Celestia leaned over the crib, brushing Adrian's dark golden hair back.
"Good morning, my little star," she cooed.
Adrian blinked up at her. Morning already? I was in the middle of practicing.
Leon walked in right behind her, smirking. "Has he said it yet?"
Celestia rolled her eyes. "Leon, he's only eight months."
"Eight months is enough," Leon said confidently, leaning over the crib. "Say it, son. Say Papa."
Adrian's lips twitched. Papa, huh? That's what you're aiming for?
Celestia gently tapped Adrian's nose. "No, say Mama first. Mama."
Leon crossed his arms. "Papa."
"Mama."
"Papa."
Adrian groaned inside his head. Are they seriously competing over this? What kind of royal dignity is this…?
Still, both their faces were expectant. Adrian opened his mouth, concentrated, and…
"M–Mama."
Celestia froze. Her blue eyes widened, then immediately filled with tears. "He—he said it! Leon, did you hear that?!"
Leon's jaw dropped. "Tch. Of course it's Mama…" He grumbled, running a hand through his golden hair. "Fine, he wins your heart first. But the second word—"
"Mamaaa!" Adrian repeated louder, just to tease.
Celestia squealed softly and hugged him tight, rocking him in her arms. "Oh, Adrian… my clever boy."
Leon dramatically clutched his chest. "Betrayed. By my own son."
Adrian thought smugly, Heh. Worth it just to see her smile like that.
[Later That Week – Practice Time]
Adrian gripped the wooden railing of his crib. His legs wobbled like jelly, but he refused to give up.
"Up… stand… up…" he muttered in broken sounds.
Every time he tried to lift himself, he'd flop back onto the mattress. But he didn't stop. I'm not going to crawl forever. A king can't be carried all his life.
At one point, the maid peeked in. "Your Highness? Are you—oh! He's standing again!"
Celestia rushed over. "Careful, Adrian, you'll fall—"
Plop. He fell. Right onto his diaper.
Adrian clenched his little fists. Ugh, this stupid baby body! But I'll get it. Just wait.
[Royal Gathering – Throne Hall]
Nobles gathered in the palace, voices buzzing. Celestia held Adrian in her arms, dressed in a little white tunic. Leon stood beside her, his red eyes sharp but softened when he glanced at Adrian.
One duke whispered, "The prince already speaks, they say…"
Another replied, "Impossible. He's too young."
Adrian smirked inwardly. Impossible? Watch me, old men.
As the gathering went on, Adrian squirmed in Celestia's arms. He wanted down. He wanted to show them.
"Adrian?" Celestia blinked at him.
He kicked his legs and reached toward Leon.
Leon chuckled. "What, you want Papa?"
Adrian pushed against Celestia's arms until she set him down. His tiny feet touched the carpet. His legs trembled—but he took one step.
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"He's walking?!"
"At his age?!"
"By the gods…"
Celestia's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh heavens—Leon!"
Leon crouched low, arms open. His eyes gleamed. "Come on, Adrian. Show them."
Adrian stumbled forward, one step, then another. The nobles' murmurs grew louder. He wobbled, almost falling, but caught himself. Finally, with a determined grunt, he reached Leon and collapsed into his father's arms.
Leon lifted him high into the air with a proud laugh. "My son walks before the kingdom itself! Look well, everyone. This is your future king!"
The nobles erupted into applause and shouts of astonishment. Celestia wiped tears from her cheeks, smiling so wide it hurt.
Adrian just thought, Finally. I did it. First words, first steps… Now the real game begins.
[That Night – Adrian's Room]
Celestia tucked him into bed, still glowing with pride. "My precious boy. First Mama, now walking… you'll give us heart attacks at this rate." She kissed his forehead.
Leon sat at the bedside, still grinning. "You're in a hurry to grow up, aren't you, Adrian? Slow down. You'll be ruling the world before you even turn two."
Adrian yawned. You're not wrong, Father.
As his parents left the room, Adrian rolled onto his side, clutching his tiny blanket. Small steps, maybe. But steps toward something bigger. Tomorrow, I'll aim higher.
He drifted to sleep, dreaming of running freely—no longer as a baby, but as a king.
Rivalries
[The Morning After – Royal Dining Hall]
Celestia spoon-fed Adrian mashed fruit while Leon leaned back, sipping his wine.
"You do realize," Leon said casually, "half the court thinks you're a genius now?"
Celestia chuckled softly, wiping Adrian's chin. "He is a genius."
