The Crown Prince (boyxboy)

Chapter 1: Coming of age

" I don't have to marry to be a good King."

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The piercing sound filled the air, causing the powerful stallion to let out a desperate cry. It reared up on its hind legs, towering like a human, raising itself to its full height. Tian felt the saddle shift and settle onto the horse's back as he clung tightly to the reins, desperately hoping he had secured the seat correctly. Meanwhile, the golden crown, once perfectly perched on the prince's head, tumbled to the muddied ground with a muffled thud, coinciding with the beginning of a downpour.

The horse extended its powerful legs, touching the earth with grace. Eager and unbidden, it thundered into the clearing, the Prince desperately grasping onto its back. The crack of lightning illuminated the sky like a fleeting day, followed by a deluge of rain that turned the world into a glittering expanse of falling diamonds. In the brief light, the rain battered the branches before darkness reignited. Tian was keenly aware that thunder would soon rumble in the wake of the lightning. He tightened his grip on the reins, straining against them, wishing he had heeded past advice. "Easy, easy there," he urged, attempting to regain control, but the steed refused to yield. It disregarded the commands of its new master, driven solely by an instinct to race through the woodland, unwavering until safety was achieved.

The horse surged through the dense woods, showing no concern for its rider as Tian desperately clung on. The darkness and pouring rain made it incredibly difficult for him to find his way. Lightning illuminated the sky, briefly revealing the path ahead as the trees flew past him. He saw a low-hanging branch hurtling towards him in that split second, but there was no time to evade the collision.

The full force of the branch jolted Tian as it collided with his shoulder, knocking him off the saddle. He tumbled to the forest floor with a heavy thud, the fall coinciding with the crack of thunder echoing through the woods. The horse, indifferent to its fallen rider, disappeared among the trees, leaving Tian alone in the darkness. He lay motionless, abandoned and drenched to the core as the relentless rain poured down, saturating the young prince.

As Tian's mind wanders, he becomes aware of the growing disconnect between his thoughts and the world around him. He yearns to rewind time, to relive the day and regain a sense of purpose. Feeling himself drifting away, he struggles to maintain focus. Eventually, his gaze surrenders to the encompassing darkness, and with heavy lids, his eyes finally close.

****

Earlier that morning...

"Here he is. My beautiful boy," his mother says with a radiant smile as she gracefully rises from her ornate seat at the grand table. With a sense of affection, she approaches her son and gently cups his cheeks, pinching them lightly as she gazes at him with adoring eyes.

"Enough, Evangeline. He is not a child," interrupts her husband, the solemn King, from his majestic position at the head of the table.

Sighing softly, she reluctantly withdraws her hands, a tinge of sadness flickering across her face. "That he is not," she murmurs pensively. "Happy birthday, my love." With a wistful expression, she returns to her seat, the atmosphere in the room tinged with a palpable mix of affection and restrained tension.

As Tian sat at the elaborate breakfast table, the morning sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colourful patterns on the intricate tapestries adorning the walls. Servants bustled about, setting down platters of steaming food before him. The delicious aroma of the feast filled the room as Tian eagerly tucked into his meal, savouring each bite.

Suddenly, Tian looked up, noticing his father's imposing figure at the head of the table. The clinking of cutlery ceased as the King cleared his throat, fixing his son with a penetrating gaze filled with unspoken expectations. Tian placed the half-eaten fruit back onto his side plate and inquired, "Father, what is it?"

The King's steely gaze never wavered as he reminded Tian, "You are now of age. We had an agreement." With an air of reluctance, Tian raised the goblet to his lips, taking a thoughtful sip. "What agreement?" he asked, though the weight of his father's words hung heavily in the air, a silent reminder of their shared understanding.

"I'm not getting any younger. You are my only son, the heir to the throne," the king said urgently. As Tian lowered his cup, expecting another conversation about marriage, his father continued, "We agreed on this."

"No, you decided," Tian mumbled as a servant placed a bowl of porridge before him. Looking up at his father, he added, "I don't have to marry to be a good king."

The king sighed, "I don't think you understand. It's important to continue the bloodline. You are our only child. The next in line after you is Rufus, and he's a buffoon." The comment caused Tian to snort into his breakfast.

"Henry! That is no way to speak of your brother," scolded the Queen, her eyes wide with shock.

"Evangeline, It is true. He does not have a care in the world. No responsibility, no burden. He will likely never sit on the throne, which is just as well according to his standards. He still plays as if he were a child," the King declared with a heavy sigh. "He has never had to be bound by duty."

"Father, that's hardly his fault, just like me not getting married yet is mine," Tian protested, lowering his spoon to the table. "I can be a good king and live a long life without a wife or a child..."

"Then the house of Franklin will die," the King interrupted, banging a fist on the table, causing everything upon it to move a fraction to the left and prompting the Queen to place a hand on his balled-up fingers. "You have your birthday celebration ball this evening. I have taken the liberty to extend the invitation far and wide. There will be many single and worthy ladies to converse with. I don't want any excuses..."

"Could we perhaps continue this conversation at a more appropriate time?" Tian interjected, sensing the need to shift the focus to the occasion at hand.

"I couldn't agree more. Henry, today should be about celebration, not anger," she added, withdrawing her hand as she felt the tension ease in the King's grasp. She turned to her son with an affectionate smile, "Once you've had breakfast, head over to the stables. I have a little surprise waiting for you there."

"A surprise?" Tian arched an intrigued eyebrow at his mother. "If it's the stables, I can only imagine what it might be..."