(Special surprise at the end *insert wink face*)

Jimmy buried himself in his work, trying to be the model prince that the castle needed.

He needed to be perfect, he needed to do hardwork, and he needed to prove himself. He had to be worthy of Lizzie and Grian's love.

"I want dishes on the tables, up and down easy access for the guests." Jimmy ordered, walking with his checklist. Servants huried down the stairs with the food, laying them where Jimmy had said. He smiled, it was coming together.

Looking to the banners he sighed.

It wasn't his choice. The three seablings were on the main banners, in between were smaller ones with family crests. He had to sit in a room for five hours while the person created his banner. A crown sitting on the head.

Lizzie's was the same as last years; she didn't change much appearance wise and it didn't matter if she had the "future queen" crown on. She didn't need to get hers done.

And lastly, Grian's. It was the same from when he had left years ago. He never came back to change it. They still had to put it up for tradition.

"Lillian at Lizzie's, please tilt the banner a little bit to the left." Jimmy shouted to the axolotl hybrid. She nodded her head and tilted it just like he said. "Thank you, I think we are done with decor and food. Please be careful while getting down." Jimmy politely urged. He learned to be more polite to everyone. He remembered a majority of the staff's names and was still learning the rest.

Speaking of which, his personal guard walked up. He hadn't learned their name until a few months ago. "Prince Jimmy," Ben spoke, "Coral said that guests will be here in the next hour." Jimmy sighed.

Coral, the head coordinator of the castle (at least, that's what she forces everyone to call her) was always pushing at Jimmy. Her grey hair is always tied up in a bun, wrinkles covered her face and her hands always shook with old age. Her eyes were stern and wise but underneath was love hidden in them. She used to be so kind when he was younger. She would order snacks to his room if he fell out of a tree earlier that day, or send a second helping of desert "on accident" when he was having a bad day. But now? She was no funny business. A party pooper, if you will.

"Gosh, Coral needs to get off my case." Jimmy grumbled under his breath as he did a once over at the foods, making sure everything on the menu was laying out.

"Jimmy!" He looked up when someone called his name, seeing Joel waving at him while dodging Coral at the balcony overlooking the ballroom. He was running down the stairs, a bright smile on his face.

"Joel, if you ruin the new carpeting, the first thing I do when I become king is sending troops to your kingdom to stomp mud on yours." Jimmy replied, turning back to his work, marking out what foods were out. Joel hooked his arm over Jimmy's shoulders, huffing out a winded laugh.

"Good to see you, man-"

"Joel, I'm quite busy at the moment so you can either get yelled at by Coral or find Lizzie. She isn't doing anything besides putting makeup on."

Joel was silent for a second, the smile on his face slightly souring.

"Are you mad at Lizzie?" Jimmy stiffened for a second.

"He does no work, just sits there and looks pretty! He hasn't worked a day in his life!"

"No, she did nothing wrong." He finally answered, not looking Joel in the eyes. He knew that Joel would see that he was lying. But he deserved all she said to him. He deserved it all and who was Joel to say otherwise?

Joel studied him quietly as Jimmy went back to his checklist. He tried to ignore the burning eyes looking over him.

"Prince Jimmy." Jimmy internally cursed everything wrong with his life.

"Yes, Coral? Is something the matter?" He steeled himself, trying to be polite despite the fact that he was grinding his teeth.

"You should be getting ready. It's close to time and we can't have you looking like this." She waved her hand over his outfit, nose wrinkled.

Jimmy wanted to punch something.

"Yes, I will get ready, I just have a little more to do." Said, letting the tight smile slide across his face. One that he had practiced in the mirror the night before.

"We don't have time to dwadle. I'll just call Princess Lizzie down here, she's more capable anyways." Coral said, reaching for Jimmy's clipboard.

He wouldn't budge.

"I can handle it on my own, Coral. I'm not a child, I can do it by myself." He said, holding it firmly. He could see the wave of frustration go over her, the frown firmly placed on her lips.

"You-"

"Hey, hey, hey," Joel walked over, diffusing the situation, "let's just take a deep breather. Jimmy, why don't you get changed and stuff while I handle the rest of your list, alright? There is only a few things left and we don't need to bother Lizzie about them before introductions. I know my way around here, don't worry." He said, holding his hands out. Jimmy sighed and begrudgingly handed it over.

