I was leaning back on my hands, enjoying the heat of the fireplace. I put the golden goblet to my lips, took a sip of plum wine. I smiled at the laughter from the men surrounding me, the king's guffaw being the loudest one of all. My body still ached from my run yesterday, the food in front of me was delicious, the wine warm and filling, and my friends happy.

Life was good.

The king was sitting in his favourite couch, a crimson velvet one, and the other couches were filled with the crown prince and guards. The rest of us, a majority, were happily sitting on the floor. The king's rooms were high in ceiling but still cosy due to the dark woods and curtains on the walls, not to mention there was a fireplace in each room, except this one, that was so vast it had two. It was all incredibly pleasant, and I ate and drank heartily, enjoying the absence of the heaviness from my armour, dressed in a simple grey shirt and loose trousers.

The king was telling a story about when his father, who'd been king before him, had taught him to throw rocks into the ocean so that they bounced several times before plummeting into its depths. He vividly described the perfect stone, as his father had described it to him, how they'd have to sneak out in the morning so that they wouldn't get caught as it wasn't seen befitted a king and crown prince to partake in such simple activities. I smiled, imagining the king now take out his two sons himself for the same adventure. I studied his old face intently in the firelight, and despite his wrinkled skin, his thick beard and eyes that never looked down, I could see similarities between him and his youngest son, whom I'd seen up close for the first time today.

I had been surprised. I knew he was pretty, but as opposed to most people, the prince got more beautiful the closer you got. His skin was clear and pearly, shining a bit with glittery oils. His eyes, when he looked up at me, were big and had an interesting shape. His hair was immaculate, combed to perfection. He had a prominent upper lip that was redder than the rest of his lips, making them look painted on by a highly skilled artist. The lashes at the corners of his eyes were heavy with tears, as if the tears were still trying to decide whether they should fall or not.

"You dropped your pea."

One tear decided to fall before I had turned away.

I had stood to the side again, as was my place. But through my visor, I could see the prince had started eating, and even finished his plate, which was unusual for him. I had always felt there was a childishness about him, but seeing him calmly eating, he radiated royalty; his back was straight, and he used his cutlery with expertise, each movement of the fork to his mouth looking like a dance. The king looked at his son with large eyes. Then, he looked at me. I nodded, implying I saw him, as I had my visor down and thus the king couldn't know whether he had my eye or not. "Thank you", he'd mouthed. I had nodded again.

When I'd come to his chambers, he'd put a hand on my shoulder.

"I have never seen him mix different foods on his fork before. Thank you."

"I did nothing, my king", I said, feeling a bit flustered which was unusual for me.

"You showed him kindness. Nobody in my court has ever done that before."

"I am glad I can be of service." I bowed.

"My boy", the king said, taking my arm, guiding me out of my bow. "Come eat your dinner by my side as an equal, as you all should every night."

I smiled when looking at the king's happy face as he told story after story, indulging. After the meal, some of the guards brought their instruments and started playing, and some even danced. I preferred sitting at the fireplace, leaning on my hands, watching the spectacle.

"Boys!" the king boomed. "It is late. It's time for me to go see what my youngest son is up to. He's an engineer of sorts, creates the most amazing things." I didn't know this. He sounded as proud as if he was talking about the crown prince, I noticed. "Be well."

And he left us to play and dance, perhaps bed a court girl.

But curiously had caught me. 

There was a storm raging outside this night. The lanterns hanging in the trees in the courtyard outside my windows were fighting to stay put on their branches, their thick glass hardly keeping the flames alive. The rain was pouring down, more needles than water, and the wind was unforgiving.

And in the middle of the courtyard stood the king's youngest son.

I saw him clearly as he'd accumulated several lanterns on the grass to light up the patch where he was working. He had placed a device on the ground that looked incredibly complicated, with metal wires and cylinders weaved in an incomprehensible pattern. Something that looked like a tall windmill was standing sturdy in the wind, and would have spun if it wasn't for a wooden brick hatched in between its blades that stopped it. The prince was wearing a thick, black coat and was sitting on his knees, seemingly undisturbed by the storm. He connected one wire to another, then stood up and removed the brick from the blades of the fan.

Immediately, something on the device lit up. I took a step back. I immediately recognised it as a lightbulb a traveller had given the royal family; the first lightbulb in the country.

"May this give light to whomever figures out how to control electricity."

Grandiose words for a simple trader, yet a promising statement. And seemed like the prince was the one.

He stood up, took a step back, inspected his work.

Then, he turned his face up into the sky, and his face was like the sun.