He returned his gaze to Alder, who at that moment, was speaking to a small child that had come to him. He wasn’t sure what it was that brought the child over to his brother, but the boy was obviously distressed. Alder was kneeling before him and comforting him, like he always did. The child was crying, but even as he watched, he could see the kitten’s sadness receding as his brother spoke to him. He was smiling and touched the boy’s head, gently. He said something to him, which made the boy smile, as well, then stood up and extended his hand to the kitten and almost cheerfully, the little one placed his hand in his brother’s and they started off in the direction of the hospital.

It was like magic, his brother’s compassion and ability to touch the hearts of anyone, young or old. He had such a way about him. His smile…his smile that Arjuna only then realized, was a mask that he wore to give comfort to others, while hiding his own feelings behind it, as though his feelings were less important. Though it was a mask, it was also honest, it was the first prince’s true desire to help others that allowed him to wear such a perfect disguise and it was that knowing that upset Arjuna as greatly as it did.

Alder never cried, at least not in front of him or Palm. Did he cry at all? Even amidst this great tragedy, he did not show a modicum of his own feelings, he cared only for the peace of others. When did his brother take time to feel his own feelings? Did he allow himself to feel them at all, or did he extinguish his emotions, banishing them from his being, so that he could be the light and the hope of their kingdom? Was he forcing himself to feel nothing more?

His brother had made it to the hospital with the boy, as Arjuna pondered his worries. His compassionate older brother. His brother who encouraged others and allowed himself to feel only the positive in every situation. …except…that wasn’t right. There WAS one person of which he did display negative emotions toward. In fact, he was the only one that Alder directed something other than pleasantness and warmth. On the contrary, his feelings toward that person were not jovial, in the slightest. They were resentful and cold and unhidden to anyone that knew the First Prince well enough to see it. He only concealed repulsion for that person when there was a visitor to the palace. Then, he would don his mask of jovialness and offer nothing but pleasantries to their guests, which was something that was not artificial. He genuinely desires to greet every person with kindness and it is his honest desire to make others happy, when they would otherwise be sorrowful, or upset. …it bothers him to see others suffering.

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