Fall of a Prince [1] — Whispers of Destiny

HELEN SPOKE IN a hushed tone, though it fell deaf, as Queen Felroria was lost in a dazed stupor while gazing upon her baby boy. He sat there, smiling as he solved a difficult puzzle for someone of his young age. 'How had a little more than three years passed already? It seemed to have passed in a mere blink of an eye,' the queen inwardly remarked.

"Your Majesty, he truly is a remarkable child," Helen whispered, her eyes never leaving the prince's glimmering ashen complexion and radiant face. "His intelligence and wit are beyond anything I have seen in a child so young."

Queen Felroria's heart swelled with pride and love. "Indeed," she murmured, her voice wavering with emotion. "But I fear the potential weight of the crown will be heavy on his delicate shoulders, not to mention the others who actively work against him."

Lath'Or, ever-present, observed from the shadows, and then stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Your Majesty, every child has their own destiny and dreams to fulfill," he said, his voice solemn. "All we have to do is point the young prince in the right direction, and he shall take hold of his own."

The Queen nodded absently, grateful for Lath'Or's presence. She knew the challenges that lay ahead for her son—would very soon, come into play: the alliances, and expectations, and the responsibilities that come with such a prestigious title.

Thus, as she watched her joyous three-year-old, who worried not about the world, oddly silent for a kid his age, but still as curious and imaginative as the rest… she wished this moment could stretch onwards for eternity.

But she knew reality always had a way of crashing down on moments like this in life. Evidently so, as the coming year passed by in another blink of an eye…

- - - - -

A YEAR HAD PASSED, and the young prince had grown into a charming boy, witty and playful, yet exuded an air of intellect beyond his years.

Queen Felroria, one of King Nelerthro's seven wives, and mother to the young boy, Felrith, couldn't help but feel trepidation as the day of the soul ritual drew near. It was an event all princes and princesses, even the higher nobility, went through, forming marriage pacts, usually binding families together… thus, securing alliances.

Although she had no interest in imposing such pacts on her baby boy, she had no say in the matter. Therefore, reluctantly, as the day arrived, she stood beside the king, with her heart swelling with conflicting emotions.

Her duties rivaled her maternal love in an internal battle. She knew the importance of these alliances for the kingdom's prosperity, though she wanted to protect her son from such a ritual; after all, it had forced her to be where she was now, standing beside the man she despised most. Such thoughts were irrelevant now, though, and so she reoriented herself to the present.

The imposing hall was like stepping into a dreamscape of opulence and splendor. Crystal chandeliers hung like radiant constellations, while high vaulted ceilings showcased intricate scenes etched in silver and gold. Moreover, the combination of swinging and stationary braziers cast a warm glow that danced upon the obsidian floors.

The air was thick with hushed anticipation as the soft murmur of a thousand whispers resounded from the nobles and dignitaries present. Some traveled far and wide, while others, and most, were locals, though they all gathered here today for this momentous occasion.

Their eyes were drawn to the center of the stage where the young boy stood, clad in an opulent robe-like suit befitting his title as prince, and the grandeur of the room around him.

The young prince, in this moment, had shivers running down his skin with thousands of eyes locked on him. Felrith was but a kid at this event, and like any other, he stood there nervously, until a surging voice broke the silence in the room.

"My dear son," the king began, his voice pulsating with power. "Today, you shall partake in the soul ritual, like all the others before you—a sacred tradition that binds you to others, with whom you will share your fate. Your union shall strengthen the bonds between kingdoms and bring prosperity to our own. Rejoice!"

"Rejoice," the crowd chanted back, their voices echoing off the grand chamber's walls, much to the young boy's dismay.

Keeping up his appearances as he knew what was expected of him, per his awfully boring lessons, his gaze flickered towards his mother for reassurance. The sixth queen gave her son a warm smile, silently conveying her love and support.

Thus, the ritual commenced, and suddenly a blinding light rose from the center of the room, emanating from the various shining runes beneath his feet. The diamond-like shape formed a solid light that shot upwards, marking the sky in an illuminous ivory hue; if one could see far into the distance, three identical lights shot upwards as well, mirroring the same one that enveloped the prince.

The young prince, mesmerized by what was happening, felt a tingle across his chest. However, nothing bad was happening… what did his mother and butler mean by pain?

There was no pain. He was awfully confused… until… he finally felt it; he had spoken too soon.

"Ahhh," the young prince screamed, his nervous face contorting in pain as a scorching burn erupted from his chest, no, from his very core. His once composed expression was now twisted with agony, while tears of blood streaked down his strained face, flowing freely from his nose and eyes as well.

His body trembled uncontrollably, and his hands clenched into fists as he tried to endure the excruciating sensation. Felrith in his haze of pain, found himself kneeled down upon the thick obsidian flooring, while agony coursed through his veins and ravaged his underdeveloped body.

Finally, the light dissipated, followed by the pain, and the young boy looked up in a teary blur at his saddened mother, who gave him a weak smile, trying to reassure the boy. Lost in his mother's kind gaze, he felt his vision and senses clearing as he clung onto the next words spoken by his father, the king.

"Today, we have all witnessed the union and pact, bound by tradition and duty!"

The crowd chanted back, gleefully cheering, though as the young boy inspected the crowd, he saw his family members, his two older brothers and three older sisters, with the same disdainful look directed towards him as always.

Flinching away from their malice, though in his mind, he simply labeled it as 'meanness,' he heard his father mark the end the ritual. "May these alliances and binds bring us all prosperity and harmony to our kingdoms!"

The crowd erupted in applause, though the queen remained silent, as a deep sense of sadness lingered. Looking to her son, she mouthed the words, 'I love you,' to which he smiled at—his expression taking a change from earlier as the crowd dispersed for the various activities.

The ritual concluded, and an interval was now in session before the true festivities took place, and so, the young prince rushed to his mother. The queen grabbed him in a huge hug, offering him comfort as she whispered words of encouragement and pride, leading them back to their side of the castle.

Felroria was beyond worried as she watched the event unfold, and only having received the names of who her son had been arranged to marry just before the ritual… did not help either.

Especially with who those three names were, she knew the future would be tough. Little did she know just how tough the future would be…

Meanwhile, the young boy, who was happy now that he was reunited with his mother, skipped in glee as he spotted Lath'Or in the shadows; yelling at him in a cheery tone, "Hey, old man!"

Lath'Or responded with a *Tsk,* a bulge on his forehead, and a twinkle in his eye, playfully chasing the boy back to their section.

Felrith was lost right back into a child's world of imagination. It wasn't that the young prince didn't know what had happened. He knew the gist of it, as he was now 'bound' to others, whatever that meant.

It was just that none of that mattered!

All that mattered now was getting away from that annoying old man, and so he giggled as he ran with all his might. Without a care in the world, he reverted to the oblivious and whimsical state of a child.

As a mere kid, he didn't realize the true significance and meaning behind this day.

For if he had, he would realize that this was the day that changed everything.

This was the day that predetermined the course of—ironically enough—his second fall…

- - - - -

A/N: Just two more chapters to go, and we'll finally arrive at the moment you've been eagerly waiting for! By the way, you might have noticed that I've been splitting my chapters to increase the number of chapters per week.

It seems that many readers prefer shorter chapters, especially since most of them read on their phones (myself included). I'd love to know your thoughts on this too! If you'd prefer, I can always combine the chapters and rearrange them accordingly.

However, I find it easier to write with a clear goal of around 1500 words per chapter. In the past, I've had chapters that went well over 7,000 words, so please let me know your preference :)

- Spatial Devil, The Author.

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PS: Another chapter will be released tonight... ;) Hehe!