《Prosperity》


 Prologue: Death and Rebirth

    I lay in my own pool of blood, riddled with bullets, waiting for my end to finally arrive. I''ve lost all feeling, I can not hear my surroundings, and my vision is slowly darkening. Or maybe the night is setting, and there is nothing around me... I don''t know, and I don''t care since it doesn''t matter anyway as long as my brothers are safe. Failing this mission would only cause turmoil for my country, so one small sacrifice, my sacrifice, is of little loss. I don''t feel much pain, so I guess my time is nearing. I haven''t lived a good life... a dysfunctional brat in a horrible household grows up to be a soldier protecting his country. Many would see that as inspirational, maybe... but the things I''ve seen... the things I''ve done... no one would be normal after all that. But I can''t regret what I''ve done... I made those decisions; I willingly killed, tortured, and ordered the deaths of many. Many who were the enemy... and many who I have no doubt in my mind were innocent. Is this the life of a soldier, to be sent off to god knows where and do god knows what because the people in power back home told us to? While they live a life of comfort with their families and wealth, their citizens go to a land unknown to them surrounded by chaos. The first time I was deployed was nothing but a nightmare. Bodies lying on the ground; friend and foe, young and old, man and woman. I couldn''t stomach it, but the others around me were unfazed; maybe because they were here longer, it didn''t affect them. I don''t want to turn in to them where a horrific sight like this was the norm, but it was inevitable... I became a monster like them. I hate myself... I hate those who sent me here... I hate my brothers in arms... I hate this life... I want a better life not just for myself, but for others who shouldn''t live this life and those who never want to live this life again. Ah, I didn''t realize, but it''s complete darkness now. Did night finally set? Or have my eyes finally shut? It doesn''t matter anymore; I just want to rest.


    (Audible chatter from a distance)


    Hmm?


    (Audible chatter from a distance)


    Who is that? Is that the enemy or reinforcments?


    (Audible chatter from a distance)


    I guess it doesn''t matter since I''m on the brink of death.


    (Audible chatter from a distance)


    Whoever it is I hope they find me already, I''m trying to have a peaceful death here, but all that chattering is getting on my nerves.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    (Audible chatter from a distance)


    Seriously, what the hell!


    I open my eyes and become perplexed at the sight before me. A carved ceiling full of engravings, something you''d see from an old European castle.


    I don''t understand; I was in enemy territory, so it''s not possible for me to be here, is it? Was I saved and transported here? But how and why? There''s no way I survived; it''s impossible. I was full of bullet holes. I was as good as dead.


    (Audible baby noises)


    Was that a baby? Why is there a baby near a patient?


    I listen closely, but nothing except for the distant chatter.


    Strange? I thought I heard the cooing of a baby.


    (Baby cooing)


    There it is again! Why is there a baby here? Is it someone''s kid visiting another patient? Matter of fact, am I even in a hospital?


    (Baby cooing)


    They sound so close, like they''re next to me. Is it my kid? No way, I''m pretty safe with that kind of stuff, and I wouldn''t want to be some kid''s father. I wouldn''t feel right raising a child after everything I''ve done... I don''t think I''m capable of giving them affection without feeling any semblance of guilt.


    The guilt consumes me. I recall my dreadful past, and a lump creeps up to my throat. The wailing of a baby ensues. The loud screeching was deafening. I wanted to cover my ears so badly, but my arms were restrained by my sides. No amount of struggling would free my arms. I was resigned to believe that I had finally passed on to the afterlife and was now in hell. Although the booming cries echoed throughout the space I was residing in, I could faintly hear a pair of footsteps coming closer to me. The more I hone in on the sound of footsteps, the more I could differentiate the clacking of high heels and dress shoes inching closer to me. It must be the parents. Tears roll down my eyes as I thank God for bringing my saviors. The footsteps stop beside me, and a man''s head pops out from the corner of my vision.


    I freeze, and the wailing dies down. I was petrified by the man''s appearance. Pale white skin with a bit of age and long, black, wavy hair that passes his shoulders and a patchy beard with thin, wide lips and a straight nose. He wasn''t anyone that I knew, but his eyes looked familiar. They were like mine when I was first deployed. Jaded with hardly any focus. His eyes were on me, but not looking at me, not really looking at anything. He was like a vampire. The man was clearly tired, and I could tell he hadn''t had any proper sleep for days.


    His arms reached out to me, and he... picked me up? I was bewildered by his strength as he picked me up so effortlessly like I was a... baby...


