Chapter 17 Daniel

I was wrong. This party wasn't for Dan. And the reason why PRINCE Ace was helping out was for a very different reason that does not involve Dan.

"Hello, brother. Good to see-"

"Nora!"

Ah there they are. It was the Feradin sibling. Eltur, the older sibling and the crown prince of Tordis, had his beautiful silver hair down. A golden jagged jewel decorated his left ear. For a crown prince, he was dressed in a plain white shirt with a leather vest and some black trousers. Darem, the second prince, wore the same clothing, but his golden brown hair was tied to a ponytail - showing off his pointed ears. Alongside them was Nora, the youngest sibling, who was dressed in a plain white dress. As always, she looked like a mini version of Ace but as a girl. Her hair was tied into pigtails and was decorated with lavender flowers.

PRINCE Ace quickly moved past his older brother and came to pick up Nora, who was waiting for him with her hands up in the air. He lifted her up with ease and Nora let out a joyful laugh. "Bwother!"

"I knew he was too eager for this party. Now I know why." Ren mumbled.

"Can't believe that you're still surprised." I said.

"I can't take this scene. He's too.." Nate backed away as if he saw a ghost. "Happy! Are you guys even seeing this?"

"Nate, this is not our first time to see him like that. But yeah. It makes my head hurt. He's so out of character." I looked at Ace again. Twirling Nora around and....

...laughing.

"Oh my God! My eyes." I suddenly screamed. The image burned itself into my mind and the sound of his laugh becoming an endless echo. "Make it stop!"

"You guys are over reacting. It's not that weird." Ren said. His eyes avoiding the scenery in front of us. Nate and I shared at look of understanding and nodded at each other. Nate creeped up behind Ren, grabbed his arms and forced him to face the Feradin siblings.

"Keep him steady!" I ordered and moved to Ren's side. My hands moved to his face as I forced his eyes open.

Ren screamed. "Let me go!" He tried to shake Nate off, but the vampire was surprisingly strong.

"Burn it, mutt. Burn it into your brain!"

Ren screamed and continued to struggle. Meanwhile, Nate and I held our ground to make sure the image of a happy PRINCE Ace would seal itself into Ren's brain. If he has one that is.

"Leach, what are you doing to my brother?" There was a pause as the main character of the day arrived. Dan walked towards us holding Liliana's hand. Liliana was busy looking at the room decoration to notice us. Dan, however, had his eyes on us.

"You guys arranged a farewell party for us?"

Ace took a pause and gave him a look. "What do you-" A pause as if he just remembered something. "Oh yeah. I guess it's your party too."

"Too?" Dan had an unreadable look on his face for a second. Then he saw the older Feradin brothers and frowned. "Oh, what brings the two of you here?"

Eltur and Darem Feradin gave him a smug look. "Oh look. The soon to be obsolete prince."

"If I'm obsolete then what should I call the two of you, who didn't even make the cut to be a candidate?" Dan smirked in satisfaction when the two brothers gave him a glare.

"Well you are out of the game, but our baby brother isn't." Brandon argued.

"That argument doesn't even make any sense. And my twin is still in the game."

"Is he though?"

"See how close they are right now."

Eltur and Darem's gaze suddenly landed on the three of us. Eltur gasped and gave Nora a look. Nora smiled and wiggled her foot slightly to signal Ace to put her down. She gave Ace a sweet smile and grabbed his hand and made her way towards us.

"Wose!" She beamed and practically ran while dragging Ace, who was being cooperative towards his sister.

"Hey, Nora!" I let go of Ren to face Nora. She released Ace's hand and brought both her hands up towards me.

"Up! up!" She says. When I didn't respond, her facial expression fell.

A shiver suddenly went down my spine and I looked up to see Ace glaring daggers at me. Nora had her back to him so she couldn't see what her brother was doing. Ace pointed at his sister and made a gesture of an embrace, then he brought his thumb to his neck and made a slicing gesture. It was a sign that if I don't carry his sister and continue to upset her, then he will kill me.

I swallowed my nervousness and bent down to carry Nora. She squealed in delight and turned to face her brother, who now had a soft smile on his face. "I can see bwother better now." She smiled.

"Indeed." Ace reached out and patted her head affectionately.

Holy cow. Ace's smiling face is too close!

"Bwother Wen!" Nora smiled when she saw Ren.

Rem came to my other side and held one of Nora's hands that she reached out for him. His other hand patted her head. "Good to see you again, Nora."

Ace suddenly grabbed both of Ren's hands and removed them from Nora. "It's PRINCESS Nora to you." Ace said darkly to Ren when he saw that his baby sister was blushing at Ren's touch.

