Will of a Prince

Jacob woke up in his chambers, his head still fuzzy. His entire body was aching, every movement he made was slightly painful, but despite all of this, he felt... different. He could strangely feel his blood flowing a lot clearer, his heart was pumping at a normal rate, he didn’t feel dizzy anymore.

After standing up out of his bed, he thought he would test the waters.

’Did my father stop slowing my blood down?’

He tried walking across his room. There was little to no difference in the way he walked. It was almost like he was back to normal.

’That bastard. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.’

Jacob tried running out of the room, but after only a few mere moments, he was already gasping for air.

’What? You mean he actually hasn’t stopped slowing my blood? I guess that’s good news, but it looks like I have another long day ahead of me.’

An idea started to sprout in Jacob’s mind. A wide grin found its way on to his face. He looked for the nearest servant he could find to ask them a question. Down the hall, there was a gentlemen adorned in the normal garment’s palace servant’s wear. He was watering dark red flowers that were beautifully bloomed.

"Pardon the intrusion sir, but do you happen to know where Joeseph is?"

The servant looked shocked seeing the young prince approach him.

"My lord... you seem... different?"

"Oh. Sorry, I’m currently making the king try to stop my heart so I may look a bit pale right now, but I promise I feel fine."

The servant almost dropped the watering can he was holding.

"T-the king trying to stop your heart?!"

"Yeah. But it’s okay, it’s not the first time he’s tried to."

The servant stared at the prince with a dumbfound expression. He was left at a complete loss for words.

"But anyway, do you happen to know where a servant named Joseph is?"

"Certainly, my lord. Joseph is currently sweeping the main hall outside the throne room."

"Thank you for the information. Your help is always appreciated."

Jacob bowed to the servant before walking away. The servant stared at his reflection in a window nearby and started pinching himself.

"Am I dreaming?"

After a bit of a search, Jacob finally found joseph in the main hall sweeping the polished stone floors.

"Hey, Joseph!"

The older gentleman turned around to face the young prince and dropped his broom and started mumbling to himself.

"So, I wasn’t asleep. This is real."

"It’s about time I found you. I have a fun offer for you if you’re willing to hear me out."

"Sure, what is it my lord?"

"Let’s just say it involves you getting to beat me up for a couple hours. Quickly, follow me to the training grounds."

The man stared at Jacob incredulously. A faint sprout of happiness started taking bloom in his heart. After grabbing his broom and laying it against the wall he quickly followed after the prince.

When they both reached the training grounds, Jacob grabbed two large wooden sticks from the long table of weapons and handed one to Joeseph.

"What is this for, my lord?"

"This? How else are you going to attack me?"

Joeseph looked utterly baffled.

"You want me to attack you?"

"Of course I do! It’s okay though, I will only be defending. You can attack me to your hearts content without needing to hold back or worry about getting hit. Does that sound fun?"

"Truthfully..."

Joseph gripped the wooden stick so hard, Jacob could have sworn he saw it crack a bit.

"I think this will be the most I’ll ever have!"

"Alright, let’s go into the arena first."

They both walked into a large circle and took their fighting stances. Josephs eyes were gleaming with malice and anticipation, as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment his entire life.

"Ready?"

"I’m ready, my lord."

"Alright, let’s begin! Come at me!"

In a flash, Joseph was already on him swinging the stick with all his might. Jacob staggered backward, struggling to deflect each and every blow. Eventually, Jacob’s entire body felt like he was under water. Each movement he made took an extreme amount of effort, his heart was beating out of his chest, his lungs were screaming for air, all while Joseph never let up the assault for a single second.

He had never seen the man so happy in his whole life. With each swing that connected to Jacobs ribs or head, he saw him smile brighter and brighter.

’What the hell?! Are old people supposed to be this fast?!’

When Jacob couldn’t take it anymore and dropped his defenses. Joseph was quick to take advantage and sent the wooden sticking flying straight into Jacob’s face. Jacob laid on the ground, defeated.

’This is going to be harder than I thought.’

Jacob slowly got up off the ground and dusted off his clothes. He looked over at Joseph to see he was standing proudly with a wide grin, the wooden stick at his side planted in the dirt.

"So? How was it?"

Joseph let out a hardy laugh.

"I haven’t felt this good since I was a young man! Can this be my permanent assignment my lord?"

"I’ll consider it. We still have a long day. You aren’t tired, are you?"

"Tired? Ha! On the contrary. I’ve never felt more alive!"

