Chapter 1

Ah, what a peaceful day in town. It is rather a refreshing atmosphere. Just enjoying the calming view—

"You have to be faster than that, brother!" Oh blast it! There goes Leon flying—bypassing obstacle by obstacle after snatching William's wallet right under his eye.

He certainly grew to be a fine-looking man. Lockes like the dazzling gold of the sun swept by the countryside breeze and his eyes shimmered like that of a sapphire, and although he had been shaped by the lofty village aura, he still exudes royalty and grace. William however, did not see grace, in fact far from it! He had the patience of an educator but it was on thin—and clearly very THIN ice.

"Leon, I mean it!" William shouted.

"Ha! Too sl—"

Oh thank the stars, a civilian was able to get a grip on his collar. Falling behind his back, the young lad looked up, furrowing his brows before losing consciousness. It was Clara, a spinster who has had her fair share of corky yet troublesome Mary Andrews (her siblings). Mesmerized by her timeless beauty, William coughed and straightened himself, before slowly walking towards her.

"I shall take that~" Clara says, taking the wallet from the stunned young man's hand. Looking to the left, she saw a sweaty William nearly out of breath.

"I apologize...Clara, phew...this boy, is...just as handful as the frogs back at the farm."

"They do tend to be like that; you should try girls, they are far worse than him. Oh, I do believe this is yours?~" There was something in Clara's smile that made William's mind and heart flutter; he didn't know what it was but he knew it always brightened his day.

"Ah, I owe you my thanks, Miss Clara!"

"Is there a reason why Leon would steal your wallet...again?"

"The town is constantly talking about the fair in the capital. I'm guessing my brother wished to see it for himself. Though the money inside this wallet could barely afford a trip to take him there, let alone a full meal."

"Oh, I see...It is quite silly but charming. The fair is for the prince's birthday, and Leon's birthday is today as well, is it not?" Clara looked eagerly at William, and as William picked up his brother, he nodded.

"It is...although I wish I could do so much more than bake him a cake."

"..."

Miss Clara looked at Leon then at William. She felt sorry for them. From what Clara knew, their parents died and since then, with the help of the mayor, they were able to thrive on a farm they arduously built. Of course, that sorry story about dead parents for Felix's...I mean Leon's part was true, and it was also true that the mayor has been helping them. Well, how could he not? He was the one who rescued the two from that horrid night, and as far as he knows, he rescued not an ordinary child but the heir to the throne.

"Take this, I know it isn't much, but I know Leon would love it."

"I recognize these... It—it is blueberries from Sapphire Bakery. Miss Clara, I could not possib—"

"I insist. After all, he deserves it. No one can be so lucky as to outrun someone handsomely built as you." And no young lady would ever be brave enough to be as forward as she.

"O-Oh..."

Although William received frequent aid for the young monarch's well-being, it was never enough to cover for everything. Even with the farm William has built over the years, money was still quite slow, but it was enough. After all, it was just the two of them under one roof, but sooner or later, that would change. He wasn't entirely sure when that will be, but he was certain that it was close. Felix is already seventeen, and it was just a matter of time before someone will take him away.

---

At the house, Felix ate the blueberries religiously whilst rereading a book he received back when he was merely six years old. Little did he know that the book he was reading actually came from William's brother. In fact, all of the educational materials in their home came from William's family.

"I still cannot believe that the country we live in adores masquerades. It is rare to see celebrations that do not have masks in it. I think a change of pace for this year's season is agreeable, don't you think?"

"What I think is that you should not have stolen my wallet. I believe you should go back a few more pages to remind yourself how and how not to behave like a detestable brat." He groaned slicing a loaf of bread on the table.

"But I am a child." Leon joked. William groaned and slammed the knife on the wooden board. Clearly, he was more frustrated than amused. Rolling his eyes and sulking as though like a child himself.

"I just wanted to see the fair everyone was talking about; you could not blame me for it. I never went to the capital, and my friends never let me forget it." William sighed. Leon always thought his brother could never afford it. In fact, he could, but if he did, what would happen to him? Well—no one knew him anymore; he was just a commoner for now but...the fact still remains, he was still a sovereign, and he could not let him walk out in the open like that.

"You are lucky Clara was there." William said.

"Fact universally acknowledged to be sure. You know she fancies you, right?" Leon said teasing, with a corner of his lips stretching to a mischievous smirk.

"Do you think so?" William rolled his eyes smiling.

"Oh I do! One can be so foolish as to love my dearest, most ludicrous brother." Leon joked, and William giggled.

Both did love a challenging war of wit. Of course, William is always the victor, but Leon's quick replies always jab William's back with humor. He is smart with his insults and terrifyingly adept in debate. It was something William was glad Leon had mastered.

William did not exactly look forward to Felix returning. Years with him—seeing his firsts and lasts, trials and tribulations. It was inevitable to grow fond as though he was one's actual brother. William has not seen his family, the capital, and his home for many years so William did not know how the world might treat Felix nor how might his family react upon hearing his return. Should that day ever come, he will brace himself for the best.

---

The sun had set a few hours ago, and Felix was already asleep. He spent the entirety of the day just as he did every birthday he had—helping his brother around the farm. Well, at the end of it all, he did receive a very scrumptious birthday cake.

Indeed, the young lad enjoyed the day he had and concluded it with a blissful dessert—fitting for the date of his birth, although for William, circumstances would require him to bear a sleepless night as the mayor just came back from the capital with the most atrocious story he has heard in the century—whatever it was.

