We're eating breakfast the next morning when my ID flashes with a request. I will receive it at the station. I groan. Not that I truly can be shocked.
Ryan chuckles. "You have an hour to gain your report. Glad it was a black flash not a red one."
Red means drop everything and go. Black means I have an hour to report, so I should finish what I'm doing first. "Rather it be blue." Blue means at some point in the next forty eight hours, report. Those quests are not time sensitive.
"You know what it is." Ryan watches me. I nod. "Be happy it'll be an easy quest."
"Because my mother will be there. Between her and Odin I never succeeded at my escape plans."
"You did." Ryan points at me. "Just never for long."
I think it over. If I never did, my tracer spell wouldn't've worked. So... I did manage to escape, just never for long. "That's... True."
"Don't hate on your mother for protecting her child."
"I can't even prove I don't need her protection."
"So think of this quest as that. Prove to her, you don't need her around." Ryan eyes me. "Maybe then she'll pick elsewhere to bother."
"She's here for more than just me." I cover my head.
Jessica sits at my side. "I saw the flash. Know what it'll be?"
I grunt still hiding.
Ryan sighs. "The ball season starts. They're using Thomas to control the queen."
"That makes a lot of sense." Jessica nods. "Although maybe the quest itself will be different."
"Either way, Thomas needs to prove to his mother she doesn't need to watch him anymore." Ryan says for me.
Jessica squeezes my shoulder. "Only a fool would think you need a mother's watchful eye."
I straighten to look at her. "You think?"
Jessica smirks at me. "Who else was pulling off completing the hardest tests on the first day? Like people were questioning things, but once it was explained which test you got... No more questions. And everyone now knows you literally climb three stories of the castle walls." She pulls back at me. "How?"
"I..." I frown. "There are certain blocks made in just the right way that you can..."
Jessica and Ryan grin at me.
I sigh. That's been the expectation. "I've seen others climb the walls, you know."
"Only the top of the top would pull that off. Your outside wall should be rather smooth." Jessica says. "You're the crown prince after all. If just anyone could climb from the stables to your wings, we'd have problems."
I think it over. "Mom threatened to put me in the tallest tower once. After realizing I did that. But then she checked the various walls only to find the one I have... Is probably the hardest to climb." It didn't even occur to me what I was doing. I took it slow and easy. I found just enough hand and foot holds to manage something. I had time to figure it out. "I think they're trying to come up with another method."
"Using magic to make it completely smooth." Jessica nods. "There are several working on it. Liance is involved." That's the advanced magic trainer she has. "That will increase the defense."
"Glad the future queen is listening to how her castle is being cared for." Ryan comments.
"Why are you...?" Jessica stands up. "I am going to be the head knight." She stalks off.
"Why say that?" I ask him. "You know we don't have that relationship."
"And she was right next to you touching casually." Ryan points out. Then waves to the room as a whole. "You know you're being watched here. You need to watch it."
A quick scan of the room has me sighing. Ryan is right. We did look too close for people who can't even be friends. "Jessica said before that she's glad she isn't a knight yet. She can't join me on this."
"If she had passed her tests enough, you know they would've added her. So be happy she either held back or isn't as skilled as you." Ryan stands up. "Go get your mission."
"Yeah." Cleaning up, I don't rush to the station. I don't want my mission. But there is a clear reason why they decided to give me knighthood now. So it really doesn't take me long to reach the station even if I'm trying to hold back.
Why can't I run forward?
No. I really know why. I'm aware of what the mission will consist of. The balls are about to start. It's a whirlwind of travel. There will be teleportation mages between the houses just for the balls. We'll have three days at each house until we're back at the main castle for the July celebration.
And I'll be going to check my mother in check.
Did my father plan that? Were those in the knighthood fully supporting my father aiming to get me top of the class? Those who fully support me, would wish I was top of the class. And those who hate us in general probably would give me a hard time which leads to the same results.
Everyone was trying to push me. And I can't say who they're supporting and why because everyone had a reason to push me forward.
I made a precedent. After being rejected by the king to join as every other prince has, I managed to become the youngest knight. "Hello, Chris. I'm here for my assignment." I offer them a quick bow.
"Can I see your ID?"
I hand it over. It doesn't take long for me to gain a thin packet. "Is there anything important I need to know?"
"You'll be fitted by the castle before going. You'll use the teleport stone for your mission. A teleportation mage will make sure you are on task properly." Chris offers a smile. "You will not be the only knight going. Please trust in those who've gone before."
I nod to him before walking away. I don't even want to read the mission. I have an idea what it actually says. Knights guard the balls. Those of us who are nobles guard while looking like we're guests. I'm joining that mission because Mom is.
But the real quest of mine won't be listed. I need to prove to my mother I don't need to be watched. I am capable of the freedom I always sought. Or... Maybe... I can hope that Mom sees I have others who can guard my back while I handle my own battles.