Our story takes place a long time ago. And we know that because it takes place in the kingdom of Prussia, which as we all know is no longer around. Even though most of you readers probably wish it was. Anyway back to the story, the Kingdom of Prussia was ruled over by a beloved king and queen. The queen was expecting a baby and the entire kingdom was on the edge of their seats. Because you know, people in those days didn't have much to gossip about. So anyway, the queen was pregnant and had been for quite a while now. Then one evening, she finally went into labour. For those who know what that means I'm going to skip the detail to save your stomachs. For those who don't, tough I'm skipping anyway.

And so unto the king and queen was born a son. And this, my friends, is where our story begins...

"Wahhh!" Came the cries of the newborn as one of the nurses tried to calm it. The rest were busy trying to calm the queen, who was in a great deal of pain. They gave her something to help her sleep and eventually managed to calm the child enough for him to nod off as well. They placed the young prince in a cot and exited the room giving the two time to rest and recover. Strangely enough they were all so tired they forgot to unwrap the cloth they'd placed the baby in to actually look at him. If they had, they'd have got quite the shock.

It was several hours before the queen finally awoke again. She immediately sent for her husband, wanting to spend such a moment with him. Finally they had a child to continue their legacy. The king was clearly pleased by this as well. He entered the room with his chest stuck out and his head held high.

"My dear, how are you feeling?" He cooed, kneeling down at his wife's bedside.

"Just wonderful darling. We finally have a child."

The king nodded happily and allowed his eyes to wander to the cradle on the other side of the bed. He stood up and went other to look at his sleeping child. The baby was still curled up in his blankets, only two tiny pale hands were visible. The incredible lack of colour in these hands confused the king, and he picked the child up to get a better look. Doing so woke the baby prince but oddly enough he kept quiet this time. Instead of bawling like he had earlier, he finally opened his eyes to take his first look at the world around him. At the same time the king pulled back the shawl and gasped at what he saw. He was so shocked he almost dropped the poor boy.

"What is it my love?" The queen asked, seeing her husband look so stricken. She had a sickening feeling there might be something wrong with her child. Her husband turned to face her, fear shinning in his eyes. His hands shook ever so slightly as he handed the queen her son. Seeing the state her husband was in she was almost too scared to look at what she'd given birth to. Almost. When she finally lowered her gaze she was met with crimson red eyes staring up out of a pale face framed by silvery white hair. Her reaction to the baby was similar to that of her husbands. Except after the initial shock, she burst into tears. The king moved to comfort his wife, being careful of the baby in her arms.

"Oh my love what do we do?" She cried. "I've given birth to a monster!"

"Don't fret my dearest." He soothed. "I know where we have to go."

A good thirty minutes later and they were riding outside the village towards the forest. For within said forest there lived a powerful sorcerer. The king knew he was the only one who could help them. He clicked the reigns sending the horse galloping through the rows of trees. The queen clung to her husband with one arm, the other clutching their new son, who was now fast asleep, unaware of the concerns surrounding him. He didn't even stir when the horse finally came to a stop outside the magician's hut and the royal couple dismounted.

"Hello?" The king called. The door of the house slammed open to reveal a pissed off British man with abnormally large eyebrows. Otherwise known as Arthur the sorcerer. When he saw it was the king and queen his face immediately softened and he invited them inside.

"My king what brings you here?" He asked as they all sat at his table. He poured three cups of tea and handed them round.

"It's my son, he's uh..." The king tailed off, unsure of how to finish. The queen held out the child towards Arthur so he could see for himself. The sorcerer took the child and examined him. His eyes widened slightly as he got a look at the baby's... unique... appearance.

"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about this." Arthur informed them.

"What?! What do you mean nothing?!" The King cried, standing up so violently his chair almost fell over.

"I'm sorry my king but this is not a magical occurrence. I can't change it."

"What are you talking about?" Asked the queen.

"He's not been cursed, his appearance is due to a gene trait known as albinism. Something I can't cure." Arthur dropped his head, disappointed he couldn't help the royal couple.

The king took a few deep breaths to calm himself before he spoke again. "So you're saying my son is an albino?"

Arthur nodded. Then with a heavy sigh the king slumped back into his chair.

"What must we do then?" He asked, to no one in particular. The question hung in the air, unnerving and unanswered.

"We cannot allow the public to learn of this, they'd try to kill him." The queen cried, clutching him to her chest. Despite her child's strange appearance she still loved him, he was her son.

"We will hide it." The king said solemnly.

"Hide him?!" Arthur cried. Appalled that the king was considering locking his son away.

"Not him! It!" The king cried. "We'll dye his hair or get him a wig or something. And contacts. Whatever makes him look normal."

Arthur wasn't sure if liked this plan either but felt it unwise to argue. The queen was all in favour of it, as long as their son would be able to have a normal life she'd go along with anything.

"Until then." The king continued. "We'll limit the staff so less people learn of this, and keep all citizens out of the palace."

So the king made arrangements for much of the staff to leave, have the gates of the palace sealed tightly shut and, as soon as he could stand on his own two feet, have his son's appearance altered to look more normal...