The soldier was close to the exit of the kingdom — one more sharp turn and he was out, but as the soldier made his last turn, Cane was making the same turn also but into the kingdom, on his way toward his father’s throne room. The soldier tried to lower his head and act as if he didn’t see the prince, and for a brief moment, it looked like he was about to get away undetected — until, just as the soldier was in the clear, Cane’s hand shot out without a glance, grabbing hold of the soldier’s arm and stopping him in his tracks.

  Cane was void of emotion. Blood was stained all over his face and clothes, but he didn’t care — he saw it as battle paint.

  “Soldier, I see you went to see my father. Did you tell him of my exploits today?”

  The soldier’s head rose, eyes remaining forward as he spoke. “Yes, sire. The king knows all about your exploits in the training room today.”

  “And how did my father receive those exploits?” Cane asked with an arrogant smile plastered on his face.

  “Your father received your exploits quite well, sire, he—”

  Before the soldier could finish his sentence, Cane interjected. “That will be all, soldier. The training room isn’t going to clean itself.”

  “Yes, sire.”

  Cane let go of the soldier’s arm and resumed his walk to his father’s throne room — calm, composed, and with a new pep in his step.

  His journey to the throne room was met with wondering eyes and quiet disbelief. Some onlookers watched in horror; others whispered questions they knew they’d never dare to ask.

  They stare as if they’ve never seen bloodshed, Cane thought. This planet has had its fair share of blood spilt. Now it’s my turn — I cannot be denied any longer. It’s my time, Father. Together, we will put the galaxy in a never-ending chokehold and bleed it dry of what it owes us.

  As Cane got closer to his father’s throne room, he noticed his brother surrounded by the helpers — the adored Ezra. He gave them the time of day no one else in the kingdom gave to them. They were dismissed by others as workers and nothing more, yet Ezra heard them out, listened to their worries, and offered them empathy and warmth. But that made Cane sick to his stomach.

  He makes us look weak, Cane snarled to himself as he looked on in pure disgust. Look at him — playing entertainer to people beneath him, treating them as if they’re equals. His teeth ground together, his jaw clenched, and his fingers curled in and out of fists as he tried to control his rage toward his brother. But when a slender old woman wrapped her arms around Ezra hugging him tightly, he lost it. He couldn’t control himself any longer.

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  “Ezra!” he screamed at the top of his lungs, immediately garnering the attention of his brother and everyone around him. As the people noticed him approaching, their smiles faded. Heads dropped, and the pace of their steps quickened as they rushed back to their duties.

  “What, Cane?”

  “You disgust me, brother — mingling, laughing, and joking with people beneath you. Do you not have any shame? You do not act as a prince should!”

  Ezra’s tone remained calm. This had become routine for him, and he wasn’t about to let his brother get in his head.

  “Cane, no matter how hard you try, you will never be Father. The people will never see you as him. And I know you, brother — no matter how hard you pretend to be heartless, I know one still beats in that chest of yours,” Ezra said as he patted his brother’s chest.

  “And whose path should I follow, brother? Ah, I know whose path you’d have me follow — the woman who left us and never looked back, over the man who stuck by us and gave us the galaxy. You see, dear brother, I’m not naive like you. I chase what everyone secretly chases: power. And brother — if they say they’re not, they’re lying. They’re just not in the position to do so.”

  Ezra began to shake his head. “Father has truly brainwashed you.” He laughed softly before continuing. “There’s more to life than power, brother. I hope one day you see that. You speak of Mother as if you know both sides of the story to pass your judgment, but you only know one. Your picture can never be complete.”

  “Then let’s hear it — let her speak!” Cane shouted before putting his hand over his mouth and glancing left and right sarcastically. “Oh wait — she can’t, can she? Because she ran and abandoned us. The innocent don’t run, brother. They stay, they fight, they clear their name. But I’ll entertain you today. Let’s say she was innocent and you’re right — you stay and fight. You show your children that when the going gets tough, you don’t run, you fight. There’s no way you can cut it, brother — her own children weren’t enough. Simple. The sooner you accept it, the better.”

  “But brother—”

  “But nothing, Ezra.”

  Cane stormed past his brother, but as he did, Ezra grabbed hold of his bicep, pulling him back toward him.

  “Do not put your hands on me, Ezra — unless you’re ready to fight.”

  Ezra immediately let go of his brother’s arm.

  “That’s what I thought. Still a coward — and you’ll always be one. You want to save these people, be their hero? Then one day, you’ll have to raise arms — not only against your enemies… but against your family too. So ponder my words, because if you continue down this beaten path you tread, you’ll have a choice to make. A side to choose. Choose wisely, brother… choose wisely.”

  Cane stared his brother down for a moment, the look of disgust still burning in his eyes. As he stood there, he made sure his words landed like a dagger to the heart, twisting deeper with every word before brushing past him, crashing his shoulder across his chest as he made his way toward his father.