"Welcome to Altea Princess Ezor," King Shiro said with a smile as he approached the Princess as she handed her cloak to Acxa.

"Thank you for having us Your Majesty," Ezor replied with a curtsey.

"I'll have Ulaz here escort you to where my son is," Shiro said motioning to a guard who walked up and bowed to the King and Princess. "I wish I could do it myself but I have some urgent matters to attend to."

"Very well," Ezor said with a nod as she turned to Ulaz and the group set out.

Meanwhile, Keith was in his private gardens with Red, the two were playing a game of tug of war with a string of rope. Kolivan stood by the entrance guarding the Prince, a smile on his face as he watched the tough shell of the Prince had fallen and his true self shined through.

It wasn't very often one got to see it. Not with the tough laws and the rules the Prince had to follow. Kolivan was glad that Keith trusted him enough to lower his guard and allow the guard to see his true nature. When King Adam and Princess Allura disappeared years ago, Kolivan was one who Keith turned to for comfort, other than Red, Black, and his father of course.

Kolivan turned hearing a knock on the entrance door to the gardens. Keith and Red also turned upon heading the knock. Kolivan gave Keith a soft smile before walking up to the door and opening it, revealing Ulaz on the other side.

"Forgive the intrusion Kolivan," Ulaz said before stepping to the side to reveal Ezor. "But Princess Ezor is here to see Crown Prince Keith."

"I see," Kolivan said before sending a smile to the Princess. "Welcome to Atea Your Highness, please come in."

"Thank you," Ezor said as she stepped into the gardens as Kolivan stepped aside letting her in, dismissing Ulaz.

"Your Highness," Kolivan said as Keith turned from where he was sitting on the fountain, putting the rope he and Red had been playing with aside. "Princess Ezor is here to see you."

"I see," Keith said as he looked the Princess up and down. Another stuffy royal who just wants to marry him for the money Altea holds.

"Will you need anything, Your Highness?" Kolivan asked.

"No," Keith answered with a roll of his eyes as Red padded over and lay down by his feet, purring softly as Keith ran his fingers through her fur.

"In that case, I'll leave you to it," Kolivan said bowing and exiting the gardens, he wouldn't be far though.

Just down the hall with Ulaz in case something were to happen.

Shiro's orders.

"You think it will go well this time?" Ulaz asked as Kolivan leaned against the wall with a sigh.

"Not one bit," Kolivan answered.

An hour later, King Shiro was making his way to the gardens, walking past Kolivan and Ulaz who bowed as he walked by.

Currently, Princess Ezor and Keith were meeting in Keith's garden connected to his room to sort out a marriage deal. Shiro jumped as the garden doors slammed open and out stomped Princess Ezor, rage clear on her face.

"Royal brat!" she shouted, Shiro ran up to her. "Acxa, we're leaving!"

"You're leaving so soon Princess Ezor?" Ezor stopped and turned to Shiro with a glare.

"Good luck marrying that thing off!" she shouted before continuing and meeting up with her guard. Shiro caught sight of a hole in the backseat of her dress before Acxa covered it with her cloak. Shiro sighed and growled to himself.

"Keith!"

Kolivan and Ulaz shared a look as they watched Shiro stomp into the gardens and close the doors behind him as Ezor and Acxa left the palace.

"I told you," Kolivan answered with a sigh.

"That's been the fastest anyone has left so far," Ulaz said with a smile. "At least Princess Ezor accomplished something."

"Yeah," Kolivan said with a chuckle. "Fastest to be rejected."

Shiro entered the garden spotting his son sitting on the fountain his back turned to the doorway.

"Keith!" Shiro called out again trying to get his son's attention. Keith ignored his father's cries and kept his back turned. "Keith!" Shiro shouted once more before jumping as a grown lion jumped in front of him with a snarl. "Red! Give me the cloth!" Shiro shouted pulling the cloth of Ezor's dress out of Red's mouth. Though Red decided she wanted to play tug of war once more and pulled back ripping the cloth even more than it was. Shiro landed on the ground a piece of the dress in his hands. Red headed back to her master as Shiro glared at his son.

"Well it's no wonder Princess Ezor stormed off in a storm of rage," Keith smiled softly at his father.

"Red was just playing with her, that's all," Keith said as he pulled the remaining fabric out of Red's mouth and tossed it over his shoulder, the cloth landing on the ground behind him. Keith gently squeezed her cheeks playfully shaking her head left and right. "It's not her fault the Princess couldn't handle a little fun," Red huffed and smiled, Keith joining her laughter until he glanced up noticing his father's angry stare and stopped.

"Keith, you can't keep tormenting every suitor who offers marriage," Shiro straightened himself up. "The law says you-," Keith joined his father will a roll of his eyes.

