Chapter Text
The story started just like any other. Once upon a time, in a land very similar to ours.
The Prince was born into a loving family. The whole kingdom was invited to see their future ruler. All were coming to admire the small prince. On this great and joyous day, the throne room itself had been decked out for the occasion. Brightly coloured velvets, tapestries, paintings, porcelains, anything that could be used to show off The Crown’s wealth was on display. The people of Kshahrewar were enchanted by the decor as they explored the room, waiting for their turn to catch a glimpse of the prince.
It was not long into the event that the good fairies, Nahida and Rukkhadevata, appeared amongst the crowd. They quickly found their way to the front of the room, much to the dismay of those who had waited patiently for their turn. Yet, they were greeted by the King and Queen with nothing but respect and kindness, as they knew the fairies came bearing gifts. It was not long before the whole throne room became silent, visitors eager to hear what the fairies would bring.
“Each of us,” Rukkhadevata addressed the throne room with a large voice, her presence now known to all who attended, “come bearing one single gift to Prince…” an unspoken question came from her statement.
“Kaveh,” King Hamza quickly responded, “Prince Kaveh,” Rukkhadevata smiled.
“Prince Kaveh,” she replied, before quickly summoning a wand that appeared to be made of pure light. It dazzled the entire throne room, and gasps were heard amongst the crowd. “One single gift, no more, no less,” Both Nahida and Rukkhadevata bowed to the king and queen before walking over the the prince.
“My gift to you, Prince Kaveh, is that of beauty,” she waved her wand and sparkles followed the motion, “beauty far and rare. May the sun shine in his hair, lips the shade of the reddest rose, he will walk with grace and elegance wherever he goes,” the sparkles of the wand came together and fell onto the prince.
The King and Queen thanked the first fairy graciously, anxiously awaiting the second fairies gift. Rukkhadevata stepped away, and Nahida walked up to the prince.
“My gift to you, Prince Kaveh,” Nahida spoke, “is that of artistry. You will be able to design and create the most beautiful art the world has ever seen. Be that of paintings, sculptures, or architecture, every creation of yours will cause even the most skeptical of the arts to see the beauty in it,” Nahida repeated the motion with her wand, and sparkles surrounded the prince once more.
It was not before long that the throne room was filled with chatter once again. Citizens of the kingdom now picturing how the prince would be all grown up, both physically and emotionally, all looking forward to watching him grow.
Soon, the throne room erupted into chaos as a cloud of smoke appeared at the end of the room. The hall falling silent once more, as a darkly cloaked figure appeared from the plume. None of the citizens knew who this could be, but the fairies quickly figured it out.
“Sachin,” Rukkhadevata hissed, “what could you possibly want here? You are well aware that your power is greatly weakened in this kingdom,” she stood tall. Nahida quickly taking after her by drawing her wand.
“Ah, Ah, Ah,” Sachin cackled, “would you really be so rude to exclude another fairy offering a kind gift to the young prince?” he looked condescendingly at the King and Queen, both not knowing what they should do. The Queen quickly grabbed her son from his bassinet, clutching him tightly, hoping to protect him from harm.
“You are well aware your gifts are not welcome,” Nahida replied. Sachin laughed.
“Well, it is not like you have any say in the matter,” Sachin pulled out his own wand, smoke following in its trail. The fairies watched in horror, unable to stop what he was about to do, “my gift to you, young prince, is that once you reach the age of five and twenty, you will prick your finger on that of a spinning wheel,” he pricked his finger on the wand for dramatic effect, “and you will fall into a cursed slumber, never to awaken,” everyone in the throne room gasped, the Queen began to cry, clutching her newborn to her chest, “you will be trapped in stasis for the rest of eternity. Your very soul trapped within your body. A fate far worse than death,” the smoke collected, and surrounded the baby held within the Queen's arms. He began to cry, frightened by what was happening to him, “that is all, your majesties,” Sachin bowed dramatically, before disappearing into a cloud of smoke once more. The King and Queen looked to the good fairies.
“Please,” The King begged, “you have to be able to do something,” there were tears in his eyes as he feared for his son. The fairies looked upon him with regret.
“Sadly, we have already given him our blessings,” Rukkhadevata looked upon the King and Queen with empathy, but her hands were tied.
“I promise you,” Nahida spoke up, “there is a way to change this curse. You will find a way. I can be sure of that,” she grabbed the Kings hands before looking back to Rukkhadevata.
“We must take our leave. You may call upon us again in your time of need,” the fairies grabbed hands before disappearing into a cloud of sparkles.
The throne room was silent, no one knew what to do.
—
It was not before long that the King and Queen issued orders.
First, that all spinning wheels were to be destroyed.
Second, that none who were in the throne room when the curse was placed could ever speak of it to anyone. It would be the kingdom’s best kept secret.
Third, the citizens would not see the prince again until he was old enough that the curse would not affect him. In public, it was stated that the prince would be sheltered within the castle, not to see another soul other than his parents. However, in private, only the good fairies and the King and Queen would know that he would be raised by the good fairies, hidden in the woods until he could handle himself on his own. Then he would be handed off to the kingdom’s forest watchers where he would learn to fight for himself.
The Queen was faithful that this plan would be able to keep their son safe until he was able to return to his rightful place on the throne. The King, however, remained unconvinced.
—
Six years later
Six years. It had taken six years for Hamza to figure out how to save his only son.
He had heard sparse updates from the good fairies on Kaveh’s development. They had decided to call him Kaamil, as a way to protect his identity. He knew very little other than that, just that his son was growing up to be a well-mannered, kind soul.
He could be content with that.
The cost for the cure was great, but it would be worth it.
Once forced into a cursed slumber, his son would be able to be awoken by true love’s kiss. The price of the cure was his life.
It would be worth it, for his son, his only son.
It was revealed shortly after the curse was placed that Sachin was an advisor to the King of Haravat, Azar. As a peace offering to Kshahrewar, the king of Haravat offered up his first born’s hand in marriage. An offer that was accepted by the Crown as a sign of respect. The young Prince Alhaitham was born soon after, and Hamza had faith that he would be able to save Kaveh.
He wrote a letter to the Queen apologizing for the grief he would cause her, but he made sure to say he had no regrets. He promised her that their son’s fiance would be able to save him when the time came. He hoped that would soothe the pain she would go through after not only losing her son, but her husband too.
He cast the spell, using up all his energy. He fell to the floor soon after, eyes shut, never to open again.
What he did not know is that the spell would have unintended consequences, as once the prince entered his slumber, the entire kingdom would quickly follow suit. All remaining in stasis until the prince was awoken.
And that’s where our story really begins