The Pack Reunites

Chapter 3

Junius 1st, 2078.

Princeps Gromeo, Princepess Azura, and I sat inside the room of the Helado puppies, eagerly waiting to see Principe Sancho's outfit for his Quinceñero. "Come on Sancho!" Principe Roberto exclaimed. "We want to see your new outfit!" "Okay, okay," he answered before stepping out wearing the suit.

It was a very simple ensemble, a blue polo with matching cobalt pants. and black shoes, the traditional clothing worn by a young boy in El Reino Helado. Since he just turned twelve, his Padre didn't allow him to wear a military uniform.

While we were inside the castle assisting the young Principe in choosing an outfit for the Ceremonia, the castle staff was preoccupied preparing the horses and carriage for the procession that would begin the infante's quinceñero celebration.

What's a quinceñero? Despite most Reino Helado witches nowadays believing it to be a celebration marking the young royal's entrance into adulthood, a quinceñeractually has nothing to do with age. The Ceremonia is meant to signify the crowning of the heir once he's proven himself worthy to rule.

It also doesn't necessarily have to and often isn't celebrated on the young Reale's birthday which is shown from the beginning when my Avunculus first started the tradition. Principe Sancho's quinceñero was celebrated on Quintilis but his birthday was on the Februarius, five months prior.

As for how and when Principe Sancho Segundo prove himself? His big moment of triumph actually involved facing one of his biggest fears and one of my oldest foes. It was the 8th of Maius 2078, Princeps Gromeo and Princepess Azura were spending in the garden, practicing with my cousin, Principe Pedro and just like always, his older Hermano, Principe Sancho and I simply sat back and watched.

Honestly, I felt some sympathy for him. Despite being the eldest Hijo, his Hermano Menor became the more powerful water bender due to his sexuality, and though his Madre Y Padre never openly said it, the fact that they never publicly named him their heir by that point made him believe that they didn't trust him to rule El Reino Helado.

It was humiliating for him, not only was his power inferior to his Hermano, but he was also probably never going to be Rey. To be fair, Pedro did have more traits desired for an infante, he was adaptable, charming, and above all was willing to fight, and protect his subjects from danger.

El Reino Helado was currently preparing for Pinopsia, a local tradition in honor of the royal couple, Reina Erica's, and Rey Sancho, not just to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Catalonia but another event I shall discuss in a later tale.

Since its creation, the festival served as a national holiday, a way to celebrate these two events while also showing their love and appreciation to their Regiums which is another thing the four Regnums have in common to this day. Anyway, as Principe Sancho watched his Hermano Y "Primos" practice when Tia Erica approached.

"Hola puppies," she said softly. "Hola Madre," Principe Pedro replied. "I see you're all practicing." She then turned to find her eldest Hijo sitting alone. "What about you Sancho," she asked. "Aren't you going to practice. "Yes, Madre," he answered. "I was simply taking notes from Mi Hermano and "Primos" before beginning."

Now, if that had been Mea Mater vel Sorer, it would've been obvious that he was lying but since this was Tia Erica, Principe Sancho got away with it. I love Mi Tia dearly, but it was clear she was rather gullible. "Alright then," she said with a smile. "Have fun puppies." "We will. Gracias Madre." She then walked back to the castle, to check on the preparations for Pinopsia. As soon as she was out of sight the three of them turned to to the young Principe.

"What?" he asked as his relatives stared. "Uh, what the Inferno Hermano!?" Pedro exclaimed. "Padre always told us not to lie." With a look of anger and annoyance Principe Sancho responded. "Of course, you'd say that. You've always been his favorite meanwhile I am the eldest Hijo, yet he's never paid attention to me." He stopped for a moment to catch his breath but then continued his rant.