This chapter may be long since I want to get this sequence over with in Jovik's POV.

Flashback (le cringe)

"It has been ten minutes! Where have both of you charlatans been?" Jovik irritably asked Zarias and Giltren, who hurriedly climbed up the steps of the great front of the manor, where Jovik stood.

"We were helping someone. This new girl, she got lost."

"New girl?" He asked in confusion. It was very rare for someone to be able to come to the Upper East. Maybe it was someone who they hadn't met before?

"Strange she was, maybe sixteen? Right, Zarias?"

Giltren asked. He had already been smitten with the mysterious stranger and had only known her for maybe ten minutes. Zarias, however looked dazed and quiet, as if reflecting what had happened the past ten minutes of his life. It was clear that they both were head over heels before this new person.

"She was saying something about going to the Parade tonight." Zarias said.

"No." Jovik said loudly. "You are not leaving me to go to that vulgar gathering. 'Tis barely comprehensible with that derogatory speech let alone engaging at all, people are ridiculously intoxicated, both men AND women wear little to no clothing-"

"Please Jovik, I need to see her again." Zarias begged.

"Fine, you can leave after supper." Jovik sighed. He was about to go back into his lonely yet grand abode, when they decided to speak up.

"Jovik, we have been thinking, it's been forty years." Giltren spoke up.

"You need to spend time outside of home. You can't just stay inside expecting everyone to not talk about you."

If only they knew. The only reason I wished to stay home was because a rumor had spread I was engaged to someone. If Father knew of this, he would through me into the Sea of Monsters.

"This girl you met, where was she from?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Brooklyn, I would presume." Giltren replied.

"What?" I asked to make sure I heard him correctly. A brooklynite in the Upper East? Perhaps it was that the royal guard had fallen weak to the roguish charms.

"She may have been a bastard child," Zarias proposed. Of course he would defend her.

"No matter, I won't come." I said finally. Maybe it may have been better if I hadn't fallen weak to the charms like I had thought the Royal guard to, but my dearest friends gave me a glimpse of what lead to happiness.

"Fine, then we won't go either."

I glared into his eyes that burned bright blue with defiance for a few long seconds. Then, I reluctantly chose happiness.

"Alright, you lovesick sod, I'll come." I said in defeat.

_______________________

I had always thought of this parade at its worst, and not that it wasn't, but something changed my perception of it completely. Someone, to be exact. Someone Zarias and Giltren thought I wouldn't know.

As far as I knew, this event was to commemorate a rebellion that took place against the democratic leaders but it failed. It happened some fifteen years ago that the people revolted against the government as their daughter was born, the President was vulnerable and had a weakness now, but they managed to suppress the rebellion. I think maybe they celebrated it as an event of the people, to show that bygones are bygones.

The commoners had divided into two complete factions; one had been fed up with the leader's so called law of acceptance and freedom of thought, and the others wanted an anarchy. Personally, I feel that anything and everything can disturb anyone's peace thus the law of acceptance and freedom of thought is pointless, and an anarchy would bring us to the brink of chaos if we weren't already there. I only hoped this world could find its answer for a government rule soon.

And I did, I did find an answer. One girl approximately 5'6, of a warm complexion, and standing a few yards away from me. Her dark brown tresses pulled into a French braid, and her big matching eyes, only enhanced with black kohl rimmed around it and the one long black line going through her eye.

I would be lying if I said I didn't notice her for her slightly obese yet curvaceous figure, and the clothes that accentuated it. Black leggings, and a dark blue play suit that had a matching shawl of blue jewels. She looked rather decent than most people there.

What really struck me was the amount of jewelry on her. Piercings on the top of her ear, then a silver septum ring the outline of half a sun, and a crucifix necklace. That necklace, oh so rare to be seen ever now, was what gave away her decency. Even among the beasts of this time, there was a human being. Not too refined to lose personality, and not too savage to lose humility.

Her curious gaze intensified when it was upon me. As the realization of who I was struck her, she caught me looking at her and she looked down to hide a blush.

The first performance of the parade started, in which dancers clad in red began acrobatic tricks. I had been looking at the girl for so long, and her at me, that we had forgotten what we were here for. A naked man completely covered in purple paint tapped her shoulder to bring her out of her thoughts. She turned around and walked away through the crowd of people, almost as if being eaten by them.

"There she is, Jovik!" Giltren said, snapping me out of my own thoughts. He was pointing to the same girl I had been staring at.

"You guys are into Theodora?" Somebody asked before I could comment. I turned around to see who was intoxicated enough to not know who he interrupted.

Ah, so that's her name? Theodora.

There wasn't anyone behind me, so I turned to look at the other festivities and there he was.

A blonde haired boy grinning at us, walking closer. By Jove, that grin could scare a titan and I was no titan. Thankfully, it faded when he came closer and noticed my glare.

