After gaining the white stripe, I receive a lot of congratulations. I'm glad they called me Thomas instead of prince. They know that I gained my classification early because I am the crown prince. The king must have a real reason for me to be an knight.
"I'll be training for a while yet." I assume anyway. I know that's not really true. I need more time as a trainee, but they're just going to force me to do whatever they wish me to. That's been my always.
My desire to gain freedom from the duties had me learn basics in so many fields that it only made sense to most that I earn my rights as a knight. I act like one.
Do I, though? They seem to think it's simple. It's not that I don't realize my skills outweigh the bulk of the trainees, I don't think I've experienced enough to really be called a knight.
Although... Maybe that is truly the case. I'm skilled enough to go on basic missions. Where I can gain the experience I'm lacking. They wouldn't set me up to fail.
Still... There is no way that this group would jump the four month rule without a reason. It doesn't matter if I technically qualify. So did my father. He cleared all basic requirements within the first month. I don't know why he didn't graduate until fifth. Unless he refused all forms of graduation test.
Is that why they weren't quite clear it would be a test? That it was a chore I was signed up for? So I couldn't refuse? There is no reason to deny the request either. I could've refrained and no one would've suggested it was a bad move. I do know that. Leaving the halls is a lot.
"My head hurts." I say while heading for my room.
"Thomas!" Jessica runs up to me before I can enter. We're before my door. And if I didn't think my mother was keeping a watch on me, I'd let her enter. I specifically can't let her enter my bedroom. It was better when I didn't know her name. "Can't believe you're a knight now."
"I'm not better than I was before. They shoved me into the role." I cross my arms annoyed. There has to be a reason. They don't do things for no reason. That's been my always.
Jessica fingers the emblem on my chest. "Yeah... This has magic in it. I thought it was strange the king handled you his."
I grunt. I only figured that. "Can you tell what it has on it?"
Jessica steps back shaking her head. "No. Not at all. I can only see there is magic. That is well hidden. I can ask Ingrid to see you."
I think of the mage who refused to be my trainer. I frown. It's not that I wouldn't mind her visiting, but... She refused to help me. Even if I was opened to magic, she'd refuse.
"I shouldn't?"
"Why did she act like she'd be my friend one day then completely deny it later on?"
"What do you mean? Last I saw her, she acted the friend. Did something happen?"
"I don't know. I feel as if..." Someone probably said something. I'm crown prince. She would've been threatened. "I hate this."
Jessica smirks at me. "Not everyone becomes an escape artist, you know. That gives us quite a bit of understanding as to your history."
I rub my face. I'm the same as always, but a lot of people know exactly what I've done now. Escape artist is accurate. And it's been as long as I can remember trying to find a way out. What did I see or deal with as an infant or toddler to make this be my only desire. I didn't wish to escape until I left my parent's side. And I do know I've increased my desire to flee when they shove me between them.
But it also feels like something more.
Something happened when I was little. I'm being guarded at a level I doubt is normal. Although it may be normal for the crown prince. It's not like Xavier has freedoms.
"Thomas?" Jessica grabs for my hand to squeeze it. "Don't worry about things. Callie and Daniel also graduated with you. It'll probably be something to do with the balls."
"That start this weekend." I growl. I'm crown prince. "I have no reason to go to the balls."
Jessica releases my hand and steps back with a grin. "I'm just glad I won't be able to go on your arm. Good luck." She slaps my shoulder before leaving me.
I watch her walk away. It does help she's still a trainee right now. We can't be shoved into the ball together. Callie is contracted with Daniel, too. They know about, so they complain about it. Which means I wouldn't need to worry about Callie. I don't think anyone else can be called a threat. They prefer only a three year gap. I'd look strange with anyone older than that. And without the knights classification, adulthood is at twenty. It is one of the ways to give a child real freedom. It's an escape from their parents. And only a child would act the fool and join a group that has a high chance of death.
I rub my head a moment before heading into my room.
There's a lot of possibilities. But it probably is the ball that had me become a white knight. I'll join my mother's guard. And her attachment and desire to protect me will keep her in check. I sigh falling on my bed. My mother has always been extra protective of me after all. No one will think anything of her continuing to be.
"I'm going to the balls to deny my mother from acting out."
The knowledge just settles in my heart. It truly only makes sense in this case. That means I don't have a lot of time to ready to go. I'll just need to accept things as is. Will it be a ball to ball to ball situation? Will I not fully be able to train here until after the king's ball?
"That would suck." I grunt and get up. This may be my last real day here. I best use this time valuably.