I couldn’t find a thing. 

Centuries worth of magical theory books were stacked around my feet, yet no one had figured out how to bring a plant back to life. I rubbed my forehead as my stomach grumbled. I needed food. Picking up the pot, I examined the withered stem. If I knew if it was some kind of fruit-bearing plant or simply a weed, then I would be more motivated to fix it.

Turning a couple pages, I ran my finger down the time-bending instructions. None of it made sense. I closed my eyes and tried to do as it said. I needed to convince the plant to change, whatever that meant. I cracked open an eye. Nothing had happened. It was still the same blackened stem.

“This is pointless.” I laid my head on the couch I was leaning against and pushed the pot away from me. It probably was a weed. Killing it may have been a blessing.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

It opened, and Suzette gave me a pleasant smile. She carried in a tray of food and set it on the ground beside me. Sitting on the couch, she scanned the books scattered across the floor. “Any luck?”

I shook my head and closed the one next to me. “Nope.” Grabbing some bread, I gave up and slid down onto my back. Staring at the ceiling, I bit off a chunk of the roll. “Dad is right. Its life force is gone. It won’t even respond to magic.”

Suzette picked up the pot and the pitcher of water from the tray. She carried it to the window. “Maybe there’s a little something left in it.” Placing it on the sill, she made sure the sun would hit it and sprinkled it with water. She took a deep breath. “That’s all we can do for now. I’ll tell the high priest, we’re still working on a solution.”

“Hmm…” I took another roll and sprawled out on the floor. 

Suzette returned to the couch, nudging my foot as she passed. “Rather unsightly for a prince.”

“Not now,” I muttered. 

“What’s made you so upset?” She leaned over her knees. “Father wasn’t very cordial at dinner, but he’s been worse. For how mad the high priest was about our experiment on his seedling, I expected Father to be angrier.”

“He wasn’t belittling you,” I replied sharply.

“Because I have an amazing little brother who took the blame.” She smiled down at me. “Thank you, Tolcan. I really appreciated it. I made sure to tell Father all about the effort you put in today.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt he believed a word of it.”

“Hmm…” She peered off across the room. “You are upset about something. Perhaps, a particular person has put you in such a sour mode?” She rested her head against her hand. “Did one of your girlfriends leave for the fishing grounds?”

I turned onto my side. “Who gave you that idea?”

“Albern.”

I peeked over my shoulder at her. “Yeah, what did he say?”

Suzette shrugged. “Simply that your attitude might be contributed to the nomads leaving. So?” She arched a brow. “Is that the reason?”

“Maybe.” I snatched the last roll. 

My sister smiled. “Is she that important?”

“We may be mixed, but Father isn’t going to allow any more nomadic blood to find its way into the royal family.”

She gave me a knowing smile. “It must be serious. None of the others have ever made you this grumpy when they finally figure out you’re only toying with them.”

I scoffed. “Why do you and Albern think I’m running around tricking people into sleep with me?”

“Because you do,” she stated.

I scowled at her and sat up. “I may play up my number of sexual partners for comical reasons but I am not a whore.”

She patted my cheek. “Of course not. A prince could never be a whore. Father doesn’t bestow those kinds of titles.”

I knocked her hand away. “Don’t mock me.” I looped my arms around my legs. “They’re gone, alright. I waste what little time I had left trying to do some stupid spell that didn’t even work, and I spent the rest of the day being punished for it.”

“Oh, Tolcan.” She hugged me from behind. “She’ll be back.”

“You’re annoying me.” I removed her arms and stood. 

“She really has gotten to you.” My sister clasped her chest. “Is my promiscuous little brother finally becoming an honest man?”

“Sarcasm”—I waved a finger at her—“it has never been one of your strengths.”

Suzette stood and ushered me to the bed. “Don’t listen to Dad or Albern. I know you’re going through something right now.” She gave my hand a squeeze. “From what I’ve heard, it’s normal for young men your ages to be more”—she thought for a moment—“sexual-hyped than most.”

“I’m not a sex-crazed teenager.” I gave her an unimpressed look. 

“Nineteen to twenty, there’s really not that much of a difference when it comes to sexual tendencies.” She patted my knee. 

With a groan, I fell back and draped an arm over my eyes. “Change the topic.”

She laughed. “Alright, I’ll stop trying to be your mother.”

I sat up. “Thank you.”

She kissed my cheek. “I think Mom would be proud of the man you’re becoming.”

I wrung my hands in my lap. “Do you remember her?”

“I have a few memories. She was very kind, Tolcan. Even if her son was a whore, she’d still love you.”

Shaking my head, I tried not to respond to her smug face. “For a princess, you’re not acting very refined.”

Laughing, she rose to her feet. “I’ve learned how to act in public to fit the part.” She went to get the tray. “I’ll leave these here.” She took off the plate of cheese and crackers and put it on the side table. “Goodnight.”

“Thanks.” I gripped the edge of the bed. “For the food.”

“It’s my motherly side coming out.” She opened the door. “I couldn’t let you go hungry.”

“Still, thanks.”

She smiled. “Goodnight, Tolcan.”

I nodded. “Goodnight. 

***

My room was a disaster, and I was being the epitome of laziness. I lacked any kind of motivation to do anything. I rolled onto my stomach. Maybe I did need to be more serious about my studies. It might get my father to leave me alone, and Albern may be less of an ass if I start pulling my weight. I yanked the covers over my head. I nearly forgot that I had been the ideal son for the majority of my life and barely anything had changed since I stopped giving a damn.

The maid wrapped her knuckles on the door before opening it. “Good morning, Prince Tolcan.” She set my breakfast tray on the end of my bed. “Oh my, would you like me to send someone to clean this up?”

“No,” I muttered from under the covers. “I’ll do it. They go on certain shelves.”

“Very well, my prince.” She threw open the curtains to let in the sun. “It’s such a beautiful day. Your brother was on his way to train with the guards.”

“Good for him.” 

She shook her head at me. “You should make the most of the day.” She went to get my laundry. 

“We’ll see.”

She forced a smile. “Well, let me know if you’d like anything else.” She bowed and left the room. 

Sitting up, I grabbed a piece of toast and climbed out of bed. I waved my arm and the books lifted into the air. One by one, they rose up so I could read the cover before I sent each to its spot on the shelves. The bread was a little dry today. I held out my hand and the glass of water flew to it. I took a drink and went to the window as the scattered pieces of paper stacked themselves on my desk. 

The sky was a clear blue, and a faint breeze rustled through the trees in the garden. Letting out a deep breath, I glanced at the pot sitting on the windowsill. I nearly finished off my drink before pouring the last bit of water onto the plant. I hoped that something made use of the day because I wasn’t going to.