Chapter 1

“The Wise Prince of Shura”

“The Cunning Prince of Shura”

“The Vicious Prince of Shura”

“The Illusive Prince of Shura”

A few made up title given to the 2nd prince of Shura by the nobles, the elites and the enemy. It was even rumored that he has achieved more than that of the Crown Prince.

Prince Todd Adrian Marshall Clifford, the 2nd prince of Shura, the most prominent Kingdom of today, stands with great honor among nobility. The world knows his name but a few knew his face. He is the most secretive and illusive prince ever existed but ironically his deeds are evident.

He is known in his incomprehensible ways in dealing things that later pose a positive outcome. Some says his ways are vicious and that he is cunning but others also contradict and says he is just clever and smart. Which of it is true no one knows except the royal household.

Three years after taking the position and actively involving in state affairs, he has made plausible achievements in every field like in agriculture and in summiting the country’s economy making it the richest country in the world.

Kingdoms that chose to ally evidently show prosperity under Shura’s wings. Hence, it holds the highest power and gain utmost respect from the world.

“Hey Brother, will Father approve?” Todd asked Thomas with sadness in his voice.

“He won’t,” the crown prince blatant answer.

They were in the balcony by the west wing gazing at the stars sipping a glass of wine.

Todd’s brows met. “What an answer.”

“You know Father and your request is too much.”

“How is it too much?” Todd’s voice rose up trying to make a point. “I just want to experience living an ordinary life with no title or whatsoever in just a year.”

“Aren’t you living that life ever since you are young?” Thomas gulped his wine. “It is even getting worse by now when you are out of the country or in some outskirts of town?”

“I can’t get enough of it. The longest is a month and most of the time... a day.” Todd sighed. “And you are always tailing me way back those days.

“Father would not allow it. Even I is against it.”

Todd dryly smiled. “I’m just going to live a year of that life and I’ll be sure to enjoy it and maybe fall in love. I’m a free soul Brother.”

“It’s not that easy. You are a royal. We have rules.”

Todd smirked, “If you obey all the rules, you’ll miss all the fun.”

The crown prince could just turn his head sideways knowing there is no hope of convincing his brother to change his mind.

“I wont bring you shame while I’m at it. I’m 27 now. I’m no more a child.” Todd added.

The crown prince rose up of his feet retreating for the night. “You will always be that child to us.” He passionately stated with his back on Todd.

“Then why don’t you marry?” Todd shouted as his brother is getting farther away. “Have a child so that I’m not this family’s CHILD anymore. You are almost out of the calendar!”

Thomas clinched his fist and turn to look at his brother, annoyed. “Do you want a beating?”

Chapter 2

The Palace Courtyard

“Just how time flies, you have grown more and more like me my children.” King Harold gladly approached Todd and Thomas as they were heading out for their morning ride.

“No father, I have become more and more handsome than you and brother.” Todd proudly corrected with a hint of a joke then hugged his father.

The crown prince patted his younger brother’s back, “A little handsome than my butt.”, and then crooked a mischievous smile as he hopped in his horse.

The King laughed loudly as his youngest son complains of being bullied by his brother.

“Mother will know of this!”

Their laughs could be heard afar as they went out for a ride.

The horses were tide in a tree nearby. They were by the side of a lake strolling. It is one of the scenic spots near the palace one would want to visit.

“I am against it my son. You have royal duties.”

“But Father, didn’t I have proven myself?”

“This is not about one’s worth! This is a royal duty; a responsibility!” The King insisted.

“Just a year Father”, Todd pleaded. “I will be back to carry out my duties and responsibilities. And you can’t hear any complaints from me Father.”

The King was furious. He threw a look at his first son. “Are you just going to stand there Thomas?” he exclaimed. “Do something. Put some sense to your brother!”

He then walked away and made his way to his horse.

Thomas followed the King. “I will take responsibility father just let him do what he wants.”, then bowed to the King.

The King inhaled deeply and sharply looked at his two sons. “You’ve talked this over didn’t you?”

With their heads down, the two didn’t answer. When the King took a hold of the reigns, Todd ran and pleaded again down on his knees, “I’m begging for just a year Father.”

The Palace

“Did we not able to pay the electric bill for this room to be this dark?”

“Mother”, Todd immediately turned on the light. “Sorry about that, I was deep in my thoughts.”

“I could tell,” she smiled then hugged his son. “Should I help you prepare the royal luggage?”

