Chapter 3 (Not my Place)

Seven and a half years later:

"Edward!" my mother's drunken slurs called to me from my perch on the window seat. I have been up here since I finished my training. I usually retired up here to get away from my family, who constantly decided to maltreat me; and from my tutor, Albert, who thought it was appropriate to constantly shove me at any person that didn't have a dick between their legs. Albert has been urging me to find a 'princess' despite my thoughts on the matter. He didn't seem to care that I wasn't looking for a princess or that I may not ever find one, (he also doesn't seem to care that my preferred taste happens to be in 'princes'; though I've never told him that). He just knows it's my, or his, duty to find one. My parents hired him when I was eleven to prepare me to be a king, and his job was to make me one. And so far, he has done a pretty good job in my book. Though, my parents may say otherwise. There was a reason he was hired. It's because no matter what I did with my father, I was never good enough. So, he hired someone else so he didn't have to look at me. When I was smaller, it hurt; but now? You should be lucky if you see me smile.

"Edward!" my mother snapped and I swore. I snapped my drawing book closed and shoved it underneath my bedsheets. Nana had given it to me for my 15th birthday, when she realized that reading and drawing were two of my favorite things to do. I had come to the realization that my parents had forgotten I even existence so, I was used to no presents. But, every year, Nana had come and given me something. Despite her not having enough money for her own family, she never forgot to give me something for my special day. And she wouldn't fail for my 18th one a week from now.

I bounded down the steps, scared of what I was to face as I met the wife of the devil. Ever since Alexios... well, ever since that night, my mother and father had never been the same. If you thought that my father cheating, (yes I remember that night), or my mother going on tantrums was bad, well, Alexios leaving only made it worse. For crying out loud my father hired a man to tutor me in being a king! Even though he knew the rules about the 'father teaching the prince' to be a king, he refused to. I also hardly ever saw the man's face except when I had to sit on my throne. Even then I couldn't do that for long as I saw Alexios' chair sitting there with no patron. My father refused to have me sit there, he believe I would never be worthy of his seat. And maybe my father had a point.

"What are you wearing?" my mother said, scrunching up her nose in distaste as I stood in front of her. Despite her drunken actions, she was still beautiful. She had a green, tight –fitted, velvet gown that went to the floor and sleeves that wrapped around her arms tightly. Her wavy, brown locks were half piled in a bun atop her head and half down and her crown was place graciously on her head. She never failed to look amazing.

"I wasn't aware of the time mother, I am sorry for my dressing." I looked down at my blue jeans and black shirt with no shoes. Why was I so stupid?

"Is this how you think you should present yourself? On a day filled with misery?" My mother snapped. I opened my mouth in reply, but a sharp sting on my cheek caused my head to turn to the right. "This is your fault this is happening!" She seethed, "don't forget that you are just second place to him!" I didn't dare answer and kept my head in the same position as she bounded off. Tears welled in my eyes but I held them back. I willed my fist to clench and my nails to dig into my palms. I tried to control my breathing. What would Alexios do? I thought over and over.

I felt a warm hand on my cheek and smooth my mother's fury. I took a deep breath and smiled at my Nana. "I'm fine, Nana," I whispered, gripping her hand and laying a kiss in her palm. I could see the worry in her eyes but I ignored it as I turned to head back upstairs.

Of course, my mother was right. How could I forget a day like this? How could I be worrying about my birthday in a week when today was the day Alexios was brought into this world? I deserved that slap for it. Alexios would be ashamed.

I shook my head and froze on the top step. Alexios face was plastered into my mind as I gripped the necklace he had given me. I know he wouldn't have given this to me if he didn't believe I deserved it. If Alexios believes in you, that's all that matters. I told myself. I took a deep breath and walked into my room to prepare for the feast in my brothers honor.

***

"This party is wonderful, dear!" My aunt told me, giving me a kiss on each cheek. "Though I do wish your parents would come join in on the fun," she pouted. I nodded in return. My parents haven't joined a single one of these event since Alexios had left us. All they ever did was sit on their thrones and watch this party as if it were a game. My mother had too much booze to been seen sociable and ever since the incident, my father stayed to himself. I had to walk down here and socialize with everyone as if I cared about them and this party. People thought that my parents were still recovering from the incident and just believed that they were in too much pain to be down here. Well, what about me? What about my feelings? Did anyone actually care? "Though, you look amazing!" My aunt said and I smiled politely at her. I always wore the same thing to these events. A suit and tie. My father wouldn't have anything less.

"Thank you," I murmured to her. "Though if you should let me go, I have other people to greet." I said giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Lovely to see you again auntie," I said stepping away from her. Though, before I got a chance to move further than a few feet, a new face was in front of me.

