon goddess is cruel. I'm glad that Hugo seemed very happy with his decision, so I will support it.. You hear that, Moon? I won't let anyone take my little brother's happiness away even if I have to stand against the moon goddess."