I did not wear a hoodie just to be noticed. It isn't a good idea for the son of a man campaigning for eternal monarchy to be in an event of a celebration of the common crowd.

"Grail Steeles, sir." He audaciously introduced himself. Grail paused, thinking his next words carefully.

"I see you've taken an interest in the President's daughter. If you wish I can introduce you to her."

"No, that won't be necessary." I said.

"I would like that very much." Both Zarias and Giltren said at the same time.

I looked up at the sky, wishing for it to fall and grant me mercy from this embarrassment. I sighed and came back to earth so I could rectify the mess that had just been created over a girl.

"Sir, would it be too much trouble to give me a sample of your blood? I-

Then I remembered. Father's campaign, the Crane Dynasty that would rule once again, as it was rumored to have before. It was time for the world to remember what the truth was. Life was meant to be a juxtaposition of fact and faith. Religion and science living harmoniously, unlike the days of Injustice, when Christianity dominated and persecuted science. Now science dominates and criticizes all theistic faith.

My thoughts were interrupted as a great image rippled onto the walls of towering skyscrapers. Theodora appeared, sitting on the illuminated red steps, glorious and proud. The only problem was, she looked nothing like the girl I saw before, maybe wearing her exact face but different.

The decency I had seen before was replaced with a shameless posture of sitting, and clothes a little less modest than before. Tightly fitted red trousers that had studs. A tank top with a giant plant embroidered, a big red bromeliad. She had more meaningless jewelry like bracelets and rings, tacky. The kohl had been wiped off, revealing a harsh birthmark as pink as raw skin could be.

She was holding a paper, her strange pixelated eyes reading it. Then, she put it down and cleared her throat.

"Hello, people of the west, and welcome to The Parade. I have just arrived from the north, and am delighted to take part in this grand procession. As my father's heir, I will-

She suddenly stopped, and her eyes widened then narrowed. Her nose flared in anger, she grabbed the paper again by her side, her eyes trailing over its scribbles.

She looked back up at the camera and slowly turned the paper around. It was actually only scribbles, there was no script.

"Now to those who were expecting a proper script, first of all, fuck you. Secondly, I didn't travel all the way from a badland just to deal with more expectations and more rules. Last I remember, it was my father's law that liberty and justice were prime here." She said calmly. She took the paper in her hand. "Was this piece of paper consoling you in some way by promising simplicity?" She tore the blank piece of paper, and stood up. She snatched the microphone held to her face and yelled on the top of her lungs.

"This event, this energy, this chaos, is evidence that simplicity is a lie! Why live in a cage when there is so much to explore, understand, accept?"

Because animals belong in cages, was the thought that came to my mind. It wasn't that I disagreed with her, in fact, I understood her better than anybody here. It was just that I hated her portrayal of it. She erased the fine line between liberty and savagery. If their so called rights allowed freedom of speech, I would abuse it.

I left my two perverted friends gawking at the screen, and pushed through the crowd easily as my height was higher than average.

I got to the front of the circle made for Theodora and the camera, everybody hushed when they saw me. I walked closer and my image appeared across the buildings of New York.

Theodora stood straight as she realized something was wrong and turned around. I smirked, knowing it would be a rude awakening for her.

She opened her mouth to say something, but started coughing. Once she regained her composure, she stood up.

"Jovik Crane or should I call you future prince, future prince Jovik Crane?" She asked, giggling at her own joke. She put her fingers in her front jean pockets, and started walking up to me.

"If your father has a message for us, relay it and try not to disrupt our celebrations." She commanded calmly.

"On the contrary, I've come to see you, Theodora Hood." I told her truthfully.

She stepped back and raised her hands to emphasize my point.

"I suppose you have critique about my behavior? Or my ideology? Are you here as a rival or a citizen?"

"As an admirer. Does my political status impact my intentions in your most esteemed opinion?" I asked. I admit, it was quite snide of me to act this way.

She stayed silent, exhaled through her nose in defeat, and held to fingers to the side of her head, she tilted them up and mouthed a bang sound.

"Hello, Vicky," She said finally.

"Hello, Theo." I replied. I put my arm around her shoulder. I may have lied about a few things. I did know this girl, in fact. As a friend, my supporter, my leader, and as my secret fiancée.

"We, are the new age! From now on, we are neither Crane nor Hood!" Theodora yelled. It was my turn.

"How, you may ask?" I rhetorically asked with a cocky tone.

"We're getting married!" Theodora bluntly yelled.

She suddenly pulled me by my collar and put her arms around my shoulders, trying not to pull my long hair, and kissed me. My eyes widened in shock, but I kissed her back and lifted her a little up. The crowd hooted and whistled.

We broke our embrace, and yelled at the same time.

"ALL HAIL THE CONCRETE JUNGLE!"

How young and stupid we were. If only we had realized that rebellion came with a price.