It is just a shock. You go from one day, everything being OK to your life being upside down.
- Amber Margarejo 

When things go uphill, they come downhill as well.

One final disagreement between two siblings. And everything changed.

It was a very normal day. Beginning like all others: Alexandra had been at the Council. Fannel had been visiting form Akwanda, he had a belt of gray hair at his fringe, and the rest was the usual brown.

Alexandra had still been going on about how they had to invite more women into the Council when a small letter had been dropped on her head by a misbehaved pigeon.

'Ouch!' She had exclaimed, its sharp tip hitting her on the head. Fannel had simply laughed and picked it up. He had torn it open and handed it to Alexandra.

Liam's usual loopy and beautiful writing had gone hurried. It was peculiar that there was a note from him, when he should have been in that dreaded meeting with Vedessan economists.

Start right away. Trouble with Nick and Lia- it's worse than ever.

Just two sentences. But they'd been enough to fill Alexandra with apprehension. Nowadays, for the past few months, they often heard Nicholas and Ophelia shouting on top of their voices- arguing. The usual topic: I'm better.

But both had their respective approaches to it. Nicholas downright saying, "I am better." While Ophelia maintaining it wasn't so and that "you can't draw a comparison between yourself and me, Brother. We're very different."

Some amount of competition and jealousy was acceptable. But this was turning out dirtier. Nicholas, at a particular time when Alexandra had tried to sort things out had accused her of, "you favour Ophelia just because she looks like Father." Despite the well of things Alexandra had seen, she had then realized that nothing could hurt as much as your own child accusing you of partiality.

It was more deep-seated than that. Those training institutes were hell- they were supposed to teach children to live away from family. Live a soldier's life. But it ended up making them jealous of sisters, or of other brothers, who had lived the entire time with their parents.

Ronald complained of headaches from the constant bickering. He told Alexandra the level of things being exchanged. Things like, "you must be picked from a trashcan!" By Ophelia, in the heat of the skirmish, something she had apologized for, profusely. And then, "you are just a guest here, Ophelia! You'll be married and gone in another five years!" By Nicholas, something he too had said in the heat of the moment, but hadn't particularly apologized for, being elder.

Nicholas was not turning out the type of person Alexandra would have liked him to. While he was certainly skilled, smart and laid-back, with a good level of optimism, he somewhere had unusual notions. Notions neither Alexandra or Liam had passed down to him. At the top of the list being his belief that Ophelia was just foreign wealth: that very soon, she had to be off and married. So, her say didn't matter as much as his or Ronald's. There were other things: he felt he was better than Ophelia, a general older-sibling idea that wasn't challenged by anybody. Not even Lia herself.

Somewhere, deep down, there was a hint of greediness too, in Nick. For the throne? Alexandra didn't know why that should be so, but Liam had confessed he suspected it. He had confessed he was scared Nicholas had inherited his "hunger for power" trait. The reason they hadn't announced him the Heir yet, while usually, as soon as the first son was born, he was titled the Crown Prince. Judgemental went without saying. But more than that, once Nicholas had formed his beliefs, he would not budge from the idea.

And after all of that, if anybody told one word to Nicholas he didn't appreciate, he would say a hundred worse in retaliation. At first they had seemed to be his immaturity. But with passing times, things had not improved. While the doting parents stoutly disagreed, the King and Queen of Vedessa had to accept Nicholas was not helping matters. And Ophelia, though she was proving a hundred times better, expected maturity from her elder brother. When she didn't find it in him, Alexandra had noticed, Ophelia turned bitter.

Of course the fault was not entirely Nicholas'. Whatever else the case might be, nobody could clap with a single hand. Ophelia was included in the fights. She had her share of the fault. But when compared to Nick's, it fell a bit too short.

In fact, the only thing left being done was the two launching into a duel. Something Alexandra positively feared. Whatever the result was, duels were NOT her favorite things. It was a valid fear on her part that they could kill each other. Harm and maim, at the very least.

She had hoped that wasn't the case right then. Alexandra had sincerely hoped both of them were alright. She had got up immediately, 'I need to leave, Mark. Right away.'

He had frowned. No matter how much time passed, Alexandra felt worried herself, if something made Mark frown. 'Everything alright? You seem worried...' He had ventured.

'Nick and Ophelia. I think it's big this time - I'll write to you.' She had briskly explained, closing in for a hug. Fannel kissed her on the forehead.

