Zadkiel Alamex of Kreg

Do you think you have bad luck?

I am unlucky!

Everything is wrong!

Or I would not be on the side of the villains!

Just look at me now.

Hiding in the shadows of a column, inside a luxurious castle, among thousands of shelves full of old books.

Just like a church's tale.

At least I think it does.

The last maid who came this morning ran away in fear when she saw me.

I think it was because my red eyes were reflecting the light or was it my white hair glowing?

It could also be all the dust in this place looking like fog.

Anyway, she shouted something like: Be the gone son of the demon!

This place is way entertaining, I could not stop laughing. Then she came back and screamed more!

God! Cleanse this evil presence. She said while doing crosses with her fingers.

It was fun!

I love having… I forgot the name of that. The important part is that I am allergic to sunlight, and have a somewhat blurry vision, but it is not an illness! It makes me beautiful as snow and my eyes look like rubies.

I spent most of this week on top of this pile of books. It is even bigger than me on purpose. Nobody can take me surprised when I read from up here. I am a genius, I know I am.

The stupidity of children my age creates a contrast.

Yet, people tend to ignore me. I think It is on purpose, otherwise, why would they ignore someone as special as me? Not that I care, if they keep taking care of me.

So, you want to know what I am doing now?

Writing, of course, I know how to write! Why else would I hold a notebook scrawled all over the edges with my handwriting?

No, It is not just a child's scribble! 

The art of ink and quill is much harder than it looks. At least I can understand what I note.

And it is not only that. I have to write in the most uncomfortable angles since it is so hard to hold the notebook and write together.

It is so heavy! Too big for my hands. The artisans simply don't see how practical it would be if it were pocket-sized.

Mark my words, in the future, I will have the most beautiful handwriting in the kingdom!

I really wish to travel to the British Empire, our neighbour kingdom. From the books, they seem much smarter than the old folks from my kingdom.

Speaking of which, we are on the island of Kreg.

You probably know that by now, right?

 An island divided into two kingdoms, the good ones in red-yellow armours and the cruel southern kingdom in black and blue.

Like I said before, I am on the side of the villains.

Do not ask me how I got here. I have no idea, and I still have not found anyone willing to cooperate with me and tell me how are children born and why can't we choose who will be our parents.

Well, I managed to escape poverty. These greedy old aristocrats use their people in every way possible. They control our sweets, impose an impossible study load, and demand that I stop playing and start doing everything alone! It is so scary sometimes! I hear things are even worse for commoners. I can't even imagine how.

Hum… I want a sweet now.

By the way, the name I was given is Zadkiel Alamex de Kreg. Crown Prince, the future king, (at least until the old king understands my point and finally decides to appoint someone else as a prince), and most importantly, I am going to tell this story from now on. 

Yes, I know, it looks like a fairy tale.

I hate fairy tales.

I thought real adults (aside from servants who treat me like a baby) would be smarter, but last week we got a visit from a merchant, and he was even crazier than the rest! The crazy one dared to ask me if he could pet my head as if I were a pet! Then he acted like I didn't exist and when I refused, he slapped me. He said I have no right to answer him, I'm the crown prince!

I still can't believe that I'm surrounded by such people.

It will take time, but I will be the hero! Villains always lose in the end.

I have been trying for weeks!

But I'm getting tired of looking for answers in this mouldy library.

I am hunting a ghost by the way.

His name is Nabee, the best prophet of all time. He left no trace of his existence behind, besides one.

The one who locked my fate. "Prince of calamity" is my title because of him.

Let's get one thing straight. All I want is peace. A good deal of playtime, a ton of sweets only for me, no manual labour, or people using me like a puppet. It sounds simple, doesn't it? But easy to talk about what to do.

Especially when an old prophet with credibility from the days of the great Alexander proclaims you a herald of destruction in his last words.

The words were… they were… Wait a minute, let me put my notebook aside and… I'm sure I left that book here somewhere … Oh! I'm sitting on it. It kneaded it a little, but it's not like it wasn't already turning to dust.

Now let's see …

“You will fall first at the hands of a blond-haired man. You will have the chance of taking revenge, by raising a red-eye boy, but be careful it is a two-sided knife.”

It wasn't written exactly like that, of course, but that is all I could find in all the libraries of Kreg where I went.

Weird, don't you think? This piece of paper was enough for all the blond boys who were born here to be killed or expelled to the mainland. And the red-eyed? Well, I do not know anyone besides me. I wonder if that old man was aware of the disasters that his words brought to my life. Well, he probably didn't care much about an unborn kid a thousand years in the future.

Anyway, after the blond-boys hunt ended, one of the last ones with orange eyes started a rebellion using the large poor communities from where he came. He founded a new republic called Castela in the north of the island. And died a few days after the founding of the new kingdom.

Then a boy said to be the heir of the hero "Arthur" assumed the throne.

The End!

Really, only the first paragraph of this book is worth reading.

The rest of this book talks only about politics.

How Arthur expanded his territory… peace agreements… export market monopolies, and blah, blah, blah.

Speaking of politics, I ended up hearing something interesting from the maids this morning.

