The Lies that Made Us

Brynn

Born in the palace to the queen and king of Evalmore, the largest kingdom in the known world, Prince Brynwynn should have been known as a blessed child. Yet, many faults could be found in his birth. The first and most dire was his mother’s death a few minutes after he was born. What should have been a joyous event turned bleak. It was known the queen was a good woman who was much loved in the kingdom. The king was fond of her, and instead of celebrating a healthy baby boy, the palace mourned the passing of a kind woman.

Brynn was also the second-born son. Everyone knew the king wished for a daughter. He had a sister he doted on as a boy and young man. She had sadly died of a sickness, and he wished to have a daughter he could name after the lost princess. Instead, a second son had been born, a spare. The king’s heir was already alive and healthy. Another son was not needed.

Yet, Brynn did not feel unloved. He never knew his mother, so he didn’t know what to miss about her not being around. He was surrounded by caring servants and a nanny who loved him like he was her own. Though his father may have been disappointed not to have a daughter, Brynn never felt it. His father spent as much time with him as his brother, Gareth. Brynn grew up happy, light-hearted, and able to do almost whatever he wished.

He never could remember much about his early years of childhood. He knew he laughed plenty and was probably very naughty, though his nanny always told him he was almost too charming to scold. If he looked back on his childhood, only a few times stood out to him and nothing more than a late spring day when he was eleven years old.

He had been told to expect a girl to study with him. He had even met the girl a few times, though he couldn’t place her. To him, it meant nothing, just another person to sit in lessons with. He only hoped she wouldn’t be too boring or tattle on him when he pushed the boundaries of propriety. He never expected to meet the best friend he would ever have and eventually the great love of his life.

Even at eleven years old, he knew that Amelia was lovely when she walked into the room. She was short and thin at the time, but her hair was a captivating shade of golden brown, and she left it completely down. It was a little unruly with its waves and curls, and for some reason, it mesmerized him. Her bright blue eyes were almost too big for her face, and they showed no fear the first time she looked at him. A crooked smile formed on her small lips, and Brynn couldn’t help but smile back.

She was never shy and asked him probably a hundred questions that day, ranging from life in the palace to what it was like to not have a mother. He answered them all, never growing tired of talking to her. He knew right away she was cleverer than him. She already knew almost all their tutor taught them that day. Answering almost every question should have been annoying, but she did it in such a sweet and interesting way that Brynn only craved to hear her talk more.

After lessons, she proved just how bold she was, running around the palace grounds with him, scaring the chicken kept at the very edge, and then climbing a tree to pick some plumbs. Their friendship only increased in the days to come to the point if Brynn faced a day without seeing Amelia, it made him sad and unsettled.

She didn’t appear to be frightened of anything except his older brother. Brynn could tell she was uncomfortable around Gareth though he couldn’t think why. His older brother was boorish and liked to show off. It had been years since Brynn had any use for him. They occasionally crossed swords in sparing, though if Brynn showed any signs of winning, Gareth would quickly walk away, saying he had no time to play with children.

Amelia always wanted to avoid Gareth, and Brynn was happy to do it with her. He did lose some time with her after her mother’s death. First, she spent several weeks at home, grieving with her father and brother. He did visit her, bringing her colorful flowers each day to cheer her up and sometimes her favorite fruits.

When she returned to the palace, Brynn had to give up some of his afternoons with her to his father. It became well known that the king was very fond of Lady Amelia and her him. Eventually, she started training with the Light Brs as Brynn started taking on more duties in the palace, learning how to send letters to leaders of villages and talk with men older than him.

They were not his favorite things to do, but he got through them, knowing most days afterward he would get to spend time with Amelia. Some of the happiest times were when her family joined his on their summer travels. Amelia would have only morning lessons with her magic, and then she could spend her time with Brynn, running or riding around the king’s summer estate. They found mischief everywhere, and when they were caught, usually Amelia could get them out of trouble with her sweet words to the king, or she could at least lessen his punishment.

By the time he was sixteen, Brynn had noticed Amelia had changed as well as his feelings for her. She no longer looked like a girl, having grown several inches as her gowns filled out in other ways. The rest of her features caught up with her eyes, and Brynn found her beyond beautiful.

He was not the only one. He heard many of the lord’s sons comment on her looks. She was often stopped after her lessons by young men who just happened to be visiting the palace with their father when Light Bearers were known to dismiss for the day. Amelia met them all with kindness and grace, but later she laughed at some of them with Brynn. She avoided them when she could, saying she had plans with the king or with Brynn, but there was one young man she could not put off.

Gareth started to take an interest in Amelia, and nothing in the kingdom bothered Brynn so much as watching his oaf of a brother try to charm her. Brynn knew Gareth made Amelia uncomfortable. He tried to watch for her as much as he could, not letting her be alone as she walked the palace halls or courtyards. Sometimes, his duties would not let him meet her after her lessons or when she was done speaking with his father. Eventually, he would find her walking with Gareth or sitting with him in a parlor.

He would find a way to help her escape, even if it meant having to hear his brother’s mean taunts later that evening.

“I hope you don’t have plans for Lady Amelia, brother,” said Gareth one night as he sat with Brynn and their father in the main parlor.

“What’s it to you?” asked Brynn with irritation.

“She is becoming a beautiful, powerful young woman, and there will be much competition for her hand.”

“Amelia is not some prize to be won,” said Brynn. “Father agrees with me.”

“I do not like talking about the dear girl in that way, but your brother has a point, Brynn. She is already a strong Light Bearer who saved the city. Her father is powerful and rich. Many young men would do much to have her as their bride. She will have her pick, and knowing Amelia, she will choose only the most worthy.”

