Stronger (RPG)

"From now on, I shall try to be worthy of my title."

Nell bowed his head in reply to Prince Simon's vow.

The light emitted from his hands dissipated, as the healing session came to an end.

"Are we done now?"

Nell nodded, his head kept bowed.

"Thank you, Nell, I better inform Rode about my plans, then."

Simon stood up from his seat and was surprised that the ache on his left leg was now completely gone!

"Wow, Nell, my leg feels as good as new!" he said happily. "You really are a marvelous healer!" He took hold of Nell's hand and shook it before heading for the door.

Rode was waiting just outside.

"Shall we go to your first appointment now, your highness?" he asked Simon.

"Change of plans, Rode," Simon said with a big smile. "I have decided that I wanted to meet with my brothers first!"

"Excuse me?" Rode looked at him with a frown.

"I need to get my things from my old room, and I should visit my brothers as long as I'm there, so can you please move my schedule?"

"But your highness–"

"I'll be counting on you then!" Simon told the butler cheerfully.

Said butler's jaw dropped as Simon left the room, dragging Nell behind him.

"Let me introduce you to my brothers!" he told the healer. "My younger brothers aren't as bad as my older ones, especially the kids, they're still too young to be vicious, and I try my best to keep them that way by keeping our elder brothers away from them," he kept chattering.

Nell tried to pull away, but Simon kept on talking.

"Don't worry, since you're my dear friend, I won't let my brothers bully you. I'll keep you next to me and make sure you are treated as the special guest you are – you're an envoy from the Stone Temple, after all," he went on. "I was told that they have prepared a palace for me, and that it would be ready by tonight, I shall have you stay in a room closest to mine, and make sure you have everything you need to live comfortably for the year to come."

They walked for a while.

Simon, kept telling Nell all about the Eastern Twin kingdom.

Finally, they reached the palace of the princes.

It was a long, two story building made of red bricks with a wide lawn in front where the older princes were taught swordsmanship.

Several princes were there at the moment when Simon arrived, and they all flocked to him once they saw him.

"Brother Simon!" they called.

"Thank you for visiting us!"

"We were so worried about you!"

"We're so glad that you came back alive"

Simon's smile looked a bit strained.

He was glad that they were happy to see him, but at the same time, he couldn't help but remember that these were the same older brothers who used to make fun of him every day.

He still remembers how they laughed at him when he was tasked to lead the first attack on the behemoth.

'It's just right for the most useless brother to meet the monster first!' they had said.

'He's nothing but monster fodder.'

'Just make sure you set all the traps properly, or are you too incompetent to do even that?'

"Thank you, brothers, but I can't stay here for too long," he told the other princes. "I'm just here to take my personal belongings from my room, I'll stay longer next time."

He looked back at the servants following him.

Rode told them to accompany him and carrying his belongings to his new residence.

Not that he had much to carry.

They were probably sent with him to make sure that he comes back in time to have lunch with his father the king.

Simon entered the building and made his way to his room on the second floor where he met two kids along the way.

"Brother Simon!"

"Chris! Urr! How have you been?" Simon called to them fondly.

"We're doing okay, we're just sad that we weren't allowed to greet you yesterday!" said Chris.

"That's because only those aged 14 and above are allowed to enter the royal dining hall," Simon told them. "You're turning 14 this year, right, Urr?"

"Yes, brother, and I plan to be sent to a glorious mission as soon as I turn of age, just like you!" he told Simon proudly.

"Ah, I think it would be too early for that," Simon said with a sigh. "I had no choice since the threat of the behemoth suddenly came, but if I were to choose, I would want all of you to just train and get deployed when you're old enough to lift a bastard sword properly!"

"And when would that be?" Chris and Urr said in unison, frowning at their brother.

"Hmm, perhaps when you're 30?" Simon said with a laugh.

Nell watched as Simon joked around with his brothers. Soon, more young princes arrived to greet and welcome them as they made their way to Simon's old room.

It was the first and probably, the only time he will see the young prince smile and laugh wholeheartedly.

Simon stayed there for a while. He gave most of his old belongings to his younger brothers, putting some of the clothes aside for Nell.

"Now remember," he said facing Chris and Urr once the items were packed and distributed. "The two of you are now the eldest of the kids here, please take good care of the little ones and make sure they don't end up like our older brothers."

"You can count on us!" said Urr.

"We're never going to end up like our bully brothers!" said the smaller ones.

"Yeah! We want to be a hero just like you, brother Simon!" they told him.

"Then I shall try my best to be a hero you can all be proud of," said Simon with a gentle smile.

"Your highness..."

Simon looked at the doorway and saw Rode standing there with a frown on his face.

"It is time for you to dine with his majesty."

He looked irritated.

"Coming."

He faced his brothers one last time and gave them all a tight hug.

"Just send me a message if you need me," he told them as he gave his farewells.

King Morel was already seated at the end of the long banquette table when Simon arrived.

His older brothers, Prince Juno and Prince Largos, were both seated to his left, while the place of honor to his right was vacant. Both of them looked annoyingly at Simon as he entered the room.

Rode pulled the chair to the king's right hand and waited for Simon to take his place.

"Took you long enough to get here..." he heard his brother Largos mumble.

Simon felt his face burn as he he took his seat.

"I-I'm sorry... I had decided to meet with the rest of our brothers, since they requested for me to meet them..." Simon explain.

"Yes, we were aware of how you canceled your appointment with Duke Fann and Earl Summers," Prince Juno said coldly. "Make sure you meet with them this afternoon to get acquainted with their daughters.

"T-their daughters...?" Simon asked as the servants brought out their food.

"Yes, my son," the King answered as they began to eat. "It is important for you to be acquainted with a lady of your choosing. You are, after all, being considered now as a crown prince candidate."

Simon began to choke on a piece of toast he was nibbling.

"C-crown prince?!" he managed to croak out.

His eyes fell on his two older brothers.

They didn't seem to be affected with the news, as much as they were pissed that he was late for lunch.

"Of course," their father continued. "You are this country's savior! It is just right to offer you a chance to be the future king!" he declared with pride.

"B-but... what about brother Juno and brother Largos?" Simon asked.

"As it has been in the past, when there are no twins in either the East and the West kingdoms, the royal family would train the two first born princes as candidates for the crown prince position," explained Juno. "Should something happen to me, then Largos shall take my place," he continued, "but both of us have always been ready to step down, in case twins are born to the either of the Twin Kingdoms."

"As it is, it is my honor to step down to make way to a more... fitting... candidate," Largos finished through gritted teeth.

"B-but..."

Simon was about to argue some more, when he paused to think.

'Wait a minute, why do I sound like I dislike being a crown prince?' he thought to himself. 'Once I become the leading candidate, I can enjoy the same privileges brother Juno and brother Largos have! I could live in splendor in a palace, and have royal knights and servants under my command!'

He was still contemplating this when a frightening thought entered his mind.

'But what if they realize that I don't have any special power within me?'

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CHOICES:

[Should I decline the offer?] go to Part 29

[Should I accept it graciously?] go to Part 31

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