Chapter Text
They weren’t exactly family, per say. Sure, they had the same royal blood coursing through their veins, and sure, they shared the same title. And yes, they did share the same home.
But did Tommy really consider them his family?
Families were supposed to express their love and affections towards each other. Families spent time together. Families ate dinner together.
Of which his family did not do.
That same ‘home’ was truly a prison in his mind. A quick composed smile and laugh was enough to make it seem like it wasn’t. It was enough to get the people to see that their life was perfect.
Perfect.
Perfect was the word his father had uttered over and over again. Everything he did or said must be perfect .
Leave. Leave this place and never return. The devilish voice whispered softly to him in his head. You know you don’t belong here.
He shook his head. He couldn’t, he couldn’t possibly leave. For he was the prince of the empire, and he had a duty to his people.
Couldn’t, can’t, couldn’t. His mind echoed, almost as if it was mocking him.
Was he selfish for thinking this way? For wanting to leave the life that seemed so great?
He was lucky, truly he was. He was born into a wealthy, powerful family, raised as the emperor’s son and the empire’s beloved prince.
And yet..
And yet Tommy did not feel so lucky.
Look, it’s the prince! They cheered.
He will become a great ruler one day. They conceded.
He will bring our empire into a time of prosperity. They murmured.
His life was perfect. Nothing was wrong but him. He just had to try harder.
“Prince Theseus!”
He snapped out of his trance. Shifting around, he rose to his feet and opened the door.
“Yes?” He replied to the lady awaiting him.
“The king has requested to see you, your highness,” The maid said. He raised an eyebrow, then sighed. His father always requested to see him, and frankly, Tommy didn’t understand why the man couldn’t simply come down from his chambers to see his son himself. Surely it couldn’t be that hard.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Tommy said, giving the maiden a small smile. He recognized her as Niki, one of the castle maids. Niki was the one who usually took care of him in his youth, and he remembered with a fond smile the girl sneaking him bread from the cooks.
Niki bowed and smiled at him. Tommy returned the smile with a slight chuckle.
“You know, some days I wish father would simply come down here himself instead of always requesting you to do it,” Tommy said, voicing to Niki his previous thoughts.
“He’s a busy man, Tommy,” Niki said, laughing. “Though I don’t see why not.”
Niki was the only staff in the castle who addressed him by his preferred name. Anyone else called him Theseus. His name was a curse, a burning reminder of the title he held.
“Some days, I wish I could leave,” Tommy said with a sigh. Niki gave him a look, and in her eyes he could see many emotions swimming through. He didn’t pay this any mind as he stepped past her and into the grand hallway.
The floors were made of marble, and quartz pillars lined the walls. Stained glass windows were another notable feature to the grand room, spilling in different hues of light. As Tommy strolled down the hall with Niki accompanying him by his side, he passed by several large oak doors. Maybe, at one point in his lifetime, one of the doors would have been left 3 inches open, revealing a certain curly haired brunette strumming a guitar. But that was long ago, and he would be far too young for his recollection. When they reached the grand door, he bowed to Niki and thanked her for the escort, (though he truly thought it was unnecessary and felt a stab of sympathy for the girl), and entered the room.
A grand figure sat atop a throne. Upon his head was a golden crown, shimmering brightly in the daylight.
“Father? You requested to see me?” Tommy said, his voice coming out timid and weak. He stood up straighter and cleared his throat.
“Theseus. I’m sure you’re aware of the grand festival approaching us,” His father said. Tommy frowned as the man skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point. It would be nice to be treated as his son , and not the prince .
“I am well aware, father,” Tommy replied. His father’s stoic expression looked like it was cast in stone, refusing even the slightest twitch of his lip.
“Then you should be aware of all the trading propositions and opportunities that are to be made then, yes?” His father prompted. Tommy nodded.
“Please respond using your words, Theseus,” the king said, and Tommy felt a small burn of resentment at the words.
“Yes, father,” Tommy replied through gritted teeth.
“Good. I want to remind you that the festival is simply a few weeks away, and that it must be perfect. Our empire is at a good place now, thriving more than ever. I don’t want you to let me down.”
Tommy flinched at the words. Perfect. Let him down. It was almost as if they had physically stabbed him.
“Do you understand that Theseus?”
He nodded.
“I said, do you understand that , Theseus.”
Tommy took in a breath. “Yes, I do, father,”
Tommy turned and was about to make for the door, but not before being interrupted by his father.
“Is something wrong, Theseus?”
He turned around again. “Well, no father, there’s nothing- “
“Be honest with me now,” The man said, something in his tone making Tommy bristle. The man was so infuriating, and Tommy felt the red spread across his body as he fought to keep his cool.
“There is nothing wrong, father, I assure you,” Tommy said with as much conviction he could muster. His hands were trembling, and his teeth were grinding together.
“Theseus,” His father said in a tone that seemed to be meant for a child. “I ask you again. What is wrong?”
Tommy sighed and figured he couldn’t take it anymore. He had to come clean. “I just thought that, well, it’s all a little overwhelming.”
His father’s eyes sparked in interest.
Tommy continued. “I think that you expect too much of me, and everything has to be perfect all the time. It.. it gets hard to breathe, you know?“ He took a breath, his whole body trembling.
His father let out a laugh. Tommy’s blood ran cold. He looked up to see that the once stoic expression was replaced with one of amusement.
“Oh, Theseus. Enough with the childish games,” His father said, clutching at his chest dramatically. He composed himself with a breath. “You are a prince . It is time you act like one. Tell me, how much time have you spent with the commoners?“
“Not- not much at all, father,” Tommy stammered. His father had a glint in his eye, as if the entire interaction between them was simply a game.
“I never leave my room. Or the castle. I usually stroll through the garden, and occasionally I-“
“From now on, you are not allowed out of the palace. Do you understand that?” His father interrupted.
“I never- yes, father,” Tommy said. It was no use arguing. His father’s word was firm, and he would not change his mind.
“Seriously, Theseus. You need to learn to control yourself. You and your brothers are the kingdom’s future. I need you to stop acting like a child. You're putting our family's name in shame,” his father said, eyes narrowing. Tommy hung his head in humilation, tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
I am still a child. Why can't you see that?
“Yes, father,” Tommy said. His father huffed.
“You are dismissed.”
Tommy exited the room with his head bowed and his heart heavy. Niki looked at him with curiosity, and as if reading his mind, she spoke.
“Is something wrong?” The girl asked, tilting her head. “It’s not my place to know about the business between you and your father, but I can tell something is troubling you.”
“He’s- he’s too overbearing. He always expects me to be this perfect prince. He said I had to stop acting like a child when I still am one,” Tommy said, his voice cracking.
“Oh dear,” Niki said. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently. “Have you tried speaking with him?”
“He’s very stubborn. He wouldn’t change his mind even if I pleaded with him to,” Tommy replied.
When they made it to the door, before entering his room, Niki stopped him.
“If you ever need an escape, come to me. I’ll be here for you,” Niki said to him. He didn’t know the implications of what was said, meaning a physical or emotional escape, but he was grateful, nonetheless.
“Thank you, Niki. You’re the only one who treats me like a human here,” Tommy said. Niki smiled and bowed and was soon off.
For the rest of the day, Tommy stayed near his window, wistfully gazing at the gentle snowfall. How badly he wished to leave.
One day , he thought. One day, I’ll be free .
He never knew how soon that day would come.