Pay close attention, dear reader. This chapter invites you to look deeper. This segment is distinct from the others. It shifts away from Alastair's dialogues with destiny in the cafeteria and the letter given to him by his father.. Here, we uncover the father's history and the events that molded him into the individual you encounter today.
Cedric, was quite the mischievous prince. His knack for causing chaos was well-known, spreading like wildfire through the grand castle where he spent his childhood. He was the type of kid who might swipe the crown jewels just for fun, only to bring them back with a tricky riddle that left the royal guards embarrassed. His antics became legendary, talked about in hushed tones by the most respected figures in the court, blending laughter with frustration.
But as he grew into a young man, the weight of his birthright settled heavily on his shoulders. He was next in line to rule the kingdom, a future filled with responsibilities that seemed to suffocate him. The endless meetings, the stifling protocols, and the expectations to marry a suitable bride to strengthen alliances—none of it appealed to him. Cedric yearned for adventure, for a life beyond the castle's stone walls.
So, on his sixteenth birthday, under the hushed voices of a royal tour, he darted to the United States. He swapped his crown for a backpack and his royal clothing for jeans and a leather jacket. He had envisioned this moment for years, carefully strategizing, saving gold coins, and mastering the language of the everyday people. His desire was to experience freedom, to exist unbound by the limitations of his noble status.
He stepped off the plane, the taste of America was bittersweet. The bustling airport was a stark contrast to the serene halls of his castle. The sound of voices, the overwhelming scent of fast food, and the jostle of the crowd washed over him like a tidal wave. Cedric was now in this strange new world, felt both invincible and utterly lost. This was the kind of place he loved. Hidden from the world, he wasn't seen as a prince, but just a regular teenage boy, he was Cedric.
He had barely made it out of the airport when a firm grip clamped down on his shoulder. He spun around to find a tall pale man in a tailored suit, a gold badge gleaming at his waist. "Your Highness," the man said, his voice as cold as the steel in his gaze. "Your father's orders. He requested that you return home safely."
Cedric's heart plummeted. It had all been for nothing. His dreams of a new life, of freedom, crushed by the very thing he had hoped to escape. The guard's grip was as firm as a cat who'd just seized its next meal, his eyes unyielding as he led him back through the crowded airport. The sounds of the modern world grew distant, swallowed by the echoes of his father's voice.
In his mind's eye, he could see the disappointment etched on the king's face, the heavy burden of duty reclaiming its rightful heir. The castle walls loomed in the horizon, the weight of his birthright that he didn't want to bear. He had thought he could outsmart his destiny, but the king had other ideas.