“Oh,” Todd could not help but laugh, “I will just go with a backpack Mother.”

“I was surprised that your father approved of this.” The Queen calmly stated as she help her son pack.

“Well, he did not let me go this easily. I’m going to pay a huge price for this Mother.”

Queen Margarett heavily sighed. “So I’ve heard.”

She looked at her son with compassion, “I will miss you my child.”

Todd smiled and hugged his mother, “We have internet mother.” He tightens his hug, “I love you.”

“I love you more my son.”

Departure

“Should you really be personally sending me off brother?”

Thomas smiled, “You take care.”

“I will”, Todd returned a smile then hugged his brother. “I’m off,” he then turned his back and went his way to a private plane waiting for him at a distance.

“Hey,” Thomas called which made Todd turned to face his brother. “ Be crazy, be stupid, be silly, be weird. Be whatever... because life is too short to be anything but happy.”

His younger brothers eyes got teary eyed, “I could cry a river Brother.”

Thomas smiled, “Know that I have your back.”

“You are spoiling me Royal Brother”, he shouted back before hopping on the plane.

Chapter 3

Art City

“Victor, is this where I am going stay?”

“Your Highness, this is the Queen’s ORDER.”, Victor, his butler answered with all respect.

Victor is 4 years older than the Prince and he’s been in the service for over 12 years. The Prince considers him as his closest friend. If there is somebody who knew Todd for who he really is, aside from the royal family, then it is Victor, his butler.

“Guess I don’t have a choice.” Todd sighed.

Well, it’s a penthouse. A penthouse is typically differentiated from other apartments by LUXURY features.

“To think that a supposed to be ordinary person is living in a penthouse, how am I to explain that?” Todd could only take a deep breath in thinking over it.

“Your Highness,” Victor interrupted, “These documents were given by your royal brother for you to review. He firmly instructed that none of it shall be changed and thus take it as ROYAL ORDER from the Crown Prince.

Todd could only swear but just in his thoughts for he never swears out loud in his life. He then slowly opened the documents. He knew that what’s inside is not something to be happy about.

He gave it back to Victor, while pulling his hair due to headache. “Read it for me.”

As Victor partially scanned the documents, he was hesitating to read it to the 2nd prince. Todd seemed to notice it and gave a gesture for Victor to proceed.

“This is your Personal Profile Your Highness,” Victor begun. “You go by the name Todd Howard, a Director at Lilia Arson & Co…a company that organizes wedding”, he paused waiting for a reaction from the prince but did not get any.

“So, they’d let me use my con name.” Every time he’s out pretending, he uses that name.

“The King was not pleased on your submitted profile being a waiter at some small restaurant and so he personally did some revision”, Victor continued.

“This is an ORDER with a royal seal Your Highness.”

“So I can’t go against it.” Todd deeply inhaled.

“Is it a big of a company?” the Prince curiously asked.

“No Sire, it’s just a small wedding planning business.”

Todd could only just nod.

By the next day, Todd and Victor decided to go shopping. They’d bought some outfits that most working class wears; eat in a not so fancy restaurant; even leisurely walks along public parks.

These are the few things he wants to do while living this ‘not so long’ ordinary life. He wants to be free. Being a prince has many restrictions. He felt like he’s in prison without a hope of getting away. How he longed to get away from the grasp of those two faced nobles and just live a carefree life.

This thought never just pops up in his mind out of nowhere. He has been influenced by his late Grandfather. Back when he was 14 years old, he was like a leech tagging along with the late King.

King Rocco was something. He was a great King and a unique one. He visits cities and towns especially those undeveloped ones pretending to be someone of no title. He observes, inquires, investigates and study on how he can help improve the life of his subjects. He usually stayed a month or so then suddenly be gone like a bubble that pops up leaving only memories and wonder on the people he met.

For the past years, Todd has been doing the same and it gives him so much pride.

He could smile remembering the past. He’s already set his mind with the idea of living that life a long time ago. He has even prepared himself from the thought of so much labor. During his free time way back those days up until now, he would go to the kitchen and help to do some chores with the servants; plow some dirt in the garden; do some labor at the stables and many other more. Thus, made him closer to every servant in the palace.

Just how much he loves seeing those genuine smiles ordinary people gave him every time he’s with them unlike being with those pretentious nobles in every party.

And then at some point in his life, he wanted more of that life. Weeks and months were not enough for him anymore. Thus, he requested a year of it.