Charles' POV

The chirping of birds, the warm morning sun, and idle chatter ill sounds always define a perfect morning. It would have been perfect If it wasn't for the fact that we had to leave for the thirteenth bloody time through this trip. Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining about the journey, after all, it's like a tour through the countryside, with most of the people loving their little lord, which is me. The adoration and respect I get due to my birth are ridiculous, but I'm not complaining.

The pain in the ass, in this god damned trip, are the nobles. Well, both about nobles and their noble customs. The counts and earls we had to meet were endless. I was just glad they all seemed welcoming. Seemed is the operative word. You never really know the hooded words and hidden sneers. The etiquette lessons, sure as heck, saw great returns, from the proper bowing and to the proper utensils. It all got its returns.

The worst part would be the clothes. I never thought a three-piece suit could feel that uncomfortable before. I look like I'm about to start selling the blood of the innocent. Though I do look good despite my misgivings, it's like preparing for prom, but it's every day, so pretty tedious.

"How many times are we gonna have to do this?" I whine towards Faye and mother. Mother giggles at me and responds comfortingly, "This is the last one, sweetie. We'll be going to the capital this time." I look at her confused, "CAPITAL? The kingdom capital?" Mother nods her head. I bounce back, excited, looking back outside as I take in the beautiful scenery. However, the sounds of marching men do ruin it.

I look around and notice Faye sitting beside mother. Only now did I notice her wearing a dress similar to that of my mother, the first time I ever saw her in one. She looked beautiful and a bit terrifying.

A few moments passed, and thought come to mind. "Why are we going to the capital?" Mother looks at me with excitement. "Well, you'll be four years old a week from now, and it is a tradition for you to be present in Siegcas." taking note of the name, I spoke tired, "Do I really have to?" Mother looked at me sympathetically and said, "I'm sorry, sweetie, but it's required for you to be present." I nod at her, and the consequences of waking up this early caught up to me, dragging me to sleep.

A few hours pass like this as my mother wakes me up from my nap. I excitedly look outside to see a gate the size I've never seen before. I look on in awe, and once I did, the bustling crowd captures my attention. The countless line of men and women fills my view. They all standing in line to enter the imposing gate. Numerous guards stand in attention, checking each man and woman for the safety of the nation.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The view leaves me speechless. The immensity of the capital pales in comparison to that of Caehal. The sheer size was putting into perspective the situation upon where I sat. The fact that I was 3rd in line to inherit something of this scale terrifies me to no end. I feel a hand upon my shoulder pulling me in her lap. She hugs me intensely and whispers, "It'll be fine, sweetie, mommy's here." The warmth reminding me I wasn't alone anymore.

The travel was finally over, and I thought as we enter the gate. To be once again in awe of the castle situated within the city. It is a castle high enough to be comparable to earth's skyscrapers, surrounded by four towers, each seemingly decorated as a homage to an element. So that is Entrum.

We traveled within the city. It took a few minutes until the overpowering smell of sewage and smoke enters my senses. As I cover my nose, Faye immediately handed me a handkerchief. "Milord, you can cover your nose with this." I looked at her in appreciation and thanked her. I look around to see the source of the smell. The river looks polluted. The smoke from smithies combining with the smell of raw sewage fills me with disgust.

I close the window, hoping for the smell to pass, and it does. I open the window once again to see rows of houses. Houses and apartments filled the streets, and stalls multiply as we go around a market square. As we get closer to the castle, I notice manors of great luxury and extravagance—the various carriages parked in front of them.

I guess these are the noble manors. I shake my head, you can see the difference between the classes. Let's just hope there won't be a famine anytime soon. As we get closer towards the castle, I wonder about my family. After all, I am the third prince. That would mean there were two princes born above me. So either the succession is set, or one of the reasons I was with my mother was because of a succession crisis.

That doesn't sound good. So, what should I do then? I guess the first question should be. Do I want to fight for it? That would be a NO. I chose to live a loving life with my family. This would be nothing more than a pain in the ass. The only problem then would be how to convince them. That I won't move as long as they don't touch me, but I can't do that since I'm a kid then. The only way to do so would be incompetence.

Make me out to be such a minor threat that I won't even be worth the trouble. But then my dabbles towards magic would be evidence against that. So do I give that up? No way. I was going to have to find a way to defuse this before it takes anything important. Besides, Mother will always be there to help.