THE MOMENT
“...and so it seems the common sentiment among the citizens, from the bakers to the farmers, shopkeepers, and smiths. Unfortunately, I must report that the whole kingdom is currently mocking the prince for getting kidnapped and failing to escape on his own.” The guardsman completed his update with a formal bow, and the King and Queen nodded. The throne room was as grand as any stone hall, and the guardsman stood on a royal purple rug in silver armor that sparkled in the morning sunlight.
“As if anyone else could have done anything against a dragon,” the Queen shook her head with a smile, but the King looked over at his son.
“There you have it.” He shook his head like his wife. “Perhaps you’d do better staying close to the castle while they get it out of their system, rather than face that kind of humiliation.” Prince Gilbert surprised his parents by seeking arrangements to visit the town that morning, and the King demanded he listen to the report first.
“I could…,” Prince Gilbert nodded. “But I feel different.” He also shook his head with the same inherited mannerism. “I want to venture out more; the old me wouldn’t have even asked,” he said. He had a reputation for being introverted and shy, never wanting to leave his room, much less the castle grounds.
“I’m proud you’re trying…, but you could also try later, once the villagers move on to another topic of gossip.” The King nodded encouragingly. “We’ve noticed the difference,” he added with a broad grin as his wife squeezed his hand. “I don’t want to rush it.”
“Father… Mother…” Prince Gilbert took time to walk up to their thrones and hug each of them before returning to the purple rug and continuing his thought. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for your kindness, support, and love most of all.”
“I’m sorry it turned out this way…,” the King interrupted with a heavy sigh.
“Don’t be,” he said. “I learned so much during my absence. The mockery was somewhat expected.”
“It should’ve fallen on us for being unable to repel a dragon to begin with…” The King was still determined to take the blame.
“Regardless,” Prince Gilbert shrugged. “This is the current reality, and I must live my life in it. We know it’s only temporary. It’s almost time for the harvest; they’ll be too busy to care about…” Prince Gilbert smiled. Despite being the target of the contempt, he had to admit it was a catchy nickname. “...Princess Prince. And it’ll dissipate faster if I’m seen... I doubt they’ll say it to my face,” he said. “I’ll have guards. I’ll be safe,” he said.
“Very well,” the King sighed but nodded. “You have our blessing.” He wasn’t speaking for his wife unknowingly. The changes in Prince Gilbert had been the topic of many bedtime conversations since his return. She made her stance clear, and as soon as Prince Gilbert asked the first time, she’d nodded in agreement.
“Thank you again!” Prince Gilbert knelt for a brief moment before standing again to exit the throne room. Once they were alone, the Queen turned and smiled at the King.
“If that’s not a resounding testimony for Chroma Corp.’s services, I don’t know what is,” she said. “He WANTS to go out!”
“The public sentiment is not what we expected at all…,” the King shook his head. He was happy for his son, but it shouldn’t have happened that way. “When we conceived the plan, the goal was to take the blame; he was supposed to be the victim! Why are they blaming the victim?!”
“Dear… most of our subjects are idiots,” the Queen giggled. “They’re stuck in their beliefs that dragons only kidnap Princesses, and with Gilbert’s withdrawn history, it’s easy to mock him. We could’ve taken that into account before sending him on the retreat, but we didn’t. Despite our failures as parents, he still wants to go out and face it.”
“I’m worried about too much too fast…,” the King shook his head, but the Queen squeezed his hand again.
“We know, and the important staff knows the truth of the ‘dragon kidnapping’. We’re here for him, and that’s all that matters. He recognizes that. The whole kingdom can take their gossip and go jump in a lake for all we care; my boy is becoming a man.”