Hello, hello! This is my newest, latest story that I'll be working on while I also continue to write One Long Week. I find I'm more diligent if I multi-task. So I'll do my best to update on a daily basis.

Summary: AU. Joey is a prince who isn't very, well, princely. His father, King of Arvata, sends him away on a hunting trip to become more of a noble, but his party is attacked by robbers. Seto, prince of the neighboring country Zarian, which is on the brink of war, finds the fallen blonde and nurses him back to health. When Joey comes up with amnesia, can the two fall in love, or will politics and Joey's country come between them?

Warning: This, same as nearly all my stories, is about Joey and Seto falling in love. If you have a problem with that, please press the back button, and do not trouble yourself with reading this.

Prologue

He paced nervously in his bed chambers. He knew he was in for it. Again. Back and forth he walked, wondering what his father would have to say this time. He tried to ignore the lectures, the disappointment in his father's voice, but he couldn't help but care. Just like he couldn't help but get into trouble. He probably should have been used to it by now; trouble and mischief were not exactly new concepts to him. On the contrary, he thought to himself with an amused half-grin.

He slapped a hand to his forehead. Even with the nervous butterflies fluttering through his stomach, he still managed to make jokes. Which is probably why I have such a knack for trouble. Maybe he would make a better court jester. If he'd had any siblings to take his place, he certainly would try to talk his father into letting him do such a thing. But alas, he did not. He sighed again, lowering his big, amber eyes to the ground. No. He had no choice. He had large shoes to fill when he would eventually take his father's place.

After all, there are no larger shoes when your father is the King.

He wearily flopped down on his bed, savoring the feel of the velvety maroon cushions that covered the down mattress. He vaguely wondered how his father would punish him this time. His father was kind and just, but like any other dad, he could be scary when he was angry. Which, he imagined, he was way beyond. He had promised to stay out of trouble for at least a week. He counted back. It had been three and a half days. So he made it half way. He hoped he might get points for trying. But he doubted it.

He had never been thrown in the dungeon before, and he hoped he would have to make it a first. He loved his spacious chambers, the way the wind blew in through his window, rippling the curtains, which were made from the same soft material as his sheets. The sun would shine on his face, highlighting his golden hair at the perfect time to wake up in the morning. The garden was thirty feet below him, but he could still smell the morning glories blossoming with the dawning sun. It really was the best way to start his day.

In the middle of him noting all the things about his room he appreciated, the heavy bronze door opened, and his father stormed in the room, his cloak thrashing behind him, fury radiating off his person like a violent hurricane. The poor boy cringed and braced himself for the worst.

"Joseph, I have had it with you!" his father bellowed, his face slowly turning red.

"Dad, I told you, it's Joey, and I can explain—" the blonde began, but the King cut him off, leaving no room for the young prince to defend himself.

"You will go by your given name, Joseph. You are seventeen years of age. You reached adulthood a year ago, yet you insist on continuing to act like a child! Every time a member of the court approaches me, I cringe because more often than not, it is to inform me that you have played some horrendous prank on an unsuspecting maid," the King continued on, but was interrupted by a derisive snort coming from his son.

Seeing his father's face begin to turn from red to purple, he quickly tried to stop the impending tide of fury. "I'm sorry, but Susan is so easy to pick on. She never notices my traps until she's already walked into them! And it's not like I ever do anything harmful. So her hair will be green until she gets her next washing, big deal!" And he only did it because she was his favorite; she had practically raised him from when he was an infant. Besides, he had no desire to grow up. It sounded quite boring.

Apparently, this was definitely not on the list of right things to say. His father was speechless for just a moment, before all of his words began spewing out at once. Joey caught some phrases, such as "no remorse," "elderly woman," and "teach you a lesson." The young blonde's ears picked up the last part of the statement. He sighed. The conversation really hadn't been going well; he might as well pack his bags and head for the dungeon now. He hung his head dejectedly, his blonde locks covering his eyes.

The King took a slow, calming breath. "I have been very disappointed in your behavior lately, Joseph. Not only are you constantly causing trouble around the castle, but your tutors have informed me that you have been skipping your lessons, and when you do decide to attend, you are rude and make obnoxious comments."

Joey opened his mouth to tell his father that he thought his tutors were stuffy old bags who only treated him with condescension. However, he was cut off before he could begin by his father raising a large hand to make a 'stop' motion. Joey resentfully shut his mouth.

"Son," his father began, suddenly sounding very tired. Joey noticed some of his hairs were turning a silvery grey. "You need to learn regality. You need to learn constraint, and strength. You do not act like the prince you are. I will not be around forever, and I need you to be ready to take my place when I am gone. I have already made arrangements for you. I am sending you to go on a hunting party to the Thristarian Woods. It will last for a couple of weeks, and I will send some of my soldiers to accompany and protect you. With any bit of luck, you'll come back as more of a man than you are right now."

Joey's jaw dropped open. The Thristarian Woods? "But Dad—I mean, Father," he added at the stern glare he received, "the Woods are right in the middle of the border between us and the country, Zarian. Last time I attending History Lesson, we're on the brink of war with them. If they hear that the Prince of Arvata is alone in there, it would create all sorts of opportunities for attacks on not only my hunting party, but on the kingdom as well."

The King clasped a large hand on the blonde's bony shoulder. "Then only us and the guards will know." He smiled cunningly.

Joey's eyes grew wide, seeing that he was indeed serious, and there was no way to escape.

Leave the castle? I think I'd prefer the dungeon.

Okay, that's the prologue for this story. I promise Seto will be appearing soon, so have no fear! Please review and tell me if you like the story at all. Reviews bring updates!

Much love!