One day

Prince POV:

I’d like to think that my pre-coronation party went splendidly. But that would make me a liar now, wouldn’t it?

Because now I’m under house arrest.

I lie down on my bed, sinking beneath the soft mattress as I stare blankly at the ceiling of my bedroom, wondering how exactly I got myself into this situation.

Oh, right.

***

An awkward silence fills the room, as incredulous stares are aimed at a certain Prince.

One of the older noblemen lifted his arm slowly and pointed shakily at the Crown Prince, "I cannot believe it! The Crown Prince – He has been bewitched!” He breaks the silence.

The crowd of nobles gasped.

I’ve been what now? The Crown Prince, wide-eyed at the nobleman’s accusation as he saw the other nobles gradually nod along with the allegation.

But the nobles could not help but agree with the nobleman. After all, who would dare believe that their beloved Prince would eagerly offer himself to be banished? Almost as if he wished to leave the kingdom!

Surely this must be the reason.

As much as they tried to suppress their thoughts, they could not help but quietly whisper amongst each other.

Murmurs echoed throughout the room with the Crown Prince only catching bits and pieces of their conversations. However, by observing the situation alone, he could tell that this was going to be their latest scandal.

I just caused a massive mess, didn't I?

The subject of said latest scandal could not help but wish to retract his earlier statement. The words of the noble were not what worried him, and whether they spread such things amongst each other was no longer the issue.

All he could think of was one thing and one thing only.

Mother is not going to like this.

The Crown Prince's agitated eyes survey the room, finally landing on the Queen of their kingdom.

Sure enough, deep frown lines were now in place on her usually indifferent face.

Now the Prince knows for sure.

He was completely and utterly screwed.

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. He knows what he must do now is to calm the ruckus in the room, and hopefully, find a way to placate the Queen.

'Easier said than done,' he resigned in despair.

The nobles abandoned their tact, or rather, the lack thereof, as they no longer tried to hide their thoughts. Each of their voices sounded as clear as day, with the whispers long forgotten.

Similar to a boiling kettle, the nobles' voices were a constant steam of heated whistling increasing more and more in volume. But just as they were about to culminate into a piercing shrill, their discordant sound of chaos was interrupted by a loud purposeful cough at the front.

“Ehem!”

Silence.

Ah. It appears that everyone has forgotten the root of their predicament.

After all, they wouldn’t be discussing their Crown Prince leaving the kingdom if it was never suggested in the first place.

A furious Witch seeking reparations, who was becoming more confused than anything by the entire situation.

Seeing that everyone’s attention was finally back on her, she slowly started to walk. The nobles instinctively backed away in fear of being the target of her ire, unintentionally making a path to their Prince.

The Crown Prince who was lost in his thoughts, finally noticed that the crowd of nobility in his surroundings had now split into sides.

He was the only one standing in the middle.

As he was about to step aside, he saw that the Witch was making her way toward him. Taking a nervous breath, he rooted himself on the spot, prepared for his judgement. In his capacity as a member of the Royal Crown, he must stand with resolve and not show cowardice.

Step. Step. Step.

The resounding stride of the Witch echoed across. It was the only sound to be heard while the nobles watched with quivering eyes, agitation permeating through the very bones of everyone in the vicinity.

She took one last step, stopping directly in front of the Prince.

“Are you truly willing to offer yourself as a sacrifice for your kingdom?”

The Witch asked with a curious tone, her eyes staring directly at his.

“My kingdom has committed a terrible misdeed against you and the inhabitants of your forest. Our grave actions were irrefutable, and it is only right for you to be indemnified.”

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, "For you to seek me alone for recompense speaks greatly of your mercy. For that, I am grateful.” He gave the Witch a small bow.

She stared at him with calculating eyes as the Prince proceeded to stand straight once more, his eyes filled with resolve.

The Witch closed her eyes in deep thought, as she mentally debated about what choice she should consider in this situation. Should she take back what she has said? But that would make her appear indecisive, and she really can’t be too forgiving with her judgement as well. Being lenient will result in the people of this kingdom becoming arrogant again. Possibly making another attempt at taking over the Forbidden Forest, which is the last thing she wants.