"-must be married to someone of royal blood," Keith stood up and headed to the bird cage. Shiro finished his statement.

"By your next birthday, which is in less than a month," Keith nodded.

"I'm aware of when my birthday is, how can I forget with the parties you throw for it?" Keith asked with a sigh. "But I also know this law is stupid and annoyingly outdated," Shiro glared at Keith as Keith opened the birdcage. "I mean when was the last time it was changed?"

"You know I can't change the law, it's been written for generations," Keith sighed pulling out a bird gently Red watching from her spot where she laid down watching the bird.

"I just hate being forced into this," Keith gently pet the birds' feathers smiling as the bird curled up to his finger. "If I am to marry someone, I want it to be because I found someone I truly love," Keith said with a sigh. "And not because the law says so." Shiro sighed and walked up. "Like you and Mom."

"Keith, it's not just the law I'm worried about," he said holding his hand out, Keith handed him the bird and headed back to the fountain where he sat earlier. Red laid her head back down and closed her eyes. Shiro put the bird back in the cage and turned to face Keith who stared into the water.

"I'm not going to be around forever," Shiro said as Keith watched the fish swim in the fountain. Keith rolled his eyes turning back to his father. "I just want to make sure you're going to be okay when I leave, and your mother would-"

"Please just try to understand," Keith interrupted with a sigh. "I've barely done a thing on my own."

"That's not true," Shiro protested before Keith interrupted.

"Sure you let me hold a sword and gave me a knife for my birthday last year but I've only used it when you allow me to train with Kolivan but that's only when you approve of it," Keith turned back to the fountain putting his finger in the water the fish swimming up to it and rubbing against it gently. "And Altea's gotten so bad that Kolivan's always out on patrol," Keith said with a sigh.

"I've never even had any real friends I can talk to," Red lifted her head and growled playfully. "Except you Red," Keith said with a smile. Red nodded and laid her head back down. Keith stared at his father's reflection in the water. "You've never even let me out of the palace, not since Mom-" Keith trailed off and Shiro sighed.

"That's because you're a Prince Keith, and I'm just trying to protect you," Keith growled splashing the water.

"Well maybe I'm done being a Prince!" he yelled turned his back to his father. Shiro growled.

"You'll learn one day, I'm doing this for your own good."

With that, a very mad Shiro stomped out of the garden.

Keith was fuming, he didn't understand why his father couldn't understand. Didn't he love his mother once? Didn't they marry for love?

"Lucky bird inside a gilded cage

Golden words spoke by an ancient sage

Everything you may have in life

Still, all you hold is dust"

Red turned as she heard her cub singing softly to himself. His eyes locked on the birds in their cages.

"Must I yearn forever to be free?

Free to climb a tree and ponder

Free to wander

There's no desire I hold fonder

Than to be

Simply me

To be free"

Keith opened the cage and gently picked up one of the birds, the bird curling up to the Prince, chirping softly.

"How ungrateful is this lucky bird

Spurning privilege for one simple word

Freedom to stretch these golden wings

Freedom to touch the sky"

Keith sighed and allowed his thoughts to race. He would hear gossip from the servants about how privileged the royal family was. While it may be true that being a Prince had its advantages, it wasn't a fairy tale like the stories say.

"Why one would ask would he want to be

Free to throw away a treasure

Born with pleasure

I'd sacrifice riches beyond measure"

Keith didn't care about the treasures that sat in the palace. It meant nothing to him. Sometimes, he just wished he could shed the Prince title and just be a normal person.

Even for just a day.

"Not a Prince, just a boy

What a perfect fantasy

To find love, to feel joy

To be really free"

Keith glanced down at the bird in his hand before he turned and opened the cage with his free hand, the birds flying out knowing they were free. The bird in his hand seemed to be conflicted, between staying with the Prince or going with its family.

"Go on," Keith whispered softly to the bird. The bird rubbed its head against Keith's hand before taking off and joining its family.

Keith watched them fly away from the palace, silently wishing he could be like them and fly free.

Free from the palace walls.

Free from the stupid laws.

Free from anything.

Shiro headed back to his chambers with a sigh.

"He takes after his mother too much, he's just like Adam," Shiro sat on a nearby chair and sighed running a hand through his hair. A shadow loomed over him and he jumped, before realizing who it was. "Lotor, you startled me," Lotor smiled, Sendak on his shoulder.

"You seem troubled Your Majesty," Shiro nodded.

"Troubled isn't even the half of it," Lotor nodded.

"Perhaps I can help you, what is the issue?" Lotor asked.

"I'm at the end of my rope with Keith," Shiro said with a sigh.

"With his Highness?"

