Cost of the Crown (UNREVISED VERSION)

Yellow

The night fell on the east. While the sun was brightly shining on the kingdom of Madara. Hans, Prince Eric and Princess Sarah were still on the courtyard as Hans and Princess Eric sparred.

"Is that the best a prince can do?" Hans challenged.

"Go Eric!" Princess Sarah cheered as she held her porcelain doll.

Eric charged towards Hans then the latter dodged just in time before he was hit on the stomach by a wooden sword. Eric missed Hans by a cloth and it made Hans smirk.

"What's so funny Hans?" The prince asked as he continued attacking the knight's son.

"Nothing Prince Eric..." the squire replied as he dodged and defended every attack.

Their movements were fast but Princess Sarah continued watching.

"Hans!" A voice from behind the princess called.

Princess Sarah looked behind her then she saw Hans' father smiling at his son's performance.

"Hi dad!" Hans greeted as he continued saprring with Prince Eric.

"Afternoon Sir Howard!" Eric greeted as he blocked Hans' strike.

"I knew my son would grow to be excellent." Howard told himself.

"I was aware of your son's excellence ever since he started to spar with my brother." Sarah smiled as she continued to watch the two boys.

"My son is a skilled one... 'The gifted', he is called. Your brother is a talented young boy with his powers to depend on." The knight told the young princess.

"I can't believe Hans could keep up with my brother's speed." Sarah hugged her doll.

"I can't either." Howard crossed his arms.

The two watched as the boys looked like they were teleporting from place to place as they exchanged hits and blocks.

"Are you losing energy yet, Prince Eric?" Hans asked as he countered every strike.

"I got more speed to spare, Hans. Thought I must admit, you're gift is admirable." He told Hans.

"You mean the sword?" Hans asked. "Meh... It's not that special..."

"You are kidding right?" Eric smirked at Hans as he backed off.

Hans stood upright then he brushed his hand through his hair. "It burns up, so what?"

"You'll understand it when we get older." Eric said, wiping his sweat.

Howard went up to his son while applauding at the two boys. "That was astonishing. A great performance from the prince of Madara and my son."

"That was great, Eric!" Sarah told her brother. "I see you still got your lightning feet."

"Prince Eric, your mother calls for you." A maid called for the young prince.

The prince and Hans shook hands and exchanged salutes as they part ways. Sarah followed her brother as she waved goodbye to Hans. The sight was as bright as the sun, it was yellow.

"I see you are practicing whenever I'm away. I'm so proud of you." Howard patted Hans' head.

"Heh... Anything to be as strong as you, someday." Hans smiled widely at his father as he just got his approval.

They both went back to their chambers as they joke round with each other. As soon as they entered the room, a knight came rushing in announcing, "Sir Howard! The king summons you."

Howard sighed. He knew he hasn't been giving time to his son, but he needs to tend to this.

"It's okay dad, you can go. The king needs you." Hans smiled.

Howard left the room then Hans' smile faded. He hasn't been with his father ever since the war  began. He took a feather from his father's desk then dipped it in ink, he started writing:

December 2nd,

I had a fun day with the prince and the princess. I enhanced my speed and agility with sparring with the prince. The princess also taught me patience.

My dad saw me spar with the prince and he was impressed. Everytime I get his approval, it is a big achievement for me. Someday, I'll be as great a hero he is.

Though he told me once that I am twice the boy that he will ever be in my age. He told me he was proud of me, but I wish I had time with him.

The day is bright and the sun is yellow, much like our kingdom. I wish to have a day with him under the yellow sun.

This day was great compared to the others. I feel tomorrow will be blue... Much like the skies I see during the morning.

As he wrote what he can into the book that was given by his father, Sae came in with a tray of cookies with Eric.

"Hey, Hans... I heard dad called your dad again... Just as you two were having some quality time together..." Eric told Hans as he chewed on a cookie.

"Yeah... But since it's for the sake of the kingdom, I'm fine with it. No harm done anyway." Hans took a cookie from the tray.

"Sorry, my dad keeps on taking your time with Sir Howard." Eric apologized as lay low.

"Don't sweat it, he's the king. You're a prince, you shouldn't be apologizing to me!" He smiled at his friend.

"But I really feel bad..." Eric told him.

"If my father wasn't that good, I bet the king wouldn't even talk to my dad!" Hans bit his cookie.

"True, true... Hans, you know what, I'll just go and get us some water. Don't you finish the tray without me!" Eric said before shutting the door.

Hans smiled to himself as Sae watched him.

"So, I guess the prince is really fond of you, Hans." Sae pointed out.

"Eric's my friend! Though he's a prince and I am but a lowley squire." Hans sighed.

"Well, I must get going, call me when you need something." Sae said as she walked towards the door.

Hans left the table then hugged Sae as tight as he could. "Thanks, Aunt Sae... You're like a mother I never had."

Sae smiled at the boy then left him in the room. Hans ws again reminded that Howard was not the only one who loved him. Though being a troublemaker, he is still cherished by: Prince Eric, Princess Sarah, Sae and the other maids, the king, the queen and his father, Howard.

You know what, that is enough for today... I'll write more if I have sone tales to tell.