HalfHeart

If you met your doppelgänger, wouldn't you want to switch places from time to time? ✶ A 26 year old man dies from terminal illness, only to wake to a fantasy world as a baby with amnesia. Throughout the rest of his lifetime, he pieces his past together. This new life was a chance to create something new - a fresh start, yet now that he's been given the chance, he finds himself struggling to feel connected to those around him. His name was William. For the next 17 years, he would be a commoner working as a bartender for his parents pub. As he lives with no particular, pressing goal of his own, he overhears a conversation as he tends to patrons. ─ "Ah, he really is a goner. Have you heard of his patches? All over, everywhere!" A woman gossips to two men and another lady.  "But of course I’ve heard of it! I've been worried sick for his Majesty... Who might you think will rule afterwards, anyway?" The group pondered before one man spoke, "..Well, the Duke might take his place." "And which Duke are you talking about? That hasn't happened in centuries. I think it’d be the Princess, if there was nobody else." "But the princess is barely even 12 years of age.." "..." The group exchanges glances. "Surely not-" "Of course not!” One woman cries. “We don't even know what the man looks like!" "We don’t know what he looks like because it's a load of hogwash!” One man added on. “I bet all my chips there isn't even a 'Prince' to begin with." The King of Animus was sick. If he died, there was a rumored Crown Prince, but he's never been seen by the public. Although he could just be brought about by word, every citizen hopes the next ruler will be competent. "Noo.. Euuugh.. Father.." A drunk guy, weeping, his head in his hand as he sipped his mug. His behavior wasn't all too odd. However, he looked... similar, quite literally. Along with the way he carried himself, his posture straight even as he got wasted, didn't give the impression of a typical lower-class citizen coming off work. 'He would look just like me, if I only had my hair in red.' William observed as he cleaned out a used pitcher. As he sat the pitcher down, the drunk man abruptly slammed an empty cup on the counter, staring right at him. "I know! I understand!" The man dramatically points. "You!" "Yes..?" William looked over, smiling promptly. It would be his 4th beer. "Would you like another?" The man smiled in return, worn out but hopeful. His words slurred as he spoke; "Sayy.. d'you think you could... help me?"