Brynn did not like the idea of any man having a claim over Amelia. He wanted to be the one to bask in her smiles and hear her musical laugh. There was no one else that he wanted to sit on the hill outside of the city with her as she practiced her skills. Sometimes when they would walk, she would take his hand. He couldn’t imagine any other man holding her soft, delicate hand.

It was then that he realized he not only loved her as his friend but so much more. If he dared speak such things out loud, his father would tell him he was too young to know love, and his brother would laugh at him. Still, Brynn was not the fool everyone thought he was. He knew his own mind and heart, and both were full of Amelia.

When she kissed him on his sixteenth birthday, he did not know how to react. He was shocked for a moment, and by the time any real thoughts came into his head, she had walked away. He wasn’t sure what to do when he saw her next. What if it had been just a friendly kiss as it had not been very long. Instead of talking about it, he tried to show her his feelings in different ways. He took her hand often and spent every moment he could with her. He tried to flirt with her more, but he was afraid it just came off as awkward.

They had a few moments where he thought they might kiss, but something always seemed to interrupt them. It was often her father’s guard, Owain, who was always watching over Amelia. Other times it was Gareth, and it made Brynn think many uncharitable thoughts about his kin.

All his hopes appeared to be answered the night of his eighteenth birthday. Deciding he could not hide his feelings for her anymore, he decided to be the man he was and tell her all. When she replied that she too felt for him, he didn’t think he could be any happier. He would court her properly and give her time, but eventually, he would marry her. They could travel together and go on adventures. He would make sure her life was never dull, and he would be happy to just be by her side.

He went first to his father to tell him his plans, finding him in his study late one night.

“Father, I think you know I have felt strong for Amelia for some time. I have recently learned that she has feelings for me for some reason as well. I want to court her properly in hopes to make her my wife.”

His father gave him a small smile. “Sit down, Brynn, and let us talk about this.”

Brynn felt his stomach drop slightly, worried at what his father would say. He didn’t think he would disapprove of Amelia. His father loved her, but the way he looked at Brynn made him nervous.

“You want to court Lady Amelia Fox?”

Brynn nodded. “I think I love her, father. You can say I am too young, but I know my heart and mind.”

“I do not think you are too young, and I applaud your taste. I believe you know how highly I think of Amelia. I am not sure a better soul has ever been born.”

“Then you approve? You will support me in this?”

“Amelia is a level four Light Bearer. She is said to be the most skilled user of Alinia’s magic in some years. Her father is highly ranked, and of course, she is very beautiful. What do you have to offer her besides your title and family?”

Brynn stared at his father, trying to think of what to say.

“I am not trying to be unkind to you, Brynn, but her father will ask you this question. He knows what a jewel his daughter is, and he will not part from her easily. Several lords and even a few foreign kings have come forth, speaking of making an alliance by uniting her with their sons. What makes you better than them?”

“I love her. I have known her for many years, and I believe she loves me.”

“That is admirable, and I am sure Lord Fox will keep that in mind, but what else can you offer her? How shall you spend your time as she does her duties?”

“I have some duties here in the palace, and I thought we could travel when possible. Amelia wants to see the world, and so do I,” said Brynn.

“And on these journeys, you will keep her protected? How?”

“I am good with a sword, and I am sure we will have guards attend us.”

“What else do you plan? What does it mean to be a husband, do you think? What about a father, Brynn? In a few years, you will have to think of these things.”

“What are you saying, father?”

His father came around his desk and sat down next to Brynn. “I care about you, Brynn, and I think you are a good man, even if you are a little silly sometimes. I do not doubt you care about Amelia and want to make her happy, but you have much to learn about being a man. It pains me to say it, but at this point, I do not think you are worthy of her.”

Brynn sunk down in his seat. “So you will not support me?” He threw his head back, regretting the years he had wasted in folly and games. He did not think he was stupid or useless, but he could see how his reputation might not be the best.

“You always have my support, Brynn, but I think you need to grow up a bit and learn about yourself before you ask for such an important thing. You will have one chance at this, and I want you to do it right. I think with some work, you would be a very good husband for Amelia, and all the goddesses and gods know nothing would make me happier than to have Amelia for a daughter.”

“What do you suggest?”

“You have a power inside of you. You have ignored it for many years, but I have seen you do small things with it. It was said you were blessed by the goddess of Neomana when the priestesses came to visit you after you were born. I think you should go train with your powers.”

“But that means I will have to go to Erialla for some time,” said Brynn. “I will have to leave Amelia.”

His father nodded. “Amelia’s training will continue for a while, and I think it will become even more vigorous. She will be much occupied by it. You can go and learn about your powers and perhaps about yourself as well. Maybe in a year or two, you will be ready to return and can ask for what you want then.”

“I don’t know, father. It seems too hard to leave her.”

“It will be harder if you rush into this and something happens to ruin everything forever. Do you not think your love can survive some time apart?”

“I could never change my heart. She is who I want. I know it.”

“And her, do you think she will forget her feelings for you?” asked the king.

“No,” said Brynn. “She has told me and shown me how deep her feelings run for me.”

“Then all will be well. You can write to each other often, and when you come back, you will have many years to spend with her.”

All was arranged quicker than Brynn would like, but he could see the wisdom in it. He had doubted his worthiness of Amelia even before his talk with his father. If it took a year to two to become someone who might come closer to deserving her, it would be worth it.

It was one of the hardest things he ever had to do in telling her he was leaving, but to hear her say she loved him was the sweetest sound he could imagine. It was like a dream, spending the night loving her in his bed. He could recall every sound she made, the exact way her skin felt as he moved his hands over it. Never would he forget the feeling of being united with her fully. He could never love another, and he knew it. It strengthened his resolve to go to Erialla and become the man he needed for her.