I opened my eyes to the light. Morning already, after the big banquet. I got down from my bed. The stone walls made things gloomy. How fitting for the Gloomy Kingdom. I am a prince, Oegelsby, the youngest of the three princes. Ringing echoed from outside. I looked from my window to see an old man waving a bell. Breakfast for my family. I left the window to my wardrobe. Slipping on my dark green tunic, I went downstairs.
Down the stone steps, I arrived to a hallway lit by candles. A common sight for me and the people who live here. Two guards opened doors for me, knowing that I'm of royalty. Inside the long room, there was a table with food. People sat at it, despite the table being long, only four sat. My father, two older brothers, and the old man from before. Father had amber irises with black hair. He wore purple, the royal color. His crown shined in the nearby candles light. My older brothers were far from him. I had two brothers, Bade and Ouzo. Bade wore his usual dark red tunic, detailed with gold and white. I could recognize him for his grey hair and the old man being near him. Going forward, I passed by Ouzo. He had a cup with wine. Typical for him, as his dark blue tunic stained with red splotches. Didn't even bother to wash it up. I sighed, letting Ouzo see me with closed eyes. Interesting how it worked, I knew he had amber irises. Just like our father and older brother. I had my mother's bright blue irises. My father took notice of me. "Oegelsby, where were you?" My father asked. "Sleeping, I stayed up late." I explained. "Eh, I stood up late myself, how come you didn't wake up my time?" Ouzo asked. "Don't know, but I'll get a biscuit." I said. "Already ate them." Someone said. (We looked to see Bade munching on one. A book gripped in his pale skin hand. The old man from before glared at my older brother) "Hurry up Bade, you need to practice your organ." The old man ordered. "You can't order royalty." Bade sighed. "Yes, I forgot, forgive me, Prince Bade." The old man said. (Bade is the next in line for King of the Gloom Kingdom. The old man and my parents rose Bade before me and Ouzo came. My father and elder kept Bade in the castle grounds. Me and Ouzo would go out to the villages without worry. They focused on our older brother. I don't know how it's like to be the most loved, but I'll wait to ask Bade. I smelled wine from Ouzo, he was always seen with his cup. Always throwing tantrums when he can't drink. I heard his roars at night, always making me stay up late. It's hard to criticize him, for I don't want my head chopped off. A servant rushed into the room, giving me a biscuit. Taking a few bites, I wanted to go to the nearby town. I went up to my father) "Can I go outside?" I asked. (The king nodded, I grabbed a biscuit from a servant's bowl and ran off. Looking back, I saw Bade dragged away by the elder. Time for his organ lesson, doesn't sound fun in the slightest.
I ran in the fields outside the castle. My father didn't care for I was the youngest of the three. I acted like a child, good for my eleven year old self. As I headed for the town, morning rose. This let me see the town ahead. Up on a hill, I looked down to see the people. I ran down the hill, letting the morning breeze rush by.
Arriving in town, people starred at me. Knowing I'm a prince. I ignored them, letting them continue their lives. For a child, I enjoyed their lives, unlike my older brothers. I had to say hello to a friend of mine. Not of royalty, but one who took care of cattle.
Rushing for grassy lands east of town, I saw cows and horses. Farmers worked on their crops. A few cabins lied in the fields of wheat, only one mattered to me. I saw one cabin with cows. A man opened the gate, shocked to see me) "Prince Oegelsby, good morning!" The man spouted. "Calm down, I just wanted to see Aluin." I explained. "Right, he's tending the cows, be careful." The man warned. "Thank you, I'll be on my way." I said. (Running from the man, I went further into the fenced area. A small shed with cows, I noticed a figure. Smiling, I made my way to the shed. A boy about the same height as me noticed me. He was a peasant named Aluin) "Oegelsby, I'm surprised your father let you out!" Aluin cheered. "Yeah, they were too busy with my older brother." I explained. "What do we do today?" Aluin asked. "Well, we could agitate the apple lady." I answered. "Sounds great, but, my mother isn't feeling well, can you help me count cows?" Aluin asked. "Yeah, that shouldn't take too long." I said. (My best friend nodded, he ran off towards an open field. I saw it gated off all around, keeping the cows in. We both stood on top of a tree stump. Looking around, cows grazing on grass)
"Look at all those spots, imagine if a dragon caught a cow." Aluin said. "Aluin, the only creatures we worry about are Goombas and Koopas, no dragons." I sighed. "But come on, wouldn't that be cool?" Aluin asked. "No, how many did you see?" I asked. "Dragons?" Aluin asked. (I shook my head, he must be joking) "Cows, I counted twenty." I explained. "Yeah, me too, I should tell my father that the cows are safe." Aluin said. (He ran off, letting me follow. We made it to Aluin's father, still surprised at my presence) "We counted twenty." I explained. "Thank you Prince Oegelsby, I'm surprised you helped." Aluin's father thanked. "Now can I go out?" Aluin asked. "Yes, but be careful, don't get in trouble." Aluin's father said. "Don't worry, I'm of royalty, no problems for me!" I said. (Me and my best friend ran off towards town.
