2025-12-06 00:01:59Prince Arthur stands tall with an aristocratic poise, glazing outside the window, as he admired the beautiful scenery below.
He was a very handsome man, in fact he was considered to be amongst the top ten handsome men in the whole kingdom. His fair, porcelain skin glowed softly in the light. His dark blue eyes, like sapphires set in moonlit stone, exude a piercing yet thoughtful intensity. Framed by a sharp, chiseled jawline, they draw attention to his striking features. A pointed nose adds an air of refinement to his face, balanced by full, sculpted lips that hint at a quiet confidence. His blonde hair, golden like sun-kissed wheat, falls in effortless waves to his shoulders, lending a touch of youthful wildness to his otherwise dignified demeanor. Broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build speak of a life spent in disciplined training, while his graceful movements echo the elegance of a royal bred to lead. He was dressed in a black tunic shirt with white trousers and black riding boots. On his right hand was a golden bracelet and on his the forth finger of this same hand held a ruby ring which was his signet ring. On his left hand held a book of history of the kingdom of Naviel, which he was probably engrossed in earlier in the day. He was still busy admiring the beautiful scenery below, when Martins the Chief guard burst into his chambers with two guards unannounced. "Am sorry for barging in on you like this your highness but your father the king request for your presence in his chambers right now" Martins said to him. "Go tell him that I would be with him shortly" came the Prince's reply. "Your highness am sorry but the king asked me not to return into his presence without you coming with me" "Okay just give me a minute" Arthur said with a sigh as he began to tidy his table, but he couldn't help but ask himself what would have made his father call for him because as far as he can remember he had been in check for the past one week trying to avoid all the foul play and traps that his step brothers and step mother had all been setting for him, because they always want to implicate him in all their shady dealings, and that he can't account for. Prince Arthur finished tidying his table and followed Martins and his boys to his father's chambers .... King Alfred sat in his bed chambers waiting for his son Arthur. He was thinking of how best to handle him as he always receive reports of his bad behaviors within and outside the palace. That boy was a hell of a trouble maker. Sigh! If it's not about him fighting with someone, it would be about him insulting on of his Ministers or cabinet members and so on and this was getting him worried. Left alone to him, he would have sent him far away into one of the cities in Naviel to reside and take up official duties he should have done that a long time ago, but the thing is that his second wife and his only true love Queen Cordelia wouldn't hear of it as he(Arthur) was her only son whom she doted upon. Knock! Knock!! "Yes come in" King Alfred said with a sigh, as if he knew who it was at the door. Just then Martins walks in with Prince Arthur. "Your majesty" Martins bowed down with respect then left the chambers so as to give the king and his son some privacy to discuss their matters. "Father you sent for me"Arthur said respectfully. "Yes I did, seat" "Thank you father" Prince Arthur said as he sat on the couch opposite his father. "Is there something you need my prompt attention to?" Arthur asked once seated. "Yes. I want you to explain to me why you beat up Maxwell Kent the son of James Kent and when confronted by lord Kent himself, you splashed mud water on him?" The king asked calmly, trying to hold back his anger so as not to do something disastrous. But Prince Arthur, being a calm but just person would not buy the façade being placed in front of him as he had a principle of not covering up for his step brothers wrong doing which was calling "a spade a spade and a sword a sword". "Father I did no such thing" he said to the king calmly as he would never disrespect his father no matter if he was wrong or right in the matter being discussed. "Rather it was Prince Frederick who committed the crime you just accused me of doing. I tried to talk to him against what he was doing, but he wouldn't listen to me. Instead he tried to pick a fight with me" "Are you sure?" King Alfred asked. "Yes father" came Prince Arthur's reply. The king said nothing more, instead called for his guards. "Who's there?" he asked looking at the direction of the door Right on cue, Martins entered the room immediately. "Yes your majesty" Martins said as he entered the room. " Go and call me Prince Frederick" "Yes my king" Martins said as he makes his exit. ... Meanwhile in another chambers, inside the royal castle, sat a young man about 25 years old. He was dressed in a nice royal regalia. He was no other person but Prince Frederick himself. Sitting across from him was a young man with his head bandaged. He was no other person but Maxwell Kent, the son of Lord Kent whom King Alfred and Prince Arthur was discussing about in the king's chambers. Prince Frederick threw a purse at Maxwell's feet. "I believe you know what to do?" "Yes your highness" Maxwell replied smiling as he opened the purse which contained gold. "I won't let you down" "You wouldn't