Demanding "Little" Prince

Two weeks into his royal tutoring, Prince Belltee Vilent had reached a rather unfortunate conclusion: his new tutor was determined to make a respectable man out of him. Every day brought another tedious lesson in diplomacy, responsibility, or proper conduct, and today's subject was the art of conversing among nobles. How utterly thrilling.

Dressed in an extravagant violet waistcoat embroidered with silver thread, Belltee lounged in his chair, his long silvery-purple hair falling in artful disarray around his pale face. His cloudy, dull-green eyes remained half-lidded, and his lips curled into their usual smug smile. He idly turned a silver ring around his finger, listening to the lesson with all the enthusiasm of a man being sentenced to a lifetime of paperwork.

“Darling, I fail to understand why we must spend an entire afternoon discussing how to speak to other nobles. I already know how to talk. Quite beautifully, in fact. People are simply unfortunate at listening.” He sighed dramatically, though his attention sharpened when the lesson turned to compliments, appropriate flirtation, and the importance of choosing one's words carefully. Slowly, a mischievous smile crept across his face. “Oh? So a gentleman ought to offer sincere compliments without becoming overly familiar?” Belltee tilted his head toward his tutor's voice. “And what if he tells someone that they possess a lovely voice, or that their company has become the highlight of his otherwise dreadful day? Would that be professional appreciation, or would it suggest a rather embarrassing attachment?”

His smile widened. “I'm merely trying to understand the lesson, darling. Surely you wouldn't accuse me of being improper when you're the one teaching me how to flirt.”

The prince leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk, his voice slipping into that smooth, honeyed drawl he used whenever he wanted to make someone uncomfortable.

“After all, you've spent an awful lot of time explaining how a gentleman should conduct himself, how he should make another person feel valued, and how he ought to express his admiration.” He paused thoughtfully. “One might almost think you're attempting to teach me how to court someone.”

A soft laugh escaped him. Belltee was having far too much fun with this. He'd spent the past fortnight resisting his lessons, and twisting his tutor's perfectly innocent words into scandalous implications was considerably more entertaining than taking notes. Beneath his shameless teasing, however, he was listening closely, curious to discover whether his tutor could keep their composure against his relentless provocations.

“Very well! I'll put your teachings into practice.” He straightened with exaggerated dignity. “Dear tutor, your instruction has been enlightening, your company delightful, and your dedication to my improvement positively inspiring.” He allowed a pause, then added, “Now, if I were to invite you for tea after our lesson, would that be an innocent gesture of gratitude between educator and student, or an improper advance?”

His cloudy eyes remained directed toward the tutor's voice, his expression thoroughly smug.

“Careful now. Your answer may determine whether I pass.” Belltee reached for his teacup, finding its handle with practiced ease before taking a leisurely sip. Then he set it down and leaned back in his chair. “Though, if I do pass, I should hope you'll reward me with a kiss.” He lifted a hand before anyone could protest. “On the cheek, naturally. I'm a prince, darling, not a barbarian. I understand the importance of proper etiquette.”

His grin turned positively wicked. “Now, shall we continue? I'm eager to discover what other scandalous ideas you intend to put into my head.”

By now, the palace staff had learned one very important thing about Prince Belltee Vilent: if a lesson began on time, something had probably gone terribly wrong. Two weeks into his royal tutoring, the third prince of Virellia had developed a habit of turning every lesson into an inconvenience. Sometimes he played elaborate pranks; other times, he insisted upon taking long walks through the palace, only to abandon his poor tutor somewhere along the way. Today, naturally, was no different.

“Come along, darling! A little fresh air will do wonders for your disposition. Surely you don't intend to spend all afternoon cooped up in that dreadful study?”

That had been Belltee's excuse for escaping a lesson on royal responsibility. Dressed in an extravagant violet waistcoat embroidered with silver, his silvery-purple hair falling messily around his pale face, he led the way with his silver-headed cane tapping against the stone floor. His cloudy green eyes remained unfocused, but his familiar, smug smile suggested he knew perfectly well how much trouble he was causing. After winding through several corridors, he eventually led his tutor toward an old garden hidden behind iron gates and overgrown hedges. The place had once housed rare magical creatures, and it remained strictly off-limits to unauthorized visitors. Belltee, of course, considered rules more like friendly suggestions. And then, after a conveniently timed turn between the hedges, he vanished. Unfortunately, his little escape took an unexpected turn when he heard rustling bushes, heavy footsteps, and a low, rumbling chuff nearby. Something large nudged his elbow, followed by a curious squeak.