"I was afraid you’d say that. Let’s prepare for round two."

"Yes sir!"

With that, the pair faced off against each other for dozens of rounds. Jacob ended up being knocked down each and every time, but he never refused to quit. He always got back up, no matter what condition his body was in and no matter how he felt. Even Joseph struggled to keep his energy toward the end of their last match.

After another final blow kicked up Jacob’s feet, sending him falling to the dirt, Jacob announced his resignation. Staring at the ceiling, he called out to Joseph.

"I think we can call it there for today. What do you say?"

Joseph was sweating though all his clothes, heavy breathes escaped from his mouth and he was slouching over.

"I would agree my lord. I think we should both go eat to replenish our energy."

A small grin appeared in the corner of Jacob’s mouth.

"I got just the place in mind."

Jacob was leading Joseph through the city. The sun was once again starting its decent, signaling the end of another day. It was when a familiar scent caught Jacob’s nose that he stopped walking.

"We’re almost there. Just follow me."

Jacob led the man towards a small meat stand that had an incredibly impressive selection. Behind the counter was a beautiful blonde woman who had her hair in a ponytail and a bandana across her forehead.

"Hey Sarah! I hope I’m not too late. Are you still open?"

"Prince Jacob! It’s a pleasure to see you come back here! I was planning on closing shop, but we still got some good quality meats here that just came off the fire. Please feel free to choose any you would like."

Jacob looked back at Joseph to ask him his pick. When he did, Joseph’s mouth was open with drool coming out of it while he stared at a slice of seasoned pork on the counter.

’What the hell? Do all my servants do that? I need to ask the king to set up a feast for them sometime.’

"My lord, that’s too generous. I can’t possibly let you get this for me."

Jacob came over and wrapped his arm around Joseph’s shoulder.

"Come on, lighten up. You helped me train all day, it’s the least I could do. Besides, Sarah here is the best culinary specialist in town. You won’t find better quality anywhere else. Do you have any plates by any chance?"

Sarah scavenged through some silverware before finding some bronze plates hidden underneath.

"Which meat would you like today?"

"Give me that seasoned pork."

"Sure thing. How much of it?"

"All of it."

Jacob sat a small bag of gold on Sarah’s counter and walked off with two massive plates of the pork.

"I’ll make sure to return the plates when we’re done!"

He walked over to Joseph and gestured him to sit down on some steps nearby. Sitting down, Jacob was shoulder to shoulder with him and handed the plate over.

"Don’t be shy, dive in!"

Just as quick as Jacob said those words, Joseph started ravaging through the meat. Small tears were streaming down his eyes as he devoured his food.

"This is the best tasting thing I’ve ever had. Thank you so much my lord."

"No problem, just focus on eating for now."

Jacob and his servant sat in blissful silence, enjoying each other’s company, enjoying the tasty food and admiring the boundless sky that sat above them. After Joseph finished his plate, he looked over at Jacob.

"My lord, I have a question if you don’t mind me asking."

Jacob finished his last piece of meat before answering.

"Go ahead."

"What exactly happened to you? I mean... I’m not trying to sound rude, but you weren’t exactly always this... welcoming."

Jacob smiled and stared into the orange sun settling above the walls of the kingdom.

"My whole life, I wanted to show people that I was strong. Especially people like my father, who were strong. I didn’t want to burden such a powerful legacy with my weakness. I pushed others down to try and get ahead. In reality, I was only holding myself back this entire time with such a burden. And as of late, I’m starting to doubt my father’s legacy more and more."

Jacob silently chuckled to himself.

"I really was such a fool. This whole time, you and I... we’re the same. My choice to choose my own legacy, to choose my own path, was overshadowed by a father desperately trying to instill his morals on me. The more I think about it, the more I realize I never got to choose anything in my life... just like you or any other servant that serves this kingdom."

Joseph looked at Jacob like a proud father and slapped his back.

"For speaking out about this alone, you are stronger than any king I’ve ever known. Your future is bright my lord. The path you are walking will not be easy, but all it takes is that first step to start."

"Your words mean a lot to me, Joseph. I promise you, I will create a new legacy. One much greater than the kings ever was."

Joseph started smiling. Jacob smiled back and grabbed his plate from his hand before bringing it over to Sarah. As they prepared to leave, they both waved her goodbye and started their journey back towards the palace.

"Same time tomorrow?"

"Ugh. Young people have so much energy... I’ll be there."