A new trader in the neutral zone was hired by the king of Castela and has been making a lot of money. I even heard some nobles accusing the king of stealing a citizen of Kreg. 

 The War in Europe is taking the resources of both Castela and Kreg. The two nations chose opposing parties, which only increases the tension between them.

The merchant could be the missing spark to start the war between the old lords and revolutionaries.

Now that we’ve finished the presentations, let’s get down to business.

What do we have for today?

Try to survive in that castle for another day? Avoid being treated like a baby if I can, and see if I can find a clue on how to escape this war for good.

—Clap!—

I close the book a little too fast and create a cloud of dust that covers my entire face.

For this reason, I hate old things.

I get up, dusting my clothes.

— As expected from an old library, finding something useful is like looking for a needle in a haystack with nothing. —Yes, I talk to myself. I'm alone most of the day, ok? It is not such a strange habit. All the servants do it from time to time.

This is possibly the last time I visited this old, mouldy place.

I look for the last time at the old and dusty books. When suddenly in a dark corner, a fly is caught in a spider's web.

As disgusting as ever, but before the spider can reach the fly it is snapped up by a gecko that later will probably be caught by a mouse. A displeased expression forms on my delicate face.

If I get rich, I promise that this will be the first place I’m going to fix. It’s the only peaceful spot in this sequin castle.

I start walking towards the exit, dodging the stacks of abandoned books when a sudden thought crosses my mind.

-Mister Bunny!-

I turn back and start searching the book pile until I stop those fluffy white years.

I catch my beloved plushy out of the floor and start cleaning it from the dust.

-I'm sorry I almost forgot you. I promise to take better care in the future.-

Mister bunny isn't my toy ok?

He is a token, given to me from old gramps.

Old grampa was the only sane man in this manor.

He taught me almost all I know and gave me so much candy!

But yesterday they moved him away, saying he was too old.

The truth is, they were just looking for an excuse to push him away from the political games.

Now mister bunny is the only thing left from him.

I need to take good care of it, even though I never had a plushy before, I am going to do my best.

I put mister bunny in my bag, he is too tall and his head sticks out, but at least I won't lose him this way.

I hear the chimes of a church bell.

I take out my pocket watch hoping it's not true.

The silver pointers point to nothing more or nothing less than noon. It couldn't get any worse, I should have left earlier.

You know, it's your fault that I'm late!

I hate the light. Or rather, I never had good experiences with the sun.

Even so, something I hate more than seeing the sun is to find the old frowning King angry, especially when this centenary man has a right to the quality of the food I receive.

I take a long breath before pushing the doorknob in the dark oak as if that postpones what is to come.

When opening the creaky door, the light outside was so great that I feel as if someone is holding a lamp in front of my eyes, next to a puff of hot air against my face.

I couldn't help screaming.

—AAAh! —I push the door open while I rub my eyes in agony. Honestly, I feel that every time this happens, my vision gets worse. I presume it's good to put this on the list of problems to solve.

When my vision clears, I make out the shape of a maid, dressed in a dress in the colors of the flag, who silently waited for me beside the library entrance.

The maid shyly cast a concerned look in my direction. Because I am small, she looks down to meet my face. I hate people taller than me, that includes all adults. 

— Have a message for me? — I exclaim, still irritated by the light. Pausing to get a better look at her, she has rare curly ginger hair that does not match the dry colors of her dress. Her eyes are also from a color quite rare in these lands, sapphire green. I don't remember seeing her face, not that I am good at remembering faces, but I would definitely remember if it were a readhead.

I bet she is father's new favorite, imported straight from abroad at a high price.

— With your permission? — Her voice is modeled and sweet.

— Yes? — I say, already suspecting the maid's tone.

— Your Majesty said that this was the last warning for your Highness to attend your study sessions, with your Magnificence, Professor Rômulo. Your patience has come to an end and your Majesty requires a “private conversation”. — The maid speaks in the most respectful tone she can.

—So you are here to make sure I don't escape to somewhere else, I guess? — I ask with slight sarcasm. Father is always like that. He acts as if he is the owner of everything and the almighty (not that he is not), but with some cunning, he always changes his mind.

— My orders are only to deliver the message and report to Your Majesty in case your Highness strays. —Replied the servant again with extreme respect.

It is not like I hate studying. I already know how to read and count, what more would I need? I never went to Rômulo's classes, but all teachers before him would start with easy questions. When they see I already know all answers, they start to make impossible questions like how much is the square root of -5434 to ^23? Or what is the square of the circle. Just to have a reason to beat me up with sticks.

When they are nobles it is even worse, they treated me as an expensive piece of porcelain who has only the right to stay still on my shelf.

— Why not? Today I have some matters to discuss with your Majesty. I know the way. You are excused, go back to work. — I answer just to surprise the novice, they are always cool to play with.

She raises an eyebrow in disbelief, and looks me up and down to make sure it's really me. After some embarrassing seconds, she gives up and says:

— At your disposal, your highness. — I watch the maid disappear among the halls of the palace before starting the journey on my own. It is better to get this over at once.

