Thrill of the waves
Ashten never seems to stop talking. His words flow endlessly, animated and full of life, as he recounts his latest journey at sea. Normally, Vivienne might find his chatter overwhelming, but today, she listens intently, captivated by the thrill in his voice. He speaks of towering waves crashing against the hull, of tempests that turned the sky black, and of the exhilarating freedom that comes with sailing into the unknown. She can almost see it—feel it—the salty breeze in her hair, the deck shifting beneath her feet. Sometimes, she imagines herself alongside him, standing at the bow, watching the horizon stretch infinitely before her. Other times, she dreams of taking command herself, steering the ship toward uncharted lands. But truthfully, just being there, just seeing the sea for herself, would be enough.
Ashten finally pauses, his storytelling coming to an end. Without missing a beat, he smirks and asks, "So, did you choose a suitor yet?"
Vivienne groans in frustration, rolling her eyes. Around her brother, she doesn't have to pretend to be the perfect princess, all smiles and graceful nods. With him, she can be herself.
"No," she huffs. "But Father is urging me to. I don’t understand why it’s suddenly so important. Why now? Why do I have to choose a man to spend the rest of my life with when I barely know what I want? Why can’t I wait until I’m older? Or better yet—not choose at all?" The bitterness in her tone is impossible to miss.
Ashten chuckles, though he knows she isn’t joking. Vivienne has always hated the expectations placed upon her. She’s simply learned to hide it better over the years.
"Don’t worry too much, Viv. You’ll find the right one sooner or later," he says with an easy grin. His gaze flickers past her, suddenly reminded of the two guards trailing behind them. They’ve been so quiet he nearly forgot they were there. Perhaps that’s part of their job—blending into the background.
By the time they reach the castle, their father, King Alaric, is already waiting for them at the entrance. His expression softens into a welcoming smile as he dismisses the guards with a flick of his wrist.
"How was your journey, son?" Alaric asks, leading them inside.
Ashten eagerly launches into his tale once more, recounting his adventures with the same enthusiasm as before. Vivienne lingers a few steps behind, her presence almost forgotten. This is always how it goes—whenever Ashten and their father talk, she fades into the background. Discussions of trade, war, and politics are matters she "shouldn’t be concerned about."
But then, Ashten says something that makes her snap back to attention.
"You know, Father, why don’t we look for suitors overseas? Valoria, maybe. Strengthening our ties with another kingdom could make us even more powerful."
Vivienne’s heart skips. Valoria. A kingdom nearly a month’s sail away. If her father agreed, that would mean she would have to travel by ship—experience the sea firsthand, just as she’s always dreamed.
King Alaric falls silent for a few moments, clearly considering the idea. Then, he sighs. "Are you sure, Ashten? The sea is unpredictable. What if something happens to your sister?"
Vivienne scoffs under her breath. As always, her father sees her as something delicate, something easily broken.
"But…" Alaric continues, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I suppose it’s not the worst idea. Rest for a few days first. Perhaps I’ll send you both to Valoria next week."
Vivienne’s irritation melts into excitement. She glances at Ashten, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She’s actually going to do it. She’s going to set sail—going to see the vast, open ocean she’s dreamed of for so long. And for once, she won’t just be imagining herself on a ship. She’ll be there, alongside her brother, heading toward adventure.