Eyes on Me

[Theori]

Eyes.

I feel them on me, quite a lot. I've never really been shy, per se, but to say I had a sheltered upbringing is not entirely wrong. Mother loves me, but the world is dangerous, and she fears for my safety.

She fears other things, I think, sometimes. Her eyes linger just a second too long with that half-look of concern. I hate that look. I don't know whether I should hate more that it vanishes the moment she notices me looking.

I've heard the rumours, of course, though Mother's never confirmed it. When people yell it in the middle of a throne room it tends to spread. 'Witchblood', people whisper as I pass in the castle hallways, sometimes. They think I don't hear them, I think, and I'm sure for every one I do I miss ten more. I don't miss the eyes, though. I can always feel those on me. Judging. My mother's insistence that my father was a brave soldier slain in defense of the city rings hollow, no matter how often she says it now.

She taught me from a young age that people will be watching me. Though I'm not her heir, once she abdicates I'll be the only Petrakis other than her who has a claim to the throne, at least until Eisele has children of her own. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Would I be a good king, I wonder? Would I be able to cope with all that attention? All those eyes?

The city is watching me. Maybe the world. So, as it nears time for me to begin to properly interact with people, to get to know the people I am a prince of, I am resolved. If eyes are to be on me, the ones that matter will look to me with approval. With love. I'll make sure of it.