"I hurt myself today"

"To see if I still feel."

"I focus on the pain"

"The only thing that's real."

Sito continued singing one of his favorite songs of the past while strumming an instrument that was like a hybrid of a guitar and a ukulele called a rook.

Ever since he was little, Aaliyah, who he referred to as Aunt Lia, would sing songs to him before he slept. She said he should learn to sing as well, so he can serenade the hearts of women and make his fiancé jealous.

Even though he was only 5, his parents still arranged a marriage between him and Rachel Farrar. Rachel was the daughter of Ealhelm and Jenna. And if she was to look anything like her mother when she grew up, then Sito had no objections.

"If I could start again"

"A million miles away."

"I would keep myself"

"I would find a way."

The last bit of sun finally finished breaching the horizon as Sito strummed his last strum.

He made it a habit to play every morning while watching the sunrise because it calmed his mind. It also helped him practice because even though he was using a rook specially crafted for his small stature, he still sounded like a complete amateur. Even if Aunt Lia said he was improving quickly, he knew he could do better.

After resting his mind for a while, the young Sito stood up and dusted off his pants before heading to the Royal Castle.

About five months ago, when Sito turned 5, his parents decided it was best for him to move into the castle so he can shadow the King and Queen and learn how to properly run a Kingdom.

Although he was spending more time with his parents, he didn't feel their bond getting any stronger, as his relationship with them was always very formal.

Ever since he began living at the castle, he fell into a routine.

Every morning, he'd rise with the sun and practice with his rook.

Then, after eating a hearty breakfast prepared by Aunt Lia, he would train with his master for the rest of the morning until he was too exhausted to even lift a finger.

In the afternoon, after a hot bath and a hot meal, he would shadow his parents and attend meetings with them and assist with mundane tasks.

Then, after a silent dinner with the King and Queen, he would bid them a goodnight before going to sleep and doing it all over again the next day.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Today, however, would be the start of something new.

-----

As Sito approached the castle gate, he noticed two ghastly looking guards leaning on their spears and barely even recognized them.

The two guards noticed Sito and slightly bowed. "My Prince," they both said in unison.

"Willem? Ramsey? What are you two doing here? The morning shift hasn't started yet," Said Sito.

"Most of the guards were sent to the edge of the Forbidden Forest to deal with a monster breakout that happened overnight, your highness." Replied Willem.

Ramsey sighed, "And of course they couldn't find anybody else to disturb in the middle of the night except us two. I swear I haven't gotten any fucking sleep for past tw-OOWWW!!" Ramsey shouted as he looked at Willem. "What the fuck you hittin me for, Will?!"

As they made eye contact, Willem moved his eyes towards the Prince, which made Ramsey realize his mistake.

"I-I mean I am, of course, a humble servant and royal retainer to the Royal family and it brings me great pleasure and satisfaction to serve his majesty no matter the time of day or night." Ramsey said as he gave his best Oscar-worthy smile.

Sito burst out in laughter at the two guards' antics.

"So that's why you guys look even worse than usual." Said Sito as he kept laughing.

Willem and Ramsey smiled. They, as well as the rest of the Royal guards and caretakers, liked to mess around with the Prince because Sito always treated them with respect and would sometimes even help them with their chores when he was bored. Therefore, most of them considered the Young Prince to be like their little brother.

Willem jokingly sighed. "I do, however, regret not being able to stand guard for the morning shift"

Ramsey joined in, "Yes, unfortunately we won't be here to watch the Prince cry while the old master works him to the bone," he sighed.

Sito held his head high, "Well, at least my knee doesn't hurt."

Both guards looked at each other, confused.

"What do you mean, young Pri-OOOWW, what the fuck?!" Shouted Ramsey. As Sito kicked him in the knee before dashing off into the castle.

-----

All the guards and servants respectfully greeted the Young Prince as he made his way to the training grounds.

After several minutes, he entered a vast arena that, despite its massive size, only made up for a fraction of the entire castle.

This arena is where duels, tournaments, and other events were held in order to showcase the kingdom's best talents to anyone who had the privilege of attending them. However, most of the time when no events were taking place, the Epirian royal army used it as their training grounds.

Sito continued walking towards a short, hunched back old man with bushy eyebrows that covered his eyes and a mustache that fell down to his knees. The man in the brown cloak looked so ancient that anyone who saw him would fear that a powerful gust of wind would turn him into dust, leaving behind only his wooden walking stick.

As Sito neared the old man from behind, he bowed. "Good morning Master," he said.

"The boy shows up late yet again," the old man croaked in a voice full of wisdom that reminded Sito of a small green Jedi Master from his past life.

Without turning around, the old man threw two pairs of enchanted bands that Sito caught and put around his wrists and ankles.

"Apologies Master."

"Dont apologize, boy. When I say I want you here before sunrise, that doesn't mean after sunrise, does it?"

"No Master"

The old man sighed. "I tell you this everyday boy and I'll say it again."

"The little songs you sing will not make you a good king. But strength will."

"They will not give your soldiers the courage to follow you into battle. But strength will."

"They will not save you when your life is in peril. But strength will."

"And most importantly."

"They will not help you protect the ones you love."

The old man turned around and looked into Sito's eyes with a gaze that could move one thousand mountains.

"But strength will."

He fell silent for a moment to let his words sink into the dense head of the prince.

"Very well then, young Sito, you know the punishment for being late."

"Now go."

Sito bowed before taking off, "Yes, Master."