'Take care of yourself. You aren't all that young now, Fiery. Mary sends lots of hugs and complaints about you not visiting - but by all means, go fast! Before those two reduce the Palace to cinders.'

Alexandra had given a weak laugh. Then she had positively run across the length of the Council.

* * *

Liam was the closest to angry he had ever been.

The last thing that had been left? The duel? Those two had crossed that line. That was as much as Amelia, a Nurse who was particularly friendly and kept afloat with all the Palace gossips, would tell her; after directing Alexandra to the infirmary.

When Alexandra arrived, in the infirmary, it was only occupied by the Nurse, Ronald, Nicholas, Ophelia and Liam. Nicholas stood in a corner, his arms folded and a shadow on his face, such that Alexandra couldn't read his expression.

Ophelia... Alexandra realized with a jolt and wrench of heart, that Lia was the infirm here. Her left arm was bent at an odd, painful angle, and the Nurse was pressing it had different ends, asking where it ached the most. A wincing Ophelia was whispering the details, her face beaded with sweat and her dark hair pushed behind in a loose ponytail. Her sleeve was pushed up and her back slightly trembled from the effort of holding up the hand for so long.

Liam was talking to Ronald, who was still quite short in comparison to his father and was recounting how whatever happened, had happened.

'...it went too far, this time, Father.' He shook his head, shooting Nicholas a burning look. Ronald was, and would always be, the baby of the family. He loved acting kiddish and playing foolish, a gentle, cheerful and jovial person who could simply make anybody smile. For all the pampering he had received, Ronald had turned out pretty well: polite and optimistic. He had a knack for finding the good in every situation. But for this once, he didn't seem to be able to find any "good".

'Be clearer, Ronald.' Liam urged, sounding vexed and stealing worried glances at Ophelia. He then saw Alexandra - giving her the look which plainly said, no more peace for us.

'It started with the usual banter of which one's better - except, this time, it was a different story altogether. Brother is feeling insecure. He suspects you have plans to somehow pass the throne to Sister... or more specifically - to Sister's... non-existent husband.'

Uncomfortable silence. Alexandra pushed her hair back, disgusted. If it was possible to be disgusted with one's own son. Nicholas stepped forward, the shadow lifting from his face. He wore a mask of slipperiness, one that made Alexandra fear she didn't know her own son at all.

'I did not exactly say tha-' He began.

'When I have asked you to keep quiet, Nicholas, you better keep qui-et.' Liam interrupted, his voice dangerously low. Nicholas was a lot of things, but he was certainly not foolish. He knew well enough to not risk pushing his father further. With a slightly seething expression, he exhaled and nodded once, walking back.

Alexandra had had enough of the Nurse torturing her daughter. She walked forward, ignoring the men, and bent over Ophelia. 'Excuse me,' she muttered to the Nurse, who respectfully walked back. Alexandra held the arm gently, 'Be still, Lia.' She felt around the elbow and the biceps- her spy skills included speedy detection of the seriousness of injuries. For a whole minute, nobody spoke.

Alexandra straightened up, relieved. 'No risk of amputation. Should heal in a month. And,' she shot Ophelia and Nicholas the angriest looks she could conjure, 'you both better stay away from each other.'

'Ronald, go on.' Liam nodded to his son, after another minute of silence.

'As I said, nowadays it has moved on to these topics, Father - he thinks you will give half the kingdom as Sister's dowry. Greed has blinded him,' Ronald stopped for another angry stare at Nicholas, who didn't speak up this time, but looked as though he'd like to give Ronald a few slaps down the face. Ronald, meanwhile, very well knew that this was the moment to speak - with his father standing in between the two, there was no chance that Nicholas could lay a finger on him. Undoubtedly though, he was signing up for a small thrashing - with all the boldness.

 'And he knows that is the only thing which angers Sister. He knows she hates being called the "foreign wealth", hates when he talks about non-working women being downright useless. But brother continued with his uninvited opinions. Brother feels the women who don't work, are useless: that they demand respect in return for nothing. Today, he talked of the "dowry matter". And sister was trying her best to avoid him, until he went ahead, to mention in detail, how princesses had to be given hefty dowries. How without dowries, they wouldn't have any respect in their real homes. Sister clarified her "real" home was and would be Idgard. A lot more provocations, I have no idea what. When I arrived... it was Sister with her dagger drawn and Brother with a pleased smile. He incited her, "go on, show me if you even know to use that or if your skills are just another rumor spread by Mother." But at least one of them held their values. Sister threw the dagger away, and at the same time - Brother, who looked the angriest I've ever seen him, held her other arm and twisted it around. So savagely as though he wanted to wrench it out. I am very sure Sister could retaliate, but she did not- and here we are!' Ronald finished. That was enough to say that their narrator himself was little in favor of Ophelia.

