and

"Today, Prince Alcott shall take the magic apttitude test!" Dad stood in front of the large crowd of nobles in the banquet hall. cowered behind the entrance, terrified.

Ican'tdothisIcan'tdothisIcan'tdothisIcan'tdothisgodpleasehelpme! I inwardly panicked, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Calm down, everything will be fine." Mom rubbed my back soothingly. She would walk with me up to the front to father so I wouldn't have to face the crowd alone.

I love my mom.

"We shall now proceed!" Mom grasped my hand in hers and we gracefully (honestly, I stumbled a few times) breezed through the parting crowd and stood next to father and a large crystal ball of some sort.

"Put your hand on the ball and it'll show a visual of your magic." Mom whispered in my ear. I hesitantly laidmy hand on the ball.

Nothing happened.

"...!" A swirl of green fronds appeared.

"Plant magic," I heard someone say, "it's a bit... plain for a prince, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hush! There's something else appearing." The green fronds were now replaced with what looked like a heart. It started beating faster and vine-like veins spread out.

"..." The whole place was silent.

"...Prince Alcott has plant and... body magic." I heard the slight undertone of disappointment in dad's voice. I don't get it, shouldn't they be happy I got a rare magic type. Granted I have a common type too, but still!

"Oh, honey. It's not your fault. It's just... we were hoping you'd have light magic and neither of... his magic types." Oh, so that's why they're all so quiet.

I didn't know what else to write. What would you say, or in my case write, in this type of situation.

"It's not your fault. Body magic is very useful and you should be proud to have it," dad placed a hand on my shoulder.

"..." People whispered in the crowd.

"What if he turns out like that filth?" I picked up on a few malicious whispers and I stared at the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn't expect such cold treatment just from having the same magic type as King Walton.

"Alcott? Are you alright?" Mom leaned down and reached to stroke my hair away from my face. I gently pushed her hand away and ran out of the room. The stares became too much for me.

"Alcott!" Dad yelled after me. However, I noticed both of them didn't chase after me. They stood there with sad faces.

I ended up in an empty corridor and allowed the tears to fall.

~

"..." I've been dazing out more often. Because of that, I've been crashing into things when walking and I have numerous bruises on my body.

Some of the servants and my parents were worried about me. It showed on their faces every time I looked at them.

Honestly, I'm not hung up from the magic appraisal. It's because I've been having nightmares ever since.

"Alcott... are you alright? You've been acting strange lately. " Mom furrowed her brows in worry. Dad was off on business somewhere for the day.

"You should go take a nap then," mom waved over a couple servants, "please put Alcott in bed. He needs some rest."

The two maids bowed, "yes, your majesty." One of them picked me up, ignoring my struggles and silent protests.

I didn't want to sleep! I didn't want to deal with those horrid nightmares again.

...Oh, I know! I'll use my cute kid powers to help me!

Don't look at me like that. I don't have any pride as a former teenage boy.

I thought about a cat dying to make my eyes become watery.

"Urk!" I can almost see those arrows going through their hearts. "A-Alright, your highness. Where would you like to go?"

"Well, I'm afraid they won't be able to talk to your highness since they are in the middle of training."

MUSCLES HERE I COME!

~

"His Highness Alcott really loves watching the knights! How cute!" A few maids from afar squealed, loud enough for me to hear.

Oh hun, my thoughts are the opposite of cute.

I'm staring at those nice defined mustles glistening with sweat as the knights swung their swords around.

I gotta reel in those rated R thoughts for now. Don't want to pop a baby boner in front of everyone.

That would be humiliating.

"Why are you not resting?" Dad said from right in front of me.

GYAH! Where did he come from?!

"You need to rest. It's not good for your growth if you don't get enough sleep." I pouted.

Dad sighed, "fine. Next time you're going to bed whether you like it or not." I smiled in victory and gave him a big hug.

"Aw!" The maids squealed at the scene. Even some of the knights awed at the sight while jealous.

"Did I tell you to stop practicing?! Get back to your sets!" I saw dad's ears turn red when he realized everyone was watching.

Don't you love it when a big man like dad is emotionally sensitive and bashful when seen giving affection?

I sure do.

Which is why I'm going to tease him mercilessly >:D.