A warm breeze played with the golden strands of Yujin's hair, rustling the pages of the open book on his lap. Jasmine bushes bloomed all around, their sweet scent mingling with the smell of freshly cut grass. Birds chirped somewhere in the branches, and butterflies fluttered among the flowers as if dancing to a silent melody of summer.
Yujin smiled, tracing the illustration of a rare flower with his finger. He knew its name in three languages and even remembered which treatises mentioned its medicinal properties. Botany and zoology—that's what truly captivated him. Unlike swords, diplomacy, and court intrigues.
"If only I could work with animals, study nature…" he murmured quietly, leaning back on the carved bench of the gazebo.
But fate had decreed otherwise. He was Prince Yujin, the second offspring of the current King of Phitasentia. His elder sister, Princess Philimona, was the epitome of perfection—smart, beautiful, skilled in politics—unlike Yujin. But there was a problem: simply because he was male, he was considered the more suitable candidate for the throne, although by nature he was utterly unfit for the role.
Voices of maids passing by came from behind the tall bushes:
"Princess Philimona amazed the council with her knowledge again today!"
"And Prince Yujin?"
"What about Prince Yujin? He sits in the garden, leafing through books. No use from him at all."
Yujin bit his lip but did not stop them. They were speaking the truth. So, he was a disappointment to the King, his father, and a thorn in the side of his elder sister, but Yujin did not complain—after all, many lived much worse. He ate heartily and slept on a soft featherbed, unlike a commoner who toiled day and night in the fields.
Yujin's chambers were spacious yet cozy—tall arched windows let in sunlight that reflected off the gilded details of the furniture. Paintings of exotic animals and plants hung on the walls, and dozens of books—his main friends—stood on the shelves.
A letter lay on the desk. Yujin recognized the handwriting immediately—it was from his old friend Aselet from the neighboring country, the Iltalian Empire. They had been friends since childhood, as their mothers were close friends who had studied together at the most famous academy for noble maidens. Yujin's green eyes darted across the sweeping, rounded lines:
Dear Yujin,
If this letter finds you on one of those days when you're wondering again, "am I good enough for the crown?"—immediately throw such thoughts out the window along with an annoying fly (or better yet, save it for your entomological collection, you adore them).
As for me, for instance, I've been mastering the "Rage of the Wild Crane" style for three months now—can you believe it, even the furniture in the training hall couldn't withstand it and shattered to splinters! But my brother, as always, pinned me down in two moves. "Imperial dignity," he says. And I tell him, "Yeah, right, you can go to hell!" That was our conversation.
How are your botanical studies? Did you find that rare purple flower you wrote about last time? If yes—send a dried petal, I'll frame it and boast that it's a gift from the best flora expert on the entire continent. If not—write anyway, we'll figure out where to look for it together. You know I'm a master of non-obvious solutions (and absolutely useless but fun ideas).
And most importantly—don't listen to those who insist a prince should only be a sword and a shield. You are you. The one who distinguishes bird voices better than the false notes in the speeches of court flatterers. The one who knows that even the smallest beetle can be more beautiful than a golden brooch. Isn't that a gift?
Someday, we'll break free—I'll come disguised as a simple merchant, you'll pretend to be my assistant, and we'll head off somewhere with no wars or councils. For now—keep your head high, my friend. And remember: even if the whole world talks of your "uselessness," there's somewhere a fool like me who thinks otherwise.
Yours,
Aselet.
P.S. If you change your mind about the escape—I already have an excellent plan involving a kite and a barrel of honey. Details in our next correspondence!
Yujin laughed while reading—for the first time in a week. His friend's warm words and humor melted the slight sadness in his heart. He immediately took a quill and began writing a reply, smiling.
Then he carefully folded the written sheet, sealed it with wax stamped with the royal dynasty's seal, summoned a servant, and sent it off. Now, it was time for a short walk before dinner.
Yujin's white robes billowed behind him like the wings of an invisible bird, and his thin shoes tapped rhythmically on the marble floor. The palace was magnificent: high ceilings painted with frescoes depicting ancient myths, stained-glass windows casting colorful reflections on the walls. Statues of previous rulers stood in the galleries, and orchids brought from the southern islands bloomed in the winter garden.
Passing by the Council Hall, Yujin heard animated voices:
"The delegation leaves the day after tomorrow for negotiations. We need to settle all issues with the Raumliverians."
"Who else is going?"
Yujin froze, then, unexpectedly even to himself, stepped into the hall. Even though Aselet told him to be himself, he could still try to be at least a little useful! Wouldn't this raise their prestige in the neighbors' eyes and help them reach a peaceful and convenient agreement faster? The Kingdom of Raumliveria had designs on a territory disputed with Phitasentia, but the sluggish war was causing more harm than clarifying the land issues. The fact that people were dying for unclear reasons weighed heavily on Yujin's heart.
"Allow me," he said confidently.
The councilors exchanged glances. Someone coughed, someone raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Your Highness… Are you sure?"
"I am a prince of this country. Is it not my duty to represent its interests?"
A rare firmness sounded in his voice. After a brief silence, the chancellor nodded:
"Very well."
A day later, Yujin sat in a carriage, looking out the window. They had already left the capital and were traveling through a dense forest where ancient trees formed a green canopy over the road.
He pressed his forehead against the glass, fascinated. Look, a squirrel jumping along the branches! And there—a flock of bright birds, the kind he had only seen in books! His heart beat faster—from excitement, from novelty, from a premonition of something important. He didn't know that in this forest, he would find not just an adventure. But a meeting that would change everything.
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