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Chapter 1:

The Prince’s 13^th Birthday

   Philipp woke up with a start. Still in his nightwear, barefoot and on a rush, he walked along the garden paths heading towards the fountain where his mother often lingered to enjoy the peaceful quiet scenery. A break, albeit short; from all the noise and stifling pressure of handling royal duties and demands.

   The garden built within the castle walls was impressive and huge. If one were to look at it from above, it would appear circular in shape. Stone walls that are tall enough encased the garden. Keeping every visitor safe from accidentally falling off from its heights.

   After all, the castle was built atop of a plateau. And on the garden, excess water used for sprinklers, ponds and fountains flowed through the water ducts then down to the grounds below.

   Intricacy and details were a common theme in the castle. Its walls made of stones were decorated with alternating, spaced-out pillars that are connected by an arch at the top. It had carvings displaying more refined detail, making every part of the structure luxurious.

   Inside is a wide area where all sorts of greenery were carefully maintained. There were all sorts of plants that grew within the garden. Shrubs and flowers like  roses, petunias, hollyhocks, but most importantly, mother's favorite...Forget me nots made the surroundings pop with such vibrant colors.

   The vast blue sky was left exposed in the roofless garden and mountain ranges surrounded the castle. No wonder his mother loved it here. He grew up seeing the same scenery and yet it never ceased to leave him in awe.

   And the scent, he never grew tired of it. The fresh breeze that came from the east, the whiff of sweet fragrance from all the flowers mixing with the blowing wind would make him forget all the worries of the world.

   Oh, how he would miss it.

   Throughout the garden, statues sculpted in the images of heroes past stood proud and tall. Their eyes would remain fixated in its position, but there are times he could swear they would move and watch his every step. Anticipating. Waiting for him to fulfill the same legacy as they all once did. This pressure that he carried since he was a child left signs everywhere. Just like his fate, they’re inescapable.

   Like a maze with no way out.

   After a few more steps passing through rows and rows of potted blooms, shrubs and trees he finally reached the Garden’s fountain. Right in the middle is a statue where water pooled from its palms and would flow down at the bottom. Few patches of moss grew beneath its feet then around the hems of its dress as it remained submerged in the pooling water. A handful of water lilies floated above the water-filled basin, its pink-colored blooms gave the fountain an accent of color.

   Underneath the statue were Gold, silver and copper coins that remained submerged on the bottom. Accumulating more and more overtime.

   There were many days his mother would spend time alone. She would ruminate and toss her wishes in the fountain. Sometimes, he would ask what her wish was to which she would respond “I can’t tell you, it’ll ruin the magic.”

   He would pout and protest.

   “But I’m your favorite son! How come I don’t get to know all your secrets?!

   “But you’re my only son, Philipp.”

   “And I’m still right!”

   Now, there were at least a hundred coins varying from silver and gold beneath the fountain. Even at his special day, there were things his mother would rather choose to bury her secrets in moss and water than to let him know.

   In its odd way, he felt loved seeing his mother try to protect him. Even when it seemed futile in the end.

   While he stared at the fountain statue a sudden realization formed in his mind, this fountain looked like her, in its own odd way. It didn’t really possess any of his mother’s features, they’re not even wearing the same dress, nor share the same crown. But the energy emanating from its calming stature reminded him of her. All the memories they had shared, all those countless days they had spent and the secrets they exchanged with one another has turned this carved stone into some sort of memento.

   Love takes shape in the most surprising ways.

   Philipp rummaged through his pockets to see if there were any coins so he could wish for his mother to turn into a miniature size and put her in his pocket. In that way, he could carry her with him to his destination, and feel less alone.

   But to his dismay, there were no coins to be found, and it’ll take not a wish but a miracle to get what he wanted.

   Philipp then turned his attention back to his mother where she sat quietly on her usual bench. He could see that the Queen wore her full regalia for his special, long-awaited occasion. White-lace gloves covered her arms up to her elbows and a sash made of dyed satin rested delicately on her right shoulder. It flowed down to her corset then connected at the hip with a massive bow and the royal crest sewn at the center.

   Her jewelry was just as extravagant. They were made out of gold and the finest faceted stones that sparkled as it laid exposed to the brilliant sunlight.

   She gleamed like the sun—regal and elegant. But the flamboyance of her dress and accessories wasn’t enough to hide the gloom written on her face.

   Her hands clutched the coin, held it tightly to her chest before tossing it into the water. From this distance he could see her lips quiver. Her posture was stiff, but her shoulders trembled.

    Philipp felt a pang in his chest seeing his dearly beloved mother this upset, he wanted to console her. But as he was about to get closer, his mother heard his footsteps and swiftly composed herself.

   She carefully wiped something away from her cheeks before turning to face him with that same lonely eyes and familiar smile.

