Once Upon The Life of The Wise King

The Heir's Dilemma

ONCE UPON THE LIFE OF THE WISE KING

Volume 2

The Fall of The Royal Family

Chapter 37 - The Heir's Dilemma

"Can you make ice sculpture?" a young boy around the age of ten asked Prince Luciel, who sat at the facade of a restaurant.

The Third Prince was surrounded by many people who admired his ability to manifest and manipulate his majika. Not many can use majika externally, turning it into the force of nature was rare as only people with royal blood in them can do it. Also, only the heir can turn the majika into nature and control its shape and purpose according to his will.

"What kind of ice sculpture do you want to see?" Prince Luciel asked the boy.

"A lion! This big!" the boy answered as he gestured his arms, indicating how big the lion he wanted to see.

"Oh, in that case you have to step back."

The people around him did as they were told. They moved back and watch as the Third Prince produced snowflakes. The snowflakes gradually gathered at the center, slowly forming into something as it grew bigger. Eventually, an ice lion was made. It was not an ordinary ice sculpture. What the Third Prince made was a moving and roaring ice lion.

"Roar!"

"Woah!" Everyone gasped.

"It is a lion! An ice lion!"

"Amazing! It is moving!"

"So cool!"

Everyone, especially the children were amazed by the display. They were so fascinated by a moving ice lion that they requested Prince Luciel to make an ice tiger.

Feeling smug because of the praises he received, Prince Luciel created a tiger made of fire and he had the two creatures fight each other.

The spectacle started to gather more people. From afar, the First Prince, Colin, spotted him. He saw the ice and fire sculptures fighting. Thinking of the problem the Kingdom may face sooner, Prince Colin felt his patience for his youngest brother running thin. Out of slight anger, he slashed at the sculpture using his sword that was powered by his majika, crumbling the ice lion and dispersing the fire tiger. As he stood straight and faced his brother, he said, "Enough playing. Go back with me."

Prince Luciel observed his older brother's facial expression and he knew then that he could not provoke his brother. Although, he can defeat his brother with majika, but once the First Prince ran out of patience with him he knew he could not escape his brother's sword. Thus, he reluctantly went back with him.

Prince Colin lead his brother into the throne room where both of their parents were present as well as the Second Prince. When Prince Luciel looked around, he noticed that there were no servants around, not even the palace guards and the palace soldiers.

"What is wrong?" the Third Prince asked.

"What is wrong is you," King Wenhart answered with a solemn expression.

"What do you mean?" He frowned.

"You have been skipping classes more frequently and never trained sword fighting and strategic fighting."

"Well, classes are boring me. And fighting using swords is not my cup of tea."

"It does not matter whether you like it or not, Luciel. It is a matter of necessity," Queen Cielisse told him. "You need to learn these things so as not to become ignorant of the Kingdom that you will rule some day. Also, you need to learn how to fight to protect the Kingdom."

"Mother." Prince Luciel rolled his eyes. "I am the most powerful here. I can protect all of us."

"Don't just rely on your title as the heir," the Kind said with a low voice. His eyes showed how his patience was running thin with his youngest son. "Therefore, starting today you are not allowed to go outside of the palace premises."

Hearing his father's words, Prince Luciel felt his parents were trying to take his freedom away.

"Also, someone will always be with you round-the-clock, so don't try skipping your classes and training. Do you understand?"

"Are you taking away my freedom?" Prince Luciel asked loudly. His eyes were getting wider. "You can't do this!"

"Don't get us wrong." The Queen tried to explain. "We sinply want you to take your title seriously, son. You beibg the heir is not known to any because we don't want others to come after you." She pause. "Not until we are certain that you can protect yourself, because we won't always be with you. I hope ypu understand that."

"I never wished to be the heir. Why not make brother Colin the heir since he is the First Prince? Why me!?"

At this, the throne room became silent.

Walking around and standing in front of the Third Prince, Prince Colin spoke. "You never knew how much I wished to be the heir. You never knew how much our parents hoped to finally born you. You never knew how much the people wished to finally meet you, the heir." He took a breath and continued. "When you were just born, we were so happy because finally our parents wish came true. I was so happy too. I swore to protect you with my life because I know how important you are not only to our family but also to our Kingdom, to our people."

"Me, too! I promised to protect you, Luciel." Prince Alphonse, who had been listening quietly, spoke.

Prince Luciel was quiet for awhile before he spoke up. With his head lowered, he said, "I never wish to be the heir. It is your wishes. Not mine. So what if I don't want to train?" Then he looked up straight to his parents. "If you really want to force me on house arrest and keep insisting for me to take my role as the heir, then I'll just run away! Let us see what you will do then!" With that said, Prince Luciel ran out of the throne room, leaving his family behind helpless.

Sighing, King Wenhart leaned back on his chair and massaged his temples. "I am running out of ideas of what to with him."

Queen Cielisse looked at her husband. "Have more patience, Wenhart. Someday, he will come around and understand."

"I hope that day will come sooner."