"He keeps turning away every suitor that comes to call, I just don't know what to do with him, Adam was better with him than me," Lotor nodded and Sendak squawked from his shoulder.

"Awk, better with him than me," Shiro smiled gently at the bird and pulled a cracker out of his pocket,

"You seem hungry Sendak, here have a cracker," Sendak tried to get out of Shiro's reach but the cracker ended up being forced into his mouth. His cheeks puffing as he tried to keep the cracker in. Lotor chuckled.

"Your Majesty cares so much for Sendak, he thanks you for the gracious snacks you provide him," Lotor said with a smile knowing how much Sendak hated crackers. Sendak turned and glared at Lotor, the cracker still in his mouth. Lotor ignored him and turned back to Shiro.

"Now then, perhaps I can find a solution to this problem of yours Your Majesty," Shiro sighed.

"If anyone can help Lotor, it's you, after all, you did learn everything from your mother before she passed away," Lotor nodded keeping his face mutual as his mother was mentioned.

"Yes, she was quite the teacher," Lotor said with a roll of his eyes. "Now, all I need Your Majesty is that blue diamond on your ring," Lotor motioned to the blue diamond ring on Shiro's finger. Shiro pulled his hand to his chest fingering the ring.

"My ring?" Lotor nodded.

"Is there a problem?"

"It's just that it's been in my family for generations and it's the family heirloom," Lotor gave a small smile. "Keith will have it when he-"

"I do apologize but it is necessary to help solve your problem," Lotor turned the snake staff to face Shiro, the purple eyes glowed a lighter purple. As Shiro stared into the eyes he felt his consciousness start to slip away, Lotor smiled. "Don't worry I'll take good care of it, it will all be okay."

"It will…all…okay…" Shiro in his hypnotized state repeated as Lotor held out his hand.

"The ring, if you please, Your Majesty," Shiro pulled the ring off his finger and handed it to Lotor.

"Here Lotor, whatever you need will be fine," Lotor smiled. He pulled his staff back and directed Shiro to his bed chambers.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Lotor said pushing Shiro towards his bed chambers. "You should go rest now, it has been a tiring morning for you," Shiro, who was still hypnotized, walked into his chambers.

"Yes…a good…idea."

Lotor left the room with Sendak still on his shoulder, cracker still in his mouth. Once they were out of the room Sendak spat the cracker out of his mouth and onto the ground.

"I can't take it anymore! How many crackers must I choke down before we get to get rid of him!?" Lotor rolled his eyes as he approached a wall. He pulled down on a rope which opened a piece of the wall to reveal a hidden staircase that went down. Lotor entered the passageway and headed down the stairs, the door closing behind him.

"Calm down Sendak," Sendak however ignored him and continued talking.

"How would you like to choke down on stale crackers!" Lotor rolled his eyes, he snapped Sendak's beak shut.

"Enough," he released the bird's beak and sat down at a desk Sendak flying off his shoulder and landing on the desk. "Soon our plan will come into play and I will King!"

When it was night, an hour before morning, everyone was still asleep in the castle.

All but one.

A shadowy figure made his way from one room to the courtyard of the palace, making sure to avoid the guards as they patrolled the palace. The figure was dressed in what he wore earlier but with a brown hooded cloak overtop. The figure made his way through the gardens and towards the far wall.

Before he could climb however something grabbed the back of his cloak and pulled. The figure turned around and it was revealed to be Keith. Keith's eyes softened at seeing Red, he knelt down in front of her. Her golden eyes staring sadly back at her.

"I'm sorry Red but I just can't stay here anymore," Keith gave Red a hug petting her fur sadly "I can let someone else decide my future for me, I have to live my own life," Keith whispered. "I'll miss you."

Keith stood up and made to climb the wall. Red helped him catching his footing and whined softly as Keith made it to the top, catching his attention. Keith smiled softly fixing his hood as he put his legs on the other side of the wall waving to Red.

"Goodbye Red," Keith climbed down the wall, Red whimpered softly and headed back to Keith's room, already missing her beloved cub.

The next morning Lance and Blue were back at it again. This time they were on top of a stand where the vendor was selling fruit. Lance noticed no one was around so he nodded at Blue.

"Time to go Blue," Blue nodded and dipped over the edge, hanging by her tail and picked a melon up with her claws. The vendor turned and glared at the cub

"Hey! Claws off!" he yelled grabbing the melon from Blue who pouted but pulled herself back onto the top of the stand. Lance, while the vendor was distracted, reached down and grabbed the melon from the top of the stack. The vendor turned and put the melon back on the top and sighed. Lance smiled as Blue sat beside him.

"Another job well job," Lance broke the melon in two. "Any now, breakfast is officially served."