"Hmm." Leon's lips curled into a smirk. "I give it two weeks before the dukes start throwing their granddaughters at him."
Adrian almost choked on the fruit. Excuse me?! I'm still in diapers, Father!
[Later – Garden Walk]
As Celestia carried Adrian through the gardens, a group of nobles approached, each dragging along a child.
One baroness stepped forward with a baby girl balanced on her hip. "Your Majesties, this is my daughter, Seraphine. She's eleven months, already walking."
Adrian narrowed his eyes. Ah. So that's how it is. Baby rivalries, huh?
Leon leaned close to Celestia, whispering with amusement, "They're trying to compare their brats to ours."
Celestia gave him a sharp elbow, but she hid a laugh.
The baroness proudly set her baby down. Seraphine toddled forward, swaying clumsily but managing to stay upright. The nobles clapped politely.
Adrian watched, unimpressed. Cute effort. But watch this.
He wriggled in Celestia's arms until she set him down. Immediately, Adrian stood, steadied himself, and took three confident steps without falling. Then, just to rub it in, he turned around and plopped down gracefully.
The crowd gasped.
"Oh my…"
"Such balance at his age…"
Seraphine promptly fell on her face and burst into tears.
Adrian smirked inwardly. Checkmate.
[That Night – Adrian's Room]
Celestia paced. "This is dangerous, Leon. If word spreads too fast, they'll start plotting around him before he even grows."
Leon shrugged, lounging in the chair. "Let them plot. Our boy can handle it."
Adrian, tucked into his crib, listened carefully. Hmph. Of course I can. But if they're already watching me… I'll need to control the spotlight.
He clenched his tiny fist. Step one: win over the people. Step two: make allies, even as a baby. Step three… outsmart them all.
Timeskip — 2 Years, and 2 Months
Old
[Royal Garden – Midday]
The sun warmed the marble walkways as Adrian chased a butterfly through the palace gardens. His little legs pumped quickly, golden hair bouncing with each step, and his laughter echoed across the hedges.
Leon watched from a bench, arms crossed. "Three years old, and he runs like he's training for the knights already."
Celestia sat beside him, embroidering. She smiled faintly. "You're just proud because he looks like you."
Leon smirked. "And because he's faster than half the squires."
Adrian stopped, butterfly gone, and turned back toward them. His blue eyes glowed with childlike mischief. "Papa! Mama! Did you see? I almost caught it!"
Celestia set down her embroidery and opened her arms. "Come here, my darling."
He ran back and clambered onto her lap. Leon leaned in, ruffling Adrian's hair.
"Almost doesn't count," Leon teased.
Adrian puffed his cheeks. "When I grow up, I'll catch ten butterflies at once. You'll see!"
[Later – Palace Courtyard]
A group of nobles had gathered to watch Adrian play. Their whispers carried.
"He speaks so clearly at his age…"
"Already memorizing palace maps, I hear…"
"Truly a prodigy."
Adrian ignored them, but inside, he grinned. Perfect. Let them talk. The more they expect, the easier it is to control what I show them.
A boy around his age toddled over—Seraphine's older cousin, Edward. He shoved a wooden toy sword into Adrian's hands.
"Fight me!" Edward demanded.
The crowd chuckled.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "You want to duel me… with that?"
Edward nodded proudly. "Yes! I'll be a knight, and you'll lose!"
Adrian sighed dramatically. Here we go again.
He lifted the toy sword, tapped Edward's blade once, then with a flick sent it clattering to the ground.
Edward froze, then sniffled. "M-Mother… he… he beat me…"
Adrian handed back the sword with a tiny bow. "Thank you for the match."
The nobles laughed.
Celestia covered her mouth, trying not to show her smile. Leon smirked openly, pride written all over his face.
[That Evening – Adrian's Room]
Celestia tucked Adrian into bed. "Did you enjoy today?"
Adrian yawned, snuggling into the blanket. "Mhm… Mama, everyone looks at me funny when I talk."
Celestia brushed his hair gently. "They're just amazed. You're special, Adrian."
Leon entered, leaning on the doorframe. "Special doesn't mean untouchable. Remember that, boy."
Adrian's little eyes sharpened, just for a second. I know. That's why I'll stay one step ahead of them all.
He gave a small smile. "I'll be careful, Papa."
Celestia blinked. His tone was far too mature for a child. But before she could question it, Adrian's breathing evened out, already asleep.
Leon glanced at her knowingly. "He's not like other children."
Celestia whispered, "No… he's something more."