Hey guys, I got so many amazing and encouraging comments from my previous writing piece “The Cost of My Mistakes”. I wanted to do a continuation…but in the prince’s POV! You can find the first story on my profile page.

(This piece was sort of rushed, but I wanted to get it out as I had a few ideas and will probably edit in the future)

Please ignore the prompt haha. And just a note that this begins shortly before the “incident” occurs in the king’s room. Enjoy.

Despite the sizeable part of the castle I call my room, it feels much smaller than the prison cells below me. My thoughts race rapidly, doing no good to me or my overly-occupied brain. My breath hitches, gasps growing faster by the second. _I’m suffocating_.

The pressure and ways of my kingdom have become too much. The endless lessons father has given me in becoming a successful leader has done nearly nothing. I will never be ready for the daunting future that awaits me. Never be ready to become _the king_.

My eyes find the ceiling as I lay somewhat motionless on my bed, with only my shaking breaths proving that I am still alive. _Still myself. _

Nobody understands the pressure I experience with each passing day, the burdens I carry by my unchosen fate. The expectations I am forced to live up to. _Except for father_.

My trembling breaths catch up to me. It’s much harder to remain strong when your falling apart on the inside. Every. Single. Day.

I never had a particular reason to feel these emotions. I guess it’s just who I am. And it scares me. Scares me to death. But it never bothered my father.

I’ve taken enough of this. I can’t take anymore of it. It’s physically and most definitely mentally impossible. My feet find themselves on the smooth wooden flooring, and soon bring me forward. _I’m going to see father_.

The hallways are illuminated, lined with the guards of my kingdom. I nod at each and every one of them as I timidly stride by, sweeping my feet across the velvet that lines the corridor. Since childhood, they’ve understood me. Treated me like I was an equal to them, despite my age. And I plan to do the same for the rest of my life.

I reach the lonely, vacant hallway of father’s room. My breath catches once again, forcing a small sob. My shoulders shake with every step. The weight of the kingdom is on my shoulders, but it isn’t even _mine_ yet.

My footsteps are loud as I reach and stand before the large oak doors, basically announcing my presence with themselves alone. “Father, I need your advice,” my voice is weak. Trembling. “You’re the only one that understands my crumbling life.” I barely manage to break the truth to him, before I am silenced by my soft cries once again.

I wonder if he can hear the concern in my voice. The desperation.

But he doesn’t answer my pleads. I hear heavy breathing, matching mine. Then it stops.

Father always told me that no matter the situation he was in, he would be there for me. So I reach my quivering hand towards the door. It grasps the handle in relief, rotating it until the lock clicks open in the silent hall.

My eyes widen at the sight before me. _What the…_

_My thoughts trail off. _

_My heart stops beating._

_Just like my father’s before me. And…a girl’s…?_

Blood_. Blood. _

_No. _

_“Father?” No answer. _

_“This cannot be happening_,” I tell myself, trying to convince my spinning mind. But I already know it is a lie.

My father. _My father! _My fists are clenched, knuckles turning a bright white. I am overwhelmed with anger. With fear.

My knees meet the floor, just inches away from the chilling blood that glistens and shines in the darkness. The room is spinning. My damp eyes grow heavy. I don’t know what to do.

Water begins pouring onto me, heavily. But I realize it’s the tears falling from my eyes. I feel cold and alone. My gaze finds the mysterious girl’s hand. _A dagger. _

_Did she really…?_

_Kill herself? Kill father? Kill both of them? _

Part of me doesn’t want to know.

Most of me never will.

And suddenly I wish the day I would leave this world would draw nearer. Approach sooner. But I know they cannot. Every king has found a way to be cold and restrained. Has put a wall of aloofness between themselves and the world.

Maybe this is how I become one of them. My eyes show no more than determination. My knuckles turn white once again.

_“Thank you father. See you in the next life.”_ I speak to his lifeless body_. _

_I feel my emotions slip away as he does with them. _