Belvedere Academy

THE PRINCE

When I was a little boy, I thought I had the perfect family. A stern and hardworking father who made time to teach us the things only a father could teach, like hunting, sports, camping, politics. A loving mother who would scold us when we made a mess and comfort us when we were sad or scared. An older brother who built forts with me and told me all kinds of stories. Who looked out for me and covered for me when I messed up. And a baby sister who cried through the night if I wasn't in bed with him until he fell asleep. Who followed me everywhere and liked to ride on my back pretending I was a majestic steed. But it was only a dream.

These simple little things will forever be beyond me. Because no matter how hard I try, I'll always be a prince. The greatest of all legacies, a future king of a mighty kingdom. That's all everyone ever saw me as. Never as a potential friend or lover, but as a means to gain power and status. So I never bothered to act otherwise, no matter how much I hated it. And I hated it so much it felt like I was being eaten alive. And after my older brother died, that feeling became completely unbearable. It swallowed me whole and I was lost in the darkness for a long time. That was until I met her.

Molly Shaw was an angel. I didn't know that until after her death. But that was the only way to explain her pure and beautiful existence. I still remember the day we met, in this very same cafeteria. Meghan was at it again, trying to intimidate the new girl. I don't usually like to involve myself with these petty displays of superiority. But for some reason, a part of me really wanted to intervene and I would have, but she didn't need my help. She stood her ground and fought back. She had sadness in her eyes similar to mine and I could tell she had that unbearable feeling in her too, that darkness.

I approached her afterwards and we spoke for ten minutes, but those ten minutes changed my life. My whole purpose, the purpose I've had since the moment I was born, drifted within ten mere minutes. Afterwards, we spoke often. We revealed the source of our darkness in depth and we made plans, so many plans. But she was gone before we could see those plans come to fruition. Her death hurt, she was my only friend. The only person in this world other than my brother who saw me. Truly saw me.

I had mourned and mourned and a part of me still mourned. But I knew I had to continue what we started. I just needed to figure out how to do it. It wouldn't be easy for me to do it alone. I spent countless days and nights looking for the most effective path possible. And just as I was about to give up, the solution fell right into my lap. Emma Carmichael, the girl Molly loved with every fiber of her being. I knew it was her right away. Molly talked about her so frequently that I felt like I already knew her on a personal level. And if I'm being honest with myself, I could see myself falling for this girl. She had the same sadness in her eyes. But it was different. She had the darkness but there was something else that I can't quite place and I liked that.

I approached her, opting for a light conversation, hoping to get her to let her guard down. I didn't want to tell her my name until I was sure. And when I did, she froze which I found amusing.

"Lesson one, never let your guard down. They are many types of wolves in this place. You just faced off with the fiercest member of the pack. That was a mistake. The rest will be keeping their eyes on you. Making it harder for you to do what you came here to do."

"I'm sorry, you just caught me off guard."

She looks genuinely disappointed. Like she had failed someone important to her.

"Don't worry, it's just the beginning. You may have lost your first battle, but the war is yet to be over. Far from it."

"Why are you giving me advice? Is it because of Molly? Did you love her?"

"Not in the way you're thinking. I loved her as a friend and an ally. She saw me, the me behind the prince."

She smiles at that

"She saw me too. It was like her super power. Seeing the people behind the mask. That's why she was so popular at school. And I was just......"

She falls silent and I wait for her to continue but she doesn't

"I won't argue with that. And as to why I'm helping you, it's because I need something from you."

"Wow, straight to the point huh. Most people don't reveal their motives right away."

"I'm not most people and I don't see a point in hiding my motives from you. After all, you're a potential ally and I need you to trust me. And honesty is the best way to gain that trust."

"I'm honored, but why me? Judging by the way people are looking at you, including little miss queen b and her high table of minions. They all respect you or fear you or admire you. I'm not sure which one it is yet. But they most definitely want you as an ally."

"You're right. They all want me. Mostly to elevate their status and gain favors from a future king. But I'm not interested in their petty power games. My purpose goes beyond that."

"And what exactly is your purpose?"

"Not so fast love, all will be revealed in good time. But for now, I need you to do something for me."

"And what might that be?"

I lean in, she's surprised but doesn't move away. My lips brush her ear, breathing in her scent, a combination of honey, spice and old wine. An odd mix for sure but I liked it.

"I want you to be mine."

XXX

Admit it, that last bit gave you butterflies didn't it?

XXX