The whole palace is busy with the passing of the throne ceremony for tonight. Meanwhile, here I am, tending to my sweet tooth, indulging myself with a tea and a dozen sweet treats, I baked myself.
Yes, I couldn't be bothered with my "me time", but it doesn't mean I didn't care at all, I just feel at ease doing things at my own pace as I am easily overwhelmed by pressure.
Unfortunately, no one sees me trying. Instead they all labelled me like some bratty prince, they even called me good for nothing, as they can't see any progress at all, and now, I am intentionally set aside.
–
It has already been a week since my father, the emperor, announced that he was retiring, and the eldest of us five siblings, the crown prince, would be stepping in as the new emperor, which is totally acceptable, since he is actually capable.
But what threw me off was when my big brother casually said that "Let's exclude Cake from the list of being the next crown prince, father. He's too lazy and arrogant to be one."
The worst part? my father replied with. "Wasn't that already a given? He never acted like a prince anyway." And all of them shared a laugh while I was there.
Not wanting to be a laughstock to them any further, I stood up to take my leave, but my third sister grabbed my hand and pulled me back to my seat with her brute strength. "Come on, big brother! You're not being fun!" She complained.
Then the fourth prince and the fifth joined in, adding more insult to the injury. " He was never fun, big sis! He loves being a loner and fed on his ego and those ugly sweet treats he bakes!" Their laughs and mockery echoed in my mind.
"If only Mom was still here. Maybe I won't be treated like this, maybe, I could cry in her arms and act like I am a never growing kid, if only…" I murmured in the back of my mind as I closed my eyes, keeping my emotions to myself, as always.
–
Then, the coronation night finally came and I was there, sitting like some stranger in between my so-called family, clearly not fitting in.
"I know you are uninterested in this matter, but could you at least fix that face of yours, Cake? You're still a de Emile and I won't let anyone ruin the mood of my coronation, especially not a bastard like you!" Big brother muttered, his tone gruff as he squeezed my arm a bit too tight.
"Bastard? Am I really the bastard here? Of all us five, I am the only one born from the Empress herself, while you four were born to father's formidable concubines." I replied in the back of my mind.
Then a realization hit me, it was probably their intention to drive me out of any position and took over this kingdom afterall, and thanks to that, the de Emile in me finally woke up.
"Oh come on, big brother, you and our sibling know that if there is a 'bastard' on this family, it will never be me." I replied, pausing to lean in and whisper the next words I have for him. "Remember, I am the only heir born from the emperor and the empress, and you all knew it too well, of anyone of us siblings, the 'real' heir to the throne is no one but me."
His face immediately went red in uttered anger and as he instinctively raised his hand to hit me, I smirked and pressed my hand over his chest, teasingly. "Calm down, big brother, didn't you just told me you don't want ruining the mood?"
He then glared and growled at me before stepping back. "Just you wait, Cake, after this coronation, I promise to get back at you ten fold!" He warned, but I kept the smug look on my face.
"Ah, he should have seen his face!" I purred contentedly to myself, but enough of that, I got to plan my next move, I just know he'll go for abuse or worst, if I don't make a way to save myself.
So as the coronation ceremony ended, our father then announced that our three younger siblings will be proving themselves to be the next crown prince/ princess, and to my surprise, an elder noble raised its concern.
"Pardon me, your majesty, but why go for the three younger ones, when Prince Cake is already of age and is next in line." It said, looking at the other nobles, before us.
Then newly proclaimed emperor answered gruffly, already exercising his command. "Wasn't it obvious to you all? Prince Cake is not fit for the throne and he will never be!" He said, its eyes piercing.
Another noble then raised a hand. "We all believe that the hierarchy must be followed, your majesty. It always been and it will be a sudden reform to just exclude him just like that."
And soon enough, my big brother was bombarded by comments favoring me that his opinions, but my favorite part when the elder noble raised its hand again. "We demand for the rightful heir to continue the legacy of the Imperial Family of the de Emile's!"
Then it was full on chaos! That my big brother couldn't even speak now because of his raging anger for me and the people standing out for me.
The ballroom just went quiet when my father finally rose from his seat and spoke. "The people were right, Archie. We had been biased in excluding Cake for the position, how about let's do what they want and let Cake prove himself worthy of the throne?" It directly addressed my big brother, making it shocked.
"But father! Didn't we talked about this before? He is just too incapable!" Archie said, obviously wanting it to take back its words.
But father shook his head at him, its voice firm. "They were right, it's an act of disregarding the late empress' legacy if we didn't give him the chance. Cake is the only child born to us, we can't take that from him."
And obviously angered further, Archie just couldn't help himself and bursted out a beastfolk roar, causing everything to shake and break, hurting countless people right of the bat.
Fortunately, I was saved by someone in the nick of time. "Are you okay, my prince?" Castiel, my butler, murmured, its strong body protecting as both.
With a smile, I nod. "I am, thank you."
Then, my father reached for his arm. "Castiel, it would be bad for Cake to stay in here. You two must go and make sure he can prove himself before coming back." It reminded.
"As you wish, your majesty. I promise to take him back when he is ready." Castiel replied, before scooping me into his arms and carrying me out of the Imperial Palace.