As William left the house (locking it from the outside, of course), he could not help but wonder what kind of tidbit the mayor has. Nearly all of the mayor's news certainly never surprised him, but he did still worry, word from the capital could mean a lot of things. An urgent call from the mayor at night could mean the worst but William hoped for the better.

He was sure that it was not any kind of gossip you'd hear from the streets—no, it was far more than just husbands, rakes and gowns, at least that what was what he was hoping. Although the mayor never surprises William, at some turns, he does give William valuable bits of information he can use to keep himself streamlined with the times.

(At the Mayor's House)

"James fetch us a cup of tea."

"Oh there's no need—"

"Believe me you are going to need it, boy."

The mayor's house was merely the same as that of a villa bought from upper middle class luxury—it was not too flashy but not too shoddy either.

By the fireplace, the two sat as James, the mayor's grandson was preparing tea in the kitchen. It was terribly tense, the mayor was barely friendly but, tonight was different as if he was a completely different person. He looked at the fire as if his thoughts were lost in an ocean, but then he looked at William and his mind awoke.

"Boy—I mean William, this kid you have...is the prince correct?" The mayor asked, clenching his fists and looking intently into William's eyes.

William sneered at him, "You know the truth, mayor."

"William, I should believe you. You have been in the town protecting Felix since he was a mere babe and I had been helping you. I put you in high regard, because you have sacrificed your entire life for the sake of the country."

"..."

Before the mayor could say anything, James walked in carrying a tray of bread and tea, looking a tad bit tired. Who wouldn't be after a lengthy carriage ride from the capital.

"You can rest now, James." The mayor says as James placed the tray on the table between them.

"I'll write to my father first." James replied, scratching his head as he left the room.

"..."

"Arthur has been gone for over five years, and Clara had not visited us for three years let alone wrote to her son. Hmph...Idiots the lot of them, James barely remembers what the two looked like..."

"Where have they gone?" William asked looking softly at the fire.

"Arthur is a soldier, Clara...I do not know where she ran off to..." The mayor groaned before pouring him and William a cup.

"...But that's not important. Drink." William nodded.

"Heed me William. The Cynthias are claiming that they herald the prince—your prince that was gone seventeen years ago." The mayor pinched his eyes together. He could not fathom saying those words outloud but it was the truth.

He had great respect for the noble families belonging in the Cynthia Clan. He truly believed that their virtues and movements contribute entirely to the people's benefit, but he could not deny the weight of caretaking Felix for seventeen years knowing full well he is the true prince. He was not entirely sure why the Cynthia Clan would resort to such malfeasance, but he knew it was the end of his patronage to them.

He believed Felix was their monarch and that will never change.

"What?! That's impossible! Felix is here—wait, to whom do you owe this information?"

Standing up, William looked quizzical. He knew that the Cynthias had always been a thorn in society's finest but never did he expect for such obscenity even from them—it was certainly unexpected, but given the circumstances not at all mind boggling. Although, the clans elected a regent. As far as they were comcerned, the throne itself was unoccupied and given the political climate of thevkingdom, there was no way a faction would be able to outrank another—especially in the case of the Cynthias where everyone in the peerage absolutely loathes them.

So why not take a different route to the throne..

"You remember our aggreement with the Lockhart Faction?" The mayor asked groaning as he gestured William to sit back down.

"Were they the one that told you about this?!"

"Calm yourself boy...though I understand your nerves, the worst we could do now is panic. Now, regarding our deal with the Lockharts, we settled that should the child be ready, they would assume representation for him in court."

"Yes, Yes what of it?" Restless, William's breath began to quicken as though his fingers started to fidget.

"Well..." He gave William one look and—

"S-Surely you jest...This—he is not ready! I assure you he is not." William's being began to tense. His heart began to sank slowly. In empathy, the mayor could only do so much as to hold William's shoulder.

"William, you bore a great sacrifice none of us would even dare to imagine, and I as a former knight know that burden. I know that you are loyal to your duty, to the crown—and I know you love the kid, but if we move at a snail's pace, we both know that our side will suffer a great loss." William, whom the mayor treated as a son of his own, stared blankly into the flame, lost in thought.

William always thought about this day, and he did not anticipate such agility from the world. He had hoped it would be slower than what was normal, he had hoped to keep Felix safe in his arms for a little bit longer, but now the country, the factions, the people—they needed him. Looking deep into the flame, the moments from his youth flashed before his eyes. Felix is anything but a commoner—he was prince and William was his protector. Still a knight at heart, William will do whatever it is he can for the kingdom.

"When will I take him to the Lockharts?" William asked.

"You and Felix are leaving first thing tomorrow." The mayor replied.

"Pardon?"

"They are demanding an audience with Felix..." The mayor added. Which was true. After discovering such information, the Lockharts already started to navigate their moves to halt whatever it is the Cynthias had in mind. That also meant meeting the lost prince as soon as possible.

"...They wish to prepare the boy before announcing him, they told me that they're preparing Cornelius Hall." The mayor added.

William stood up again, his eyes widened as kf he was just about to rage—

"I do not have any place to—"

"Refuse."

"William, listen to me and listen to me well! That faction is the best you have and they could easily challenge the politics of the kingdom on their own without the Prince, but we both know you'd rather die than let that happen!" The mayor exclaimed.

The Lockharts...are just as agressive players as that of the Cynthias although less powerful than most people give them credit for, but even though they jad minimal influence and or political strent, the Lockhart was still a name in the wave of politics in the kingdom and everyone would pay a great deal to be allies let alone be represented by them.

"..!"

"You are to leave first thing in the morning, I'm sorry William, but it has to be done..."

"I..."

"I'll prepare a carriage for you both and Leo—I mean Felix, I hope he will be fine..."