Third Person's POV

In the kingdom called Narukawa, there was once a Princess who was known to be very pretty, sweet, caring and above all she was extremely an all-rounder who can compete with everyone not just by looks but also with her intelligence and wisdom.

Born to the Great Emperor, Kiriyama and the Empress, Akane, Princess Sumire was the third princess next to the first Prince, Oren, and the second Prince, Dori.

Being perfect in all sorts, of course it is not surprising for her to be admired by everyone and to be desperately wanted as a wife. Even in a young age she was eagerly pursued by many but the princess pay it no mind because she believes that there are still a lot of things she wanted to do and being tied to a person early will only limit her.

One day, a desperate suitor of her decided to finally result into desperate measure just to get her and make her his wife but the incident didn't end well, not only the Princess suffered molestation and abuse, she was traumatized to hell and was left with an unborn child in her tummy.

From then on, the Princess lived in a complete different life. She was no longer in sane mind and what more is that, even she was traumatized from being forcibly laid, she began wanting more and ended up sleeping around with different guys despite of being pregnant with the perprator's child.

Some people say that Princess Sumire must be doing this on purpose to get rid of the kid but the truth is, the Princess actually never felt anger towards the unborn child, she knew that the child was not at fault and all she wants is to live on after being degraded.

On the day of the child's birth, the Princess touched her aching tummy and uttered.

"I'm hurting so much right now and I don't know what might happen next but I promise to give birth to you safely. I wish you all the love and beatiful things in life."

As the princess fight to deliver the child safely, the baby was born healthy but the princess breathed her last.

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Nai's POV

Growing up, I often hear people say that I'm just an unwanted child but my grandparents and uncles say that it wasn't like that so I kept pestering them to tell me about it and finally, at the age of four, Uncle Dori told me that my mother was molested and I am the product of it.

It was then I started to be aware of the words and stares of the people around me. It was as if they are cursing and disgusted by me so I decided to distance myself to the crowd and withdraw from everyone except my mother's family.

At the age of 5, I asked my grandparents if I can live outside the Palace and of course they said no. They even scold me for being arrogant to ask but in the end they asked some palace workers to build me a small house hidden in the palace grounds making it my home until now I'm 18.

My house might be small but it has everything I need so I don't usually come out and the only people who can come in is my family who often visits to check on me.

As for my studies, I just read books and the training I am getting is from my uncles who take turns to teach me the etiquettes of a royal.

One day, a butler came to my house and desperately dragged me out of it to bring me to the palace. I didn't know why until I reached the palace gates and saw a lot of people, shouting angrily while banging the gates.

Arriving the palace I saw my family all anxious, of course I asked why but all I got was a tense silence until the butler whispered to my ear.

"The Emperor and The Empress officially declared your Princehood, my Prince but the people aren't happy about it and protested."

Looking at my family's situation, I said.

"Grandpa, Grandma. It will be better if you just renounce my title. I am not a prince afterall."

"Says who? You are Sumire's child! Of course you are a prince!" Uncle Oren quickly replied.

"But it will not be good for the Kingdom, Uncle. Can't you see how angry they are? I don't want to cause troubles for you." I answered.

"Nai, my dear grandson. You aren't causing us trouble. They are." My Grandma said.

Uncle Dori then pat my head and seconded. "Yeah! It isn't our fault to give you what you deserve. You are part of this family and whether they like it or not, you are a prince."

I wanted to say more but I don't know what to tell them so I stood there in silence.

"Nai, it was your mother's wish for you to live a beautiful and happy life and I don't think it will be right to renounce your title as a prince just because the people don't want it.

We can deal with their anger, but we don't know what will we do if something happens to you when your mother entrusted you to us." My grandpa then said making me waver even more.

Days passed and I am still locked in my room in the palace. I still can hear the angry voice from the gate and when the butler gives me food, I ask him on how was the situation outside.

"It was chaotic out there, my prince. It will be best if you stay in this room until the tension dies down." He said.

Nodding, I let him leave and after ensuring he left, I started packing my things. "Guess It was the only way." I told myself.

Waiting for the right time to escape, I opened my window and tied a rope into the grills of it, I then silently climb down. I then grab my horse from the stable and stopped to my house to get more things before I set out from the palace forest.

Finally out of the palace, I looked for a place to sleep for the night but since I'm in the middle of the forest the only thing I can do is to camp out. Lucky enough, it went just fine so by the time I woke up, I rode my horse again and set forth to my journey.

