Chapter One

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Something to take note of as a reader: each chapter will be written in the perspective of either Killian or Emma. Check the name written in bold and italics at the top to know which. For example, this first chapter belongs to...

Killian Jones

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"Brother?"

"Yes, Killian?"

I push the door to his study open a crack. "We need to talk. Are you busy?"

"Never too busy for you, brother," Liam says, closing a book and putting it aside. He grits his teeth a bit and pushes himself up from his chair.

"No, Liam, please," I say, coming over to take his arm and ease him back into the chair. "Relax, no need to trouble yourself."

"And no need for you to worry about me, little brother," he says with that familiar look of determination in his eye as he pushes himself up again. If anyone else saw him, they would never know he was dying. But I know the truth.

"I think you mean younger brother," I say with a small smirk, which he returns. He leans against his desk a bit, his eyes still so full of life despite the pain he is in.

"Alright then, younger brother. What is it you'd like to talk to me about?"

"This," I say, helplessly gesturing at him, his whole body. Wherever it is that this damned disease has decided to take root. The doctors don't tell me much, which in my opinion means they don't know much.

All we know for sure is that it is incurable. Which means that I have to prepare to take over the throne soon, and I don't know if I'll ever really be ready for that.

"Yes," he says, sighing heavily and finally letting a bit of his guard down. "I know, Killian. And I'm sorry. I know all of this has been incredibly hard for you..."

"...and even harder for you," I interrupt him. I'm probably the only one allowed to cut him off mid sentence like that. He may be the king, but he has always continued to treat me like a brother, and I love him for that.

I love him for a lot of things, and it kills me to see him like this. Dying, and powerless to stop it.

"Look, Liam, I don't want to argue with you again. I know how proud you are, and I know you love your kingdom too much to just lay down in bed and let someone else make the decisions around here," I sigh and run a hand through my thick black hair. "But, brother, I think that is exactly what you should be doing. Let me handle some things around here while you get some rest. It would put me at ease, at the very least. The harder you work..." The quicker you die. But I couldn't say the words. They would hurt both of us too much.

"Brother," he says as he walks to me and lays a hand on either side of my face, looking me in the eye, "you know I'm only trying to make our father proud. He would have wanted me to fight for this beautiful kingdom with every ounce of strength I have left. And with those bloody pirates constantly interrupting our trades, I never have a moment to lay down and rest. Surely you understand."

I do understand, in a way. He has responsibilities as a king. But he also has responsibilities as a brother.

"Liam, I..."

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