In town, both me and Aluin looked around. We were trouble makers, with me being the prince, the guards couldn't do anything. Our favorite thing to do was mess with the apple lady, take her apples without paying. Since I was a prince, she couldn't do anything but scream. I giggled at the memories of that. The two of us went through the town, passing by many houses. I felt Aluin grab my hand. Looking, my friend pointed a finger at a woman with red apples. Holding my urge to laugh, I went up to the lady. Aluin watched from behind a barrel) "Hello apple lady." I said. "You again, if you weren't a prince, then you would in jail!" The apple lady yelled. "Well, how about I get some!" I cheered. (I reached my arm and grabbed apples. Throwing them at Aluin, we both ran with the apple lady chasing us. The both of us avoided her, us hiding in a barrel. We held an urge to laugh, for the apple lady might hear us. Right as we were going to get out, movement of the barrel. I pulled my head out to see two men) "Prince Oegelsby, forgive us!" A man said. (The two men dropped our hiding place. It broke, leaving us to run from the apple lady. With our apples, we headed for Aluin's home. A guard grabbed my tunic. I faced him in fear. My eyes widened, the guard had burn marks on his armor. Gripped in his hand, a letter) "Prince Oegelsby, please give this letter to Bade!" The guard ordered. "Why me, can't you do it yourself?" I asked. "You know Bade more then me, I'm too scared to face him!" The guard yelled. (He ran off into the crowd. I looked at the paper he shoved into my hands. Aluin went up to me) "What was that about?" Aluin asked. (I looked at the paper. It had a seal, Mushroom) "It's from the Mushroom Kingdom, (I handed Aluin the apples) take these, I'll see you later." I said. "What, your leaving, what about our other fun activities?" Aluin asked. "I promise to come back, take care of your mother." I ordered. "Okay, thanks for the steal Oegelsby." Aluin thanked. (We both laughed before I ran off towards the castle.
At the castle, I passed the drawbridge. Guards looked at me before minding their own business. Making my way to the dining room, I heard a common noise. Organ music echoed through the hallways. I looked at Ouzo, still sitting at his chair. Wine in his hand. Walking up to my brother, I tilted my head) "Is Bade with his organ?" I asked. (Ouzo looked at me, drooling. Servants cleaning it up) "Yeah, what is it?" Ouzo asked. "I wanted to know, the music sounds nice." I soothed. "Yeah, hey fellows, more please!" Ouzo requested. (The servants rushed to another room. I left the room, hearing the organ.
The music blasted from behind a door. I remembered the other times I entered during practice. Looking at the letter's seal, it's important. I sighed and opened the door. Organ stopped, I entered in, with my father, elder, and Bade looking at me) "Oegelsby, what's important?" My father asked. (I lifted the letter, closing my eyes) "It's from the Mushroom Kingdom." I spouted. (I opened my eyes to see the stain glass window above the detailed organ. On the walls, books everywhere, with an extra balcony. Bade got up from his seat and went up to me. His red quartz crown glowed in the light) "Are you sure?" Bade asked. "Yes, a guard gave it to me, he looked injured." I explained. (Bade swiped the letter from my hands) "Father, priest, may I read this in privacy?" Bade asked. "Yes Prince Bade, but you must return here when your done." My father demanded. (Bade nodded and left the room. My father went up to me) "Did I do something wrong?" I asked. "No, it must be about the marriage proposal." My father said. "What does that mean?" I asked. "Nothing, now leave, Bade will return with the good news." My father ordered. (I left, wondering on what's going on. Marriage, maybe Aluin's parents know.
