Westan grumbled and opened his eyes slowly. Another loud knock came at the door. Was it morning already?

He grumbled again and put a pillow over his face, resolved to ignore the disturbance. He did not want to get up today. But another knock came, then another, and another. Westan yawned with irritation and looked towards his window once more. By the look of the rays of sunlight leaking through his curtains, it was in fact nearly noon.

"My King, Zaccheus has sent me to fetch you right away!" The servant outside his door said loudly.

Westan sighed. Why did he have to be bothered so early? Could this not wait a little longer? He really did not want to get up today!

"What does he want?" He snapped.

"You shall be late for your studies sire!" The man outside replied.

Westan groaned. Why did Zaccheus always insist on trying to make him waste the day away with studying? He hated such tiresome work! He much preferred to spend his time outside in the sun ridding his horses or practicing his swordplay. Though he would not get to enjoy such pursuits today it seemed. These so called studies kept taking up all his time…

"Very well, come in," Westan grumbled miserably, too tired to expend any more energy resisting.

At his word, several of his servants immediately entered his room. They started opening his drapes, preparing his bath, and laying out his royal garments. Westan took his sweet time getting ready, hoping to stall the day as long as possible. When he finally finished getting dressed he put on his father's old crown before looking in the mirror at his appearance.

Westan sighed. He was almost nineteen now, and with each passing year he resembled his father more and more. He even had his same black hair and brown eyes, although he thought that his face shape resembled his mother more. It had been almost nine years since his parents’ assassination, but it still felt as though they had died just yesterday. He missed them both terribly, especially on loathsome days like this. He often reminisced of when he was young, how he had spent most of his time at the castle's nursery so that the King and Queen could focus on their royal duties. Still, they each made time to see him every day without fail. This was a very unusual custom, especially for a powerful and busy royal couple. His father had even allowed him to join them for supper and special occasions when Westan was only eight years old, although most nobles only let their children come to supper or be seen at court after at about sixteen years of age! His father never feared breaking such traditions when it came to him, and Westan had always been touched by that. How he wished they were still here with him, instead of these useless servants he had to deal with every day who cared nothing for him! Life just wasn't fair.

After a moment, a servant came and stood before him with a bow.

"My Lord, Zaccheus instructed me to say that he wants you to behave yourself. Your new tutors seem to be lacking in your presence."

Westan just scoffed, irritated by the nerve of this man’s message.

"If the teacher is lacking, that is no concern of mine! Tell them to shape up, not me!" He growled.

He did not like being bossed around by his council man, especially with regards to his kingly duties! Although, Westan usually tried not to be too difficult towards him. Zaccheus had in fact been the only one there to protect him when his parents were attacked, and nowadays he was almost like an uncle to him. For these reasons he put up with that man’s constant rules and regulations, knowing that he truly only had his best interests at heart.

Once dressed and properly groomed Westan finally felt ready to leave. The servants all bowed and exited the room before him, followed by the messenger.

"Come this way my King! I shall take you to the library where your teacher is awaiting your greeting." He stated.

Westan just sighed and followed the escort reluctantly. As he left the room, four royal guards also accompanied behind him, as they always did. He could never be anywhere in the castle without them now in fact, except for his private chambers which barely gave him a small measure of privacy. When Westan was younger he often remembered giving his men the slip and running off to avoid his schooling or the doctor's medicine. Now that he was older however, escape wasn't as easy. He barely got to have any fun anymore it seemed…

He glanced outside and watched the birds singing as he walked through the hall. The breeze looked gentle and the sky had no clouds in sight for miles. What a shame he was going to spend the day away it in the dark and dusty library of all places! He would much rather go for a swim in the pond, or ride his horse around. But alas, he had to act like a King first.

Westan grumbled. His foul mood was not improving in the least bit with such lovely weather outside. It was the beginning of summer, and he was not about to spend it all cooped up in the castle! And these new tutors were just as unbearable as the rest. Dull, nervous, and much too easy to ignore. If not for his counsel man’s summoning of them personally, he would have kicked them both out by now!

Eventually, the servant brought Westan to the library, again. They walked towards the back where the royal family's personal study was located. Once there, he entered the private room and went over to sit in his large chair, which resided at the end of a large round table that was covered from one end to the other with old dusty books. Westan sat down and sighed with defeat at the sight. How he hated working in here! Why did he even have to keep bothering with these lessons anymore? Zaccheus managed just fine without him! Besides, it wasn’t like he would actually be able to master reading and writing now at his age. Surely it was too late for subjects he had never been very good at to begin with!

Westan gazed around the room for his teacher, eager to get the first day over and done with. But he was surprised to see was only the messenger and his guards standing nearby.

"Where is the teacher?" He snapped impatiently.

The messenger came forward and bowed. "I will go and fetch him right away."

"Next time have him here first! I do not like waiting!" Westan shouted.

“Yes, of course my Lord! My deepest apologies!" The man replied nervously.

Then the servant left and returned after a few moments with his not one, but two teachers. The first was a tall and wide man with blonde hair and blue eyes, and the second was a young man who perfectly reflected the features of the first, aside from being thinner and slightly taller. He was the man's son, and seemed to be a mere assistant. They both wore a silk shirt, brown pants, and a green vest with gold details. And they were both rather insufferable…

“Hurry up now! Get this over with before I declare treason by you!” He grumbled.

Both men quickly bowed. “Yes sir!”

And so the day progressed, slowly as always. The teacher tried to explain something Westan did not care to hear about, his assistant would lay out the books and put them away, then after many tiresome hours the occasion would end. Only today, it seemed to be dragging on much longer than usual.

“Will you hurry it up!? I can barely stand to endure this for another five minutes!” Westan groaned.

Mr. Jameson quickly bowed in apology. “Forgive us sire, we shall improve right away!”

Her rolled his eyes. He doubted that very much. So far these men had been here for two months, and nothing at all had changed when it came to these lessons. Westan had always found it hard to read, since the letters often felt turned around to him, much to the confusion of his teachers, so these two men were sent for because supposedly they were the best tutors in all the land. Yet no improvement had been made, as Westan had already anticipated. He was in fact, unteachable. Therefore, these lessons were an absolute waste of time! One he was getting tired of repeating…

"My Lord, I offer my sincerest apologies! Please, bear with us just a bit longer." Bartholomew said gently.

Westan scoffed. He hated this boy the most of the two! He was all false politeness and manners, always acting so happy when he was just as miserable as his father.

"Do not act like you two are grateful to be here! I know very well you could not refuse being summoned by Zaccheus's royal decree!"

Both of the men could not help but glance towards the guards stationed in the room with apprehension. They knew just as well as the rest of them; they were both completely at his mercy here. After all, he was the King, and they were lowly peasants.