The Lone Prince

Chapter 1 - Responsibility

It was warm morning, everything was quiet and calm. Young prince, Takahiro was laying down on grass in the garden, he was hiding from his teacher. He was supposed to train with a sword but he didn't though it was going to be important for him, since, as chosen heir, he had no intentions in becoming a knight.

"There you are" And there it was. His peace ending. His teacher found him. He sighed and got up from the ground.

"Is this really necessary?" The ability to wield the sword well could be useful, but it was knights job to protect him, and he didn't wanted to take away their job.

"Of course it is, you need to be able to defend yourself"

"Isn't it what knights are for? And like, a special knights destined to protect me from danger?"

"Do you really think that knights go with you everywhere?"

"Yes?" Wasn't that theirs job? Going everywhere with him and protecting him from any danger?

His teacher sighed.

"Do you think that a king has no privacy at all?"

"Well it was a little weird but i thought that this is how it works" He was slightly confused by that.

"Maybe you should leave thinking to the council. Now shut up and take the sword"

"Hey! Don't tell me to shut up! I'm a prince!"

"A really stupid prince" Takahiro made an offended noise but took his sword.

"When i'll be the king the first thing i'll do will be sending you somewhere far away where you'll be all alone!"

"Oh i'm really scared" his teacher anwsered sarcastically. There are years left before he'll become a king. First his father has to die and it doesn't look like he's going to do that anytime soon. But he still had to be ready to take the crwon any day. Assassins can be everywhere. And everyone wants to have the crown.

Training took him next two hours. His teacher wanted to train with him more but it was obvious that Takahiro was tired. And his father wanted to see him.

"How was your training today?" His father asked. They were walking through the royal garden. It was said to be the most beautiful place in the whole kingdom. Hanamaki couldn't agree more. It was beautiful place. He was spending there most of his free time.

"It was good, although it could be a little shorter" His father laughed. He knew how much his son hated practicing combat. But it was a necessary skill.

"It won't last forever. And there's never too much practice when it comes to being safe." Takahiro sighed quietly. There really wasn't a way that would let him avoid training. "I want to show you something" after his father said that he started leading his son towards a basement of some sort.

It was a dark place. The only light source were torches. It was completely different from the garden above. It was a little creepy. But Takahiro wasn't scared. He couldn't be spooked by a dark and creepy looking place underground if he wanted to be a good and strong king.

His father took one of the torches and was lighting theirs way through the underground hallway.

"Our family is ruling this kingdom since many years, someday the crown will be yours and i hope that you'll rule for a many more"

"Why are you telling me this?" Takahiro was a little confused by that.

"Are you interested in marriage?" He was taken aback by this question.

"No, marriage is a stupid concept"

"You don't have to marry anyone if you don't want. I won't mind if you'll be the last king in our family. Someday it has to end and i'd prefer a peaceful end instead of a war" his father stopped suddenly. Infront of them was a chest.

"What's in this chest?"

"Open it" a slight smile appeared on the face of the elder man.

Takahiro a bit reluctant came closer and slowly opened the chest. Inside was a crown. It was black, sides looked like two, slightly thorned leaves. On the front, right in the middle, was a big red gem. It looked pretty.

"This crown belonged to the first king of this kingdom, only few chosen were allowed to have it after him. Someday this crown is going to be yours" his eyes widened at this statement. Takahiro was surprised that he was chosen to have this crown. He looked at it closer. Under the gem was engraved his family symbol, a flower, around it were petals curving in a circle.

"Why me?" It sounded liie a great honor to have this crown, just because it belonged to the very first king here and not everyone could have it. And it looked way cooler than the crown his father had.

"Well, if you aren't going to marry and have kids then our dynasty is going to end after you. So at least we could put this crown to use" That was true, his sisters already informed that they aren't going to marry anyone. And that they don't want to rule the kingdom. And that meant that he was the last one to rule. It was interesting to know that he was going to end the whole dynasty.

But maybe that was how it was supposed to be? His death will be the time to choose new rulers for this kingdom. Apparently his family wasn't supposed to rule anymore.

And maybe he should think about it in this way. He didn'teven started ruling and he is already thinking about his death and what will happen afterwards. That's a really great start.

Later he went back to the garden. Flowers were for him something important. And not only because they were part of house Hanamaki. They were beautiful and were able to regrow as beautiful even if something destroys them. He loved spending his time around them, it was really calming.

His favorite flowers were Azaleas, they had beautiful pink coloration. They could survive even through the winter, and thsy were toxic to humans. Beautiful and dangerous, a perfect combination. He only wishes that he could have a chance to actually test how toxic they were.

Maybe someday he'll have a chance.