Family. Duty. Honor.

The three words that formed the endless chant everyone had learned by heart from the day they had learned to speak and sworn to protect till the day they took their last breath.

The three words that shaped modern day Velescva, The Collective Kingdom off the Barents Sea.

King Richard II had been on the throne for 29 years now and he had brought prosperity to the Kingdom like never before seen. He is loved, respected, feared. He is the perfect King. He is an asshole. He is my father.

I, Alexander Bancroft, am the eldest son to King Richard II and the late Queen Tatiana. I am the Heir to the Throne.

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"Your Royal Highness," the guard outside my study called out after a knock on the door, "His Majesty has requested an audience with you at the Royal Conference room."

"I'm busy," I responded, annoyed to even think of having to walk to the other side of The Palace to speak with my father, "let him know I will speak with his Private Secretary later."

"It is a matter of immediate importance, I'm afraid," a new voice spoke as the door to my study pushed open and I looked up to meet the worried eyes of Royal Duke Marshall,  my uncle.

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"What do you think the new uprisings might be rooting from, Henry?"

"It is the media's doing, I'm afraid, Your Majesty," the Lord answered the King, "there have been many complaints from the citizens about the way The Throne is operating. They believe it has become rather...backdated,  if I may dare say so."

"The Throne has operated this way for generations to come!" the King exclaimed, "these are the traditions that have kept this Kingdom together for so long when many empires around us have all crumbled and turned to ashes."

"I agree, Sir, but I do believe that if the Throne was to engage a little more with the citizens, perhaps that could satisfy them and put an end to these uprisings," Lord Henry suggested.

"How do you propose we do that? Should the King go out and shake hands with the civilians now? Is that what The Throne has come to? Feeding to their wishes will only make them more rebellious," he dismissed.

"Feeding to their wishes will only solidify their bond with the monarchy, Your Majesty," the Lord corrected, "it will make them believe The Throne hears them, cares for them. I think it would be a foot in reinstating the faith we had with all our civilians."

"How do you suggest we 'satisty their wishes' then?" the King questioned after a few moments of consideration, "the King will not stoop from his place to do so, I hope you realise that."

"His Majesty does not have to," Lord Henry interjected, "but he must set orders to the other Royals to do so, Sir."

"What are you suggesting?"

"Get the princes to engage with them. Send them on Royal Tours around the Kingdom. Get them to connect with the civilians as a reflection of The Throne. The civilians have been most restless since the passing of Lady Teresa. Prince Alexander has largely retracted from his duties ever since and the civilians adored Lady Teresa as much as the late Queen. If the eldest princes were to return together and work as one to build up The Throne's reputation again, I believe that would help our situation significantly," Henry suggested.

"Very well, I will have a word with them, as per your suggestions but we both know how reluctant they are to cooperate, those ungrateful lads," the King sighed.

"They cannot defy orders of the King still, Your Majesty," Henry reminded, "if you were to give them an incentive that would serve their own purpose simultaneously, they wouldn't dare to say 'no', I believe, having known the princes for years now."

"I sure hope you are right on this as you are on everything else, Henry," the King smiled, "you really are my only confidant in the entirety of this Kingdom, just as your father once was."

"It is my honour, Your Majesty," Henry smiled, "the Fletchers have always been closely knit to The Throne and it was father's last wish we remain that way. I am to respect it always."

"If only my sons were half as respectful and obedient as you are."

"They will be, Sir," Henry reassured while curtsying, "now if you would excuse me," he spoke as the King nodded and he turned to walk out of the Royal Conference room at the Main Palace in the Capitol.

The King sat back and pondered over Lord Henry's suggestions for a while before calling out for the guards waiting outside the main entrance.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Send a message to The Royal Duke and say I wish to see him and Prince Alexander here immediately."