How would it be if Maven was the eldest brother? I'm really curious 🤔. Imagine him being crown prince but people would probably like Cal more because of his strategic mind and charismatic personality. The thing that I'm wondering is, how would Maven's personality be? How would that affect his relationship with his parents?
Jon: *moves chair 2 inches to the left*
Good question, I will now dump my mind vomit on you but in a sorta sorted kind of way.
First of all, how would Maven be the older Calore and Cal being the younger Calore play out?
In this timeline, Tiberias VI married Elara after she was selected in the Queenstrial.
Their marriage is very formal and loveless, but they don't resent each other (yet.) A year later, Maven was born. He was described as, "A small, pale child with striking blue eyes and a small tuft of dark curls sprouting at the top of his head. His face scrutched up in anger, sqealing at the hands of the midwife. The little prince only silencing once the Queen held him against her breast. "
The birth of his son brought Tiberias VI with satisfaction and relief. In addition, he could finally be with the woman he longed desired, which was Coriane of House Jacos.
It was a surprise to most of the people in court of the King's choice of consort. As Coriane was a simple beauty from a small house.
Elara did not appear upset with his choice of lover as they already have a son and heir. Seeing her as a toy for her husband to use and be bored of soon.
Coriane and Elara were rarely seen attending the same event or speaking to each other casually. Which was enough proof that neither women were fond of each other.
In less than two years, Tiberias VI and Coriane's love bloomed into a baby boy, named Cal Jacos. "Cal was a large, fat baby with cheeks as plump as apples, eyes as bright as embers and a laughter that echoed warmly through his mother's heart. The jolly child was filled with energy, his hands reaching for his father's fingers, a pround smile spread across his face."
Maven and Cal's Childhood
Crown Prince, Maven Merandus Calore, was four years old when he first meet his half-brother, Cal Jacos, who was only two years old at that time.
It was an amusing site, seeing the younger Calore follow his older brother. His chubby hands outstretched, excitedly waiting for a hug.
The young prince, awkwardly held his baby brother's hand, lightly shaking it in greeting. The awkward gesture made the young Calore chuckle in glee, wrapping his short, chubby arms around his older brother.
In response, Maven patted his head, not knowing what else to do.
Maven and Cal's childhood dynamic is something you would compare to a Leader and Follower relationship. Maven likes talking and telling people what to do and Cal was an obedient child,so he does what his older brother say, cause it makes him happy and it makes Cal happy.
Maven plans a prank on one of his teachers, he then uses Cal to do the dirty work. Since Maven was the crown prince and Cal was an adorable toddler, they only got a light tap on their wrists or no reprecussion at all.
Their relationship was not perfect but they were content.
The First Crack
As time passes, each boy started to develop their own interest. Maven under the guidance of his mother, has shown great understanding in court politics and is an eloquent speaker. Earning endless praise from his teachers and other lords and ladies in court.
Cal, although baring only his mother's name and held no royal titles, was still given the same lessons and training as Maven. Elara was not pleased with her husband's decision. Wasting time and resources on her son's little servant. Her disapproval echoed on her son, who was annoyed at his father for doing so and felt jealous that his father is more involved with Cal's education.
Cal is a fast learner. Quickly pick up the day's lesson and eagerly studying for the next. If he finds a lesson being challenging for him. He would approach his mother, his Uncle Julian and his older brother Maven for help (Maven likes being asked for answers, it makes him feel smart, but sometimes he would slam the door at Cal).
The Cracks Widen
Years past, both boys started to take on more difficult lessons, as well as physical training. With each honing their specialized skill.
Maven with his sharp wit and clever words. Could neutralize disagreements in court and set terms that were mostly favorable to him.
Cal with his strategic mind combined with his physical strength earned him praise from the other Silver elites and a satisfied nod from their instructor.
Even Prince Maven, never earned one or even a raised brow from him.
One day, Rane Arven wanted to see which was the stronger Calore. Maven insulted to be paired with someone younger and less experienced. Cal was nervous but eager, to prove himself.
Their sparing commenced, Maven taken on the offensive, throwing fireballs at Cal, nearly burning his little brother's brows in the process. Cal in turn, dodged each one with calculated steps, each move got him closer and closer to Maven, til he corned his older brother and burned his shoulder.
Maven fell to his knees with pain, his burnt suit sticking to his skin, adding to the scorching pain.
"Healer!" Prince Maven yelled to anyone.
But no one moved, even their instructor. Even Cal.
"Send me a healer! Are you deaf, Arven?" Maven hissed at his instructor, gripping his arm, covered in burns and was starting to drip blood.
"Did your little brother broke your legs as well, my prince?" Rane asked flatly
Maven fell silent. His pale cheeks turning a bright silver, as his looked somewhere else. "No."
"Then you can walk yourself to the infirmary, your highness." Their instructor motioned his hand towards the exit.
Maven stood with unsteady legs.
"Maven." Cal called out to him, his voice a laced with guilt. "Let me-"
Cal's sentence cut shot, as Maven turned towards him. Blue eyes glaring through his black curls, mouth twisting in a bitter snarl. They stared at the each other for a moment. Then Maven walked away.
"Cal Jacos." Cal looked up to his instructor.
"Yes?" His voice unsure, not knowing what to expect.
Rane Arven's usual plain face decorated with a half-smirk.
"Well done." His voice echoing through the training room. The echoes reaching Maven's ear.
Through the Years
As the Calore boys grew into their strengths. So was the distance. They barely talk to each other. Maven finding ways to prevent his brother from approaching him. Surrounding himself with his crownies from house Arven, Merandus and Samos.
