As she sat waiting in one of the castle's libraries, Lanna knew, no matter what, she wouldn't live through the day. Neither would most of her brothers. Not that she minded too terribly much. They all knew this day had to come and most were so much older than she that no lasting affection had ever subsisted between them. As the youngest she was occasionally humored, but the decades between their births was a barrier towards forming any true relationship. By the time she was old enough to hold a conversation, they were knights, off protecting the kingdom and trying to prove themselves to their father. Her brothers only concern was the desperate fight to be the most worthy in the council's eyes.
Indeed, to them she was a political inconvenience, unmarried as she was. Her brothers weren't stupid. They all knew enemies of the crown could grab power by killing them and marrying her. They viewed her as a potential weapon, nothing more. Really, the only one who would ever think of saving her was her brother Bennis.
She looked at him sadly. He had a vacant smile on his face as he sat in the window seat. People said he was a simpleton, demonstrated by his inability to participate in all but the most basic conversations. Even his emotions were unfathomable to most people. They never seemed to fit the situation. He displayed confusion upon seeing new places, rather than curiosity; at parties he became angry at the noise and would throw things until it was quiet once more. She envied him today. He couldn't understand what was happening and so he smiled. She wanted to walk over and hold his hand, or have him comfort her in his arms as an older brother should, but he hated to be touched. So instead she sat on top of a reading table, her legs swinging back and forth as she tried to work off her growing nerves, waiting for the library door to open. Bennis turned his head to look at her.
"What are we doing?" he asked in his childlike manner.
"We're waiting, Bennis," Lanna answered.
"For what?" he asked.
"For someone to come see us," she replied, forcing a tight smile, "everything is fine, don't worry." After that they once again waited in silence, Lanna staring at the library door, Bennis out the window.
Then she saw the knob begin to turn and she found herself holding her breath, waiting to see which brother was on the other side of the door. Who had the council chosen to be the next king? When Casius appeared she jumped off the table, a frown line creasing her forehead.
Casius was the second oldest, both ambitious and conniving.
"Prince Bennis, Princess Kyrlanna," Casius said with a mock bow to each, "you are my last goodbyes."
Lanna nodded, her mouth set in a grim line. It was his way of telling her that the rest of her brothers were already dead. All six of them gone, each killed by Casius. It was how it had to be, according to the laws of their kingdom, how they prevented civil war and ensured a smooth succession. Only one potential ruler could exist, one strong enough to quell any threats to his throne. But traditions and laws didn't ease her mind when she pictured each handsome brother dead and bloody on the floor. Not only that, but Casius was her least favorite brother. It was horrible to know each one was gone while he remained. There was almost a 20 year difference in their ages, Casius being born to the King's first wife and Lanna to his third. He had never paid any attention to her as a child except to brush her out of the way. As she grew older she had garnered more of his attention, more of his looks, but there was no brotherly affection in his glances. He couldn't help but notice her long dark hair, pale skin, and even features. She knew people said she was beautiful as a princess should be, but it meant very little to her except as a reason for unwanted attention. Casius was her half brother, but his occasional touch had always been anything but brotherly.
"Dear Kyrlanna," Cassius declared in his condescending way, "I will be truly sorry to see you go." He shook his head, his face conveying a pretend sadness.
Lanna tried to swallow, her throat unable to work. It took her a moment before she could ask, "then you will not spare me, Casius?"
"My poor sister, I would if I could," he replied, "but the risk to myself is too great. My throne would remain insecure so long as you lived."
Lanna managed a stony-faced nod of acquiescence. She knew it was true, unmarried as she was. Any one of her other brothers would tell her the same thing, though they would probably look more ashamed.
Not Casius however. He looked almost gleeful, while Lanna herself was numb. It was one thing to distantly know you were going to die, quite another to have the moment drawing nigh. How was she supposed to feel? Her options were either stoic or hysterical, and she had always been contemptuous of hysterics.