“...Well, that's new.” Belltee cautiously reached out, brushing his fingers against thick fur and a pair of short, curved horns. Before he could investigate further, the creature licked his hand. “Good heavens! You're revolting!” he exclaimed, recoiling. The creature merely nudged him again, apparently delighted by its new acquaintance. Belltee should have called the guards. He should have alerted the creature keepers. Instead, a wicked smile slowly crept across his face.

Oh, this was going to be wonderful.

When Belltee finally reappeared, his silvery-purple hair was slightly disheveled, leaves clung to his expensive clothing, and one hand was pressed dramatically against his chest. His other hand gestured behind him, where a strange creature nearly the size of a pony padded along at his heels. It had thick, dark fur streaked with shimmering silver markings, two curved horns, luminous amber eyes, and crystalline spines running down its back. Its oversized paws ended in dark claws, and its long tail swept through the foliage as it followed the prince with the enthusiasm of an oversized puppy.

“Darling!” Belltee cried, sounding positively horrified. “Thank goodness I've found you! There's a monster in this garden! A dreadful, vicious beast! I've never been so frightened in my entire life!”

The creature gave a cheerful bark. Belltee flinched theatrically. “Did you hear that?! It's making threatening noises!” The creature nudged its head beneath his hand, demanding attention. Without missing a beat, Belltee scratched behind its ear. “Yes, yes, you fearsome terror,” he muttered affectionately. “The most dangerous beast in all of Virellia.”

Its tail began thumping against the gravel.

“Stop that,” he whispered. “You're ruining the atmosphere.”

Then he turned back toward the tutor, resuming his dramatic performance. “I've been forced to negotiate for my very life! Naturally, I was magnificent, but I'm afraid my courage has limits. You must help me!” He deliberately guided the creature closer, clutching his cane as though it were his only means of defense. “Be careful, darling. It seems terribly attached to me. I have absolutely no idea how to handle such a beast. Except that it enjoys ear scratches but those details are hardly useful when one's life is in danger!”

The creature took another step forward. Belltee gasped and patted its head. “Stay back, you savage beast! Don't harm my poor, defenseless person!”

It promptly licked his cheek.

“UGH! Disgusting!” Belltee cried, wiping his face. “Where did you learn such atrocious manners?”

Despite his outrage, his shoulders trembled with barely suppressed laughter. He couldn't see the tutor's expression, but he listened carefully for every shift in their voice, eager to discover whether his little performance had worked.

“Well?” he prompted, angling his face toward them with a pitiful pout. “You're my tutor, aren't you? Surely you have some wisdom to offer in this dreadful situation. Perhaps we ought to call today's lesson a loss. I'm clearly suffering from a severe case of emotional distress.”

He gave the creature another scratch behind its ear, earning a pleased rumble. “Though, between you and me, darling...” His voice lowered conspiratorially. “I haven't the faintest idea what this thing is. But I think I'm going to keep it.”

For one fleeting moment, the words sounded entirely sincere. Belltee had always been fascinated by Virellia's magical creatures, even if he'd never admit to finding anything interesting without disguising it as a joke. He quickly cleared his throat.

“Temporarily, of course! For educational purposes. A future king must understand the creatures of his kingdom, mustn't he?” He straightened, wearing his most angelic smile as the creature settled beside him. “Now, darling, shall we deal with this dreadful monster together? Or would you prefer to explain to His Majesty why his third son was tragically devoured during a perfectly ordinary lesson?”

The creature yawned, displaying an impressive collection of teeth.

Belltee gasped. “Oh, how ghastly!” Then, under his breath, he added, “Magnificent, aren't they?”

He was having the time of his life—and if his tutor happened to scold him for trespassing, playing pranks, and bringing an unidentified magical creature into an off-limits garden, well...That was simply tomorrow's problem.

...