LIGHTHOUSE

ROWAN

The second my shoes made contact with the stone stairs; my breathing stopped as if my lungs wanted to die just as much as I did.

My parents walked in front of me and walked through the doors of my new home for the next six months. I followed behind them, shoving through people in the castle halls. My father turned around, "Where is- Rowan?" He called.

I shoved through another crowd of people, "Excuse me, I'm sorry," I muttered.

Father waved at me, "Do you assume that I have all day?" He growled.

I finally caught up to him and mother. They stood by a sign on the wall. Mother pointed to it, "The boys hall is up the stairs to the left."

Without skipping a beat, my father walked up the stairs. "Will, slow down." Mother giggled.

Mother and I followed behind him and turned to our left, seeing a hall full of parents and boys my age. Mother pulled the paper out of her purse, "Rowan's room number is 457."

Father looked at each number until we had to turn down four halls to get to the four hundreds.

Once we finally reached door 457, mother and father made way for me to use the key around my neck to unlock the door.

I unlocked it, and father shoved past me, entering the room. Mother walked in behind him. I closed the door looking around the room. Two white beds, one bathroom, a tv, and a white sofa in front of the tv.

Father smiled, taking in the room, "Nothing has changed since I was here."

Mother turned to me, "Let's go over your nutritional journal instructions before we leave."

I took my bookbag strap off of my shoulder and put the bookbag on one of the beds. She went through the bag pulling out the black leather journal. She flipped to the first page, "Alright, I wrote your weight down from when we checked it this morning. You are at 120 pounds right now. By the time your father and I get back in February, I expect your weight to be at exactly 100 pounds on the dot. Once we arrive home you will be sized and weighted for your suit to wear on your coronation day." She pointed her finger in my face, "And I will slit my throat before I let my own blood be overweight to the public eye." She turned another page, "I have written down the times you are allowed to eat and what you are allowed to have for each meal. If they serve what is not on this list, sip some water until you find an option on this list. Understand?"

I nod, "Yes, mother."

My family was known for their beauty and elegance. If I did not maintain the standard of charming masculinity my mother required for me, she would quite literally hang herself.

Father snapped his fingers at me, "Your mother is right, my son will not be viewed as a disgustingly large hog." He put his hand on my shoulder, "This school will teach you the ways of being a true king. I expect nothing less of you for your academic studies. There will be no distractions, pay no attention to girls, you have no time for that. You will not embarrass your mother and me. You will do exactly as you are told. Understand, son?"

I nod, "Yes, father."

Father pat my back, "Don't disappoint us."

Mother kissed my cheek, "We'll write you, make sure you check your weight in the hospital wing every week and write your weight in your letters back to us."

"I will."

They smiled at me and left the room. I laid on the couch when the door swung open, "Ooh! This is nice!" I sat up seeing Queen Emily of Pine Palace looking around the room. She saw me and grinned, "Hello! You must be Prince Rowan."