"Alright, but if you screw anything up, say goodbye to ever coming to an event here again." Jimmy attempted to joke but his tone fell too flat. Joel laughed anyways.

---

He secured his cape, making sure it wouldn't fall off. It would be embarrassing if he was asked to dance and it fall off in the middle of the floor.

Events like this didn't happen often.

Every year, the kingdom would praise the new generation of rulers, that being the princes and princess. A party just for them. The future king or queen would get treated as such for the night, everyone bowing to them practically. Since it was Jimmy's first year at the "front of the line," it was a bigger deal. The youngest becoming next in line to the throne just never happened and even if it did, the parties would be closed off. It would be dangerous with a short line of rulers to have gatherings. Unluckily, Grian and Lizzie were still technically in line, making it a party.

Putting on his gloves, he did a once over himself. This was one of the only times he was every fancied out. A formal suit was snug on his body, in the colors of the royal family. A patch of the crest sat on his right arm and his crown sat on his head. It was upgraded for the night, similarly shaped to that of a king's but it was smaller.

The night all to himself despite how bad earlier went.

He smiled, maybe the fates would be on his side for once.

With a swift turn, he walked out to the hall, meeting the rest of the royal family.

---

Guests were flooding in and Jimmy sighed in relief.

Usually, he would have to greet everyone as they walked past. Remembering all those names of the lords and barons that walked in was a headache. But now? He stood on another balcony that was parallel to the other, watching from the top of the stairs. People were mingling and talking. They looked to really enjoy it.

His eyes wandered back to the entrance, seeing Lizzie greeting everyone with a curtsy. He remembers years ago standing with her as everyone gawked over the two youngest royals. Grian stood right where he is now, sticking his tongue out to Jimmy whenever his gaze wandered.

Lizzie used to do the same as well.

When it was him alone, introducing guests and greeting them, whenever there was a lull in the crowd, he would look to her and she would cup her hands into a heart. She had to resort to it when their parents caught Grian sticking his tongue out one time. "Unroyal-like" according to them.

She didn't even look over to him now.

His smile faltered but he steeled it again, hoping it was convincing.

He wouldn't let her ruin his night.

---

Lizzie met up with them when all the guests seemed to stop arriving. Introductions were in order and then the party would start.

"Good evening, ladies, gentlemen and everyone in between," his father started off, everyone looking up to the balcony, "I am the king of the Ocean Empire. Alongside me is my wife, only daughter and youngest son. Recently, princess Lizzie stepped down in the line of royalty so now prince Jimmy will be your new king." Applause erupted as everyone bowed to Jimmy. "My son prepared a speech for you all." His father bowed and moved away from the podium.

Jimmy stepped foreward, clearing his voice from his anxiety. He had memorized his speech and has practiced it for weeks now. He had written it himself with the help of Dr. A making sure it made logical sense.

"Good evening-" and the crowd gasped.

Jimmy thought he did something wrong, flinching instinctively. However, he realized he wasn't the problem when he looked across to the other balcony.

Grian stood there in a red sweater and jeans.

His parents and Lizzie left his side, they were rushing down the stairs and across the hall to Grian. Jimmy held out his hand as if his reaction time was late. He reached for them, willing them back to him. They just kept going until they reached the other side, hugging and greeting Grian. Lizzie was crying, his parents were so happy.

Maybe he was the one causing their pain.

They had never looked at him like they were looking at Grian. Everyone was looking at the royal family except for the main event, Jimmy. They were fawning over their eldest prince, cheering as the family reunited.

He let his hand fall to the podium, the smile falling from his face. Grian didn't even look his way as he talked to their family. He didn't even notice he wasn't even there.

Jimmy stared.

He didn't know what else to do. Nothing was in his control. His speech was forgotten about, he was forgotten about. His family hated him, he was such a burden on them all. This was supposed to be his night! His night for once to prove he was going to be something. His night for everyone to adore him not just because he was the youngest. His night that he had been hoping was going to go right.

He bit back the tears, hoping they would go away. He was pathetic. He didn't want this.

And then he realized.

Lizzie didn't ruin his night. She wasn't close to it no matter how much she ignored him or left him with all the duties. She left him to do everything unlike other years where the two would work together. He was fine with that. She didn't ruin it.

It was his brother he needed to worry about.

(Yay! Big brother Grian is home!...... but... maybe that isn't a good thing...)