Inwardly, the nobility praised their crown prince for his quick thinking and refined conduct; his upright posture and eye contact with her, he was the only one not shaken by the Witch's presence.

They anxiously waited for the Witch to make her choice, not knowing that their Crown Prince who seemed to be unmoved by the Witch, was the most agitated of them all. He prayed to himself that he would live to see another day.

A few more moments of silence passed until finally, the Witch gave him her answer.

“Very well.”

The Crown Prince almost jumped at her sudden response, but he was able to keep himself still. He, along with the rest of the nobles, listened to her attentively.

“Although this kingdom committed such transgressions against our forest, I am not one to let myself be carried away by my emotions and impose a heavy punishment as retribution.”

Everyone was surprised by her words for the nobles thought for the worst and assumed that she would demand their lives in repentance. They still kept their guards up, as this might just be an evil witch's plot.

“The punishment that I have decided will be…”

Sounds of nervous gulps filled the room with the Prince doing his utmost to conceal his anxiety, continuing to present himself as a flawless noble.

“For the Prince to be banished from his kingdom!”

Well, at least I’m not dead? Thought the Prince, as shocked gasps from the nobles were let out. But before those with more courage could let out their pleas…

“However!”

They were once again silenced.

“Due to the selflessness of your Prince, I have decided that he will only be isolated from his kingdom for a specific amount of time. His banishment shall not be permanent.”

“How long will this isolation last?” The Prince could not help but ask.

"Ummmm..."

'I did not think this through. Maybe for a couple of days?' The Witch was caught off guard as she tried to hide her bewilderment as fast as she could.

“Once this kingdom learns from its wrongdoings! Yes, that.”

Then all of a sudden, rallying steps of metal on floor reverberated upon the silent castle, the sound echoed thunderously as it got closer to the giant hall where the nobles were gathered.

“Anyway, I will give the Prince a day to say his goodbyes!" she declared, "after that, he will be taken away from this kingdom.”

“Let this be a reminder of my leniency, for I could’ve demanded far worse. But if something like this were to happen again,” strong gusts of wind blew in every direction. This forced the nobles to hold

onto each other with their eyes forcefully closed to protect themselves against the intense pressure.

“I will not be as merciful as I was today.”

“Freeze!”

A group of knights arrived at the gathering hall, but they were too late.

Gone was any trace of the Witch, only remnants of a soft breeze left behind in her wake.

Now that the source of panic had been removed, everyone in the room collected themselves slowly. Despite their varying expressions, none of them attempted to break the rigid silence, even in light of the recent turn of events.

The Crown Prince looked the least worried of the crowd, only pensive. He did not know what to make of his current situation.

“Guards, escort the Prince to his quarters.”

He realized what he'd just done, and what was about to happen, when the Queen's orders broke him from his thoughts.

Slowly turning around, he saw the Queen looking the most displeased he had ever seen in all 20 years of his life. Her sharp glare stabbing directly at his figure.

And once again, there was only one thing he knew for sure.

He was completely and utterly screwed.

***

At least no one died? Everyone is overreacting, let's be honest.

I minimized the number of casualties to myself, while still maintaining the image of a proper heir. I’ve done what is expected of the kingdom’s Crown Prince and ensured that our people remain unharmed. I did good.

I did well.

“Argh!” I can’t help but yell out while frustratingly pulling at my hair.

It's been more than half a day since that night and the upcoming celebrations and parades for my coronation were postponed after it got out that a Witch infiltrated the banquet and “bewitched” me. Since then, the castle has been on high alert.

The entire palace knights have been informed of the “curse” the Witch placed upon me, so now there’s always a pair guarding my room.

I know I messed up by speaking without thinking that night, but staying here won’t solve anything.

A banquet hosted by the Crown is one of the most highly regarded events that the kingdom can hold. Due to the number of noble families attending, and the importance of my upcoming coronation, there should've been countless guards in the castle to ensure everyone's safety.

Everything should have taken off without a hitch.

So how did the Witch get in?