More silence. Liam looked at Ophelia, then at Nicholas, then at Alexandra and finally looked down. Alexandra herself knew very well that these were not her or Liam's influence. Nicholas was under some other influence too: a very harmful and malevolent one. But of course, he wouldn't tell them anything.

She hadn't ever felt so helpless.

Her son, was now nothing more than a stranger to her. Somebody who was one day not even big as her arm, whom she had someday taught to pronounce mother and father. Now, instead of being the tree under whose shade she and Liam could relax in their old age, Nicholas was becoming a vindictive vine; who would try his best to choke even the last remnants of peace from them.

But they weren't as helpless yet. If the throne, was what he wanted, he would have to be worthy for it. For now, he certainly was not. And Alexandra was pretty sure Liam was in no hurry to join Master George and Mother Diana. Neither was she. He nodded to Ronald, gave one last, expressionless look to Ophelia and turned to walk out of the infirmary, briefly stopping next to Nicholas and whispering a low, 'Meet me in the Focus. Right away.'

Alexandra knew something big was coming - the hard thud thud thud of her heart predicted it. After Liam was gone, Nicholas gave an utterly burning look to Ronald. A look that was returned with equal ferocity from youngest sibling. Nicholas took a menacing step forward.

'Stop.' Alexandra commanded, and Nicholas did, for once. He turned to look at her, a real, pitiful stare.

'For how long will you remain overshadowed by Father, Mother?' He almost groaned. Like he really sympathized with her. Alexandra stared at him for a second. She raised her eyebrows at her foolish son. Maybe someday he would learn. Understand. And she only hoped it wasn't too late then.

'If you ever fall in love, Nicholas,' she shook her head slightly and replied, 'then remember this statement you made. And hopefully, you will regret.' Alexandra knew it was too small a thing to add such morose statements to. But she also knew these small things reflected what the bigger opinions were. Alexandra then smiled, humorlessly. 'Go on, son. Making your father wait, is never a good idea.'

* * *

After so many long years, Alexandra finally decided she had to spy.

Normally, spying on her husband and son, was the last thing she would have done. But currently, it excited her in a strange way. She had to know what Liam had to say to Nicholas. And while she could certainly ask him to recount it to her later on, it wouldn't be as word to word and accurate as watching the entire thing would be.

After Nicholas had left, Ronald had given her a warm hug. Alexandra knew this only too well. When the older ones acted kiddish and immature, the younger ones grew up too fast. Maybe that was the case with Ronald. 'I don't think Brother meant it.' He assured, 'Nowadays, he talks nonsense. Don't take his word for it, Mother. I think you are Father's light. And without his light, Father won't have any shadow at all.'

Alexandra had patted him on the back and smiled widely. 'You are getting frighteningly wise, son.'

'He is an old soul, Mother.' Ophelia had enlightened, from behind, with a small grin. The nurse was putting her arm in a cast, to secure it. Alexandra had walked over to her.

'How do you feel, Lia?' She had asked, kneeling down next to her.

'Rubbery.' Ophelia confessed, winking and then wincing slightly. 'I so hope Brother Nick falls into trouble.' She added.

Alexandra had stroked her head. When did the kids grow up so much?

'You really want him to?' She had then asked, really low.

'I, for one, do.' Ronald had announced. 'He seems to have lost a few marbles. Father is the only one who can set him right. He can set anyone right.'

Alexandra had nodded silently. Ever since Nicholas had returned from the training, he had been distant and brooding. Over time, he had developed worse qualities. Liam had said that people learned of their strengths and weaknesses there, but Nicholas seemed to have gained something more. Some useless notions, a huge pride, and, Alexandra had no idea why, but a relentless resentment of Ophelia.

That was when she had decided she had to listen to this Father-Son conversation. Getting up wordlessly, Alexandra had given a pat to Ronald on the shoulder, a kiss on the head to Ophelia and walked out of the Infirmary.