Chapter 2: The Heir Who Refused the Throne
Silence.
That was the first thing I noticed after Imu left.
Not peaceful silence.
Not relaxing silence.
It was the kind of silence that pressed against your ears and made your thoughts louder.
The kind that reminded you that you were trapped.
I lay on the massive bed, staring at the ceiling.
Golden patterns.
Ancient symbols.
Designs that probably cost more than entire kingdoms.
"…So…"
I whispered.
"I'm the son of the ruler of the world."
No response.
"Cool."
I rolled onto my side.
"…Why do I feel like crying?"
My chest felt heavy.
Not because of fear.
Not because of power.
Because of loneliness.
All my life, I had been nothing.
No parents.
No home.
No history.
And suddenly…
I was everything.
Heir.
Successor.
Weapon.
Symbol.
It was too much.
Way too much.
I buried my face in a pillow.
"This is unfair…"
A soft knock echoed.
Tap.
Tap.
"Young Master?"
I lifted my head.
"…Yeah?"
The door opened quietly.
Mira stepped inside.
She carried a silver tray.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes looked worried.
"I brought your dinner."
She placed it beside the bed.
Steaming soup.
Fresh bread.
Roasted meat.
Fruit.
Tea.
My stomach growled so loudly it embarrassed me.
"…Sorry."
She tilted her head.
"There is no need to apologize."
I sat up and started eating.
Slowly.
Silently.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Only the sound of spoons and breathing filled the room.
After some time, I asked quietly,
"Mira… how long have you worked here?"
She paused.
"…Since I was six."
I froze.
"…Six?"
"Yes."
"They took me from my village."
"To serve."
My grip tightened around the spoon.
"…Did you want to come here?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Then why—"
"Because refusal is not allowed."
Silence returned.
I clenched my teeth.
"…That's messed up."
She looked surprised.
"No one has ever said that."
I stared at my reflection in the soup.
"Then they're blind."
She didn't reply.
But for the first time…
She smiled.
Just a little.
After I finished eating, I stood and walked to the window.
Far below…
The world.
Blue seas.
Tiny islands.
Distant ships.
People living freely.
Laughing.
Crying.
Dreaming.
"…That's where I belong," I whispered.
Mira heard me.
"You don't want to stay?"
I laughed bitterly.
"Stay and do what?"
"Rule people I've never met?"
"Kill people I've never seen?"
"Decide who deserves to live?"
She was silent.
I turned.
"Mira… what happens to heirs here?"
She hesitated.
Then spoke softly.
"They disappear."
"…Disappear?"
"Some become rulers."
"Some become tools."
"Some… are erased."
My blood ran cold.
"…Erased?"
"Yes."
"History forgets them."
I clenched my fists.
"So… I'm either a king, a weapon, or a ghost."
"…Yes."
I exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah. No thanks."
I turned to her.
"I'm leaving."
Her eyes widened.
"…You're serious."
"Dead serious."
"That's impossible."
"Everything is impossible until someone does it."
She stared at me for a long time.
Then asked quietly,
"…Do you know what happens if you're caught?"
"Execution?"
"No."
"Worse."
"Reprogramming."
"…What?"
"They destroy your will."
"Your emotions."
"Your memories."
"You become loyal."
My heart skipped.
"…Like a robot?"
"Yes."
I laughed nervously.
"Okay, yeah, that's nightmare fuel."
She stepped closer.
"Why are you risking this?"
I thought.
About my old life.
About being alone.
About having no choices.
About suddenly having too many.
"I want to choose."
She whispered,
"…No one chooses here."
I met her eyes.
"Then I'll be the first."
Silence.
Then—
"I'll help you."
I blinked.
"…What?"
"I'll help you escape."
My heart raced.
"Why?!"
"Because…"
She looked away.
"…You looked at me like a person."
That hit harder than any punch.
"…That should be normal."
"It isn't."
Night fell slowly.
Stars appeared.
Torches lit the halls.
The palace changed.
Shadows grew longer.
Guards switched shifts.
Footsteps patterns changed.
Mira entered my room quietly.
"It's time."
She gave me clothes.
Dark cloak.
Scarf.
Boots.
Gloves.
Light armor.
Dagger.
Small pouch.
I changed quickly.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
White hair.
Sharp eyes.
Traveler's clothes.
Scar visible.
"…I look like a main character."
Mira stared.
"…You're strange."
"Thank you."
We slipped into the hallway.
Secret passage behind a wall.
Hidden staircase.
Old tunnel.
The palace was full of them.
Because even kings fear escape.
We moved slowly.
Carefully.
Avoiding patrols.
At one point, voices approached.
We hid behind a pillar.
Two guards walked past.
"Strange day."
"Yeah. The heir woke up."
"Heard he's weird."
"Probably broken."
"…Rude."
They left.
We continued.
My heart beat so loudly I was sure they could hear it.
Finally…
We reached a balcony.
Wind rushed in.
Clouds below.
Stars above.
A thick cable stretched downward.
"This is it," Mira said.
I stared.
"…That's thin."
"It's strong."
"…That's what people say before dying."
She tied the harness around me.
Checked knots.
Tightened straps.
"Once you slide, don't stop."
"Even if I scream?"
"Yes."
"Even if I cry?"
"Yes."
"Even if I regret everything?"
"Yes."
"…You're cruel."
She looked at me seriously.
"Live."
I smiled.
"You too."
Then—
I jumped.
"AAAAAAAAAA—!"
Wind roared.
My cloak snapped.
Clouds rushed past.
My hands burned.
My heart felt like it would explode.
"I HATE THIS—!"
Halfway down, alarms rang.
Red lights.
Search beams.
Explosions.
"They noticed—!"
I slid faster.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
I crashed into bushes.
Rolled.
Hit rocks.
Hit tree.
Stopped.
"…I'm… alive?"
I laughed.
"I'M ALIVE!"
Then—
BOOM!
Explosions above.
Searchlights swept.
"Okay. Time to run."
I ran.
Through forests.
Through hills.
Through streams.
All night.
No stopping.
No resting.
Only running.
At dawn, I collapsed near a small village.
My legs shook.
My vision blurred.
My stomach screamed.
"Food…"
I smelled soup.
Followed it.
Small restaurant.
Old man cooking.
I stumbled inside.
"…Please… food…"
He stared.
"Kid, you look dead."
"Working on it."
He laughed and served me.
I ate like a beast.
Halfway through, I felt it.
A presence.
I looked outside.
A boy.
Straw hat.
Big smile.
Laughing loudly.
Free.
Bright.
Alive.
"…Luffy…"
My heart skipped.
The future Pirate King.
And somehow…
My future problem.
I leaned back.
"…So this is where my story really begins."
I smiled.
Not as a prince.
Not as an heir.
Not as a weapon.
But as…
Me.
Chapter 2 End.