The Tale of a Prince (A continuation of The Prince and the Baker)

Like a Wolf

Richard was running on all fours. He was howling and barking and doing all sorts of doglike things to get all of his energy out. 
He spotted loose chickens and immediately starts chasing them. He snapped and bit and growled at them, even catching one in his sharp teeth. He ran towards some trees, hiding and beginning to tear the defenseless bird apart with his hands. 
He loved this. It was a distraction from being stuffy, boring, royal. He didn't understand why Jack wouldn't just allow them to stay at the bakery while still being royal. It was horrid. He didn't hate his parents, he hated the situation.
It's been especially rough ever since his father, King Dave, the only child of the previous king, came out as a transgender woman. Now she's Queen Davenie. It's so difficult to get used to, she isn't mad that they still call her Dad, but Richard doesn't understand why she would want to do that. Richard found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that now, he technically had a mother. 
She's not been home during the day. She hides in her room or in the palace or even in a doctor's office. Richard misses her, but at the same time, he's so angry at her for not being home and helping him with the struggles of being a teenage boy with new feelings and emotions. He'd ask Jack had it not been for the fact that Jack was always helping Suzanne with things. HER puberty, HER performances, HER schooling, it was all about her it seemed. Richard had half a mind to just scream at all of them. Davenie for not being home, Jack for only paying attention to Suzanne, and Suzanne for just not doing anything to help him with these problems he has. 
He can't yell at them though. He doesn't want to make Suzanne cry, she hates yelling, and when she cries Jack is there to comfort her while Davenie scolds him for being so rude. He doesn't want it to start with hurting his sister's feelings, he hates making her upset.
He just goes back to ripping apart the chicken. He separates all of the pieces, mainly to collect the edible portions to bring back home. He enjoys getting fresh food from the source so he can at least participate in feeding his family. He collects specific part, the spine, the feet, and the beak. All of those go into his wildlife collection. He has every land and air animal, every bug, every bird, every single plant all over the world. 
He doesn't have any sea life. No water creatures or water bugs. Nobody is allowed past the gate to see the water. King Henry closed it off years ago for reasons Richard does not know. He's heard rumors of merfolk and a royal merman family ruled by a man and his young nephew. It's not true though, it's just the Virginelle Islands and some fish. 
Richard sees the sun rise and starts heading home, carrying the meat of his victim. He yawns, lifting a hand to rub his eyes. He's sleepy now. He drops the chicken off to kitchen staff and goes to clean himself up. He yawns once again and goes to his parents' room, seeing Suzanne snuggled up to their momfather. Richard crawls up beside Jack, cuddling into his papa's arms and being met with a warm embrace and a kiss on the forehead. Jack's awake. 
Richard just holds on to his father. He knows his parents don't mean to be distant. Suzanne has complained as well. It's hard on everyone, especially at the ages the twins are at. Richard hears one more thing before drifiting to sleep. 
"Goodnight, Wick, I love you." Jack whispered, petting Richard's head. 
"Goodnight, Papa." he replies, falling asleep in his father's arms.