A Hero Is Born

Mikhail flopped onto his bed before curling into a ball. Thoughts of his birthright danced in his head. He found it difficult to process that he was a prince.

He rolled around in his sheets for a bit before finally spreading out his arms and legs and staring at the ceiling. He furrowed his brows before moving to get up.

Mikhail sat upright and glanced at the neatly packed suitcase he tucked in the corner of his room before stumbling over to the rickety bookshelf he made a few days after moving to Tefflander. He reached out to a worn looking book and tugged at it's spine.

He sighed at the weight in his hand before flipping it open. The loose pages threatened to scatter but Mikhail was having none of that today. He continued flipping through the pages until a light purple paper pressed with a blue flower came into view.

Mikhail held onto the bookmark as he set the book back into it's spot on his bookshelf. He then slumped onto his bed all while staring at the innocent bookmark in his hand. 

"X♡D... Xander... loves Diane..." Mikhail muttered as he ran his finger over the embossed letters before touching the pressed flower.

"This flower... if I recall... mother and Xander seemed to be deep in thought when they first met... staring at this particular flower... Perhaps it contains a secret meaning?" Mikhail scratched his head as he perused the bookmark.

He sighed before placing the bookmark back into the book and sitting down by his desk. He rummaged through a stack of books and papers that he hadn't sorted out yet before tugging on an empty sheet of paper.

He fished out a quill and a bottle of ink before laying it beside the paper. Mikhail pondered his words for a few minutes, watching the flame on his oil lamp flicker as he sorted out the words in his mind.

Time went on and the wick threatened to give out. Mikhail gasped as he finally formulated his words. He then turned his gaze towards the blank paper and dipped his quill into the bottle of ink, coating the nib with the black liquid.

Mikhail scraped off the excess ink and placed the nib onto the paper. His quill then danced gracefully on the paper as the words he pondered over for a long while materialised. The flame flickered once more, indicating the menial end of the wick's lifespan, but Mikhail had already completed his letter by then.

He then ran his hand along the small container of sand he kept by the desk and grabbed a handful of it's fine grain, tossing it onto his letter before he searched for a cloth.

Mikhail then wiped off the remaining ink on his quill before setting it aside. He glanced at his letter before a faint smile tugged at his lips. 

If I'm going to leave... mother might return and find me missing. This letter is just a precaution to let her know of my whereabouts in case she does return. Mikhail thought as he stared at the sand soaking up the excess ink.

His eyes wandered his room before he gazed at his room door, or what used to be of his room door and stared at the living room. It was differently set up when compared to his home in Vogrant, but he still saw some semblance of the home he once knew.

Mikhail slumped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling, counting the seconds before the wick in his oil lamp gave out. When he reached the "zero" count, darkness prevailed. He stared into the void until he felt his eyelids force itself shut.

***

Mikhail awoke to the sound of fervent knocking on his front door. He groggily wipes his eyes as he sat up, pulling the covers off his still sleeping body.

His legs touched the floor and he flinched, yet, he pushed himself to get out of bed. Of course, even that ended badly, for Mikhail slipped and fell flat on his face.

"Oww.... Ugh... So cold..." Mikhail muttered to himself as he lifted his face off the floor and rubbed his shoulders.

He shook his head and soon found the energy to stand up, noticing the sand that was still present on his letter.

He glanced at the door but chose to toss the sand back into the small container as he folded the letter. Thinking of how to ensure his mother knew who he was with, Mikhail fished out the bookmark from his book and placed it inside an envelope, together with the letter he had written the night before.

Feeling satisfied, Mikhail stretched and headed out to his living room where the knocking was louder. He furrowed his brows and placed the letter beside the vase on the dinner table and moved towards the door.

"Hello? How may I help you?" Mikhail asked as he pushed the door open.

A loud bang echoed throughout the house as Mikhail stared wide eyed at the man who fell onto the ground, clutching his forehead. 

"A-are you alright? I'm so sorry... I assumed..." 

"F-fine young lad... that's quite alright... I'm here to fetch you to the palace." the man said as he rubbed his sore forehead that was growing redder by the second.

"Ah... the palace... ... Oh? Is that you, Sir Louis?"

"Hmm? Oh! Mikhail! Great to see you again! Looks like fate brought us to meet each other again!" Louis said as he smiled at Mikhail. 

"I suppose..." Mikhail replied feeling slightly guilty after realising the reason they met again was because Xander was his father.

"Who knew you were a hero... Anyways, please get dressed then we can head off to the palace. Do keep in mind that the King requested you to keep your hood on at all times."

