A/N: At this point, you're asking yourself "How many stories is he doing?" Well, this site, three others, at least two or three stories ideas, and working on being published... pray for me... Seriously, though, I love to write! This is my relaxing activity, so you guys enjoy it, and I'll keep on going!

However, if this is your first introduction to my work, ignore everything up top, and please enjoy!

Butterfly Castle, as it sat in the heart of Mewni, was always the first building to receive the glowing rays of the sun, the tallest turret always the first to be greeted. In that tallest turret slept a figure that was immediately beseeched by the sun's invasive shine.

As the sun's golden rays grace your face, you wince and try to move away. Wherever you roll on the bed, the sun seems to follow. So, you roll over some more...sun invades your eyelids, roll over a little more-!

THUD!

...and right onto the floor. "Ow."

The moment you hit the floor a gaggle of servants came pouring into the room. They practically pick you up and drag you down the hall.

"Hey! Watch the hands! Let me go! And who's touching my butt!?" You scream and squirm, but the servants you haven't scared off by your...rambunctious antics as a child are made of sterner stuff.

"Apologies, Prince Sirius," the lead servant of the gang, Geoffrey, commented, "but your mother, Queen Moon, made it very clear you were to be prepared for today."

"I DON'T CARE!" you struggle harder, looking like a demented lemur. "THAT OLD HAG HAS NO POWER OVER ME!"

Geoff just shrugged. "Well, she has power over us. And her orders were clear." You smiled in a way that looked a bit sinister. "Today is royal bath day."

"Royal bath day? Yeah, that's not a holiday, but if you want to pamper me? I'm not complaining."

Geoffrey nodded. "Very good, sir. Would not do to be averse to cleanliness right before we entertain guests."

You raise an eyebrow at that, but as the servants kick open the bathroom doors, the time for talking ends...

And a lot of scrubbing, brushing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and plucking begins! By the time the cleaning's over with, you don't know if you're in pain or not...mostly because you can't feel your face...

Geoffrey enters, with a few maids laying out dress clothes...seriously fancy-dress clothes...

"Huh," you murmur as one of the servants (male, as per your mother's orders) dries your hair. "So, what is going on? Are the Spiderbites are coming over?" Not to be rude, Princess Spiderbite was only cute... if you ignored the watermelon-sized zit on her face. Not your idea of a fun night...

"I'm afraid," Geoffrey said, "if the grapevine is right, that Princess Spiderbite has been sent to St. Olga's for some...impropriety." Translation: she misbehaved and got sent to "Princess Jail" for it. Thank Glossaryck they had a strict "No Boys" policy or your mom would have threatened you with that!

Geoffrey continued, "Rather, some important guest from overseas have arrived...and they've brought daughters. Eligible daughters."

Uh-oh, suddenly shot through your mind. The bath, the servants' sass, fancy clothes...it was that day! You struggle in vain to escape – but alas! The bath has made your feet too smooth! As you are dragged to your doom, one terrified thought plays in your head: it's my birthday ball.

As you are marched (followed) into the main hall, knights on both sides, you look up at the painting of Mom, Dad, and you...or, as the world sees you, Queen Moon, King River, and Prince Sirius. Most regimes probably don't make too much out of a prince being born; but in the Kingdom of Mewni...well, the term "girl power" was synonymous with 'respect.'

Through the ages, almost every ruler of Mewni was a woman, and a dang powerful one at that! There had been only one "male Queen," and (spoilers!) not many remember him... This was why it was imperative Sirius was trussed up like a corn-fed mega turkey; as the second male heir to the throne in all of recorded history, he had to make an impact or be dropped in the annuls of time.

Most important of all, Sirius Butterfly would have to make an impact without the "magical blessings" the Queens of Mewni enjoyed. There was an uphill battle, then there was picking a land war on the largest continent available.

As you reached the throne, there before you were parents: King River, strong, stocky, with a bushy beard that sort of offset his regal air. Queen Moon, hair as fiery as yours, but maintained in a well-groomed beehive. In the Queen's hands, the most powerful artifact ever created, and one of a kind: The Royal Magic Wand.

With a flourish, you bow as you reach the thrones. "Father. Good to see you."

Dad nodded. "Ah, good to see you so...serious." You bite back a laugh. If anybody appreciated your presence more than Dad, you've never met the patient soul.

You bow to Mom, before standing to squint at her. "Hey, ma. I think I see a new wrinkle. Right there around the eyes."

Mom just gave you a raised eyebrow. The coolest one in the room, as usual. "Sirius, please keep a civil tongue today. This afternoon event was put together for you, after all."

"Sorry, Mom," you begin, noting various levels of shock on people's faces. Oh, what's with that attitude!? Do you think of me so little, that just being humble was surprising!?

