Kenneth groaned, rolling over in his bed, opening his eyes to the world. Why couldn't he just stay in today? Most people would rejoice on the day of their birthday, but he knew his father would use it as an excuse to ridicule him in public. He got up, getting dressed in a comfortable, yet stylish suit he had had altered to fit him better and heading towards the throne room.
"Ah, the man of the hour has come," his father called to him as he entered the hall, in front of all the Lords and Ladies. "Eighteen years ago I looked down at this little runt and thought 'this welp will never amount to anything.' And you know what? I was right," he finished with a laugh. Kenneth took his seat next to his father, holding his tongue and trying to keep a level head. "However, he is my son. And today is his birthday. And for that, I have a gift for him," he announced, gesturing to the servants to bring in his special gift.