    No... No... NonononononoNO! THAT''S NOT POSSIBLE; IT CAN''T BE!


    Why didn''t I notice this before? Cries as if they were next to me, tears rolling down my eyes, and my arms restrained to my side.


    I... was the baby...

 Chapter 1: Hostility

    I can''t believe this is happening. WHY is this happening? I was good as dead, so why am I a stinking toddler, and who are these people?


    The man had his arms stretched out holding me as if he were unfamiliar with handling babies.


    Maybe they''re new parents? My parents? Speaking of which, I just now realized that the man and woman were adorned in luxurious fabric and jewelry from head to toe. I assumed they were a couple of high-profile individuals, but their oddly worn old European clothing resembled that of royalty. The woman is gorgeous, with long, silky auburn hair tied in a French braid to the side, bright green eyes, an upturned nose, and white porcelain skin. She looked like a fairy. Both of them seem so otherworldly.


    "So this is the poor bastard," said the woman. Her tone was snarky, but her voice was alluring. I could listen to her talk all day if I could, but her remark didn''t sit well with me.


    Bastard? She was clearly referring to me, but why? With the realization that I had turned into a baby, I believed that these two were my parents. Why else would this pair be here otherwise?


    "Enough, Frida, I will not have you belittle my son," the man said in a deep, bellowing voice. I shuddered and began to cry against my will.


    It seems I''m unable to control my emotions at the slightest discomfort. I''m unaccustomed to this body, and the new details presented continue to be confusing. The man is certainly my father, but is this woman not my mother? Did my father have an affair, and is my mother his mistress? This certainly makes my life more complicated if that''s true... Right, my life... Have I been reincarnated? I wouldn''t know how else to explain this situation I''m in right now. The fact that I was a full-grown adult a few minutes ago and am now a newborn is jarring. Not only that, but what era am I in? The furniture and fashion seem to be from the Early Modern Era. God, I can''t believe O''Brian''s incessant chattering of history was useful; I owe that history buff... Or not... It''s starting to hit that I''ll never see my brothers again... Don''t really miss my old life, but this new life might not be any better.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "This poor thing, born without a mother to love him and hardly any support from the nobles. He was better off dying with his mother," Frida expressed in a demeaning manner.


    "You forget he is my son, the prince of this kingdom," said the man this time in a stern tone, not turning his head toward her but instead his eyes.


    "Yes, the third prince, from your second concubine, who is no longer alive, thanks to him," Frida snapped back with a scowl creeping behind the man''s back. "A timid woman who was unfit for her position; no ambition, no power, and, most of all, no support from her own people. She was no better than a mute whore." Frida continued, disregarding the man''s clear warning, looking right at me with a smug smirk.


    "Watch your tongue, Frida; you may be the queen, but as king, I won''t have you insulting the royal family any longer," the man rebuked, visibly vexed.


    The tension was making me uncomfortable, but worse was all the information pouring out of their mouths. They''re a king and queen? I''m a prince? The woman who gave birth to me died having me, along with the fact that she was powerless in this kingdom. Aren''t I at a disadvantage then? But maybe if I grow up with my head down and do my own thing, I could live a life of peace and luxury. I mean, if I''m a prince, I could live like a spoiled brat, right? I do feel bad about my mother, who died, but it''s not like I know the poor woman and I don''t owe her anything for bringing me into this world; I never asked for it in the first place.


    While sobbing, I glance at Frida, and she returns a piercing glare full of killing intent. I start wailing profusely this time.


    What the hell was that!? How can she look at a baby like that? I haven''t done anything to her, but I could tell she hates me. It''s evident that she and my mother were not friends with all the bashing, so it''s not possible that she hates me for my mother''s death. My mother may have upset her somehow; I don''t know, but receiving the queen''s hostility, I know for sure I''m not safe.


    "I can''t listen to that insufferable blubbering anymore; I will be returning to my chambers," said the queen as she strutted away.


    The king lays me back down in the crib and calls for a nanny to put me to sleep. Before he leaves, he whispers to me, "It would have been best if you had died alongside your mother; however, now you must live an arduous life striving to live another day. I cannot help you, as I too must look over my shoulder for danger. I truly apologize for being your father, child." The king finally leaves.


    I stare at the ceiling motionless; I am at a loss for words. Am I fated to always live a dreadful life no matter what? Not even an hour has passed since my eyes opened to this new life, and already I am in danger. Perhaps I deserve it, karma for my past life. It''s hopeless. I don''t see how I can survive this; no friends, family, or allies to help me. I''m going to die again...