Chapter 14 (Brother)

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Hello my lovelies! I want to start off by saying that I love, love, love, LOVE, how much credit this story is getting and how much people are enjoying it! It means a whole lot that everyone likes it. I also want people to know that, yes, my story does take a while to upload. Well, not quite. I wait about a week before I upload a new chapter, (which is about the same for a lot of writers on this website), and it's because I am so incredible busy that sometimes I just don't have enough time to upload every other day. I am a Sophomore in High School and am taking two AP (Advanced Placement, almost a college course) classes just this year and am planning on taking a college course next year. So, I am sorry that a week may seem long to you but I am trying my best to stay on schedule and try to not take a long time. I'm not saying that people are upset about this and I want you to know that I don't mind when people ask me to update, I just want people to know this. I'm trying to update every weekend!

On other news, thank you sooo much for getting me to 1,000 reads!! Ahhh!! It's so freaking exciting I can't believe how well this story is doing. To be honest, I thought it would be a bust. xD So, thank you again and please enjoy!

Edward (POV)

I could feel my heart beating and pounding as I glanced at my living –breathing, brother. My brother who was supposed to be dead. What the fuck is going on? He looked very similar to how he looked the last time I had seen him, eight fucking years ago. He still had black, curly hair but it was a little bit longer and a bit more tamed. I remember that Alexios had always been so upset that he couldn't keep his hair down like he wanted to when he was a child, but I loved it. His face had also became much more angular and straight, his baby fat disappearing completely. His dark jeans covered his long lean legs and black buckled boots gave his already towering demeanor at 6"3 an even scarier look. He was in a black t-shirt that hugged his huge muscles in his arms as he crossed them across his chest as he gave my parents a defiance glare. His green eyes also seemed much harsher; as if these last years were tough on him. Both my parents and I were shell-shocked, (hell, everyone seemed shell-shocked).

I was the first one to break out of the trance as I took a step towards him. His eyes lost their harshness considerably as he watched me slowly make my way to him, a small smile appearing on his face as he took in my frame. "Alexios?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Though, a few people gasped below us as if they had heard me and now knew what was going on.

My brother's eyes brightened as he took in my sight. Is eyes got a glassy look, as if he were about to cry, which made my heart twist. "It's nice to see you again, Ed." He uncrossed his arms and held them out to me; grinning. "You've grown," was all he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I chocked on a sob as I flung myself into him. We were both laughing as we squeezed each other so tight, I thought I was going to pop. He swung me around off of my feet and I didn't care as we both found comfort in each other. It lasted for a while longer before we both pulled away with a breathless laugh. He leaned his forehead against mine in a brotherly fashion before shaking his head and looked up. His eyes went behind me but he didn't seem to focus on our parents for long before he gazed at the crowd. "Hello, everyone!" He called out, gripping my waist as he shoved past everyone on the balcony to get to the edge. They didn't even do anything, as if they were still in shock.

I glanced down at my people and was surprised to see a lot of them sobbing. A silent moment passed before a loud "Whoop!" cut through the air. Then cheers rose up for their long lost prince. "It's so great to be back!" He called and people roared. If you thought it was loud when I came out, you can't even imagine what this sounds like. Alexios laughed in pure bliss as he smiled down at the crowd, totally in his comfort zone. "Thank you so much!" He called, "But I have to talk for a while. So, please, go home. Have a nice dinner and all of that. I promise we'll be out soon with more information!" With that, he gave one final wave before tugging me to the doors. Everyone on the balcony seemed to get out of their originally shock and went after Alexios and into the castle. Questions were shouted out but Alexios ignored them all as he made his way over to Nana and Albert who were standing off to the side, where they were watching the ceremony.

"Nana," he breathed, before going over to her. She was sobbing as he gently cradled her in his arms. A content smile on his face as he hugged her. "I apologize that I never spoke to you before, I was afraid of what was going to happen to Edward." She didn't seem to care as she hugged him tightly with a loud cry. I smiled at them both as Alexios shifted uncomfortable from the height difference. "Oh god Nan, you seem to have gotten a little big." He pulled back with a laugh. Nana laughed too and tried her best to hit him lightly in the arm. Alexios turned to Albert a moment later, an eyebrow rose and a genuine smile on his face. "Is this the father?" he asked. A frown appeared on my face before it dawned on me. I forgot that he hadn't been here when Albert arrived. Albert's been here for so long, I thought he was always here.

"That's Albert," I told Alexios and they both shook hands. "His my guidance counselor on how to be a king and Nana's husband." I told him. Alexios turned to frown at me –the first time I've seen him without a smile all day– in confusion. We watched each other, him seeing if I was telling the truth, before he then turned to my father, glaring.

"You didn't train him?" he questioned. I thought my father would get angry, and a small glimmer appeared in his eyes, but he didn't do anything more than stare at his favorite son as if he were a miracle. Though, I kind of knew how he felt; as much as it pains time to be one in the same with my father. Alexios shouldn't be here, so how was he?

My father didn't answer as he took a step towards Alexios, as if in a trance. "My son," he spoke, wonder in his voice as he reached out towards him. "Are you...?" As he went to grab Alexios, Alexios jerked back, causing the king to flinch.

"Don't touch me." He spat, causing my father's face to twist in shock and confusion and he tilted his head like a small kid. My mother sobbed and ran to him and threw her arms around Alexios before anyone could do anything. Alexios was frozen as he glared down at the floor and my mother cried into his chest. "Get. Off." My mother stopped crying instantly and tilted her head back to stare at him in confusion. Alexios shoved her away in disgust and ran a hand through his hair as he walked over to me, further away from our parents. "Don't you guys think I know what the rumors have been saying around here? Don't you think I know what's been going on with my little brother? How after my 'death', everything spiraled downhill?" He put quotation marks around the word death and glared defiantly at our parents. I felt a spark of anger erupt in my chest. I don't know if it was because Alexios was making our parents cry, (I pray that this wasn't why), or if it's because my parents are sobbing for their favorite son while I've been here for years, or maybe it was because Alexios was treating me as if I was still ten. Whatever the reason it was, I wanted to escape it.

I touch Alexios lightly on the arm. "Alexios..." I called out, not knowing what else to say. He then turned to glare at me, causing me to take a small step backward.

"So what, you're taking their side on this?" I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked. How was I taking their side if I just didn't want them to fight? He sighed irritably and ran a hand down the side of his face. This action made him look 10x his age, and it frightened me.

"Never mind." He spoke quietly and sighed. Then he shook his head and turned to look at me. The look in his eyes told me he wanted to get away. "I'm taking Edward. We need to speak." He spoke, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Are you serious?" I heard my father shout angrily. Alexios swung on him but my father didn't move. "I've lost you for 8 goddamn years and y –you just want to disappear with –with this –!" He angrily gestured at me and I frowned. I was used to him calling me names and stuff, but I was confused with the tears in my father's eyes.

"That's my brother!" Alexios shouted and took a threatening step towards my father. "So, you should –!"

"Alexios!" I shouted and shoved my way between the two. My mother's eyes had gotten big and Nana looked scared. "Stop." I spoke calmly. I felt him stir in anger above me. That is when the thought dawned on me. This person may look like the Alexios I've always loved and adored as a small child; but he wasn't that same person now.

That thought terrified me.

Thank you guys for reading! Please don't hesitate to comment with anything that needs fixed or to tell me how you like the story! Have a lovely day! (1493)