Chapter 1
1498 Words
Beautiful…
He didn’t know what other word he could use to describe this. All he could think of was beautiful. The sight was breathtaking in its charm. He felt like he could never find any place more beautiful than this.
A blue stream flowed its way through the forest. Burbling, the water leapt over the rocks, forming what looked like a staircase made of water. The still surface sparkled whenever the sunlight speared down from above, and when one looked closely, pebbles of different shapes and sizes shimmered beneath it.
The mountains behind were veiled by morning mist, making their outlines barely visible. The stream wound its way through the tall trees, while the riverbank was carpeted with berry bushes, grasses, small plants, and wildflowers — a scenery that could turn anyone into a poet.
He was in awe of the size and magnificence of the trees, which seemed almost dangerous with the way they filtered the sunlight, casting shadows that resembled the darkness of night.
The sound of chirping birds filled the air, pulling him from his thoughts. He wriggled his toes, enjoying the feeling of grass beneath his feet. He couldn’t help but grin like a madman.
This sight was peaceful, yet cheerful in its own way.
He wanted to be like one of the butterflies fluttering around the stream — carefree and without worries, unlike humans. In moments like this, he regretted being born human.
Alas, his peace did not last. As if to remind him of reality, a stone skipped across the surface of the still water, sending ripples outward with every bounce.
“Stop drooling over the butterflies.”
He glared at the intruder. He was not drooling over butterflies—only to suddenly find himself splashing into the stream as he was pushed from behind.
He was drenched from head to toe when he got up and ran after his friend, who immediately fled.
“Just you wait until I catch you…”
With his pretend anger, the others joined the chase, splashing and slipping in the stream, laughing without a care.
Later, when they were done playing, one of his friends caught fish from the stream while another went toward the forest to hunt whatever he could find.
Ryan headed toward the wooden huts they had built in the forest. He removed his shirt to dry it, leaving his pants on since they were already drying fast.
He had been staying here for weeks now. Together with his friends, he had wandered freely, visiting the villages near the forest and learning the country’s roads and lands.
He had left home to travel around, but sometimes he missed his family and the comfort of home…
As if sensing his thoughts, his friends gathered around him outside the huts, handing him a plate of cooked meat.
Even though it was delicious, he couldn’t help but compare it to his mother’s cooking — which could rival even heaven’s cuisine.
“Drooling over butterflies again, Ryan?” one of them teased.
Ryan shook his head and scolded him for always teasing.
“Alright, alright. I’ll leave you alone. Happy now?”
Ryan only nodded, his mouth full of tender meat.
But the day still had no mercy for him. Soon, they heard the sound of horse hooves approaching.
He drew the small knife he kept tucked in his pants, his friends doing the same. This part of the forest was so remote that no one could accidentally wander here.
As the rider came into sight, Ryan relaxed slightly — he recognized him as one of the people from his father’s court.
He was annoyed that his father had found him at last, even though he thought he had hidden well enough.
The rider dismounted and bowed. Ryan ignored the gesture and snatched the letter, already guessing who it was from.
His father wrote that he needed Ryan back at the palace immediately.
Ryan gave the letter back and looked around the place he had called home for the last few weeks. Despite the short stay, he had already made countless memories here.
With a sigh, he accepted that his freedom — or rather, his illusion of it — had come to an end. At least temporarily. No one else had to know that part.
He was not just Ryan.
He was Ryan Burton — the Second Prince of Avera, a kingdom ruled by the Burtons for centuries, currently led by his uncle.
Maybe he shouldn’t complain. He wasn’t the Crown Prince, so he had far fewer responsibilities than his cousin, Crown Prince Ivor Burton.
He grinned at his childhood friend — the one who always accompanied him — Norman Mirabel. He called out with a teasing smirk:
“Nora.”
“My prince.”
Ryan grimaced at the formal title and glared.
“How many times have I asked you not to call me that?”
“And how many times have I told you not to call me Nora? It’s Norman. Sir Norman Mirabel, the bravest knight of Avera.” Norman puffed his chest out like a proud peacock.
Ryan couldn’t keep up the glare and burst into laughter. His guards joined in, earning themselves a death glare from Norman.
Sometimes, Ryan forgot that his childhood friend was the bravest knight in the kingdom — sworn to him instead of the crown prince. Ryan was grateful for his loyalty, though it saddened him that Norman chose loyalty over his own ambitions.
Norman suddenly tackled him to the ground, and they wrestled like old times — Norman always reminding Ryan that he was just Ryan, grounding him with friendship.
A pointed cough from the messenger forced Ryan back to reality. He pushed Norman off and stood up with a sigh.
“Leave,” he ordered coldly — locking away all emotion as he had been trained to do since childhood.
His personal guards — sworn to protect him and also his closest friends — stood ready. They always followed him, even in his reckless adventures.
“Alright, guards. Get ready. We’re going to the capital.”
He washed up and changed into clean clothes and armor, bidding silent farewell to his carefree days.
It was time to be a prince again.
Willa, his beloved horse, was already prepared. He petted her gently before mounting.
It would take a day to reach the capital — maybe less if they pushed hard.
Without another thought, he urged Willa into a fast gallop.
He should have known…
He should have known that his overprotective father wouldn’t summon him for anything truly dangerous if he could help it.
He expected a crisis — yet what awaited him was something entirely different.
After handing his horse over to the stable servants, he rushed straight to his father without even greeting his mother or sister. He worried that war was breaking out — bandits had been terrorizing the southern border recently.
His father hugged him and sat him down, then dismissed the servants before delivering the news — more like an order.
“There will be a gathering of princesses here, my son. Avera has been chosen to host the courting season this year. You are to participate and choose a worthy bride.”
Ryan sat frozen in disbelief.
This? This was the urgent matter?
He should have seen it coming. At nineteen, he was overdue for marriage by royal standards. His parents had been unusually lenient.
But still… this was a disaster.
His friend tried and failed to hold in his laughter. Ryan regretted letting him into the room.
After getting scolded for leaving home without notice, Ryan left in a daze, ignoring Norman’s snickers.
He had never interacted with women beyond formal greetings. His parents had always been strict about such things — protecting him from opportunists seeking wealth or titles.
And now he was expected to *court* a lady?
His nerves were already fraying when a familiar hand gripped his ear, twisting gently.
Only one person would dare…
“Mother…”
“You dare return after months without a single letter? And you went to your father before greeting me?”
She dragged him into a nearby room — his sister’s — still holding his ear. He exaggerated his discomfort, trying to escape her hold, but she wasn’t buying it.
Once inside, she released him and pulled him into a hug.
God, he had missed her — and her cooking, which could put royal chefs to shame.
He hugged her back and promised he wouldn’t disappear again.
Before he could say more, a small figure leapt at him. He caught her and spun her around.
“Oh my, look at how much you’ve grown, Joy!”
Joy Burton — his little sister, the princess, and the very *joy* of their family.
As her laughter filled the room, Ryan forgot — even if just for a moment — all his worries about the upcoming gathering of princes and princesses.0
- Writer