I forgot. Nora likes Ren.

"R-Right..." Ren said slowly and started backing away.

I heard Eltur and Darem laughing. I looked at them to distract me from Ace. I followed their gaze only to see Dan, who looked pissed. He grumbled something under his breath and gave Liliana a look. Liliana nodded in approval and gave him a thumbs up. "Go for it." She mouthed at him and gave his back a gentle push.

I gave Dan a skeptical look when he came over to me. A moment later and he had his hands up and beamed sweetly at me. "Up! up!" He said.

There was an awkward silence that soon followed. A moment later and it was Ace who broke the silence. He grabbed Dan by his collar and in a very menacing voice he said, "Are you mocking my sister?"

"Of course not! I was just trying to use my charms as a younger brother." Dan said and turned to his twin and gave him a pleading look. "Brother, help."

Ren was covering his face and looking at anywhere but him. "I do not know you. Please don't speak to me."

Ace released his hold on Dan and gave him one final glare before returning to my side. Dan pouted and went to Liliana for comfort.

A bad idea suddenly formed in my head and I grin mischievously. I looked at Nora. "Hey, Nora. Who is your favorite brother?" I said cheerfully, which caught the attention of the three Feradin brothers.

"Bwother Aish! He is cool and has pwetty powers." Nora said bluntly. It made me feel sorry for the two older Feradin brother, who were now sulking at the corner. Dan suddenly came and pointed a finger at them as he laughed at what losers they were.

"Now, who do you like more? Your brother Ace or Ren?" I grinned evilly as I watched the two characters that I mentioned. Ace, upon hearing him being compared to Ren, glared daggers at Ren. Ren simply covered his face as he gestured for me to stop.

I grinned wider when Nora seemed to take her time thinking. Actually, I was pretty scared at the moment because she really looked like she was considering Ren. If she does, then this party will also become a funeral for Ren.

"Bwother Aish. He is mowe good wooking and mowe stwong."

Ace seemed to glow in pride and smirked at Ren. 'I won'. His look says.

Ren simply gave me a sad look. "Thanks, Rose. Really made me swell up with confidence. There." He said sarcastically.

I gave him a sheepish smile. I did - kind of - expected Nora to pick Ace, but I did not expect her to actually compare them by their looks and even their strength. I mean...ouch.

This time, it was the Feradin brother's turn to laugh at Dan's solemn face.

I decided to break off the awkwardness that soon followed. "Okay!" I said cheerfully. "We should start the party with words of gratitude towards - "

"A fallen comrade?" Nate suggested.

"A good for nothing sibling?" Ren inserted.

"A dead mutt." said Ace.

"Hey!" Dan protested.

"A fallen - I mean - " I glared at Nate, who started all of it. He winked. "A departing friend." I finished.

"Dan, you're one of the craziest prince I have ever met. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all that you have done. You taught me so much-"

"It wasn't easy. But Ren did most of the work."

I bit my lips at Dan's sudden interruption. Hold on, Rose. Don't kill him.

"-I wouldn't be where I am without your help. You even risk your life to save me. And for that, all I could wish for is for your happiness. Do visit us again." I smiled.

Dan stood there looking at me with his hands in his pocket. It gave me a genuine smile and I could faintly see the sadness in them. "I will. Don't you worry. For your wedding that is." He teased and let out a laugh.

I laughed along with him and gave Nate a look. Nate nodded. "I know you are not fond of me, but I consider you a comrade. Even though you and your brother are annoying, I still respect you both as princes. "

"Nate." I whispered.

Nate shushed me. The others began to laugh except for the twins. "I am glad that you're finally taking another step in life. I hope you'll grow more as a person worthy of respect."

Oh my God. "Nate!" I whispered a little louder.

"What?" Nate whined, seemingly annoyed.

"That's Ren you're talking to."

Dan, Eltur and Darem doubled over laughing. Liliana covered her mouth as she laugh while Ace was busy watching Nora clapping and laughing.

"Aha ha." Nate sheepishly looked at Dan. "Same message. I hope you heard that."

"Got it. I respect you too. Just don't get in my brother's way." Dan grinned and gave him a thumbs up.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Nate grinned.

I looked at Ace hesitantly. Nora saw me and understood. She gave her brother a look. Ace sighed and faced Dan. "Bye." Was all he said.

"Yeah. Bye..." Dan said awkwardly.

When Ace saw me giving me a look, he raised an eyebrow. "What?"

