Prologue

Third Person

Once upon a time, there was a widowed king and his three adopted kids. One would take his throne; the others would be married off. But that was awhile off. Right now, he was trying to teach his kids responsibility by getting them a pet. Each pet needed to suit the child and enhance their life. Princess Sophie, a smart yet slightly unused to others, would get a puppy. Puppies need exercise and outside time. Prince Dante was a better-rounded child, having the beginnings of a tactician as well as a good fighter and being a polite young man, was much harder to decide for. In the end, King Metz decided it would be best if the boy expanded his knowledge of the world and chose a black panther.

The eldest of the three was Prince Montehue, a competitive and strong natured young man. He often tried to be better than his brother, and while it stemmed from a good place, it was worrying to have the two boys try to outdo each other all the time. And also made Montehue a bit boastful. He sprained his ankle just last week trying to climb a tree to prove he could climb higher than Dante. He could walk now, but had trouble, not that he was going to say so. Injuries like this were almost as common as the competitions that he started. Perhaps a rabbit would be best.

Third Person End

Sophie's POV

"Dad, why are we here?" I stared at the puppies trying to get over the gate to play with us.

"You're getting a puppy." He told me.

"A puppy?" I asked.

"Yes, come on and meet them." He opened the gate carefully and let me in. All the puppies jumped on me, trying to get me to play. I petted a couple. One of them, a yellow boy, was very insistent on getting my attention.

He jumped over the others to get me to notice him and barked. Then he tried to drag a toy over to have me throw it, but tripped. I giggled. Then he wanted pets so I petted him. And he gave me kisses, which was a little icky, but I knew he wasn't trying to be. He was cute and very nice.

"I want this one," I held the yellow boy up. He licked my face, "Ew."

"Good choice, Princess. He will be your best friend." The lady selling the puppies said. Dad gave the lady money and we left.

Sophie's POV End

Dante's POV

"Ok, Dante, open your eyes." Dad told me and I did.

A large black cat was lying on the ground in front of me like from those stories from faraway lands. It had pretty yellow eyes. A lady was there with the cat, "I'll help you train her. She will be loyal and love you, Prince Dante, by the time we're through."

"Ok." I said.

We stayed for a bit and I got to pet the cat. She was nice. I didn't want to scare her so I petted her a lot. Maybe we'll get to play another day.

Dante's POV End

Montehue's POV

"Dad, this isn't the market." I said as we went down a cottage's pathway.

"We're getting your pet." He smiled at me.

"But I want-" I got cut off.

"Montehue. Not everything is a competition with Dante. You're going to choose a nice bunny and-" He told me.

"A rabbit?! Why couldn't Sophie get the rabbit?" I exclaimed.

"She needs to go outside more." He said simply.

"But I like dogs…" I frowned.

"You can still play with Lok, but you're getting a rabbit and that's final." He said sternly.

"… Fine." I huffed.

We knocked on the door and a lady opened it, "You must be Prince Montehue. I'm sure you'll find a nice companion from my warren."

"Um, maybe?" I looked at Dad. He shrugged.

We walked inside and there were a lot of rabbits, "Now, take your time. There are some shy ones here, but they'll come around once they figure out you want a friend."

I looked at all the rabbits. Some didn't like me at all. Others were disinterested. We looked over the furry animals several times and none of them spoke to me. The lady got us something to drink and let us sit on the couch.

Montehue's POV End

Lady's POV

"Tersly, you need to go meet Montehue. I know you're afraid, but this is your only chance. I don't think he'll wait much longer," I told him. He whined, "I can't make him take you." I frowned. I knew it was going to be hard for him after living with my rabbits for so long.

He went to the living room.

Lady's POV End

Montehue's POV

A red furred rabbit came up to me and started running around my feet, "Dad, what's he doing?"

"I think he wants attention." He watched as the rabbit jumped on the couch and bonked his nose against me.

"He wants you to pet him. He really likes you." The lady came back with our drinks.

"Ok?" He rested his head on the couch and waited for me to pet him. I did a couple times and then stopped to drink. He nipped me. I frowned at him.

"He wants more attention. He doesn't want to hurt you." She explained.

"What do you think, Monty?" Dad asked.

"I don't know yet." I petted the bunny again.

Dad and the lady talked while I sat and got bored. The bunny followed me as I walked around again. It was nice. He followed me back as Dad called.

"So, what do you think of him?" He asked.

"I guess I'll take this one." I picked him up. He was behaving.

"Good choice, your Highness. I'm glad he gets a good home." The lady nodded. We left after Dad paid her.

Montehue's POV End