Work Text:
It is said amongst all citadel staff who have known him, that the prince is particular, unruly, and has a powerful set of lungs.
“Just like King Mors, ha!” the doctor exclaimed when he was born.
“Great.” said Regis and Aulea.
The prince is now four. He has had fourteen nannies assigned to him thus far, and today is the day that Fourteen will submit her resignation. Why?
Because the prince won’t brush his teeth.
All efforts have failed. The ask nicely. They remind him that brushing his teeth keeps him healthy. They warn him that if he does not, his teeth will start to hurt. They offer him a sticker as a reward. They promise to take him outside after breakfast, as long as he brushes his teeth.
The prince says “no.” He says “No. No. NO.” and begins to sob. They hand him his tooth brush and though he takes it, tears stream down his cheeks. He will not brush his teeth.
When told that he has no choice, that he must brush his teeth, the prince has enough. He throws his tooth brush and flees the bathroom. He ducks between legs and wiggles out of arms. He wants everyone to go away. The prince throws all of his toys at the nannies when they try to approach him again.
Fourteen is ready to quit.
Her recruits also want to quit. They are exasperated. An hour has passed, and still, the prince refuses to brush his teeth. He hides under his bed, and refuses to come out.
Downstairs, Regis calls an early meeting. He will use his free time to see his cherished son.
When he arrives upstairs, he sees six exhausted nannies. Fourteen quits. Another explains the situation to the king. It has been seventy-two minutes since the ordeal began, but the prince still refuses to brush his teeth.
Regis gets on the carpet by the bed. He lifts the cover so he is face to face with his son, who sniffles when he sees him.
“Noctis, you have to brush your teeth.”
“Okay.”
And then, Noctis comes out from under the bed. He goes with his dad to the bathroom, and puts toothpaste on his brush all by himself. And then, while Regis watched, Noctis brushed his teeth.
Regis has no idea why so many nannies quit.