"YOU WOULD ALL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE. YOU DESERVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL," he laughed hysterically as he bathed in their blood, enjoying every cry and every inch of their pain. In his mind, this is what they deserved, and in fact, they deserved more.

It was the last thing Nicolas heard as he woke up to the sound of the cheerful horns coming from the kingdom's castle, He had always hoped for this day and now, it finally came, his seventh birthday. He eagerly jumped out of bed, his smile stretching from ear to ear as he headed straight for the window. His hair was still messy as an old man came knocking at his door, holding a trouser, a long-sleeve shirt, a tie, and a pair of black leather shoes.

"Good morning, your majesty; I should have known you would wake up early," the man kindly smiled as he placed the clothes at the end of the bed.

"Of course, I have been waiting for this day since I'm four Logan, I'm finally old enough to wander outside these boring castle walls," he began prancing at his bed, his bedsheet getting messy with each jump.

Arthur could not help but smile seeing the playful prince celebrate even before his introduction to the whole kingdom. Prince Nicolas is filled with excitement, of course. Ever since the day he was born, the king and queen have decided to only let him wander inside the wide but confined vicinity of the castle walls, all for his safety. After all, the royal family has received threats since the queen was announced pregnant. He had never had any contact with the outside world, except for the workers and some visitors that entered the castle.

"Happy Birthday!" a rushing greeting came echoing from outside. Judging from the pitch and enthusiasm, Arthur and Nicolas had already figured out who it was.

"Don't run on the halls, Alisa." Arthur caught the girl by the collar, stopping her from her tracks. "I know being hyperactive is both of your quirks, which can't be help, but please, just for this day, behave."

Although confined inside the walls, the little prince was not alone, he had a friend living the same fate as him. Alisa Valorona, daughter of the castle's head maid, Elisa Valorona. It also stemmed from the threat the royal family had received and from the fact that her father was the Knight Commander.

"Got it, you can put me down now," she desperately freed herself and met with Nicolas at the window.

"Do you think they would let us roam around outside?" He still can't help but smile.

"Well, that depends on strict Arthur here," Alisa pointed out to the gentlemen.

Being the center of attention, Arthur could argue no more; he knows to himself that he is not the one to decide on the children's request. The King would most probably disagree, and he knows it well; he knows how much the King and Queen love their only son, and Elisa knows the danger it could pose. 

"I would try my best to persuade each of your parents, but I can't guarantee their approval."

The children rejoiced just at the fact that Arthur would try.

"By the way, happy birthday, Nicolas!" she handed the prince a note, to which he was delighted.

"Happy birthday too, Alisa," he replied, "but I have nothing to give you, so..." he went in for a hug.

"Silly, my birthday is tomorrow, and I'm not even asking for any gifts," they now parted. "But I would really appreciate going outside as a gift," she whispered before both of them laughed.

"Enough with the greetings, children; it's time for a bath and a change of clothes."

It was past noon when another horn was sounded. The residents of the kingdom had already filled the castle grounds as soon as the gate opened. They are delighted to enter the castle; it was great admiring it from a far, with its symmetrical structure surrounded by sturdy walls and a 10-meter-wide moat connected to a calm river, but the inside has a better view, especially to the first-time visitors. Colorful flags are tied to the poles embedded at the castle walls, swaying gracefully with the breeze. Everyone was invited for a feast in the first ever official introduction of the Prince. Their smiles was a painting of joy, and their shouts and claps showcased their pleasure.

All heads tilted towards the balcony of the throne room as the horn was again sounded. It has been a place for many historic events in Gregoria ever since its foundation, and today it will witness another historic moment.

"Welcome my people, and to our guest, King Ferrol and Queen Herina of Algernon," King Frederick commenced the event. "I would first like to extend my gratitude to each and every one of you," He was a splendid king; despite carrying the throne and duty at a young age since his father's death, he had been a great and kind ruler, listening to the cries of the people and reacting appropriately. He is a perfect king, and no one in the kingdom would disagree.

Whistles and claps filled the castle, but with one hand raised by the King, the crowd silenced. "All of you already know that ever since my Queen and I had been blessed with a child, messages threatening the life of the royal family had always been a normal occurrence. This had led us to the decision not to let the Prince wander outside the walls, both for his safety and our peace of mind, but now the time has finally come for you to meet him. Behold, my pride, my hope, and successor, my son, Nicolas Gregory." 

The crowd again cheered with all they got, as if not expressing their love and anything under a wide smile is a crime. Whistles are again prevalent as the King stepped down. On the other hand, the introduction of his father did not excite Nicolas, not one bit, He will be facing a whole crowd expecting him to be proper and perfect, and he's not quite sure that he's that kind of person.

He was sweating profusely and his fingertips are starting to shake. "What if they don't like me?" he looked up, grabbing the dress of Queen Natalia.

"My sweet child, there is nothing for you to worry about; they will accept you for who you are no matter what you do," his mother assured him.

"Your mother is right; no matter what happens, we will always be here at your side, supporting you with everything we have," the King added.

He nodded his head while looking for the courage to step forward and show himself, but he still can't move from where he stands. "I don't think I can do this."

The boy was about to chicken out when Alisa held his hand and said, "Don't worry, I'll hold your hand if you think it would help."

The prince stared at her for a moment before the crowd went silent. Painted in his eyes are the words of gratitude towards his only friend. Slowly and surely, he stepped on the pedestal towering over everyone, occasionally checking if Alisa had let his hand go, and to his relief, she indeed kept her promise.

"It's my pleasure to finally meet you people of my beloved land, Gregoria," he paused, and Alisa kept reminding him that it's fine. "I am Nicolas Gregory. Despite my young age, you can be rest assured that I will do my best to do my duties to help you with everything I have. I'm looking forward for our future endeavors as a kingdom, that's all, and thank you for celebrating this important day of my life."

There was no response from the crowd; this made him wonder if they did not like what he said and is now starting to contemplate what he had done wrong. Was it the way he spoke? What is because he is trembling from head down to the tip of his toe? Or was it just because they don't really like him in the first place.

Though none of those are true, in contrast, the people were amazed and enchanted by how he spoke. "He's only seven, and he can already handle such speech in front of these many people? He must be brilliant in everything," gossip started spreading from down below. While some can't process his majestic black hair swaying gently with the wind that glows a slight brown with the right amount of sunlight similar to his eyes. His smile is so kind that it's contagious to everyone underneath. "He'll be one handsome prince when he grows up," Another whisper came around before the crowd began its cheers again.

"See? We told you it's going to be fine," Alisa whispered to him as the crowd continuously chanted, "All hail Prince Nicolas."

"Yeah," he replied as he waved at the crowd, finally easing up.