Raffe sat at the base of the steps to the raised throne, one hand supporting his chin and the other curled against his stomach, fingers secretly tapping against his outfit.  Behind him sat the king, queen, and beside their grandeur and decorated seats was the heir to the throne in his own gaudily decorated chair, as well as the current favorite daughter and son.<br/><br/>Raffe had not been up there a combined total of ten minutes in his lifetime.  He had the suspicion that the queen had not liked his mother, further proven by the fact that his mother was<i>dead</i>.  It was just a hypothesis.  He tried not to let his shoulders stiffen and tense.<br/><br/>King Islo wasn't one to give birthday presents, but<i>of course</i>Queen Fane simply<i>needed </i>to host a fourteen year death anniversary for his mother.  It wasn't the first of its kind.  Queen Fane was not know to be kind, or merciful, or compassionate, or even fucking<i>reasonable</i>.<br/><br/>"Raffe," the queen crooned in her poisoned-laced pitch.  "Are you excited?  Isn't it kind of us to give you first pick of today's gifts?"<br/><br/>He knew how this throne room game was played. His answer was smooth and automatic: "Of course, my queen."<br/><br/>She said<i>us</i>, but he knew she was referring to herself.  Raffe was never a favorite, but King Islo didn't dislike him by any means.  He had once wistfully told Raffe that he had his mother's smile in a quick, passing conversation.<br/><br/>"Stand, Raffe," Queen Fane snapped.  "It's unbecoming of a prince to slouch in such a<i>human</i>way."<br/><br/>He didn't bother remarking that the fourth-in-line prince shouldn't really have to follow the same rules as the heir to the throne.  It was perfect timing, however, as footsteps reached their heightened ears.  There was a knocking on the large double doors to the throne room, and the king's voice boomed out for them to enter, and for the gifts to flow in.<br/><br/>He hoped there'd be at least one decently interesting one.  The last human didn't last too long, and he had been hungry ever since.