(Bade's P.O.V)
Walking upstairs, I gripped the letter. The marriage, I still can't believe father made me do this to a woman I never met! If walls were sound proof, I would scream! Making it to my room, I opened the door to my room. My red quartz crown almost fell off. Adjusting it, I sat down to analyze the letter. Melted wax, pressed image of a Mushroom. Rare in this kingdom. I opened the letter, pulling the paper out) "Dear Bade, I never met you. For the sake of our parents, I will accept your proposal. Your a prince, and I'm a princess, marriage will bond our kingdoms. We have to end the Koopas, even if it means a miserable marriage. I hope this letter gets to you, for it means passing by the Dark Lands. If you do receive this letter, then I will wait for you in the Mushroom Kingdom. Signed, Princess Plum." I read. (Plum, I looked to the mirror. Gazing upon it, I rubbed my face. The door behind me opened up. I looked to see a man with paint stained on his clothes) "Prince Bade, your father's waiting." The man said. (I got up, adjusting my crown, I left. Me and the artist went down the stairs) "How's the painting?" I asked. "Perfect, it's realistic and no green!" The artist cheered. "Calm down, it'd better be, or I'll never forgive you." I chided. (Artists always shivered in fear when talking to me. I threatened them to death if they failed to show me what I request. Opening the door to the hallway, the artist ran off, avoiding me. It's time to continue my organ practice.
I pressed my fingers onto the keys. Organ music throughout the library. Hearing the door creek open, I slammed my fingers onto the keys, a roar echoed. Someone behind me yelled, my crown fell off. Glaring, I saw my priest teacher) "Prince Bade, why did you do that?" The priest asked. "Your presence, (I reached down for my red quartz crown) I read the letter." I sighed. "She'd better say yes!" The priest yelled. "She accepted my letter, I have to go to the Mushroom Kingdom." I explained. "Your not going alone, stay here while I tell the king!" The priest yelled. (The fool ran off. I sighed before returning to my organ. It's melody soothed me from my irritating family. Looking at the stain glass, I wanted to go outside for once. I heard the door open again.
Ouzo, with his cup of wine. He walked up to me, slurping away) "What do you want?" I asked. "Congratulations on your accepted marriage, want to hang out at the bar?" Ouzo asked. "No, father forbid me from leaving castle grounds." I chided. "Come on, your my brother, we could go out and get a drink!" Ouzo yelled. "Only if father says yes." I sighed. (Glaring at my younger brother, we heard a door open. Our father and the priest. Father had a smile) "Prince Bade, you will marry once we arrive at the Mushroom Kingdom!" My father cheered. "Can't you give me time, just one day?" Bade asked. "Why, you must bond our kingdoms against the Koopa family!" My father chided. "I won't get married until we celebrate tonight." I chided. "Fine, but only today, we must get you married as soon as possible." My father said. (He slammed the door, the priest move to me and Ouzo) "You know how long we waited for that letter?" The priest asked. "Yes, it's like you can never let me do anything." I chided. "Because your next in the Gloom Kingdom's line!" The priest chided. "Why can't Ouzo take my place, I'll be king of the Mushroom Kingdom." I said. "Your more important then your brother." The priest said. (Ouzo's eyes widened, he splashed his wine onto the priest. I laughed, this is what he deserved. Ouzo chuckled alongside me. The priest shouted at us princes, but we laughed. Ouzo slamed his cup onto the priest's head) "When should we go to my favorite bar?" Ouzo asked. "Tonight." I said. "Okay, I'll find my favorite seat for you!" Ouzo said. (He ran off, leaving me to play my organ. Right as I got the right notes, the priest woke up. I slammed my crown's red quartz onto his head. He passed out again, letting me laugh. This laughter of mine is unnatural. It felt good, even if I slammed my fingers onto the organ.
(Ouzo's P.O.V)
I heard the organ blare, covering my ears, I ran off. Without my wine cup, I'm upset. Forget it for now. This is important, with Bade's approval, I can get the crown. I went outside of the castle, heading for my favorite bar.
The sky was an afternoon color. Dried up leaves blew in the wind, sign of Autumn. It didn't matter to me, but I did take notice of a path. Many warning signs decorated it. I smiled, it's a part of my plan. Walking around, I arrived to the bar. Entering in, people ignored me. They got intoxicated, the main reason why they ignored royalty. It didn't bother me, as long as people didn't take my seats. I went to a table where people panicked. They ran off with their food. I sat down, waiting for other people to show up. They did, wearing robes) "The plan is in motion, tonight, I take the crown." I whispered. (The people nodded) "How did you know this was going to happen?" A person asked. "It's easy, people celebrate stuff like this. I can take advantage and get the crown." I explained. "How much longer do we wait?" A person asked. "Tonight, I'll give the thumbs up when it's time." I explained. The cloaked men ran off, leaving me to exit. Sun's falling, it's going to be time. I held an urge to smirk, Bade's time will be over.