And judging by how easily she got into the castle, it won’t make a difference if they increase the number of guards.

It’s not a matter of if she gets in anymore, it’s a matter of when.

Lifting myself up from my bed, I make my way towards the entrance of my room. However, as I open the door, what greets me is the two knights that the Queen placed, so that I am constantly kept under surveillance.

“Your highness, please step back inside!” After seeing the door open, one of the knights standing from the side stepped forward to usher me back in. Although he's trying his best to look stern, his youthful face only gives the opposite effect.

This is one of the newer palace knights if I remember correctly, and so is the other one as well.

I can take advantage of this.

“I must go speak to the Queen, it’s urgent,” I responded back.

“I’m afraid I cannot allow that, your highness.”

“Surely you do not need to be so tense around me, Sir Mikhail,” gently reassuring him.

“Y-you know my name?” The guard is taken aback after hearing his name.

Not just yours. I remember the names of all the palace knights.

“Of course! And you are Sir Phillip, correct?" Turning to the other guard with a beaming smile.

“Yes, your highness!” His entire demeanour glowed with excitement.

“I have heard so much about the two of you!” I claim rather excitingly, adding a small tilt to the tone of my voice to really sell the act, “managing to become one of the Crown knights at such a young age speaks greatly of your skill with the sword!”

“We're so honoured, your highness! We’ve heard of your skills with the sword as well!”

“Like that one time, you bested a captain of the knights with a single strike!”

Thank goodness they’re one of the newer recruits. From the looks of it, they still haven’t fully assimilated to the strict protocols that the seniors knights follow.

This is gonna be easy.

Interacting further with the two knights, the more their youthful enthusiasm was evident with each tale they told of my achievements. Sir Mikhail and Sir Phillip were now flailing animatedly, acting to the retelling of my so-called accomplishment.

“And with a single slash, you slew that one-horned chimaera, and that’s when you were only 16!”

“We promise to continue to work hard, so we can be half as good as you one day!”

‘I don’t think you should believe all of that’ I almost interrupt, but seeing them look at me with such starry eyes, I swallow back my words.

Not wanting to disappoint them, I clear my throat and with all the grace and dignity I can muster, I shake off my anxious nerves and offer them a gracious smile.

“You flatter me too much,” I replied, cringing inwardly at the pedestal they placed me on, with the embarrassment getting worse at my shameless acceptance of their fantasies. “But I still have much to improve on.”

Their faces fall briefly into shock, but their admiration quickly resurfaces, doubling in intensity.

No, really. Those rumours you heard were probably all lies.

“If anything, it's knights such as yourselves that should be admired,” I say, placing a hand on both their shoulders, “it’s thanks to your constant vigilance that our kingdom remains safe.”

Tears well in their eyes, and I hold back the urge to sigh. My attempts of downplaying only doing the opposite. “Your highness…” Sir Mikhail chokes out, his voice trembling with emotion.

I try changing the subject, “knights such as yourselves are the reason I can feel safe so please, may I ask for a favour?”

“Anything, your highness! We will try to fulfil to the highest of our abilities!”

“I really must have an audience with the Queen,” I begin, emphasizing the urgency in my tone. “A matter of the utmost importance that may affect the well-being of the entire kingdom.” and mine, but they don’t need to know that.

Sir Phillips furrows his brow, struggling whether to ensure my safety, or to agree at my seemingly simple request, “but your highness, we have been instructed to ensure that you are protected in your quarters. Letting you leave on your own will compromise your safety!”

Seeing my chance, I press on one last time, “Which is why I will ask if you two can escort me to Her Majesty. That will allow you to protect me if anything does happen, yes?”

The two exchange uncertain glances at each other, struggling whether to stick to the orders that were given to them, or to not disappoint me and fulfil my request.

“There will be no need for that.” A familiar voice interrupts our conversation, Sir Mikhail and Sir Phillips not getting the chance to make a decision..

The two knights palling as they saw who it was, they immediately stood in position, ready to bow.

As it turns out, I won't have to go to the Queen herself; she'll come to me instead.

"I shall speak with my son, alone."