After three more days of camping out, I finally reached a safe distance from the Kingdom and entered the kingdom of Nakatsu as a commoner. Luckily, this kingdom isn't that strict so I didn't had any difficulties yet, until I sold some of my things to a shop.

"Young man, do you know how hard it is to get these items? Are you sure it's yours and it wasn't stolen!" The shopkeeper said.

"I-It's all mine, Sir! I promise that I didn't stole anything!" I quickly defended.

The shopkeeper then eyed me from head to toe. "Well, yeah! You do look like from a rich family, are you perhaps from the nearby kingdom?" He asked.

Nervous, I asked. "W-why do you ask?"

He laughed. "I'm just asking, young man. You don't need to be on-guard." He said, then he looked at the items again. "Are you that in need of money to sell me these things?" He asked.

I quickly nod and said. "I-I am on a journey and I'm running low in money so I figured to sell them."

"I see." He said before looking at me again but this time, his eyes are more discerning making me gulp. "Let's say I'm going to buy these things, can you tell me the truth if you're really going for a journey or a runaway?"

Nervous and anxious enough, I quickly spilled the truth to him, making him fall off his seat due to shock.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I-I just really needed some money to live. C-can you please just buy them? I don't need a lot." I begged, my head bowed down to him.

Suddenly coming back to his senses, the Shopkeeper stood up, lifting my chin up and cleared his throat. "Your highness, there's no need to beg me. I'll be happy to help but it will be rude to just help you with just money."

Looking up to him, I asked. "W-what do you mean, Sir?"

He smiled and replied. "I mean, I can help you with anything, my prince. Be it a house, clothes, name it!"

Thinking about it, I went out the palace without knowing anything. I don't even have a plan and just went off so being offered with this is already a huge blessing for me.

"W-well, if you don't mind. C-can I ask you to help me with everything? I actually don't know anything." I mumbled shyly.

The shopkeeper then nod. "Of course, but if you may, can I ask your real name, and what name would you like to go by in here?"

"My real name is Naishiro Narukawa, and I would like to go by the name Nai." I replied.

"But don't you think it will be too obvious, my prince? what if someone from your kingdom visits here and heard your name?" He asked.

I shook my head and said. "It's fine, I don't want to abandon my name. My Mom give it to me."

Understanding my point he nods and suggested something. "You're probably half of my age, would you like to be my son or nephew?"

Shocked by the suggestion, I looked at him with concern etched on my face, asking. "Is that even possible? I mean, how can you suddenly have a son? and what will you say to your family?"

He smiled and pat my head. "It's fine, I really don't have a family of my own so I thought it will be nice to have a son, who is an actual prince."

Moved by his thoughtfulness and sentiment, I casually nodded my head, making him jump in joy, and pulling me into a tight hug.

It was the first time I had anyone hugged me who is not from my immediate family, but I was surprisingly calm and happy about it so I didn't dared to pull back.

"My prince, will it be rude for me to call you my son from then on?" He asked.

Smiling, I shook my head and said. "I don't mind, father."

It was then I heard him sniffle but I didn't dared to ask why. I just hugged him back and slightly soothe his back.

Once done crying, he pulled back, looked at me then laughed. "I'm sorry about that, my prince, I guess I'm just too happy being called father, I just didn't expect that there will be a chance for me to have a family this late." He said.

Smiling, I shook my head. "I should be the one thanking you. If it wasn't for you, I was probably still lost and wandering around."

"Yeah! I guess it's a blessing that my shop got your eye, making us meet today." He said.

After talking more, Father decided to close the shop today and give me a tour in the kingdom. We then stop by the Civil Registry and meet his friend to help us with my paper works. Fortunately, his friend didn't asked him about other details and just went with it, saying he will be getting it done tomorrow.

As the night falls, Father lead to me to his house. It wasn't that big but it's decently neat and organized.

"This will be your new home, my Prince. Is there anything you want to change?" He asked, looking at me anticipatingly.

Suddenly feeling playful, I decided to pull a little prank at him and eagerly nodded, saying. "I want to change..."

Eagerly waiting for me to finish my sentence, he looked at me intensely, immediately feeling bad I frowned and spoke. "I want to change what you call me. You are my father now and it will be bad if someone hears you calling me 'My Prince.'"

Realizing my point he nods. "You're right, I should call you by name or son."

Nodding, I asked him to call me by name.

"N-Nai." He nervously said.

"Come on, father! At least make it more convincing that I'm your son." I commented.

"Nai!" He repeated.

Smiling I nod at him and said. "Please be used to it."