The palace halls had never felt so heavy. Adrian's little shoes clicked against the polished marble floor as he walked toward his room, where a set of ceremonial clothes was waiting. His mother had told him last night: "Tomorrow is your debut. Tomorrow, the people will finally see you as their prince."
He should've been excited. He had imagined what it would feel like countless times. But now that the day had come, he could only feel one
Inside his chambers, Celestia stood by the dresser, carefully holding a folded outfit. It was a white coat with silver lining, polished boots, and a small crown fit for a child.
Celestia smiled warmly when she saw him hesitate at the door.
"Adrian, you're already dressed nicely, but today you need to shine just a little more. Come here."
Adrian fidgeted. "Mom… do I really have to wear all that? It looks… heavy."
She chuckled softly, kneeling down to his height. "Heavy? Maybe a little. But do you know why it's white?"
He tilted his head. "Because it's… fancy?"
"No." She tapped his nose. "Because white shows purity. Today, the people will see you as you are—innocent, kind, and true. You don't need to pretend. Just be Adrian."
Adrian's cheeks turned pink. He looked down, playing with his fingers. "But what if they don't like me? What if… they think I'm just a spoiled prince?"
Celestia gently fixed his hair, her voice soft. "Then show them you're not. You already know how to smile, how to listen, and how to care. Those things are stronger than any sword or title."
At that moment, Leon entered, wearing his royal cloak. His presence filled the room, but his smile was simple. "Is the little prince ready?"
Adrian turned away, embarrassed. "Don't call me little…"
Leon laughed and knelt down, his strong hand resting on Adrian's shoulder. "Then prove you're not. Today, when you stand before everyone, just remember one thing—you don't have to be perfect. You only have to be honest. That's what makes a real king someday."
Adrian glanced up at him, eyes wide. "…Honest?"
"Yes." Leon ruffled his hair. "Don't try to impress them with big words. Just tell them what's inside here." He tapped Adrian's chest. "That's enough."
Celestia straightened, nodding. "Come, Adrian. Let's get you dressed."
The Grand Hall was already filled when they arrived. Rows of nobles, ministers, and knights lined up neatly. The air was tense, almost suffocating. Everyone turned their eyes toward the doors as the herald announced:
"Presenting His Highness, the Crown Prince, Adrian of Arathia!"
The doors opened.
Adrian's small figure walked forward, dressed in his white ceremonial coat. His little hands clenched at his sides, his lips pressing tightly together. The weight of hundreds of eyes burned against his skin.
He tried to walk confidently, just like Leon had taught him. One step at a time. Don't rush. Breathe.
But the whispers reached him anyway.
"So that's the prince…"
"He's smaller than I thought."
"Do you think he'll be strong like the king?"
Adrian's ears burned. His chest felt tight. He wanted to hide behind his parents—but he remembered Leon's words. Honest. Just be honest.
At the end of the hall, he stopped before the throne. Leon and Celestia sat behind him, smiling with quiet pride. Adrian was supposed to bow, smile, and leave. That was the plan.
But something inside him pushed harder. If I just bow, they'll think I'm nothing. I don't want them to see me as just the prince who hides behind titles. I want them to know me.
He turned around. Gasps echoed through the hall—the child prince was looking at them, not leaving.
Adrian took a shaky breath, his small voice carrying into the silence.
"Um… hello."
The hall stilled. No one expected him to speak.
"My name is Adrian. I know all of you already know I'm the Crown Prince. But today… I wanted to say something myself."
Celestia's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't stop him. Leon only folded his arms, watching.
Adrian's hands trembled. "I… I don't want you to just see me as a prince who was born with power. I don't want you to think I'll only rely on being the king's son. I want to be… someone who earns your trust. Someone who makes you proud."
He looked down at his shoes, voice cracking a little. "I'll work hard. Even if I make mistakes, I'll stand up again. So please… don't just call me Crown Prince. Please see me as Adrian, too."
A hush fell across the hall. Nobles exchanged glances, murmuring. Some were surprised, others moved.
Adrian's face turned red. He quickly bowed low, his little body trembling. "T-Thank you for listening."
For a moment, silence. Then, a knight near the back clapped. Slowly, others joined. It wasn't thunderous, but it was genuine. The sound filled Adrian's small heart until he thought it might burst.
He peeked up shyly, eyes wide. They were smiling—actually smiling at him.
Behind him, Leon's deep voice rumbled. "Well spoken."
Celestia's hand rested over her chest, her eyes shining with pride. "That's my son…"
The whispers this time were different.
"…He spoke from the heart."
"For someone so young…"
"Maybe this prince will be different."
Adrian's lips trembled into a tiny smile. His nervousness melted into warmth. They heard me. They… actually heard me.
When the ceremony ended, Adrian hurried back to his chambers. As soon as the door shut, he leaned against it, clutching his chest. His face felt hot, his heart beating fast.
Leon followed soon after, chuckling. "You broke the script, you know."
Adrian flinched. "…S-sorry…"
Leon crouched down, gripping his shoulders firmly. "Don't be sorry. You showed them the real Adrian. That's worth more than any perfect script."
Celestia entered, kneeling to hug him tightly. "You made us proud today. Not because you're Crown Prince. But because you spoke with your own heart."
Adrian blinked, tears welling in his eyes. "R-really? Even though I was shaking…?"
"Yes," Leon said simply. "Even shaking, you stood tall. That's what matters."
Adrian buried his face in Celestia's shoulder, smiling through his tears. "…Then I'll keep doing it. I'll make them all see me—not just as prince Adrian, but as me."
Celestia kissed the top of his head. "That's the spirit."
Leon ruffled his hair once more. "Then this is your true debut. Not as Crown Prince. But as Adrian."
For the first time, Adrian believed it. His journey had only begun, but now he knew one thing for certain—this path would be his own.