I said nothing and gave Ren a 'go' signal. Ren rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "Daniel, I hope you'll do well on your own. We always knew that a day would come when we have to go to our separate lives. It's just too hard to imagine. I mean, we're always together. Look, we even became a king's candidate together." Both brothers gave each other sad smiles. "I just didn't think that we would have to separate so soon. Not like this..." Ren trailed off. "But I really am happy for you!" He turned to Liliana. "Take care of my brother, will you? He's kind of stupid."

Liliana laughed, but gave him a short nod. "Of course."

"Stupid? You didn't figure it out until you were eavesdropping you den-" Before Dan could finish, Lilian covered his mouth with her hand.

Ren and Nate went around and gave each of us a glass of juice. "To Daniel Rutledge. May be blessed with happiness on his new journey." Ren raised his glass and we all cheered and drank.

"See that? They're a loving sibling." Eltur came to Ace's side along with Darem.

"Go away. My only sibling is Nora." Ace said flatly.

"What? No fair." Darem pouted.

"Why can't you love us like you love Nora? WHY WON'T YOU LOVE ME!?"

"I'm hurt!" Eltur dramatically made a gesture that bumped Darem's glass of juice. The contents spilled on Darem's shirt.

"A f*ck!" He cursed.

"Fwak!"

We all gasped and looked at Nora, who was still in my arms. "Fwak!" She repeated. I must be hearing things. No way would Nora-

"Fwak." Oh shit, she did!

I suddenly heard a glass shattering. I looked up and saw that Ace had gripped his until it shattered.

"Nora, t-that is b-bad!" Eltur stuttered.

"Why?" Nora asked curiously. "I sometimes hear bwother Eltwur say fwukin bwits." Eltur screamed in horror at Nora's revelation. He gripped his silver hair and used it to hide his face. His white skin turned red as he glanced at Ace.

It was funny but I feel sorry for Eltur at the same time.

"Just what kind of language do you use in front of my sister?" There was venom in his voice. A menacing aura emanated from Ace that I stepped back just so I'll have Nate and Ren beside me.

"Eltur. Darem. Outside." Ace commanded as he carefully approached his older brothers.

"N-no thanks. It's comfy in here."

"N-Nora! Come here to your big b-brother please?" Darem desperately calls for Nora, who's currently the only who can save them now.

"But you said to stay with Wose."

"Change of plans! C-come hear our adorable angel."

"You dare command Nora!?" Ace demanded. "From now on you will not touch her, look at her or even speak to her. You simply nod!"

Dan seemed to enjoy this as he was laughing and clapping at the same time. "Serves you right! You cheaters." He cheered. What a goof. "You see that, Lily? We win!"

"Ace is scary." Nate commented.

"No sh-" Before Ren could finish what he was about to say, Nate and I covered his mouth with our hand.

The three of us nervously looked at Nora. Her eyes gleamed in curiosity at the unspoken word.

I saw Ace pause from harassing his siblings and turned in our direction. He looks ready to kill and slowly made his way to us.

Crap!

"What. Did. You. Say?" He asked slowly.

"No sheep!" I finished for Ren in a squeak. "We need sheep meat!" I laughed nervously.

Nora smiled at her brother, who now seemed to calm down. I let out a sigh of relief. "Scary siscon." I muttered under my breath. Temporarily forgetting that I was carrying Nora.

"Sishcon!" Said Nora. My hand quickly flew to her mouth. Can this child give me a break!?

"Nora, I wanna live!" I whispered to her and when I looked up, I was face to face with Ace, who now has a dark expression on his face. "Just what are you teaching my sister?" He said in a sinister voice.

I saw my familiar, Custard, hiding under the table. I willed him to come and help me.

'Sorry, Master.' He said and ran away. That coward!

I screamed and raised Nora up to his face and closed my eyes. I felt my arms getting lighter and I turned to see Ace taking Nora off of my arms. Ace glared at me, daring me to protest for taking his sister. I raised my hands in surrender to let him know that I have no arguments.

Nora taped a hand on Ace's cheek. "Bwother, why awe you scawing Wose?" She pouted. And just like magic, Ace's facial expression changed.

"I wasn't." He answered. "Are you hungry?"

"Yep."

And with that, Ace turned his back to us and went to get something to eat for both him and Nora. Nora peaked at us and waved happily.

"What an angel." I cried as I realized that Nora did it on purpose to save us.

Dan suddenly popped up between Ren and I. "So are you eating or what?" He grinned. I laughed at his carefree attitude and followed the twins to where the food was being served. The rest of the day was spent playing, talking, and arguing between Dan and the Feradin brothers.