"You're doing this to help me. I just..." you pause, racking your brain for the right words that won't get you shut down...Maybe just be honest? "Hey, Mom, can we send the Servants out for a minute, so we can talk in private? Like a family?"

Mom looks like she might say "certainly, this can wait," but, between what you said and how you said it, her face softens a bit. "Well..."

"You know, dear," Dad coming in for the clutch! "We have some time before the event gets underway! The guests won't even arrive for five more minutes!"

Mom looks from Dad to you a few times, before sighing, although with a small smile on her face. "Oh, very well. I suppose we have some time. Manfrey, let us know when the nobles arrive." With the grace from years of practice, Mom rose and motioned to a door right behind the throne; it was a small parlor, where Mom and Dad wined the neediest (sorry, "important") guests at these events. And now, it would house all three royals of the castle for at least five minutes.

As soon as the three of you enter, Mom coming in last, she waved her Wand swiftly. "There. Until that door opens, no sound in this room can be heard out there."

Dad just chuckled, a little more relaxed behind closed doors. "Come now, Moon Pie. (Gag!) Who would really eavesdrop?"

Mom gives the bearded man a flat look. "Maybe whoever told you what I was getting you for our anniversary last year?" You laugh at Dad's poor attempt to cover his own butt. The way your mom always holds her head up like she's looking for birds makes it easy to forget she has a soft side underneath the queen exterior.

"Now, then," her voice is clipped, jumping right into the 'not joking' tone. "What is so important you had to ask me in front of the court?"

You look down at your perfectly polished shoes, toying with the gold buttons on your shirt. "Well...It's just...Mom, am I good enough to be a prince?" Going by the looks on their faces, whatever your folks thought you would say, that was not it.

"I mean, I like being rich and all, but...I don't have magic. I can't cast spells, hexes, can't even mix a potion without the fallout evacuating the castle! Heh, my stamina's the only thing impressive about me, and it's not even that high!"

You rub furiously at your eyes because they're just itchy! You're not crying or anything! "I'm not a great heir, I'm not good at all these high society meet-and-greets, I can't even play the Clarinet..."

Silence permeates the room, as you glare at the ground, a little embarrassed you let out a lot more than, 'I can't go to this party.' Oh yeah, have to mention that. "And, well, I'm not really interested in the parties and stuff, too, I guess. This kinda stuff just makes me feel awkward and uncomfortable, everyone's always walking on eggshells with how they talk, and it's exhausting-!"

You're cut off as Mom places a hand on your cheek to lift your head. "Sirius, my Glorious Star." She pulls out a handkerchief and dabs lightly at your face. "I understand those fears and trepidations. I had them once too."

"Wait, you? Were afraid?" This was not something you had even heard of; even Glossaryck never mentioned the early days of 'Moon the Undaunted!' You wipe your nose on your sleeve. "What could have scared you?"

Flicking her Wand almost causally to make the snot smear on your sleeve vanish, she stepped back, looking at the picture of her mother, your grandmother, hanging on the wall. "I..." Dad patted her back soothingly, and just like that, the queen returned. "It was a long time ago. I was...your age when I first took the throne."

She raises her hand the minute you open your mouth to speak. "It's too much to get into now. But I understand worrying about not measuring up when it counts." She pauses and gives you a small smile. "I just ask that you do your best...and never be afraid to be yourself."

She paused, then look away for a moment. "Actually, sometimes pull back and be less sometimes..." You blink at that, then notice Mom's mouth fighting back a smile. "There's a small grey area you can work in."

A knock at the door ends the jovial time. Manfrey speaks through the door. "Your Highnesses. The nobles are arriving, and would be undue to not have you to greet them."

Mom and Dad, slipped right into their masks, which was a baffling sight to see your Dad go from merrymaker to stalwart figure in an instant. "Thank you, Manfrey. That will be all." Even his tone sounded different. As he caught your gaze, he winked, sending you into giggles. Okay, crying shot your emotions out of wack; good to know.

Mom looked over to you. "Take a moment to collect yourself, Sirius, and meet us outside. These parties are only as exhausting as you make them..." With that, the King and Queen of Mewni walked out to greet their court, clearly waiting for the Prince, their heir, to take the next step with them...

As you take deep breaths to steady yourself, you think about Mom's words. Dad's ability to act the part flawlessly. "Is that...what it means to be royalty? For corn's sake, I'll be dealing with snobby nobles forever! But...if even Dad can handle them..."

You look up at your grandmother's portrait, then smile sardonically. "Damn, I'm wallowing in here, and there's a party where girls are going to throw themselves at me right outside? I guess...there are worst fates..." As you open the door to step out, you think, 'Ugh, this is gonna suck! Still, I can deal with it for a bit...'

A/N: Oh, it's been getting so hard, living with the things I've done to you...