Eron Azriel, the fourth prince of the Masurabian Empire, really hated planes. So as the teen east Asian boy sat in his family's private plane his nose was tucked in a book he definitely wasn't reading. As the aircraft shifted from turbulence Eron moaned inwardly as his stomach proceeded to do a triple back flip.

You see Eron never travelled from a young age like his many siblings, he was born feeble by nature and spent most of his early years in bed with a fever. So at the age of twelve when he finally set foot on a plane for the very first time, he immediately hated it, but of course he never said any of this to his parents. So at sixteen he still hated planes and quietly sat sulking as he tried to look composed.

One Eron's elder sister Elham, the second princess walked over to him and sat down quietly, she calmly ran her fingers through her dark thick raven hair and spoke softly.

"You aren't doing a very good job of hiding your sickness."

Eron rubbed the back of his neck and turned to her. "Is that so?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yes."

Eron looked at his half sister, he had never seen her in such relaxed clothing. Donning a pair of whitewash ripped jeans and a purple hoodie, she looked like a normal seventeen year old.

"I have never seen you in such American looking outfit, I thought you didn't wear anything except traditional clothes," Eron muttered.

Elham smiled her usual beautiful calm smile, but Eron didn't buy it, not for a second. His eyes narrowed a bit, he knew as much as she did that she secretly despised him. But somehow she was such a good actor.

"We have to look normal since this meeting is secretive, anyone who sees us has to just think we are a group of tourists."

"We sure are a big group of tourists," Eron replied distantly.

Unfortunately for young Eron one of his brothers overheard.

Haseem Azriel, the third prince, craned his neck over the seat and back towards Eron and Elham.

"Why are you so down, Eron?" Haseem asked in his haughty tone.

"It's nothing," Eron replied coldly.

Seeing a chance to torment the fourth prince Haseem excitedly grabbed a hold of it.

"Oh, I know it's because you haven't been sponsored yet."

Eron scoffed. "It's not like you have been either."

Haseem grinned scornfully. "Yeah, but your own mother didn't choose you, you were her first born and she snubbed you."

"I don't blame her, Mariam is very talented, I'm not surprised she chose her," Eron replied, trying to keep his cool.

"But still, I wonder why she chose her instead of you," Haseem taunted. "Maybe because you are a crip, feeble and frail."

Eron spoke through gritted teeth. "Crip is a word for a person who is badly disabled, it's true my health isn't stable but I'm not crippled. Go back to school, Haseem. Of course I shouldn't expect much from you, the reason Dad didn't choose you is because you have no brain."

"Why you......." Haseem stood up from his chair and pushed past Elham and grabbed the scruff of Eron's shirt. "You piece of crap."

"Stop it," the second prince spoke harshly. "You are acting like children, if either of you even want a hope of being sponsored you have to stop acting like boys squabbling over a toy. I don't think anyone would want the future king to act that way."

Haseem let go, he became quiet.

Faisal Azriel, the second prince was by far the sibling Eron despised the most. Which would surprise most people, for Haseem had the most temper, the first prince Aayan had the most pride, the first princess Jazmin was the most deceitful, and Elham was the trickiest, but Eron had a special loathing for Faisal. Faisal's calm and cool nature made him stand out against loud and hot headed siblings, he was the diplomat, the one everyone respected. But the reason for Eron's hate was the simple reason of his own pride. Eron's only asset was his brain, he couldn't negotiate and debate nor did he have any physical prowess. But it didn't matter that he was smart, because Faisal was smarter and the way Faisal looked at him lit a fire that couldn't be extinguished. He looked at him with pity, completely neutral to him in every way except for a glance once or twice with those dark eyes that were full of pity.

Elham smirked a bit. "How do you manage to stay so calm, Fai? I mean our entire future is on the line now."

"Well I suppose it's easy to be calm when the Queen Mother sponsors you," Eron replied coolly. "Especially since she has so much influence over all the other family members."

As usual Faisal didn't react rashly to Eron's comments, but instead agreed calmly with the fourth prince. "Yes, indeed. I am very lucky that Grandmother wished to sponsor me." Somehow that comment angered Eron even more.

The pilot called from the speakers. "Everyone please sit down and fasten your seat belts as we begin our descent."

Eron's siblings dispersed to their seats and left Eron alone, silently staring out the window as the city drew closer.

Hello New York.

...

Mariam, the third princess of Masurabia watched from the back of the plane as the great city of New York drew closer. She silently marvelled at the great dams surrounding the city, keeping the rising tides out. Mariam had seen the Great Wall of China before, even though now China itself isn't so great, but never the New York walls. So she watched eagerly as the city drew near.

Her twin brother Kamran lay soundly asleep next to her, his frizzy black hair ruffled and hanging over his eyes. Mariam aroused her brother as the plane landed, everyone left the plane including her brother leaving Mariam at the back, quickly using the restroom. When she exited she found the second prince, waiting for her.

"What do you want, Faisal?" Mariam asked, disgruntled.

Faisal adjusted his circular glasses and scratched the side of his neck. "I was just thinking we haven't really talked since your mother sponsored you."

"Why would we need to talk?" Mariam asked roughly.

Faisal smiled his airy smile, coupled with his intelligent eyes and commanding presence, this particular stance scared away most, but not Mariam.

"Why did Jalilah choose you? I mean Eron is rather smart, he would have been a good choice as well as a fine king, why didn't she?"

Mariam knew the answer but shrugged and replied nonchalantly. "Don't know."

Faisal's smile thinned. "You are lying to me."

Mariam knew this was going to happen yet was still quietly impressed by elder half brother.

"I don't have to tell you anything."

Faisal shook the comment off. "Course not, I'm just curious. I mean Jalilah isn't the sharpest tool in the box, but she has common sense, so why would she choose her fourteen year old daughter over her sixteen year old son."

"I turned fifteen in May," Mariam responded. "And don't speak about my mother that way."

"Of course, but still you understand why the decision causes some confusion."

Mariam chose to stay silent.

"Tell me, Mariam." Faisal started. "What Arcanum crystal do you specialize in?"

A shiver was sent rolling down her spine. He can't know already, after I went to so much effort to keep it hidden! Mariam thought. No, he can't have found out what the ability is, or he wouldn't have confronted me about it. Even letting me know he is aware of my apparent skills is risky even for him.

Faisal let out a sigh. "When did you become so hard to deal with?"

Mariam, still in shock, replied uneasily. "Couldn't say."

"Of course," Faisal patted Mariam on the shoulder lightly. "I will see you later, sister." He turned just before exiting the plane. "And try not to get in my way."

Faisal left Mariam with her fists clenched, alone in the plane.