Augustine's life had always been mapped out before him. Augustine's life was dictated by the laws of Velyria. As the second-born prince, his destiny was set the moment he was born—he was to fight, and likely die, for the kingdom. His elder sister, Theodosia, was groomed to inherit the throne, and his younger sister, Elizabeth, was destined for scholarship. Augustine's role was clear, and no amount of training or effort could change it.
Love was something Augustine never received. His parents lavished attention on his sisters, but for Augustine, there was only cold indifference. He could perform perfectly in training, but he was never praised. The distance from his parents shaped his understanding of relationships—he believed that affection was something unattainable for him, no matter how much he craved it.
Augustine loved causing mischief, not out of rebellion, but to see if it might finally earn him some attention. In those fleeting moments, he might be noticed. But his antics always ended in more punishment than affection.
The only person who ever truly challenged him was Merritt. Despite Merritt's status as an outcast, Augustine had to admit that the orphan had earned his respect. Still, respect was not the same as love, and love remained elusive.
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