The Childish Crown Prince

Capital of the Phoenix Empire

As the first rays of sunlight shone over the Phoenix Empire, a certain part of the imperial palace was bustling as if it was an emergency imposed. Far from the court and at the back of the main palace, stood the crown prince quarter elegantly.

It was a mini palace in itself and was situated towards the farthest end of the imperial palace. The distance between the crown prince quarters and all the other buildings was a brisk walk worth half an hour. Behind the prince quarters was a forest that eventually ended in the main palace walls.

Despite the forest, this was the safest corner of the palace. Inside the palace one could see the maids doing their daily chores while the staff in the kitchen was the most energetic. The main corridor leading to the private chamber of the crown prince echoed with the sound of heavy footsteps as a sturdy person went towards the chamber. Standing there, he knocked on the door thrice with a moderate gap and then, without waiting to hear from the other side, entered the room.

It was dark inside, the room warm due to the effect of special ceramic tiles prepared under the supervision of its owner. Since the crown prince always felt cold despite the weather in the Phoenix Empire being moderate one where summer was extended up to six months, the room was prepared with that in mind as well.

Casting a side glance towards the bed in the middle of the room, Abelardo went to remove curtains from the windows to let sun rays in. When he turned back to look at the bed, the person sleeping with the comforter on, stirred a little before sitting up. A child was sitting on the bed aged almost six years old, or it looked so at least. He was a little skinny and it looked like he was in a bad mood as well.

Abelardo gave a moderate bow before standing upright. The person on the bed remained unfazed and irritated. Knowing well enough, Abelardo was the first to speak,

"You can't avoid this forever, your highness! This is where you belong. Sooner or later, you'll have to go to court, you're the crown prince after all. I recommend practicing it from now onwards."

The child's facial expressions told him that his words didn't go unheard.

"You know that is not the case anymore." He whined.

"I was announced the crown prince when I was born with no defects. Now look at me, I'm not worthy of the crown anymore.

"Why can't you leave me to live in solitude forever?"

Abelardo smiled softly. He was the emperor's most trusted aid and had watched over the crown prince ever since he was a child. He knew what the crown prince was afraid of. At an age when a prince takes over the throne, he looked as little as a six years old kid.

The fact that he didn't even show the signs of dwarfism was more disturbing for him. He didn't have a large head or flat mid-face. The size of his limbs, hands, and feet was also that of a six years and didn't look abnormal. All in all, he looked no more than six years old in every aspect.

"I can't, your highness!

You can't be selfish to stay in solitude just because you don't want to face some stupid stares and criticism. You have a far greater responsibility towards this nation. I suggest going out with the confidence of this responsibility."

Ryan Raizel stared at his father's best friend, a high alpha, cum bodyguard. "Don't act stupid uncle Abel. This nation deserves a healthy emperor who cares for them and can protect them. Not someone who depends on them to be protected. And why don't you talk about it with father? He has two more sons who can fit the role perfectly."

Abelardo sighed and then spoke softly, "In the history of the Phoenix Empire, it has never occured for someone to take over the throne in the presence of the first crown prince. If you let this happen, you'll let your people down. Moreover, the empress isn't a trustworthy person. Your younger brothers are no better than yourself in terms of emotions and she can easily manipulate them to do her bidding. If that happens, I'm afraid, the thousand year old glory of this empire will come to an end."

Ryan Raizel seemed reluctant.

"Then again, I'm not a reliable person either. I wonder if I deserve to rule. I'm not someone who can protect my people physically. I can't lead an army in times of crisis and instead, will be dependent on them to protect me."

He stared in Abelardo's eyes gloomily.

"Isn't it better to let the throne belong to someone who can do this? Someone, who can take the responsibility of protecting his people and stand tall to boost the morale of his army?"

He looked down at himself. His small, child-like limbs were a mirror to who he was, a sixteen years old boy caged in a six years old's frame. Other than his brain, nothing in his body had progressed according to his age. And he had invested all his might in this department to make up for his lacking physique. The pile of books near his writing table was proof of that. Before he could drown himself deeper into misery, Abelardo cleared his throat.

"You can overcome this drawback with your wisdom and kind heart. You have always been implying better schemes to help prosper your people behind the curtain. I must say, if you really wish to see your people happy, you need to leave this self-loathing behind and look forward. This nation is your responsibility. It's you whom they look up to. And you have no right to step back without their consent."

His words were met with silence. Abelardo went to his closet to bring out a formal robe and placed it in front of him.

At the same time, someone knocked on the door softly. A human maid entered the room upon consent with a trolley of food. The delicious aroma took over the whole room but a glass of blood was the highlight. "Not again." Ryan groaned before looking at Abelardo with pitiful eyes.

"Aham." Abelardo ignored his pleading gaze, went a few steps back and then spoke firmly.

"Once you're done with breakfast, I'd like you to get dressed by 7:00 AM. The court meeting starts at 7:30 AM sharp."

With that, he left the room leaving the maid to bear the crown prince's childlike tantrums. He might have gained lots of knowledge but his behavior was still childish just like his appearance. A tender smile played on Abelardo's face. He reminded him of someone from the past, someone dear to him.