  “Son. You’re not dressed. Today is your biggest day.” She then gestured her hand towards the vacant spot of the stone bench then said “Come sit with me, my sweet.” Her voice ever so calm and soothing.  

   Philipp sat next to her, then rested his head on her shoulders. His feet swung beneath the seat barely touching the ground. Now that he’s next to her, he could see faint smudges on her mother’s cheeks. But he could only pretend that he doesn’t notice.

   It was the 17^th of Spring—his birthday—and he was finally 13 years old. He lived through his childhood preparing for that very day, and yet, none of it was enough. He still couldn’t accept his fate.

   He was still afraid.

   Overwhelmed.

   And despite his path laid in front of him, he felt lost.

   “I’ve always wanted to give you siblings. Maybe by then you would’ve had someone else to play with besides the castle staff. Someone your age to share your toys with and watch this very sky…To have fun, to have a wonderful time growing up before you— “

   There was a shared unspoken understanding between them. The mother and son sat there in silence and found solace in knowing they both see each other’s pain.

     She gave him one long look; her hand gently caressed his cheek before she pulled him in to a long, tight embrace. Philipp hugged her in return; his face burrowed in her shoulders. He could feel his eyes getting warmer. And soon enough, tears welled up underneath his eyelids.

   All the memories began to flash in his mind; the bedtime stories she had told, moments where he’d find her silently gazing from the windows looking beyond the lively town and onto the vast sea, all those nights where they would use the telescope to watch the sky. He’s remembering every detail of her, and all the days he had spent in this garden.

   Years of doing the same routines, waking up on the same bedroom, looking at the same walls. He never would’ve thought parting from something that had always seemed so ordinary would feel this heavy.

   His home, her warmth and all he knew would soon become nothing more but a fleeting memory that he could only hold on to.

   “Well, you should really get ready now. You don’t want to be late for your birthday. Everyone in the kingdom has prepared something special Just for you. I hope you like it.” She said while she slowly backed away from their embrace, her hands rested on his shoulders. 

    “And as for my gift, it’ll be in your room; your Hero’s attire. So, off you go now! I am very excited to see how you would look in it.”

   Philipp smiled and he could only contain his excitement as to what the gift may be.

   He carefully hopped off the bench then looked back at the garden one last time, quietly “I got to be here. At least I can be happy about that.” he said to himself before making his way back to his room.

   While walking through the corridors, he heard the sounds of jamboree coming from the castle’s entrance as he makes his way back. He peered carefully through the glass windows and he could see from below that the entrance was fully packed with people. Considering how he was currently at the top floor of the castle and the sounds reached where he was, he immediately figured how loud the townspeople was.

   He felt even more nervous after seeing such sight.

   “Sigh… at least the townsfolk are happy.”

   He then opened the door and waited in his room for the maids to arrive.

   Philipp plopped into the mattress and laid there while he gazed absentmindedly at the ceiling. His eyes scanned around the room and counted all the things that were in his possession.

   His bedroom was littered with an assortment of books and toys that came from fellow nobles, elites and sometimes, from the townspeople and his mother.

   “Mr. Ruppert, how I will miss playing tea time with you. And you too Madame Madmacarth. I will miss our adventures.” He said with a solemn tone while looking at his favorite toys; his only friends that had kept him company through all those years.

   Besides his mother, he would tell them his secrets. Especially secrets that involved all the pent-up unpleasant feelings and spite towards the king that he would never allow his mother to know.

   These toys had heard him ramble about how he hated the king, or how much he wished it would just be him and his mother living modestly in some secluded house in the cabin, far away from the castle.

   This room was his world. His escape and these toys were his sole confidant. And with these toys, his secrets remained hidden. Just like his mother’s wishing coins in the fountain.

   Besides the scattered toys, ruffled bedsheets covered his midsize bed, and pillows were spread everywhere. The place was unkept—just slightly—but it is very much odd for him to do.

   Part of his usual routine bedsides walking to the garden is keeping his room tidy. It’s one of many strict lessons the king had taught him. To ensure he practiced responsibility even at the smallest of things.

   “If you can handle small tasks, then you can handle a much bigger one. If you fail keeping up then that is a sign that you’re not to be trusted.”

   But the days of keeping the room perfectly spick and span was finally over.

    “How fast the time flies, I wish this is just a dream and when I wake up, I’m 12 again.” He pinched himself. Then he pinched himself again. This time, harder than the last.

    “This is ridiculous.” Seeing the red, rounded marks left on his arm, he chuckled at the idea that he really thought it would work. “I’m a prince! And I’m going to be hailed as a hero! It can’t be that bad!” He puffed his chest as he stood in front of the mirror. “I am brave, I am tough. I can do this!” Then…

   Knock

   Knock

   Knock…