The Raven And The Prince

Chapter 1 New member

Sunlight rays blared down into Streber's window as he groggily gets out of bed and rubs his eyes to get himself awake. A few of the castle servants helps the prince get dressed for the day by getting his outfit ready for him and doing his hair. "I can do this myself you know, you guys don't need to do everything." The prince said in a tired voice. "It's our duty to help the prince in anyway we can. The King has requested us to escort you to the main hall after you get freshened up." One of the servants replied.

Streber sighs, looking out the window has they finish fixing his hair. The prince watches the citizens running around the kingdom, shopping at the markets to get their food for the week and the children playing games in the busy streets. Streber always wondered what it's like to have the privilege to do whatever he wants, you think being the prince would grant you that privilege, but not for Streber. He has been sheltered from the outside world by being locked in the castle for most of his life, being forced to be the best ruler after the king retires, but he has been neglected by the king for so long that he had no guidance to follow to. He grabs his crown, crested in rubies, sapphires, and emeralds and sets it on his head, staring at his reflection in the mirror. A sorrowful look forms on his face, not knowing what the future will hold for the prince.

The prince heads down the long stair case to meet with his father, the king of the battz kingdom, in the main hall. "Did you wanted to see me father?" Streber asked the older gentleman. A taller man who is dressed head to toe with ridiculous amounts of luxury jewelry and accessories turns to his short son. "Yes I have called you down to discuss about the absence of a butler in your care."

The king looked down at his son as the servants give Streber a list of names. "Uh- is this necessary? We have so many servants and servers already. Why do I need one for myself? It would be more practical for a knight than another butler." He looks up at his father. "Knights are princes who want to get married and knows how to do their role right. You're getting a butler to tell you how to be a proper prince, maybe then you can become one." The king said in a nasty tone and tells the other servants to go get the men who are waiting outside to volunteer as the princes butler. Streber looks down at his feet, not making eye contact with his father and follows the others to meet the gentleman waiting for him.

   As he walks out to the main courtyard, he is greeted to a row of gentleman all lined up in a row. Each man has a unique look to them, from their tall height, wide bodies, or how they are dressed. Streber doesn't know what to do or say as he fumbles with his sleeves. His father glares at him to pick a butler. The prince walks towards the men. "Please state your full name for me and...why you chose to be here." The prince stated. As each man states their names and reason, one of the men starts to mess with a younger gentleman. "Will you knock it off?" The man turns to the gentleman that is harassing him. "The prince don't need boys here, only men." The man pushes the gentleman out of the line and he falls to the ground.

Streber notices the fallen man and rushes over to him. "Are you hurt sir? That looked like a nasty fall you took!" The prince kneels down and helps the gentleman up. The prince glares at the men who are giggling at the situation. "I wouldn't be laughing in front of your prince like that. Don't act like I didn't see you bully this gentleman." Streber said in an angry tone. "Why? The prince needs a strong and reliable person to lend on, not whatever this candy boy is offering." They continue to laugh. Streber grabs the man by the collar and yanks him on the air. "I don't think you heard me quite well and I'm not going to repeat myself. Beat it before I throw you onto the chopping block and have your head mounted on my wall. Got it?" The prince snarled at the man and drops him to the pavement. He turns to his attention to the injured man and escorts him to the medical center.

    "Im so sorry you had to see that. Are you hurt anywhere?" Streber asked as the nurses give the man a checkup. "I'm fine, just a scratch on my arm is all." The nurses dresses the wound up with a small bandage. "If I'm not mistaken, your name is Kevin right?" The prince takes a seat next to him. "Yes sir." Kevin replied in a monotone voice. "Well nice to meet you Kevin! I know this isn't the most formal or proper greeting from a prince, but I don't really care too much." Streber smiled happily as he puts his hand for a handshake. Kevin a bit confused as to why Streber is being so nice to him after what just happened in the courtyard, he shakes the princes hand. "It's nice to meet you too."

Streber hops up excitedly and helps Kevin up from the medical bed. "Why don't I show you around? It would helpful to get an idea of where everything is!" The prince smiled once again and rocked on heels, excited to meet another person who isn't from the castle. Before Kevin can speak, the short prince takes the candy man's hand and shows him around the mammoth sized castle. "Woah, I don't think I have ever been in a building as big as this before." Kevin spoke as he looks around the castle. "Yeah I think our castle is one of the few biggest buildings in the kingdom." The prince turns to around to face Kevin and starts walking backwards, having the best time in a while showing a new person his home.

As he continues to walk backwards, Streber accidentally trips over his cape runs falls into someone behind. Kevin runs over before Streber gets hurt by the fall and picks him up. "Sorry! That's was my fault! I wasn't looking where I going-" He stands up to meet his father, who looks irritated by his son running into him. Streber looks pale in the face after seeing his father while Kevin gives the king a cold stare. "You know you shouldn't be fooling around with a commoner in the castle! You have work to do, remember?" Streber not wanting to anger the king more, he looks sorrowful as he looks down at his feet. "Yes sir, sorry sir." "I see that you chose who you want. Pretty pathetic choice if you asked me. You should have picked one of the more stronger and taller men."

The king scoffs. Kevin doesn't like what the king is saying to Streber and gives him an anger look. "As a king, I don't think it's fair for you to nitpick and belittle your son at any chance you get. I think you should be more respectful to your future ruler." Kevin spoke behind Streber, looking up at the king. Streber is stunned that someone dared to stand up to the king and call him out on his actions. He was too scared to stay up for himself after the multiple punishments he would receive if he dare to talk back to his father. "You better watch your tone with me young man! You should know who you are talking to because I can have you throw in a cell or send you to be hanged for disrespecting me." The king kneels to Kevin's eye level. "I love to see-" "I-I THINK WE SHOULD GET GOING! C-come on Mr. Kevin! I can show you where my room is so we can get started on our p-paperwork!" The small prince grabs Kevin's hand in a hurry and drags him to his room before his father does anything drastic.

Streber rushes into his bedroom with Kevin and slams the door. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!? You can't speak to my father like that! He will murder if you continue disrespecting him!" Streber yelled in a panic, worried about what his father would do. "I'm the the one disrespecting him? Did you hear how he was treating you and what he was saying to you? I think he's the disrespectful one in this situation." Kevin crossed his arms. "Just...please don't make him mad. You don't want to see what punishments he does to you." Streber rubs his arm for comfort and walks over to his desk that is covered in paperwork. The prince sits down at his desk and works at the piles left by the king. Kevin sits on the floor next to him and helps him with whatever he can.

After a few hours of work, Kevin notices that Streber has overworked himself and fell asleep on top of the paperwork. He pulls himself up, picks up the sleeping prince from the desk and sets him in the bed. Kevin walks back to the desk and organizes the paperwork, skimming through the papers as he neatly puts them away. "Awful that he makes him do this much work." Kevin quietly said to himself. He walked to a sofa near the bed and watches over Streber, making sure no one disturbs him.