dare, as you should by now know the consequences of crossing me" Gulp! Maxwell Kent immediately felt uneasy on his seat. Who in his right state of mind would dare cross the ruthless Prince Frederick? It was only a fool who didn't value his or her life who would dare gamble with it, the result?..... "Rest assured your Highness" Maxwell Kent said reassuring the Prince of his loyalty. Just then Martins knocked on the door. "Who's it?" Prince Frederick asked. "Martins, Your Highness" "Come in" "My prince, the King demands your presence immediately" "Where is he?"asked Prince Frederick lazily. "In his chambers, Your Highness" "Okay I would be with you shortly" "Yes my prince" Martins said, but still stood without making any attempt to leave at all. Prince Frederick then gives him a look of 'Yes what's the problem?' "The King also requests his presence also" Martins said, pointing at Maxwell Kent. "Very well then, we would join his majesty shortly" came Prince Frederick's reply. "Thank you, Your Highness" Martins then made his exit, banging the door shut behind him. "I hope you remember what to do?" Prince Frederick asked for the umpteenth time, immediately Martins was out of sight. "Yes I do, Your Highness." Maxwell replied smiling. "Okay let's go now, you know we can't keep my father the king waiting." Arthur sat in his father's chambers waiting for his stepbrother's arrival. Just then Prince Frederick walked in with Maxwell Kent tailing behind him. "Good evening father." "Good evening your majesty." Both Prince Frederick and Maxwell Kent greeted simultaneously. The king nodded at them and indicated to them to sit. "You sent for me, father" Prince Frederick said upon sitting down. "Yes i did. Frederick, Arthur here, when asked not too long ago said he did not commit the crime you levelled against him, do you have anything to say?" King Alfred asked, moving straight to the point. But it was not Prince Frederick who spoke, instead it was Maxwell Kent. "Your majesty sorry to interrupt your discussion, but it's just that i cant help it. Prince Arthur here is lying." "And what do you mean by that?" Prince Arthur asked, his temper already rising. "You know correctly well that you were the one who beat me up for no reason, and when Prince Frederick here wanted to defend me you insulted him and also splashed mud water on my father" "Father he's lying! I did no such thing!" Arthur yelled angrily. King Alfred lost his patience and immediately shouted as he pointed at Prince Arthur. "Shut up!!! What have I done to deserve this treatment from you.You just keep on making trouble for this royal household because of your useless behavior. Am so disappointed in you." Arthur felt bad when he heard this from his father. He turned to leave his father's chambers but was stopped by the king. "And where do you think you're going? Do you think that you can go like that punished as you deserve?" King Alfred yelled at Arthur, forcing him to stop on his tracks. "Guards!!!!" "Yes your majesty". The guards stationed outside the king's door bowed to the king as they entered. "Take this worthless son of mine to the dungeons and have Varrons keep him in one of the cells where he's to eat nothing till tomorrow morning when I shall deem it fit to dish out appropriate punishments to him as he deserves." "Yes your Majesty" the guards replied then walked up then bundled Prince Arthur and swiftly made their way out. Meanwhile Prince Frederick was happy in his heart upon seeing this. He then decided to play peacemaker. "Father please forgive him and show him some mercy. He should by now realise his mistakes." "No way! I need him to learn his lesson." "But fa.." "Enough!" Yelled the king. "Okay father. I would like to return back to my chambers now." The king waved his hand as a response. ... Meanwhile in the dungeon Prince Arthur sat down crying and cursing at his miserable life. He wondered why he was being treated like this because he knew he had not offended anyone in any way to deserve this kind of treatment. He even wondered whether king Alfred was even his biological father for him to dish out such punishments with through investigation. He was still thinking like this when his sisters Princess Crystabel and Princess Helena, his elder sisters walked in to see him. "Arthur why are you crying"Crystabel asked. Prince Arthur says nothing, but kept on crying. Princess Crystabel understanding her brother's plight, handed him a bag containing bread and butter with a jar of wine and some fruits and said to him, "Arthur please eat something while I go talk to father to plead on your behalf so that he can release you because you can't stay here." Arthur was touched but told her, "No need to worry about me just leave me because I've given up all hope on this matter." "No you can't, and neither would we." Princess Helena said. "You cant just give up like that. By the way, what happened?" Princess Helena asked. Arthur then filled them in on everything that happened earlier that day. "That bastard!' yelled Princess Crystabel. " I know what to do am coming." said Princess Helena as she walked out to find their mother. Princess Crystabel followed her also, carefully picking her steps as they had sneaked in while the guards on duty weren't watching to deliver the food to Arthur.
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Chapter 58: Spy.