"If we win, you will not be invited to the wedding!" Eltur said.

"If I win, you can't even enter Sanver at all." Countered Dan.

"Your brother hasn't even made any progress!"

"Your brother wants to murder she who must not be named right now!"

And the bickering continued. Lily came to my side and smiled. "I haven't talked to you that much, but I do believe that we will get along in the future. Sorry if I called Ren my fiancé. I swear it was all an act." She told me.

"No worries." I told her.

"I didn't hurt you by doing that, right? If you'll hate me for it then I can understand." She said sadly. Dan and Ren seemed interested in our conversation all of a sudden.

"Nope." I said.

"You're not offended?" Lilian seemed surprised.

"Why should I be hurt in the first place? You didn't hit me." I said. Dan put his hands in his pocket, took a deep breath and forced his twin into a hug.

"There there, brother. It's alright."

Soon it was getting dark and Dan and Lily will have to leave soon. But before they left, Dan kept giving me a glance. "The weather sure seems dense around here!" He kept saying, every time our eyes met.

"Yeah yeah. Please go. Now. While the weather seems nice." I said through gritted teeth. Dan laughed heartily.

"Rose." He said softly. "Why brother might feel lonely from time to time. Please do watch over him in my absence." He said sadly, all hint of teasing gone.

"I'll help of course." Nate suddenly appeared and placed an arm over my shoulder.

"Hands off!" Ren pinched Nate's hand off of me. "I won't be lonely for a while since we have our link. Do keep me updated." He told his brother.

"Goodbye already." Ace said boredly while still carrying his baby sister.

"Aw, Ace don't be like that." Dan feigned hurt. "I thought we're comrades now."

"It's PRINCE Ace." He said.

Dan chuckled lightly. "Well, I guess we're off now. We want to reach Sanver before it gets really dark. Be sure to keep me posted with letters!" We all exchanged hugs, even Ace, who couldn't do anything with Nora watching. Soon, their carriage was nowhere to be seen.

"Brother, we came here to deliver this to you." I looked back and saw Eltur handing Ace a couple of books. "I guess we should get going too."

"No." Said Ace. "It's getting late."

Darem let out a gasped. "Brother, you do care!"

"I care about Nora's safety. It is not safe to travel at night. I only care about you two as her escort. Your job is to make sure that Nora gets home safe." He snapped.

I chuckled. Ace really cares about his sister. I saw Nate looking at them with jealousy. "Must be nice to have that kind of relationship with your sibling." He said.

"Aren't you close with your brother?"

"Yeah. Sort of, but not like theirs. Or like Ren and Dan's."

Speaking of Ren, Nate and I turned back to see that Ren was quiet. He gaze was still fixed to where his brother's carriage disappeared. "I bet he misses him already."

I walked towards Ren and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Ren?" I moved to look at his face and was surprised to see that he was crying. I saw Nate moving towards us and I gestured for him to stop. I figured that Ren wouldn't want anyone to see him in that state right now.

Nate and I have gotten quite close that even with a single nod, he understood what I was asking him to do. He moved to the Feradin siblings and ushered them inside, leaving Ren and I.

"I...I'm sorry. It just won't stop." He said in between tears.

"It's alright." I said and gently comforted him into a hug.

"I couldn't...even tell him half the t-things I wanted to say. I couldn't give back to everything...that he has done for me." He wailed. "I wasn't even the one who...prepared the party!"

"No one is perfect, Ren. No one is perfect." I told him and continued to pat his back. He was shaking and I figured that if Ren was crying, then maybe so was Dan.

***MEANWHILE***

"Bring me back! I wanna go back." Dan was yelling and crying inside the carriage.

"Dan, the carriage is still moving. Calm down!"

"I want my brother!" He whined and was starting to throw a fit.

Dan seemed fine a while ago, and when the carriage started moving, he started to act like this. Liliana sighed. "I wanna! I want my brotheeeeer!" Dan was kicking the air right now.

Liliana thought about throwing him off of the carriage just to shut him up. She groaned and wondered if Princess Rose was dealing with the same problem as her.

Of all the Beast men in the world, her mate had to be bipolar.

"I'm going to break this engagement off soon. I can't stand this." She unconsciously said out loud while rubbing her head.

Dan suddenly stopped crying and looked at his mate. "Lily, are you alright? You seem sick." Then Dan grabbed her hand. "I'll make you the happiest woman in the world!" Liliana caught her breath as she stopped herself from punching the prince in front of her. That, or grabbing his head and smashing it at the glass.

'Princess Rose, I hope you are doing fine on your side.' She thought.