“He is yours to watch over, Burrich. Prince Verity so.”
Fitz's childhood world revolves around his grandfather, and he knows little about his biological father, Prince Chivalry. The grandfather gets tired of raising Fitz, and he decides to take him to the palace guards and orders them to take the boy to his father. However, Fitz is an illegitimate child who is not required to be in the palace. When Prince Verity sees Fitz, he is annoyed and orders Burrich to take care of the boy because he is Chivalry's man. Prince Verity calls Fitz a bastard who should not stay in the King's Castle.
“So the King seems to think. Does he care nothing for the disgrace? But I suspect Chivalry will feel differently about using his bastard in such a way. Especially as it regards dear Patience. But the king has ordered that the bastard be brought to Buckeep when you return.”
Fitz's life in the palace will not be easy because he is not a legitimate child of Prince Chivalry. Everyone in the palace is against Fitz's presence, making it difficult for him to comprehend what is happening around him. Queen Desire and her sons are plotting to sell off Fitz, and they approach the king for approval. The king is against any idea of selling Fitz because he acknowledges that the boy deserves to live in the palace, but he should not be an heir to the throne. Therefore, the king decides that the boy must stay within the Buckeep Castle under his watch. According to the king, Fitz is a bright boy who can be trained to become a vital family member in the coming days. Queen Desire and her children have no option but to accept Fitz.
"My mother, the Queen, is not pleased about any of this. She has counseled the king long but in vain. Mother and I were for putting the boy … aside. It is only good sense. We scarcely need more confusion in the line of succession."
According to the Kingdom's traditions, the king's eldest son should become the legitimate heir when the king dies. However, one of the conditions of the heir is to be an upright man who values family institutions. Prince Chivalry is the eldest son, but he betrays the family when he gets a child out of wedlock, disqualifying him from being the next king. Therefore, there is confusion in the succession politics in Buckeep Castle. The direct heir to the throne, Prince Chivalry, is unfit after bringing a bastard into the family. Now, prince Chivalry has abdicated his wish to take the throne. However, Fitz's presence brings more confusion. The throne should go to Chivarly's firstborn, but Fitz is an illegitimate son. The efforts of the Queen to get rid of Fitz are not bearing any fruits. According to Prince Regal, Fitz should not be close to the line of succession in the family.
