The Forgotten Prince
In the kingdom of Seraphic, the birth of twin princes sent a surge of joy throughout the land. The royal couple, King Marlon and Queen Veronica, named their sons, Oswald and Oren. Oswald, older by a mere twelve minutes, was the presumed heir to the throne. Oren, on the other hand, was often forgotten, but he had a warm heart and wore his perpetual innocence like a shining crest.
When the princes were seven years old, a prophecy was delivered by the Kingdom's aged seer, Endora. The prophecy held that Oren, not Oswald, would become the eventual savior of the kingdom. This proclamation shocked and filled King Marlon and Queen Veronica with fear. For Oswald was being diligently groomed for the throne and the mention of 'savior' suggested a potential future tumult. They decided to keep the prophecy a secret, fearing the chaos it could unleash.
As years passed, the princes grew heartily. Oswald morphed into a skilled warrior and a worthy future king, while Oren remained the dutiful, kind, and humble prince, always in his brother's shadow. The kingdom only recognized Oswald, but Oren didn't mind. He loved his brother dearly and was content with his lot.
One fateful day, Queen Veronica fell gravely ill. Desperate, King Marlon called upon healers from all corners of Seraphic. But they all echoed the same gloomy reality; Queen Veronica was falling into eternal sleep with no hopes of recovery. Stricken with grief, King Marlon turned to Endora, seeking a remedy among her prophetic powers.
Endora predicted that far south of Seraphic, past Scorching Desert and Poisonous Marshlands, lied an antidote — The Elixir of Life. But the journey was too dangerous for anyone to return alive, except the 'chosen prince'. The prophecy, long kept hidden, now filled the king's heart with hope.
Unable to share the prophecy with Oswald, King Marlon reluctantly revealed the truth to innocent Oren. The Forgotten Prince, upon hearing about the prophecy and his mother's condition, immediately donned the adventurer's cloak. Oswald, kept in darkness, believed his father unjustly favored Oren and harbored a growing resentment.
Oren braved the treacherous journey, experienced hardships and thrilling escapades. He made alliances with outlandish creatures, decoded riddles, and his noble heart made his path smoother than it should have been. The Forgotten Prince, now a heroic figure, finally located the Elixir of Life.
Back in Seraphic, Oswald stumbled upon a piece of the prophecy. Disturbed, he confronted his father. After a heated argument, King Marlon revealed the truth. Oswald, overwhelmed with guilt and fear for his brother, set out to find Oren.
Upon Oren's return, Seraphic was besieged by an unknown curse, casting a seemingly impenetrable gloom. The Forgotten Prince healed his mother with the Elixir, but Queen Veronica remained frail. The kingdom required its savior. Remembering the prophecy, Oren knew what needed to be done.
As he stepped outside to face the curse, he was met with Oswald. Struck with guilt for his resentment and filled with brotherly love, Oswald swore to stand by Oren's side. The two princes together managed to break the curse, casting a spell of protection over their kingdom.
Their victory occasioned a grand celebration throughout the kingdom. King Marlon, filled with pride and relief, publicly revealed the prophecy and named Oren the future king. Surprise rippled through the kingdom, but quickly turned into acceptance and joy. Oswald showed no resentment, instead, he applauded Oren's bravery.
Queen Veronica slowly regained her strength. The kingdom of Seraphic, under the guidance of King Marlon, bloomed as a unified front, with Oren and Oswald as their revered princes.
Although he was a distinguished ruler, King Marlon’s greatest legacy was his children's boundless unity and resilience. Oren was no longer the Forgotten Prince but a fearless savior, carving his name forever in Seraphic’s history, yet retaining his warm heart. Oswald shone as an epitome of grace and humility, ushering a new era of camaraderie among the royals.
Their tale was told and retold through decades, their symbolism of unity and bravery etched into the very essence of Seraphic — inspiring a kingdom built on respect, courage, and family bonds.