Even if it was only Maven and Cal, the older Calore did little to hide his annoyance. Making snide remarks about his name, his mother and his strange uncle.
Cal, although hurt from his older brother's words, still hoped that they would still get along.
The Front
Both Calores were sent to Corvium, where they see first hand the on-going war between Norta and the Lakelands.
Maven having not much interest in war strategy, struggled in the Choke. To add insult to injury, he watched as his little brother charmed most of the soldiers and military personels with his brilliance.
His time at the Choke only made tolerable with the presence of his new found friend. Thomas.
However, due to the explosion caused by a Lakelander assassin. Prince Maven had to travel back to Whitefire palace. The king and queen, worry for their heir's safety.
Which left Cal in the front. As he grew into a fine soldier and a vital part in Norta's military strength.
Cal Jacos was given titles and medals for his contributions, but a letter was handed to him by a high ranking general.
Coriane Jacos, his mother, was gone.
The Final Straw
Consort Coriane's mysterious death cause a strong ripple of grief to those who loved her and was loved by her.
Cal stayed in his bedchamber for hours on end. Barely talking.
On the other hand, Prince Maven although was not close to the late Consort, he still visited Cal in his room. So he could talk to him, console his little brother. He knew how it felt to lose someone dear to him and that kind of grief broke him.
After so many years, they were together again, even for a moment.
A few weeks after Coriane's burial. The King held a small banquet with his family and close advicers.
Cal was seated closer to his father than the standard protocal. Which puzzled Maven and alarmed Elara.
Tiberias Calore VI, in honor to his beloved consort. The love of his life, annouced Cal Jacos' legitimacy before the small court.
In the king's drunken grief, he unknowingly severed the string he had with his older son and heir. Causing a stain in Maven's competency as future king and a power struggle between brothers.
Start of Red Queen Timeline
Over a year, since Cal becoming a legitimate son of house Calore.
The bond between brother was nearly gone. Maven shown blatant dislike towards his little brother. When they are alone together. Maven never fails to point out Cal's flaws, how gullible he is and comparing him to a lap dog who was eager to please.
In public events, Maven would pretend to be a loving and caring brother. Who under the facade of a perfect older sibling, still manage to deliver backhanded remarks that only Cal and a few of Maven's crownies would understand.
Maven's cruel words, his mother's death and his father's expectations slowly took a toll on Cal's self-esteem. Even with Cal being half a head taller than Maven and larger in built. He still moved quietly and carefully around him. Keeping his mouth shut, as he fear that he might say or do something that he might regret.
However cold Maven was, Cal never stopped hoping that they will be brothers again.
As Maven took on the role of his father's unofficial adviser. His focus gearing towards ending the growing rebel group that was slowly becoming a nuisance to the crown. His father, still in his druken grief, only cared for the war between the Lakelanders and invested more on his little brother's plans.
While Maven was busy trying to reason with their father. Cal was busy, going out at night to see the small red villages and bumping into a curious looking girl with stealthy hands.
How the First Book would play Out in this Dynamic
After Mare's shocking entrance. Mare was presented to the royal family. Tiberias wanting her dead and any footage of her erased. While Elara reasoned that Mare might be of use to them in the long run. Which spared her for now.
Maven chimed in that Cal should wed her, since he was the reason she fell in the shield in the first place. Cal only looked away, embarassed. While Mare glared at Maven for his suggestion.
In a short period, the young Prince Cal, started to develop deep feelings for Mare.
Mare felt attraction towards him as well, but knows that he can't find out that she is with the Scarlet Guard.
Maven and Elara are aware of her being part of the Scarlet Guard. Not because Maven pretended to be her friend. Elara simply read her mind and wanted to gather as much information from Mare, about the scarlet guard and newbloods.
If we are still going for a Love Triangle
Maven annoyed with his fiancée, Evangeline Samos and his father still disregarding his advices.
Prince Maven decided to take it out on his little brother, who was clearly smitten with Mare.
Maven pretended to befriend Mare, in the hopes of making his brother jealous because "he was given everything and he didn't deserve any of it."
Mare at first was cautious, given he was the son and heir to the throne and dislikes him, for his obvious resentment towards Cal.
But Maven played the stressed older brother, whose achievements gets overshadowed by his younger brother.
Mare understood the feeling all too well and they bonded over that.
Maven, overtime, started to appreciate Mare's spontaneous nature and he likes how genuine Mare is around him. He starts to see why his brother is attracted to her.
Mare and Cal got along well, and you know for a fact that they would sneak around to dance.
Mare likes Cal, enough that it made each letter, each Scarlet Guard meeting more diffucult to seat through.
Once the Scarlet Guard attacked, Mare quickly snuck away and went into hiding. After the damage done, Maven finally convinced his father into getting rid of the Scarlet Guard.
Maven would command Cal in organizing a search and arrest of Mare Barrow and other Scarlet Guard members. As well as secretly searching for newbloods like her, to turn into weapons for war.
Cal would then track down Mare, with the hopes of convincing her to leave the Scarlet Guard and come back to him.
Mare, Farley, Shade and the other newbloods manage to go as far as breaking into Corros prison where Maven held the newbloods. (No Silver Elites since Maven is the rightful heir in this timeline.)
Mare and the others manage to free most of the newbloods. However, Shade gets killed by Ptolemus and Mare gets capture, as she try to hold off the Sentinels while the others escape.
The conflict between the Calore brother rises, as the other would disagree on how their prisoner will be treated. Cal would prefer "talking" her out of being a rebel and Maven would threaten her for more information while having "tense" moments with her, since he is still attracted to her.
Mare on the other had will be stubborn and only hope that she'll get rescued soon.
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