CASSEY
I grew up as a darling young boy in King Harrington's family.
I was the seventh child and had six older sisters. Everyone loved me because I was funny, cute, playful—and a little stubborn at times.
I especially loved spending time with my fifth sister, Greta. We both enjoyed playing pranks on people and doing all sorts of crazy things together—it was always so much fun.
I also loved my mother deeply. I couldn't go a day without seeing her. She meant the world to me.
I always wanted to sleep in her room instead of my own, and I often wondered why my father was always so busy—even at night.
I was only six years old then.
One fateful day, just before a full moon, Greta and I were playing loudly in her room.
We had stolen a few things from our older sister's room earlier that day, and we were now playing with them, laughing and jumping around from one spot to another.
Suddenly, our second sister, Hazel, and her twin, Heather, walked in.
"Greta!"
"Cassey!"
They both called at once, and we froze.
Greta quickly grabbed a blanket and tried to cover the things we had taken, but Heather yanked it off—exposing everything.
"You little thieves! How did you get all these?" Hazel asked angrily.
Heather gasped. "Who took this from my room?!"
Greta and I pointed at each other.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Greta? You're way too old to be playing like this with Cassey. You shouldn't be doing these things with him. You're too mature for this. Just take a look at Irene, your younger sister—she doesn't behave this way," Hazel scolded.
But Greta interrupted her.
"Oh, stop comparing me to Irene! She's too boring. Cassey is the best—and I'm not mature! I'm just twelve."
"And he's six. Just look at the age difference," Hazel replied. "Now it's late, Greta. Go to bed. And you, Cassey, go to your room too. And Greta—make sure you return all of this before sunset, or I'll report you to Mom tomorrow."
With that, Hazel and Heather both left.
"I'm sorry you got scolded because of me," I said quietly. I could tell she was upset.
"No, no, Cassey," she said quickly, kneeling beside me. "All of what she said was for herself, okay? Cheer up! Now go to bed. Tomorrow we'll play chase around the palace with Chippy."
She hugged me. Chippy was our puppy.
"Okay... bye," I said, smiling a little as I left, holding a toy in my hand.
I was on my way to my mother's room. I never liked sleeping on my own.
But on the way, I got distracted, playing with my toy. I was the only one outside.
I wandered to the pond and started poking at the small fish with my toy—it was fun.
After a while, I went to the garden near my room. I was playing and yawning, already feeling sleepy.
That night, I wasn't supposed to be outside. It was a rule in the palace that no one should be out during a full moon—and no one really knew why.
I was about to head back inside when I saw the water fountain. I walked over to play for a bit longer.
A few minutes passed. I was tired and ready to go at this time. But just as I turned around...
I saw it.
A huge, monstrous creature—like a wolf, but taller than me—was standing there, facing my mother's door. It looked furious and dangerous.
I froze. My mouth hung open in shock.
The toy slipped from my hand and hit the ground with a small clack—drawing its attention.
Its head turned sharply toward me.
I quickly shut my mouth and swallowed hard.
Just then, guards and the general arrived, armed with nets, chains, and a large cage.
"Take the child!" the general commanded.
A guard led me to the garden and told me to stay there. I stood in the corner and watched as they tried to chain the wolf.
My mother came out of her room and was shocked to see what was happening.
"Oh! Where's Cassey?" she asked, looking around in worry. But none of the guards answered—they were all focused on stopping the wolf from hurting anyone.
Then I stepped out. "Mother!" I shouted.
"Cassey?" she called, spotting me. I started running toward her.
As I was running, I saw the wolf charging straight at her.
"Mother! Leave! It's coming!" I screamed.
The guards were chasing after the wolf too, but before she could take a single step, the creature leapt on her and tore her apart with its claws.
The guards quickly threw chains around its neck, struggling to force it into the cage, but it continued to thrash violently, still trying to attack.
I tried to run closer, but the general held me back until the guards finally managed to lock the beast inside the cage.
As soon as I was free, I rushed to my mother's lifeless body, tears welling in my eyes.
"Mother? Please... wake up," I sobbed, holding her hand.
I cried so bitterly—until I heard Greta's voice.
"Cassey? What happened? I heard you screaming," she said, out of breath.
I pointed at our mother's body.
She gasped.
"No… No! How... How did this happen?"
"It's… it's all my fault," I cried.
"No, Cassey—it's not," she said, pulling me into a hug.
The next day, I woke up before sunset in Greta's room. She was still sleeping, but I couldn't.
I missed my mom.
I kept thinking about my dad—I didn't feel comfortable.
Where had he been since yesterday?
I went to the library and then to the throne room, but he wasn't there. Then I spotted the General speaking with a guard.
I quietly followed them without their knowledge, all the way to the dungeon.
They removed the cloth covering the cage—and the wolf was still inside.
I whispered, "Monster."
As the sun slowly began to shine through the dungeon window, the wolf roared loudly and started transforming.
Before my eyes, it turned back into my father.
My mouth hung open as tears streamed down my face and into my mouth.
The guards handed him a robe.
"Your Majesty," they said, bowing their heads.
"Did I hurt anyone?" he asked as he dressed.
"Your… Your Majesty…" one guard stammered.
"What is it?" he asked, sensing something was wrong.
"Your Majesty… your… your wife…"
I stepped out of the shadows, crying, and yelled, "You killed Mom!"
Everyone turned to look at me.
He took a step toward me, but I backed away.
"Cassey, it's me—your father. I didn't kill your mother."
"No! You're a lying monster!" I screamed in agony.
I tried to run, but the two guards blocked the exit. He approached me, placed his hands on my shoulders, and turned me to face him.
His eyes locked onto mine.
"Listen to me, Cassey. I'm your father. I didn't kill your mother. The big, bad wolf did—not me. And I don't ever want to hear you speak of what you saw... or else—"
He paused, staring deep into my eyes, then sighed.
"Just don't say anything, Cassey. You won't like what happens if you do." His voice was cold and deep.
He let go of my shoulders and ran away.
And from that day, I never said a word about it.
Nor did I ever speak to my father again.
I hated him.