In the royal castle of Tethia, Prince Nero, the ninth prince of the kingdom of Tethia was currently seething. He had been trying to find the traitor who was using the king’s name to commit horrible crimes near the borders of Tethia, but of all people, why was it him?

The reason Nero had no doubts as to who the traitor was, was because of his recently invented soul seeing pocket watch. The pocket watch was not the final form, but it had been handy when he was experimenting. It was able to sense ill intentions. For most people the pocket watch would appear to be completely normal in every way, however if someone was plotting something the watch hands would start spinning, if it was really serious the face would glow red.

That was why Nero was so furious. When he had come back from visiting the king’s closest aid the hands of his pocket watch were still spinning ferociously and the face was shining with the brightest red Nero had ever seen.

Not only that, but after only a little digging, Nero had found all sorts of evidence to prove his soul seeing pocketwatch right.

But why was it the very man who had invited Nero into the position of a prince? The person he had been an apprentice under for years! Could he really be that same traitor who had destroyed everything Nero cared for as a child?

There was only one way to find out. He would have to question the traitor himself. First things first, the facts and proofs needed to be presented to the king.

“Are you certain this is all true?” King Dalton asked severely. His lion features were at rapt attention as if ready to pounce.

“I would not have brought it to you if it wasn’t,” Nero informed him, “I double checked, triple checked, and even made sure all my sources were accurate. He was the one who gave me the position I have so I wanted to be completely sure.”

The king’s office fell into a tense silence. Nero had managed to slip into one of the only times when the aid was not present. 

“These are reports of selling out information to Gaia, sabotaging the borders, and purposefully altering important documents to keep me in the dark,” King Dalton reminded, “You do realize how serious this is if you are wrong?”

“It is even more serious if I am right, and I was willing to take that risk,” Prince Nero promised.

“In your essays as a student you often stated that you wanted to help build a country where everyone could truly be safe, and singled out the territories near the borders often,” King Dalton said and leaned forward, “I found you in one of those border territories after having to personally deal with a rebellion there that my aid reported to me. Tell me, Nero, what really happened back then?”

Prince Nero took a deep breath, but his eyes were full of determination. He had been waiting for this day. “There was a rebellion, but not against you. The students in charge of the territory at the time were fairy haters. They shot out illegal law after illegal law to bind them and make them unable to provide for themselves, or even go outside. That territory had the largest population of night fairies, which were endangered to begin with, Your Majesty.”

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“But the citizens I captured during that time had no wings,” King Dalton pointed out.

“Their wings had been cut off,” Prince Nero replied, “Mine were too. If you wish, you can check for yourself. New ones have grown because I was just a child at the time but the stumps are still there.”

King Dalton paused. “Don’t tell me you have been hiding fairy wings under your clothes this whole time. Wings are fragile and should be better taken care of,” he scolded.

“Not at all. I invented magic to hide them with the current head magician.”

King Dalton leaned back and put a hand to his face. “Stealth magic, right? A report on the invention of that magic was released right after you came to the capital.”

“Yes,” Nero agreed.

“I will need to see your back to verify your first set of wings was actually cut off, but I can already see none of these documents you gave me were forged,” King Dalton started to put the documents into a folder to be copied and sent out to those who needed to know. “My aid must be good at hiding his scent well. I used to think I could smell a liar.”

“Does he wear perfume or just happen to enjoy things with a stronger scent when around you?” Prince Nero asked.

King Dalton paused as he thought back. “He has. In fact, ever since the day we met when we were just students he was always like that.”

“Then your sense of smell is fine and he has tricked you,” Nero told him. 

He took off his shirts and presented his back to the king. Not only were there two jagged stumps where wings had once been, but his back was covered in scars. As a result, even though new wings had grown they looked as if they were cracked and slightly misshapen. It was especially jarring because his wings had the appearance of a captured piece of night sky.

King Dalton’s expression grew dark. “Thank you, Nero,” he said, “You may go after you dress.”

Prince Nero bowed and quickly put his shirts back on before leaving the room. 

Several days later, Prince Nero was called to the throne room with all of the other princes. King Dalton had said there would be an important announcement. 

A few of the princes noticed the absence of the king’s close aid who almost never left his side, but for some reason the queen, head magician, and headmaster were all there.

“Today I will be stepping down as king of Tethia,” King Dalton announced. 

A ripple of shock ran through the ten princes, Nero included. Stepping down? Why would he do that?

“After easily being fooled and betrayed for many years I do not think I am worthy to continue in this position,” the king continued, “You have been called here to participate in the ceremony. The four of us have thought long and hard about who should replace me, but we have all come to a decision among the princes here.”

The princes looked at each other nervously. For many of them this was their dream. Nero, on the other hand, thought it had nothing to do with him. The only reason he had become a king candidate instead of a head magician candidate was because of his desire to find the traitor. Now that was done he fully intended to retire or switch divisions.

“War is on the horizon,” Queen Levina announced, “We have chosen a king who can lead us through battle, and even keep the peace if possible.”

That was a tall order. Nero wasn’t sure which of the other princes this responsibility would fall on, but he already pitied them.

“That is why we have chosen Prince Nero,” Headmaster Osmond announced.

What?!

“He is clever, and resourceful. According to Reginald, he has helped invent many spells that have benefited the future of the country. He also has an eye for people. It was Prince Nero who revealed the traitor to me,” King Dalton proclaimed.

All eyes were on Nero now, and he could barely hold back the urge to bolt. This was not how things were supposed to go.

“I am honored, but I would like to respectfully decline,” Nero told them with a bow.

“I am afraid you must accept,” the Headmaster said, stepping forward, “At least for a year until you can train someone worthy to take your place, you must be king.”

“You say ‘at least’ as if you expect it to take longer,” Nero accused.

“With your good eye for people, you won’t be satisfied unless the new king is just as good as you,” Headmaster Osmond stated as if it were fact. 

It was more aggravating because he was right.

That was how the unwilling Prince Nero, became King Nero and accepted the king’s crown which contained the Heart of Tethia.