Arthur was busy thinking by the windows of his chambers, as he watched the various noblemen and other influential figures in the kingdom, who had attended his father's coronation banquet leave the castle's ground, one by one.He was happy with the reforms his father was bringing. The reforms about kingdom developments, which would in the near future enable Naviel to stand at it's peak amongst other nations in the continent.'Its just a matter of time.' Arthur said in his mind.Just then, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, bringing him out of his thoughts.Arthur turned, mildly surprised.Beniah entered, followed by a young man, red-cheeked, and breathless. Arthur recognized the young man.He was a scout from the Black Dragon regiment.His hurried footsteps echoed across the marble floor, and his anxious expression made it clear: whatever he was here to say wasn't ordinary news."Your Highness!" Beniah said, giving a hurried bow. "Forgive the interruption, but… something urgent has
Chapter 57: The king's banquet
The grand banquet hall was a masterpiece of opulence, its towering vaulted ceilings adorned with crystal chandeliers that bathed the room in a warm, golden glow. Majestic banners bearing the royal crest hung from marble pillars, swaying gently in the evening breeze drifting through the open balcony doors. Long banquet tables stretched across the hall, adorned with silk table runners and flickering gemstone, displaying an extravagant feast—succulent roasted meats, honey-glazed fruits, delicate pastries dusted with fine sugar, and goblets brimming with the kingdom’s finest wines. The mingling scents of spice, citrus, and warm bread filled the air, adding to the intoxicating atmosphere of celebration. Noblemen and women, clad in their most luxurious finery, engaged in lively conversation, their laughter and whispers merging with the soft melodies of a string ensemble playing from an ornate dais in the corner. The hall pulsed with anticipation, for tonight was no ordinary gathering.I
Chapter 56: Coronation Tournament.
And so, that incident between Prince Frederick and Prince Arthur cane to an end. Everyone continued with his daily routine, trying not to step on each other's toes. But that doesn't mean some people didn't keep grudges. Frederick for sure, never forgot the humiliation he received, all because of Arthur. He swore to repay him in a triple fold. But as usual, Arthur didn't care at all. As far as he was concerned he wouldn't get into any unnecessary squabbles with anyone, as far as that person didn't come looking for his trouble, as he would make sure to give them in full dose, when they do. Arthur woke before the first light of dawn, one morning, as he always did. The chill of the winter morning air clung to his skin as he strode toward the royal training grounds, for his usual early morning training, his breath misting before him. The air was filled with the festivities of celebrations, as this wasn't like any ordinary day as usual. Today was special. It was so, as it
Chapter 55: Beneath the Royal Facade.
Prince Arthur's eyes rolled heavenward as Prince Fredrick blocked his path, yet again. He had just left a grueling council meeting, and his patience was threadbare. "Please move aside." Arthur said, his voice a little bit weak. But Prince Fredrick still stood in his way, like he didn't hear what Arthur just said. "Fredrick, move aside!" Arthur said once more, his voice low and even. But Fredrick wouldn't budge. He launched into his usual tirade. "Ha! If it isn't the favorite son of the kingdom." Fredrick said in a mocking manner. Arthur sighed. "I have no time for all this Fredrick, so can you please get the hell out of my way?" "Tell me how do you do it. I mean how did you manage to hook up not just father, but the whole council...." But by this time, Arthur's patience had worned out. "Work for it, Fredrick," Arthur cut in, his tone bored. "Stop wasting your time on brandy and women. Put it into something useful." Fredrick's face reddened. "How dare y
Chapter 54: Future plans concerning the confederate states.
As the ship carrying Johnny Landon and the delegation from the Foreign Ministry approached the Navielian port, Erudia, he stood on the deck, observing the bustling harbor with great interest. Even in the few weeks he had been absent, it was evident that the city had undergone remarkable changes. The port had been expanded once more, yet the volume of traffic showed no signs of slowing. Ships laden with raw materials arrived in bulks, while others departed, their cargo holds filled with goods produced by the various capitalists in the kingdom. The sheer scale of trade and industry unfolding before his eyes reaffirmed the rapid growth the city was experiencing. After docking, the delegation disembarked, with the rest of Johnny's colleagues heading home to rest after their long journey. However, despite his own fatigue, Johnny's curiosity got the better of him. As they say, a good envoy needed to understand the changes occurring within the land he represented, and so he
Chapter 53: Negotiations with Zayn Keideita.
Having arrived from a long journey, Johnny Landon decided to use the interim period to rest and explore the city. Over the waiting period of one week, accompanied by an interpreter assigned by the Foreign Ministry, he toured the markets and observed the social and economic conditions of Valmea.Despite much of the country being composed of arid desert, the fertile lands along the Nexus river were densely populated and used primarily for agriculture. Most of the farmland was dedicated to producing wheat and other food staples to sustain the local population, while a smaller portion was allocated for cotton cultivation. Zayn Keideita had imposed quotas on the amount of cotton sold to foreign traders to prioritize domestic demand.The city was also a bustling hub of commerce, benefiting from its location along major overland trade routes from other cities around it's jurisdiction and its well-developed port on the eastern coast of the confederate states.However, as Johnny had keenly