"I-I see. Alright. I'll be ready in a few." Mikhail said as he then pulled the door shut.

He fumbled through his wardrobe and pulled out his usual white shirt and long dark pants before glancing at himself in the mirror. He then ruffled through his hair and ran a comb down his silver locks to straighten the corners that looked funny.

Mikhail took a step back and did a swift twirl as he then grinned to himself. His reflection in the mirror showed a confident and cheerful young man, similar to how he was feeling today.

A hero... what a title... 

Mikhail then grabbed hold of his cloak and wrapped it around himself before he pulled up his hood just enough to cover his hair. He took a quick glance in the mirror and smiled.

Upon hearing the whinnying of horses, he hurried his movements and threw on his leather boots before rushing to grab his suitcase. He then ran to his front door before taking in a deep breath.

It's only three days...

Mikhail took one last glance at his house before exiting the door. Immediately after exiting the house, cool wind pelted his face and the smell of morning dew lingered in the air.

A smile tugged at his lips as he breathed in the cold air. His eyes fluttered open gently until he blinked several times at the scene before him. His eyes then widened and he found himself gasping to himself.

Before him were the soldiers that had been in the village during the whole incident. They had a respectful look on their faces as they lowered their heads upon noticing his arrival.

Richard and Luke smiled warmly at Mikhail as they then genuflected. Mikhail was at a loss of words and asked them to rise.

"Young hero. We are so touched by your bravery. We are proud to be able to have been able to take part in such act of bravery and selflessness. You truly are a beacon of hope and worthy to be deemed hero." the two generals said as they once again lowered their heads.

Mikhail turned red as he found it hard to react to their high praises of him. Once again, he was left speechless and flustered.

Just what in heaven's name did the King tell them? I don't think I did anything worthy of such praise.

"Mikhail." a low voice so clear that seemed like a church bell, rang in Mikhail's ears.

Mikhail glanced up and found Xander dressed in his royal attire climbing off a horse. His mind went blank and his first instinct was to drop onto his knees like the rest of the soldiers.

Xander's garb was of a silk black dress coat laced with intricate gold linings. Above it, he wore a dark purple cloak with fur linings which was probably the one he wore even on the battlefield. His pants were a crisp white satin with a belt that he attached his sword to while his dark boots reached a third of his shin. 

His bangs were swept backwards, enhancing the prominent features of his handsome visage while his long silver hair was tied with a dark purple ribbon. He had a dignified and noble look befit of a king. However, there were traces of wrinkles on his forehead. A sign of the heavy burdens he had to carry in his reign.

Mikhail felt his heart beating heavily in his chest as he couldn't find any words to describe how Xander looked today. He felt his initial confidence beginning to falter as he felt the anxiety starting to take over.

"Mikhail, why are you bowing? Today is the day you shine. I am merely an ornament for your debut." Xander said with a light tone as he chuckled.

"Y-your Highness... I don't believe I could outshine you... That would be too... Impertinent of me..." Mikhail said as he further lowered his head.

Xander knitted his brows and walked towards Mikhail as he lifted his son's head. Mikhail had a flustered look on his face with cheeks tinted pink from his embarrassment. 

"You shouldn't feel ashamed of yourself. Hold yourself with pride. Have confidence in yourself. Puff out your chest and hold your head up high." Xander said as he helped Mikhail up.

"B-but I..."

"Men! I give to you... The Hero of Tefflander!"

A loud cheer echoed throughout the village, shaking the very atmosphere. Mikhail felt shivers down his spine as he felt the beating in his heart starting to pound harder. He felt a wave of euphoria wash over him as he suppressed a smile.

So this is what it's like being a hero.

"Now, Mikhail... The feeling in your chest right now... Embrace that. You should feel more of that feeling in the future. No matter what your decision is."

"R-right!"

"Can you ride a horse?"

"I am not that good but I can try."

"That's fine. You can ride the stallion I had Louis bring over. He is a fine horse who isn't as wild as most horses. You should find him easier to control."

"Thank you..."

"It's fine. Now... just nod along to what I say later on. No matter what happens, just trust me."

"Alright."

Xander smiled and then led Mikhail to a black stallion. He helped Mikhail climb on before handing Louis the suitcase Mikhail was holding onto. 

He then climbed atop his own steed and instructed his men to take their formation. His orders for the generals to lead the first formation echoed and soon they departed the village, making their way to the palace. A new day had just begun. Both for him and for Mikhail.