{The Abandoned Prince}

4. Theodore

Careful.....careful.....jump!

"Hello mister! What are you doing?"

The rustle of leaves and a voice surprised Lathos so much he accidentally twisted his ankle when he landed. Ouch.

Lathos collapsed on the ground and winced a bit, tentatively touching his ankle while looking up to see the person who gave him such a big shock.

»»————-　⚜　————-««»»————-　⚜　————-««

"Oh, my! Are you all right?"

A little boy was staring at him worriedly. He had large green eyes with vertical slim pupils, as well as fluffy, short pale blond hair. Sitting on top of his head were two cat ears.

Lathos squinted at him.

His words held a strange accent to it. It seemed like he wasn't from the Obelian Empire. Maybe one of the neighboring Empires? Was it Delta? Olric? Maybe Roise?

It was a little suspicious for a boy that looked the same age as Lathos himself to be wandering around here....

Forget it. He can always ask later.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for worrying about me." 

Lathos dug his hands into the soil and pushed himself up, trying to get back on his feet.

Only to fall right back down.

"Nonsense! You cannot even stand straight! Here, I'll lend you a hand," the boy clamored as he provided a shoulder for Lathos to lean on.

Lathos could only reluctantly accept his help.

"So, what were you doing back there?" asked the boy curiously as he set Lathos down on a nearby bench. He then took a seat next to him, swinging his legs.

Lathos hesitated for a moment.

"I was....sneaking out."

"What? Why do you need to sneak out when you can go through the door?" The boy looked at him as if he was stupid.

"......"

"?"

"."

"('・ω・｀)"

".....I'm not allowed to. My maid told me not to go out", Lathos looked away, scratching his neck embarrassingly.

A prince confined by his maid; how ironic is that?

"En, I see. Wait- your maid?"

"I live here." Lathos raised a hand to point at the building behind him. "It's only natural that I have a maid, right?"

The boy was getting a little too into Lathos' personal life. However, he didn't really mind. It's not like his life had any secrets.

It was just a boring, ordinary life of a 4 year old child.

"YOU'RE THE CROWN PRINCE?! IS YOUR NAME LATHOS DE ALGER OBELIA BY ANY CHANCE?!"

"....."

Nevermind.

Lathos already regretted talking about his life. 

It seemed like the blond was about to explode. He was bouncing up and down on the bench, fueled by a newfound excitement. The bench itself felt like it was about to break, vibrating with every move.

Lathos also didn't know why the boy was so excited all of a sudden. It's not a big deal at all. At least, he didn't think so. 

Was the Crown Prince position really so important when it was given to a useless quack such as himself?