Unlike in other kingdoms, the place where I live can not be called a castle, not even a corner of that place was designed for battle. It is just a huddle of basic rooms for the more affluent, wealthy, and treasure rooms. Kreg does not favor the majority, only the wealthiest. Even if you are rich, you will have someone richer still giving you orders. The richest people in the country were taking orders from the king, and that includes me.

I go through corridors and more corridors painted in the flag colors, all like each other, with only other pictures on the wall or different pictures on the doors.

My legs are getting tired. . .

An unfortunate maid hastily crosses my path, too late.

— Hey there, You don't have anything else to do, do you? Take me to the king's room. — I say to the maid. Still, in doubt, she makes a half turn to better observe the situation. It looks like I got one of the stubborn ones.

— Unoccupied, your majesty? You don't understand how many books I have to carry every day! Your Highness always spreads them all over the castle! Because of that, I was charged with cleaning up your mess! And I'm lame! Have you noticed this fact? Lame! So don't complain and use these two functional legs you have yourself. — Snorting and hobbling, the maid continues on his way. I need a new tactic.

Luckily for me, another maid walks down the hall.

— Oh! My little legs! I crossed half of this massive castle just to know that I will have to return everything! How ruthless can the lords of our land be with someone as small as me? What do you think I should do mister bunny? — No matter how humiliating it is, it usually works. My cute face also helps. Who refuses a cute and beautiful little child in need? The distracted woman, was now motionless in the middle of the corridor, fully attentive to my little staging. Without further ado, I continued to stage.

— I only have a short path to the king's room, but I can't walk anymore! He will be so angry if I'm late! Oh! Humble chambermaid, would you help this little one to reach your king's room?—

— At your disposal, Your Majesty. — Said the maid moved by my story. She lifts me over her shoulders and takes me to the King's room.

Goal achieved. Before I can even get a good nap, the maid announces:

— We arrived, Your Majesty. — While taking me off her shoulders and returning me to the floor.

— Thank you much for the help. I am in debt to you, you can go back to your duties now. — I say, still holding the act.

— Your orders, Your Highness. — So, the maid said goodbye and hurry back to the corridors.

I am left in front of a gigantic wooden door ornamented with gold. The door had a large iron handle.

The doorknob is higher than six feet above the floor. My current height is 98 centimetres. Even if I stretched my arms and stood on tiptoe, I will hardly cover the gap. It was stupid of me to have let the maid go without asking her to at least slam the door for me.

Fortunately, that last obstacle literally went out of my way by itself, when the heavy metal doors are opened by the royal guards themselves. On the other hand, this only paved the way for a giant golden hall with an even bigger obstacle.

— Another occasion! Slipping away from the lessons! What do you think this golden thing in your head means? Wait a moment, where is your diadem? Do you realize how expensive it is ?! — The old corpse decorated in jewels, literally from head to toe, spoke while his bodyguards watched my every movement as if I could cause some harm to his beloved old cheese bag.

— And what are you doing going around with that toy of yours? Dint I told you to get rid of it? I will tell the guards to take it from you if you don't do it on your own.- One moment, why don't I have personal bodyguards? Ha, yeah, I wouldn't need them since I don't even have permission to wander around the castle. Anyway, I suppose I have bigger problems now.

— Are you hearing me? Don't you dare ignore me you petulant! I can't tolerate this behaviour anymore. Guards. Take him to the punishment room right away. — Yes, they do have a punishment room and no, I was never there, and I have no intention of visiting the place while I am alive.

— Would you consider me the favour of being able to speak up and alert you of a possible betrayal, your great Majesty? — I say now acting as the son concerned about the father. The guards stopped just a few inches from me with their hands ready, waiting for the King's orders.

The King looks at me with his limp face and his greedy eyes, curious about a possible threat to his precious power.

— Betrayal? What does a baby your size understand about betrayal? — Exclaims the butcher of the weak and unfortunate.

— Even as a "baby" of Your Excellency Majesty, I still understand how suspicious a simple teacher would dare to speak to the heir to the throne about how majestic his daughter is. The man has even tried several times to get me to meet her. For this reason, I tend to "escape" from his room because there I will learn nothing more than the shape of his daughter's cheeks. I'm aware that with your well-known vast intelligence, Your Majesty understands the complexity of the situation. — No, the teacher is single, has no daughter, and I have never spoken to him before. I made it up on my way here by mixing a bit of what I read the merchants say about me.

Our glorious King has an empty and confused look now, very worth a small lie.

The king's selfishness made his authoritarian voice try to cover up his uncertainties in his reply.

— MMM … Of course, I understand. The rascal wants to finish me off and make you marry his daughter. To usurp my throne. I clearly knew that already. And I will take the right steps right now. Zadkiel Alamex, I will use you as my spy, come on and pretend you are falling for his game, and when he is about to strike you will let me know, and we will finally catch him. — Well, sometimes the plan goes so well that it goes wrong, I have to go to class, and convince the teacher to cover up my lie.

— What are you waiting for? Go fast. The maid over there in the corner will show you the way. Guards! — And in a few seconds, a stunned maid and I are expelled from the hall by the guards.