Heir of the Labyrinth

Chapter 30: To rule the world

It was a day like any other in the heart of the Labyrinth, a twisting maze of impossible passages, shifting stairways, and curious creatures that had grown used to the eccentric reign of Jareth, the Goblin King. However, for Jareth Junior, or Jager as he preferred to be called, it was anything but ordinary.

He woke up that morning with a glint in his amber eyes and a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

You see, Jareth Junior had spent most of his short life living in the shadow of his infamous father. The Goblin King was a larger-than-life figure towering, with his always messy blonde hair, sharp cheekbones, and brooding presence. He commanded both the Labyrinth and its inhabitants with a flick of his gloved hand, and "Jager" had learned from an early age that his father's patience was a fragile thing. Today, though, Junior decided he was done being a well-behaved and obedient prince. He wanted to test just how far he could push his father, just how much annoyance Jareth the Goblin King could handle before he snapped.

The first step in his plan was simple: chaos at breakfast.

Jareth Junior tiptoed down the spiraling staircase from his tower chamber into the grand hall. The Goblin King's palace was a marvelous structure, equal parts opulent and eerie. The high ceilings were adorned with grand chandeliers made of crystal and bone, and the walls were lined with pieces of old materials. In the center of the hall was the dining table, long and imposing, laden with an extravagant breakfast spread.

Jareth was already seated at the head of the table, his glittering cape draped over the chair, sipping from a goblet filled with some mysterious blue liquid. He looked regal and imposing as ever, but "Jager" could see the weariness in his father's eyes. Jareth had spent the night dealing with yet another intrusion from mortals trying to solve the Labyrinth. It hadn't gone well—for them, that is.

Without a word, Jareth Junior sauntered to his seat at the other end of the table. He smirked to himself as he plucked a fruit from the plate in front of him. The fruit was soft, its flesh glowing faintly with a purplish hue, and smelled sweet enough to make anyone's mouth water. Junior eyed his father from across the table, then in one swift motion, he squished the fruit in his hand, letting its sticky juice splatter all over his face and the pristine tablecloth.

-"Must you?" Jareth asked, his voice sharp but calm. He didn't look up from his goblet, his tone laced with irritation. He was always so composed, so coldly in control.

-"Oh, was that bad manners, Father?" Jareth Jr. replied innocently, his mismatched amber eyes wide in mock surprise.

Jareth slowly placed his goblet down, his long fingers drumming lightly against its rim. -"Yes, very bad manners. Do try to eat like a civilized creature for once."

Jareth Junior simply smiled and, rather than apologizing, grabbed a pastry and crumbled it deliberately in his hands, the flaky crust drifting down like snow onto the table.

Jareth sighed heavily, a small spark of frustration lighting behind his steely eyes. -"You're in a mood today, I see."

This was it. This was the moment Junior had been waiting for. A normal day in the Labyrinth was filled with strange occurrences, but the one thing that never changed was his father's aloofness. Today, J.J. had decided he was going to shatter that composure.

Next on his list: causing chaos in the throne room.

After breakfast, Jareth retreated to his throne to attend to his duties. The goblins gathered in the throne room, chattering away in their high-pitched voices and throwing random things at each other. Jareth leaned back on his black stone throne, his long legs stretched out, and surveyed them with a look of mild disdain. This was his kingdom, after all: unruly goblins, mischievous creatures, and a vast maze that he alone controlled.