The Unwanted Prince

Ch. 23 - Adrian

We had set out that morning, now riding our horses through a path in a wide valley. The sun beat down on us.

My hair was tied up, though strands of it stuck on my neck because of sweat. I had to strip off my jacket and gloves. Rat was well watered already, but I could tell she was getting tired.

Looking back at the others, I saw that Oliver was chatting it up with Mar. He had his bangs pulled back by a headband, his coat tied around his waist. I think he was talking something about gnomes? Or was it dwarves?

They're the same thing, I suppose. Both are short and... short.

I haven't encountered gnomes before. I heard they're frisky little guys who like to fuck around with people.

As for dwarves, well, I've only ever met one. It was on one of my trips up north in the mountains. He was actually pretty nice, the guy had a cottage in the mountains because he mined there. And, I'll admit, he almost beat me in an arm-wrestling match. Dwarves are no joke, they're really strong. Well, at least for this particular dwarf.

I think his name was like... Freyer or something. I can't remember it was like three years ago.

"Oliver, can you like, shut up for five seconds?" Mar snapped at him. I couldn't help but chuckle which she caught. Mar glared at me.

Oliver shrugged, "Nope. One of my weaknesses is that I'm a chatterbox."

Mar rolled her eyes, "Then why don't you talk when other people are around? Talk to drunkard we meet at inns, I'm sure they would love to hear about your knowledge on mystical fossils." She was being sarcastic, her tone was way too dramatic.

Oliver let out a short unoffended laugh, "Come on, Mar. You know me, I only like to talk to people who are sober. Plus, it's good that I'm telling you everything I know, it might come in handy in the future." Mar all but grunted.

Their voices became muffled as I tuned them out for the hundredth time that day. The two of them bickered a lot, which is saying something because I would've thought Mar would argue with me. But no, actually it turns out Mar and Oliver talked a lot. Granted, it's usually Oliver annoying Mar with his factual knowledge which then causes Mar to tell him to shut up but then Oliver then says something snarky and then goes back to saying something nerdy. That's how the routine has been lately.

Rat sometimes would look at me with eyes that told me she was getting annoyed with the two of them. It was funny.

Sighing, I thought back about the night before.

I made a stupid promise to Lily.

I told her that the next time I see her she'd better be working in a castle, just like she wanted.

But what really bothered me was that she called me nice. Usually, I don't bother when people say compliments to me. As a prince, I got used to hearing praise from strangers. It just feels like a numb train of nonsense at this point.

But hearing Lily call me "nice"... hurt.

It hurt because, well, she reminded me of myself back then. When I used to be a small innocent kid who had no worries at all. There was nothing in the world that could hurt me, I was a gleaming flower in a dying world. I used to be so happy.

And yet, here I am, going off to rescue the tenth princess in my life in a desperate attempt to become king. I was on the Quest of Death.

All these years of fighting on my own taught me to be an iron wall. I couldn't let anything or anyone get in the way of my goals.

Not my parents. Not my brother. Not anyone who doesn't believe in me. No one.

If only Grandy could see me now... he'd be disappointed. I know it.

He's only ever wanted the best for me and yet I failed him. Grandy taught me to be kind, selfless, and show mercy. But no bone in my body is ever going to show kindness, not after the bullshit my family has put me through.

I mean, why should I have to be kind to a world that's done nothing but hurt me again and again? And even when I thought, for just a second, that was everything was okay... The universe decides to take it away from me.

But not this time. This time, I will get what I want. I will be the one thing happy little Adrian wanted all along. And that is to be king.

I'm sorry, Grandy.

My parents tried to erase you, they tried so hard to destroy your legacy. But they failed because you're still remembered... Unfortunately, it seems I might be the one that does the job.

Where Grandy is right now... he probably hates me.

You see me, don't you, Grandy? Up there, in heaven? You're probably looking down and shaking your head at what your grandson has become.

My grandfather showed me kindness... But I won't do the same for others. The world had its chance. Now, I don't give a shit if it crumbles.

As long as I sit above everyone and everything, with a crown on and scepter in my hand. Then I'm okay.

I'm... okay.

I'm okay.

I'm okay.

I'm oka-

"Your Highness?"

I didn't notice that Mar had come up next to me. Startled, I ended up just staring at her with wide eyes. Mar was frowning, concerned that I might be going crazy.

"Are you... uh... alright, Your Highness?"

My mouth was left agape because, well, I thought she hated me. Why would she be asking if I was okay?

"Um... yeah, yeah I am."

Mar squinted her eyes at me but didn't say anything more. I looked away, I couldn't keep looking at her. She was judging me, I know it.

Mar was wearing the same look my family would wear whenever I walked into the room. It was full of judgment and suspicion.

"Are you sure?" She asked. "Because you're walking off the trail."

I halted my horse, looking around.

Mar was right. I was off the trail. Rat and I were a good five meters away from the path. Oliver was waiting on the trail while Mar was behind me.

Around us, tall green grass swayed in the gentle breeze.

I cursed quietly under my breath as I steered Rat back on trail, Mar close behind.

That was embarrassing.

I glared at Rat. She was supposed to be good at this stuff.

Rat lifted her head up, turning to glance at me for a moment. She let out a huff and looked away.

Oh my god.

She did that on purpose!

Damn... I really did have a smart horse.