10 The light bulbs

Recap

Abruptly a butler announces, "His majesty, King Raien Dragoon has arrived!"

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The striking traits that only the Royal family of Estralda possess are platinum blonde hair and gold eyes. Therefore, when a child is born with platinum blonde hair no matter their eye colour, it may mean that they have royal blood or just blessed by Goddess, Esmarel to be a Saint or Saintess. This is a belief made by the church which worships the royalty as their second God.

For my case, I am the latter.

"What the f*ck" I muttered under my breath. 'This is too much! I was busy with my swordsmanship training. He cancelled my lessons JUST to visit the Clades house?!' I guess the king prefers to have a good reputation between the nobles.

'This surveillance is going to kill me one day.' The gazes I receive is a mixture of envy and affection from the servants of the Clades house.

I stood beside my father, the king as he heard my procrastination. "Behave" his words rang inside my head as I shivered slightly and I kept my emotions obscure as he entered. 'Why am I a crown prince? It is too much work...' I wait for a few moments to fix my mood and posture before commanding the butler to publicize my presence.

"His Highness, Crown Prince Royce Dragoon. Has arrived." the butler announces with his blaring like voice similar to Yetu*.

My eyebrows almost start to twitch. As I entered gracefully being the centre of attention, again.

Everyone in the room stops, slowly centralise and unify to kneel and greet us. They spoke in unison, " Greetings to the Sun of the empire, King Raien Dragoon. Greetings to the Sun's descendent, Prince Royce Dragoon."

After the greeting, several noble heads from different houses, the crowd around me forming a secure circle. There wasn't any space to even escape before they start to recommend their child's hand in marriage. I politely declined their offers with my soft smile and made an excuse to leave. I evacuated to where my father was.

"Ah just in time! Come and meet the Clades', Duke Charles." I greeted him with my professional smile and took his extended hand.

Duke Charles then spoke with a monotone voice, "It is an honour to meet you, your highness. Since you are close to my son's age you should meet him." It was a favourable chance for Duke Charles, so without hesitation, he wanted to me to befriend his child who is going to the heir of the Clades.

Then a child appeared beside him. He looks like a miniature pony. He looked very malnourished and resembled a thin branch under his thick clothing, I slightly furrowed my eyebrows before relieving the tension with a smile. He stood at a foot away from his father, then greets us. "Greetings King Raien and Prince Royce," he spoke in a silvery voice and bows down till I could see his back.

"HA HA HA, it is alright my boy. Duke Clades, definitely raise a respectable young lad." father spoke in a sonorous voice as he stroke his beard in delight.

"You boys go and have a conversation. The adults have some important confidential problems to discuss," he said as they left us.

That little boy looks at me, and turn around to leave.

"H-hey!, " I tried stopping him as I felt the humiliated by his actions. His dull blue eyes look back at me and continue towards his destination.

His behaviour was unbelievable which led me to be utterly stunned by his actions.

~

"Those sparkly humans are killing my eyes..." I muttered while munching on a huge pink macaroon which needed both my hands to hold it. I didn't know what was happening as Gill brief me to say those words as I was continuously being blinded by those darn light bulbs.

Thankfully, I finally got to be alone to eat some sugary puff to regain my energy. The garden at the back was an amazing sight. It had a fountain centralised on the walkway, there was a variety of flowers from tiny white dandelions to a massive chrysanthemum in light violet. I don't like flowers, however, that scene with these flowers truly is a marvellous view.

"Young master, would you like more of this sugary goodness?" Gill, who was standing beside me the entire time like my shadow, starts to speak up. "I would love SOME! It is incredibly delicious!" Gill gently smiles and left to get more after his signature bow.

After Gill left, I start to swing both my legs like a bored child while staring at the starry night sky. A comfortable breeze came by as I start to ponder about dishes with mushrooms in it.

All of a sudden, a few metres away there was the rustling of leaves which made me cautious. A head pops out revealing a bright light.

"Ah, it's the tinier light bulb..." I said bluntly as I saw the prince.

"What?"

"Nothing..."

"Don't lie I-I heard you!" he starts to grow red from my denial.

I got off the bench and look around. "Hey, you! Don't ignore me! You are so impudent!"

"Stop glowing brighter, otherwise I will become blind your highness." I heard muffled snickers behind me as I turn my head to meet Gill covering his mouth.

I could see his highness start to glow a hue of red as he could not win the conversations as Gill regain his posture.

"Let's go, Gill." Gill nods and pursues me.

On that day, it was the first time Prince Royce got such disrespectful treatment from a noble which establish a memorable yet unpleasant memory.

~

"Finally, the event is over!" I whine as Gill stroll with me back to my room. I felt as if I was back in time on Earth working OT*.

As soon as I reach my room I rushed towards my bed but Gill gently pulls me away from my precious bed to the bathroom.

I frown at him as he takes me away from my precious bed and tried to make him release my arm. He said, " It will be alright. I will be quick." as he soothes me while rubbing my back. I gave up resisting and go into the demonic bathroom with Gill.

~

"Your Highness, what is wrong?" Milow said.

"Oh, it is nothing really, I am just surprised that someone dares to ignore me. Twice." Milow quickly replied, " What that is preposterous! Who in their right mind would do that!? Your Highness, give me the word and I will go educate that individual a lesson!"

"You know what Milow, find out more of that individual I spoke of secretly ... if I'm not mistaken he is the next heir after Duke Clades."

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Yetu* - Name of Princess Bella's pet bird.

OT* - Overtime