"Edward!" My cousin Lily shouted, dragging a poor blushing girl behind her. Lily looked like an exact replica to her aunt, who I just happened to be talking to. Lily had blonde locks, brown eyes, and a deep set a dimples. Both she and her mother always color coordinated at parties and today, they were wearing red. A gong sounded off in the distance as they both reached me. "I want you to meet my friend!" Lily said and I resisted the urge to run off. I wasn't fond of speaking to Lily since she had a tendency to always shout. "Her name is Lola! Isn't that wonderful? Lola and Lily! Both 'L' names!" I nodded and smiled. I glance at Lola who had black hair down to her shoulders and a light blue dress that brought out her blue eyes. If I were straight, she would be wonderful. Especially because of the light blush that danced across her cheeks.

"Lovely to meet you, Lola," I said with a small hint of pleasure in my voice. I learned that this made girls, (and women) swoon so I used it quite a bit to get out of situations quicker. For extra effect, I grasped her and placed a light kiss on the knuckles. Lola gasped and I chuckled. "As lovely as it was to see you two girls," I started as I straighten up, "if you will excuse me, dinner is about to start." I bowed to them before making my way to the dining hall. A sigh of relief filled me as I noticed everyone heading that way and I only had a make a few, 'HI's!' or 'Hellos!' towards people.

I made my way to the head of the table and nodded to a maid who had pulled out my seat. I sat down and waited as everyone sat around me. Even though the head of the table was reserved to the king, I always got to sit at the head since my parents refused to partake in any of this. I also had to do the toast.

Once everyone was seated their glasses were filled to their respected drink; wine or champagne for women and men, water or juice for girls and boys. I also waited until I could feel the presence of my mother and father. Despite them not being a part of this event, they never failed to show up at the door to make sure I didn't fuck up the toast. I took a deep breath and stood up, instantly getting everyone at the table to quiet down. I grabbed my glass of champagne and held it up, making everyone else do the same.

"To my brother," I said slowly and quietly, "a wonderful boy, who had the pleasure of being king, but had the life ripped out of him. Too soon, may I add," I cleared my throat and glanced around at everyone here. A mixture of friends and family. Did they actually care about being here or was this just to keep their reputation? I shook my head, "To Alexios," After the courses of, 'To Alexios,' resounded in the room, I turned to my mother and father, tipping my glass to them and downing the whole thing. I knew I would get scolded for it but couldn't help myself. I barely recognized my father motioning to a maid and whispering something to her. I sat down and instantly food was brought out. Chatter rose among everyone again as my parents walked out of the room, the huge double doors closing after them.

"To Alexios," I whispered to myself as someone filled my now empty glass with water.

***

"'The two most important days in your life'," I quoted to no one in the night air. Right now, I was sat on a large rock that I usually went to after long nights like this. Despite this one place bringing bad memories, I felt like it was one of the only places I could still go to after Alexios passing. I loved being here and remembering running around and playing with Jack, but I also hated the fact that my coming here was a result that Alexios had to pay. I also regretted not talking to Jack after it had happened. Where was he now?

My suit jack lie next to me and my hands were placed behind my head which was turned to watch the stars. "'Are the day you are born, and the day you find out why'," I finished taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Mark Twain," I said and then let out a small laugh. "You taught me that one Alexios, you were always a sucker for beautiful quotes." A small smile graced my lips as I watch the earth spin a twirl above my head. "So, Alexios. I've been born, but why am I here?" I asked, a pain wedging in my heart like it always did whenever I spoke with him. "Why am I here? What is my goal? I –I don't want to be here." I said a slight anger creeping into my voice. I sat up and stood, pacing on the rock, ignoring the carved initials on the side. "Why am I here and not you? What have I done to be treated so... so," I let out a frustrated sound and tugged on my hair as I hopped from the rock.

I swung my body around to kick at the rock swiftly, "Stupid, so fucking stupid!" I laughed without any humor. "I am never going to be 'the rightful king' as father so kindly repeats to me fucking over and over again." I whipped around and paced, tugging my hair almost out of its place. It was barely long enough to run a hand through and with the rate I was going, I would be lucky if I got the chance to make it any longer.

"I don't deserve it, Alexios!" I shouted and dropped to my knees in defeat, my head still turned to the sky. "I should be the one dead! I should have been here I should be the one who –" A small gasp resounded from behind me and I froze. Silence resounded in the air, letting me know that the person hadn't run away. I put my hands up in the air and slowly got to my knees. "I'm sorry," I whispered to whoever it was. This wasn't my place of course someone was going to be here. I needed to leave before they figure out who I am. How could I be so stupid again? I guess it was just my personality.

I rose to my full height and slowly backed up to the rock. There, I used one hand to grab my jacket and slipped it on. "I'm sorry," I repeated again, "I didn't know this was someone else's place. I will leave," I waited a beat for a response, but when I didn't get one, I took off towards the caste.

"Wait!"

Hello everyone! So, now that you've looked a little bit into Edward's life you can now meet Jack! I will have different POV's for each of them and will keep you guys up to date on which person is talking! Please let me know if there are any mistakes and I will do my best to fix them! Anyway, thanks for reading and for people that have voted it means a lot! (2355 words)