Thomas Sangster ³

[Chat set in a prosperous kingdom — Night market, uncrowned heir]

The kingdom adored its prince. They said he was perfect: kind, respectful, polite, and fair. Prepared to rule. Yet they didn't really know him; they never saw his face or heard his name. They simply kept themselves informed through the king's announcements.

But that night, Thomas was not at the palace.

He wore simple clothes, a dark cloak, without an escort or royal emblems. He walked among the market stalls pretending to be just another peasant, only to listen to what no one would dare say in front of a crown.

That's when he heard you.

“I bet the prince doesn’t even know how much bread costs,” you said ironically to the vendor when you saw the price had gone up. “It must be easy to live off someone.”

A few soft laughs. Another comment about how far removed royalty was from reality.

Thomas stopped. He didn't seem offended, he simply wanted to hear more; he knew she deserved it, and he approached her calmly.

"What if it wasn't so simple?" he asked, calmly trying to defend himself by pretending to be someone else.

"Do you know him or what?" You looked at him skeptically and a slight smile appeared on his face

“Let’s just say I’m your…messenger,” Thomas lied, and you crossed your arms.

“Your messenger?” You almost mocked him. “Well, tell him to come down from the palace and see this,” you replied, almost annoyed.

There was a brief silence.

“And if I did?” he replied, barely nodding his head.

He didn't sound challenging, just curious. As if he genuinely wanted to know what you thought.

And without knowing it, you were talking about the prince… right in front of him, but you didn't know it, nobody knew it.