Meanwhile, Keith was making his way through the market. His eyes huge in wonder, he never would have guessed the marketplace would be so busy yet so lively. As he walked vendors were trying to sell him all kinds of things.

"A fine pot? Made from real silver and bronze," a man said holding up a similar pot Keith had seen in both brass and silver in the palace. However, he could tell the pot was made out of fake metal and therefore shook his head and walked off.

"A jar of Nunvill, to quench your thirst?" a man asked trying to sell Keith the drink. Keith had never liked the drink, wasn't his cup of tea. Keith quickly walked off before the man could try and sell him anything else.

"A necklace young man? Perhaps for your wife?" Keith shook his head and continued on. Keith mentally rolled his eyes and walked off. He never had his eyes on women, he just didn't know how to tell his father. Keith was startled out of his thoughts when a man held out a fish to his face.

"Fresh fish? Caught fresh daily!" Keith chuckled nervously and backed up.

"No thank you," Keith ended up backing up into a fire eater who was startled and ended up swallowing the fire. "I-I'm sorry," the man instead of answering, instead belched and fire exploded from his mouth. Keith jumped back to avoid the flames, his hood falling down, he glared at the man.

'Doesn't he have better manners than that?' Keith thought as he started to walk away.

Lance glanced up at hearing the commotion and his eyes landed on Keith. Lance couldn't help but stare at the pale boy with black hair and violet eyes. Keith noticed his hood was down and pulled it back over the top of his head.

"Woah," Lance said with a sigh leaning against the edge of the stand. Blue jumped on his shoulders and waved her paw in front of her master's face. When Lance didn't respond Blue made little noises to get his attention, which proved to be ineffective. Lance continued to stare at the boy.

Keith continued on and noticed a young orphan boy reaching up for an apple, he smiled and plucked the apple off the stand handing it to the boy.

"You look starving, here you go," the boy smiled and ran off, apple in hand. The proprietor turned to Keith with a scowl.

"I hope you're able to pay for that boy," Keith turned to the man.

"I'm sorry?" the man walked up to him with a small sword in hand. "That boy was starving, you would care more about money than-"

"No one just takes anything off my cart without paying!" the man yelled getting everyone's attention.

"I-I don't have money," the proprietor grabbed Keith's arm and yanked him forwards

"You're a thief then!" Keith was starting to panic now.

"I'm not a thief, if you let me go to the palace I can get money from the King," the proprietor ignored what Keith said and slammed his arm down on the table pinning it down.

"Do you know what the penalty is for stealing?" Keith's eyes widened and he tried to get his arm free. "Hope you enjoyed having two hands." The proprietor raised his arm and Keith's was definitely panicking now.

What would his father say if he came back to the palace with only one arm? He definitely wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere ever again.

"Wait!" The proprietor swung his arm down and Keith flinched. Before the sword could hit flesh, Lance stepped in grabbing the man's arm.

"There you are!" Lance said grabbing the sword and handing it to Keith. He glared gently at him "I've been looking everywhere for you!" Keith stared at Lance confused as he was pushed down the street slowly.

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

"Trust me," Lance whispered back. "Just play along will ya?" Keith nodded.

This boy was his best chance to get out of this situation.

"Lance, you know this brat?" the proprietor said eyeing Lance who nodded.

"Yes, I do, he's my cousin," Lance whirled his finger around and Keith stared in shock. "He has a bit of an illness, ever since childhood." The proprietor grabbed Lance by his blue vest.

"I didn't know you had a cousin," the man said before glaring at Keith. "He said he knew King Shiro," Lance chuckled and pointed Keith's way.

"Sir, he thinks the cub is the king," Blue from where she was sitting stared at Lance in shock. Keith seemed to get the hint and kneeled in front of Blue and started bowing.

"Your Majesty, how may I be of service to you on this fine afternoon?" Blue rolled her eyes. Lance sighed.

"Tragic isn't it? He's been this way ever since the incident when we were kids," Lance used his foot to grab an apple off the stand and handed it to the proprietor but, no harm done. Lance headed back over to Keith. "Time to go my dear cousin, we have to visit the doctor today," Keith smiled at a camel.

"Hello Doctor Johnson, how are you today?"

'Can this get any worse?' Keith thought as he internally cringed.

"That's not the doctor," Lance turned back to Blue who had been picking pockets. "Come along Your Majesty" Blue smiled and bowed, the jewels she had, fell which caught everyone's attention, including the proprietor. Lance began to ran dragging Keith behind him.

"Leave it Blue, let's go!" the proprietor yelled as the trio ran off.

"Come back here you thieves!" The trio however continued on smiles on their face.

'Guess we can add thief to the list of occupations' Keith thought with a smile.