Sage walked out of the bathroom and stood before the long mirror. He gazed at his full figure and a sigh escaped his lips.
Living a wealthy life sure made him look more handsome and refined; he could see the difference between now and then.
'What is artificial beauty compared to the beauty of the mind and soul?' He mused.
To him, it was better to be beautiful inside than be beautiful outside and ugly inside.
How can a person look so divine outwardly but their inward appearances is nothing to write home about?!
'This is insane.'
"My prince, I have prepared the clothes for you," a maid announced. She had her head lowered as she spoke.
"You can leave," he ordered her and she bowed and left.
He turned and gazed at the colorful royal robe on the bed. The fine material was adorned with golden patterns.
'If I was still poor, I'd have sold you for a good price.'
Yes.
Back when he was still a hunter, he not only hunter beasts, but whatever that was deemed huntable; food, clothes, humans as well.
Anything, as long as they fetched him a good price. That was how he was able to provide for his family and they were able to live just fine.
Sometimes, he would wonder why his mother had to betray him and accept the king's tempting offer of good life in place of his happiness and that of her daughter. Her attitude displayed her greedy nature and if it wasn't for one thing, he would have given her an everlasting punishment... One that would cost her life.
Now, he was tasked with the responsibility of rescuing his mother and his sister. And to do that, he must gain ultimate power within and outside the palace.
One would wonder why he behaved like the king. He did that just to gain the trust of some powerful individuals and in the process, making the royal members see him as nothing. It was like killing two birds with one stone; and as he did that, the chance of them killing him lowered.
As he dressed up, he sighed deeply.
'Life here is troublesome ', he thought with a tired look on his face.
After he was done dressing, he carried his dagger which he carefully hid inside his robe and then left.
On his way to the royal garden which was some kilometers away from his own palace, he sighted a woman trimming the flowers.
Seeing him, the woman stopped what she was doing but didn't dare to go any close to him.
"Mother, I hope you are enjoying your life now," Sage spoke to her, his voice was devoid any warmth. He didn't sound like someone speaking to his mother.
"Are you mocking me,Sage?" She asked him.
"It is Prince Sage," Sage corrected her. He didn't care if he was conversing with the woman that brought him to the world. "Accord me some respect because I am the crown prince, your future king. And I deserve some respect from you, woman."
The lady bowed her head slightly. Despite her being his mother, she still had to show some respect or be punished by either him or the king himself.
"I hope you are enjoying your life, my prince," she muttered, her voice shaky as she spoke. "You must do so because opportunities like this only comes once in a lifetime."
"How dare you talk to me about opportunities?" Sage bellowed, anger evident in his voice. "Your greedy nature ended us here and you know it."
"I may be greedy but I did it for you—" Before her words could be finalized, Sage scoffed.
"Don't blame me for being greedy. I never complained, neither did Treasure complain. We were satisfied with our lives back then, we never dreamed of living in a luxury that came with deceit..." Realizing that he was speaking too much, he sighed and paused. "After everything is done, I will take you and Treasure out of this place, you are not supposed to be here as maids."
After speaking, he turned to leave but his mother stopped him.
"We don't need your help, my prince," she said. "Focus on being the king, that is the only way you can truly help us if you wish to."
With a scoff, Sage walked away, leaving the woman behind to wipe the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.
Unknown to them, someone had been watching for a while and the moment Sage left, they also hurried away.
'I never wanted to be the king and I will not', Sage thought as he headed for the royal garden.
Whe he finally got there, he saw the place crowded with many members of the royal family, some cabinet members, and some servants who were tending to the guests.
"Prince Sage!" Someone called.
Sage looked ahead, the voice belonged to his father, the king. The man was laughing happily while drinking from his golden cup. Sage frowned upon seeing the man in his drunken state.
"Come over, son!" The king called out to him, signaling him to come over immediately.
'What the hell does he want from me'? Sage mumbled inwardly and dragged his foot to the spot prepared for him and the king.
"You know what, son," the king said, placing a hand around Sage's neck. "I am proud of you."
Sage was disgusted as the man's arm came around his neck. The man smelled badly and reeked of alcohol, the smell of too many perfumes mixed with the smell of alcohol produced a foul smell that turned his belle but he couldn't leave the man's side.
"Why are you not saying anything?" The king asked him, he pulled his hand away and Sage was able to breathe once again. "Here, have something to drink," the king said, offering him a cup of wine.
Sage knew well not to refuse because it would be rejecting the king's kind gestures. He collected the wine with a slight bow and began to drink.
As much as he hated to drink, he had to pretend to love it, enjoy it like his father, and get drunk just like his father. These were the sacrifices he had to offer for his grand plan.
"I see you are enjoying yourself," the king said to him and laughed.
Sage didn't say anything and only nodded his head. He was a light drinker but thankfully, there was this pill that he would swallow before taking any alcohol. This pill helped him to be able to hold in alcohol and increase his tolerance level.
'It's only a matter of time and everything will end.'
This was his only consolation.
"My king," a servant said as he came and bowed before the king and the prince.
Sage looked ahead and saw queen Veronica's personal servant. He squinted his eyes the moment he saw the servant.
"What is it?" The king asked in a displeased tone.
"I have some reports to make to you," the servant replied and then glanced at Sage befire bowing his head once more.
"Reports about what?" The king asked him.
"About the crown prince, my king."