Dawn kingdom, morning,
"DNN BREAKING NEWS
Earlier today, the Royal Family declared that they would hold Prince Patrick's debut on Christmas Eve, December 24th. It has been 6 years since his original aborted debut.
Many of you may recall, 6 years ago, at the debut party for Prince Patrick, his father, Crown Prince Carl had been assassinated. As a result, the debut was cancelled. After that, according to many sources, Prince Patrick suffered great trauma that he refused to hold the debut.
This comes as a joyful news for many as they have waited to see the face of their new Sovereign for a long time..."
"Argh"
Patrick's uncle was so angry that he threw the remote control to the ground after turning off the TV.
"Honey, STOP! Lucy is scared by your action!" Aunty Mary admonished her husband while hugging her little daughter, Lucy.
"I'm sorry, honey. It's just I'm too angry. The throne is supposed to be MINE!" Patrick's uncle replied.
"No, it's NOT yours, Hubert!" said Aunt Mary "Don't covet things that are not yours!"
And she looked at her husband sharply.
Uncle Hubert could not stand his wife's sharp eyes. He knew he was wrong but he had always yearned for the throne since he was a child. He even got the help of some royal family members and ministers' help for this.
Then Uncle Hubert stomped outside the room. Aunt Mary looked at the back of her husband worriedly.
***
Meanwhile, at school,
Patrick went to his class. On the way, he heard the conversation of his fellow students.
"Hey, did you heard? Prince Patrick will make his debut this Christmas Eve." one girl said.
"Yeah, I wonder if he is handsome. I wish I could go to the debut and 'accidentally' fall into his arms." replied another.
"Hehe, you will never become Cinderella." said the 3rd girl.
"Honestly, why do you care about a prince so much. Associating with him will only bring trouble. His father was assassinated, remember?" a boy chimed in their conversation.
Patrick then went to his classroom and sat beside Kent, as always. It was when he noticed Kent's face.
Patrick: "What's with that expression?"
Kent: "Pat, I want to go to the Prince's debut, too!"
Patrick: "You want to seduce the Prince too?"
Kent: "NO! Where the hell did you get that idea? What I want is the food made at the party. They are food made by Michelin starred chefs. They are best food in the world."
Patrick: "Don't say that. Your mom will be hurt!"
Kent: "She does not even know how to hold a kitchen knife properly. The only time I saw her hold the knife, she wrapped it with paper talisman and threw it at a demon. My dad is the one who does the cooking. And he is the kind of person who knows his true value so he won't be sad."
Patrick: "..."
Kent turned to a look at Patrick for some time, then he remembered something.
Kent: "Hey, rich kid. Can you...you know...?"
Patrick: "Stop! I know what you are going to ask for!"
("He will know my identity sooner or later, so let he come won't hurt...maybe.") thought Patrick.
Patrick took out his phone.
(message sound)
Kent opened his phone and he saw a QR code.
Kent: "Is this...?"
Patrick nodded.
Kent: "You are my BFF forever!" and hugged Patrick.
Patrick: "Release me...I...want...to...breathe...That's better. By the way, the second 'F' in BFF is 'forever', so you don't need to add another 'forever'.
Kent: "For eternity."
Patrick: "..."
Kent: "By the way, I just noticed, your name is similar to the Prince."
Patrick felt like his heart skipped a beat.
("I hope you won't be angry at me when all things are revealed.") thought Patrick.
***
After all classes ended, Patrick went to meet Kai.
Patrick: "Monitor!"
Kai turned around, when he saw Patrick, his face darkened.
Kai: "What do you want?"
Patrick: "I already arranged for you to work Prince Pat...the Prince's debut party."
Kai: "What!!! But the manager had already given that evening off."
Patrick: "Whose order is higher?"
Kai: "...Yours, of course."
Patrick: "Then work hard. Christmas Day will be your off day, promise."
***
Patrick got on the car. And the driver began to drive.
About 30 minutes later, the car stopped in front of the cottage. This was where his mother, Princess Christina, lived. After Patrick's father's assassination, she resigned all royal duty and moved out of the palace to live in a cottage like this, to avoid all the noise of the world.
She wanted to take Patrick with her. But it was impossible for the heir to the throne to be raised outside the palace, so she accepted to let his grandparents raise him.
KNOCK KNOCK
A graceful woman with long hair opened the door,
Princess Christina: "PATRICK!"
Patrick: "Mom, sorry for not visiting you for a long time!"
And then they hugged. She kissed him thrice on his left cheek, thrice on his right cheek, and thrice on his forehead.
Patrick: "Mom, please stop, it's tickling and embarrassing."
Princess Christina: "You have more muscles than the last time I saw you."
Patrick: "Yes, mom!"
("It's all thanks to those hellish training.") thought Patrick.
Then both went in and sat down on the comfortable sofa.
Princess Christina: "So you have decided..."
Patrick: "I don't decide this...but...I also think it's time."
Princess Christina: "Whatever you do, I will support you."
She said while her hands were shaking.
Patrick put his hands on hers.
"Don't worry, mom, I will be fine." said Patrick.
("Plus, I have the Heroes who can blow the palace up if it's necessary.")
The door to the bedroom suddenly opened, a boy who was around 5 years of age came out.
"Big brother!" the boy said and ran to Patrick and hugged his leg.
"Nicky!" Patrick lifted the boy up and let him sit on his lap.
<
("Yes, unknown to any of us, my mother was pregnant when my father died. And my grandparents with my mom decided to keep his existence a secret until the mastermind behind my father's assassination is found out.")
<
Patrick did not reply to that but turned to his mother, asking:
"Will you and Nicky come to my debut?...like in disguise?"
Before his mother said anything, Nicky opened his mouth:
"Of course, I want to see big brother."
"Nicky, no! We must stay here for your safety." said Princess Christina.
"Oh..." Nicky's face became saddened.
"I can help you with that, pitiful Master!" said Dyrroth.
***
10 minutes later, Patrick left the house and got on the car.
("It's time to summon the 6th Hero.") Patrick thought in his head.