erful, familiar voice says as soon a

lean far away from her neck, so as not to get poked by the amount of jewellery around it. She laughed and

now, I'd mess up your hair." He mimed putting his hand over h

e was the son of the Empress and only her half brother. The last time she spoke to her actual brother from the same mother, she ended up sending poisoned spikes to

brother she was thinking about in the first place. No sooner had Aulus said that, the heavy doors of the c

always." Felix, her eldest brother said. She

ustomary. Do forgive us for arriving late, it was hard getting my hands on a few

need for apologies your Majesty.

ly who didn't utter a word in objection when it was revealed that Analeigh would be the successor to the throne. Analeigh was still wary of her, no doubt a woman that could go thr

today is your wedding day. We hav

nd the Queen. Analeigh resisted the urge to roll her eyes when she heard the voice. She had hoped that this particular s

t because you no longer consider me to be a person of authority." She continued without looking at him. Lu

his children spoke all at once when they were around him. The Queen on the other hand was a stickler for rules, a fact Lucius had forgotten due to not spending much time in her pres

he punishment given f

, internally shivering at the thought of spending an enti

nd reduce his punishment to the lashings only." She looked

diot brother got his punishment reduced. It would have been nice to stay nearby and h

your sister's wedding in rumpled clothes." She said,

s really laying in it on thick now wasn't he, Analeigh thought while watching her cocky

stay here until you're called in, I'm afraid." Qu

ty. I'm thrilled you were able to come here at all,

that were hanging by, two of them scrambling to lift her train proper

d the doors were shut again, Lucius rounde

d an eyebr

" He pointed her with barely restrained rage. Analeigh saw her servants in the corner getting ready to i

if I'm not too busy with post wedding bliss, I might even come to watch your public lashing." Which was the real deal of the punishment. The pain of the beating w

ely. "You say that like you're getting marr

where and brag about being a big brother. Then they started growing older and Analeigh started surpassing him in aspects he didn't expect. She wasn't given royal combat training from the guards like he was but still fought better than him, she had the gift of magic and he didn't, she was met

son why we shouldn't be able to work together cordially at least." She answered, not rising to her brother's taunts. She knew if she brought up his failed marriage, especially in front of their ot

she didn't have to hear when she didn't have a sword to threaten her with. She smiled, tight lipped as she stared at Livia, her third sister, who was one of the loudest v

I supposed to cry and moan about how my husband from a house that w

oncern so convincing, even Analeigh was impressed. "Frankly speaking, he is the one marrying into the famil

high council declared the need for a new monarch. Lastly, like I s

disrespect in the court?" Livia scoff

care about

just about passing the trials. Before ruling the people, you must know

s she loved her father, he was a busy man and so could barely grant her audience whenever she had a new idea for the issues brought up in court. Not when he had a whole group of officials to listen to first and t

ed you from speaking of their own voli

e doors opened and a new set of servants and guards walked in, carrying gifts f

an imperial physician. Do not touch anything with your bare hands and inst

She curtesied and went back

en your mother is worried about this marriage." Livia spoke

round the room as she counted down internally, knowing it was going to very little to help her rising anger. There was no use lashing out, especia

. "I've recieved your well wishes with thanks but I need to discuss something with Aulus. Alone." She said without looking at her family. Lucius made a sound, as if to start

ad to send everyone out mid

ntruder amongs