Crownprince

LUKE

"So?"

This is the first thing Drey asked me the moment he presented his self after my morning bath. Of course he'd be very curious as to what happened last night. Heck, I'm willing to bet that everyone is. News travel fast within the inner palace and I'm pretty sure that mg entire family are now very curious and wondering what went on.

Still feeling fresh from shower I wiped the rest of the water dripping from my hair and tossed the towel to the basket. With my other towel still hanged on my h.i.p.s, Drey probed me with all his questions about last night but I wasn't planning on saying anything. I'm still tired and I still have zero caffeine circulating in my body, so theres no way in hell that i'll start saying something.

"Come on man, I went all crazy with the set up and it will all be a waste if nothing happened" Drey kept following me around, not even bothered by the fact that I'm still half n.a.k.e.d and still dysfunctional. I walked into my walk in closet and rummaged through my things. On the days like this where nothing is scheduled for me to do, I can freely choose whatever I want to wear without the royal pr department nagging me about my looks. I chose to wear a plain shirt and one of my gym pants because I would really love some comfort throughout the day. "Are you seriously ignoring me right now?" He asks in annoyance and I had no choice but to simply take off the remaining towel and looked at him to make a point.

He realized I wasn't going to say anything if he keeps pushing me, so he excused himself and without looking he turned around and let me dress up. I don't mind showing my whole body to him since he already saw everything back in our training days and also when we were in college. Though its in royal law that no one is allowed to see our bodies unless they are our ladies.

A knock on my door made Drey walk out of my room and see whoever it was. I was ndone dressing up when I went down from my room and saw what was waiting for me.

"Good Morning your highness" Crownprincess Amber greeted me and was patiently waiting for me while Drey was talking to someone outside my doors, probably telling them to keep their mouth shut. I'm not supposed to be seen being cozy with the Crownprincess or else people might think that shes trying to gain more power but seducing me. It happened before so I'm pretty sure it could happen again. As always, she was wearing one of her formal dresses and she was acting prim and proper, being feminine and soft in the eyes of others. But this are all just a facade to hide her true self.

"The coast is clear, all maids are excused for an hour. If you two need anything i'll be in the entertainment room" Drey bows his head in respect and goes to where the entertainment room is. Amber watched me approached the dining table and prepare my morning coffee, the way I like them to be. Normally the maids should be doing this stuff but they can't do the same mix that I like so they just usually prepare the roast beans and the hot water that i'll need. I prepared my coffee and Amber just looks at me as if waiting for me to offer her some.

"So?" She sighs "Am I supposed to wait for you to finish that coffee before you start talking to me?" She sits on one of my couches and waited for my answer.

"What do you want?" I asked leaning on my window where I could see the outside garden.

"I heard you went out last night with Lady Danielle?" I smirked, she's always straight to the point.

"Isn't it too early for you to entertain some news? How's David?" I haven't seen David lately that is why I was wondering.

"David is fine and theres no specific time to address some news. So answer the question and tell me honestly if you are finally considering her?" She calmly speaks but theres that playful tone in her voice, the one that I recognize and grew up with. She is slowly showing her true side, the one thats teasing and free, not the kind where she has to mind every detail about herself. I kept telling her that she doesn't have to be so guarded when shes around me but because she still fears the eyes of the public, she kept her facade thick and steady.

I went to sit in front of her and placed my half filled cup on the table in front of us.

"I was just trying to be nice" I simply answered and she shakes her head and looks at me like she wanted to say something but she chose to keep quiet instead. "What? Just say whatever you want to say" I took my cup of coffee and let the warm aroma fill my nose.

"The people on my side wants to propose a choosing ceremony, they are all preparing for it. The King won't have any other choice but to agree, since it will just look like they are concerned about the kingdoms future. Though they already know they can't meddle, they'll be using the power of the council to make it look like they are really just concerned. If the notion pushes through, they want me to move. You know what this means right?" Amber explains. I inhaled deeply just so I could think carefully and do my next move without complicating things. When my brother died, the people who supported him are now supporting Amber and because I've been silently following whatever the council wants from me and swore to never let anyone use me fo their own benefit, I never chose a side. Amber wanted to join me of course but I told her to stick to where she is for now and just listen to whatever my brothers people would want her to do.

If she stays as the Crownprincess of the kingdom and having my brother supporters on her side, no one would dare go against her. She may look like someone who is following every order given to her but silently, she is telling me everything that I need to know, every person I must be wary of and every movement I should be aware. Without anyone finding out, I let Drey work on things hidden from the eyes of the people wanting me gone. I maybe the crownprince now but there are people who sides with some member of the royal family and they would do anything just to stop my succession.

"They are slowly showing their true colors. For now let them do whatever they want to do. Grandma might go with their plan, if the inner court randomly chooses Lady Danielle as the crownprincess, prime minister Orlins won't just sit and watch" If half of the council notions for a choosing ceremony, then maybe its for the best.

A choosing ceremony would be a great curtain to hide the things I do, both the publics eye and the council will focused on both the ladies and they'll only care about my appearance if they ever need me for something during the competition. The old way fo choosing ceremony was always done silently but ever since we entered an era where everyone is interested to whatever it is thats happening within the palace, they made the Choosing Ceremony an event where everyone could witness and see how the ladies of the court are chosen and trained. But with the subsiding number of noble ladies, a choosing ceremony seemed irrelevant.

"But if they do this, someone could easily harm Lady Danielle, no one from the royal family could interfere if something happens to her. Same thing could happen to lady Isabelle but judging by how she handles things in her own, she won't just sit down and not do something to sabotage any of her opponent. The whole event will be in favor to Lady Isabelle, and Danielle will become everyones target" shes worried. And I get why shes too against with the idea. Amber hates putting someone weak in a place full of lions, but we both know that once everything goes in motion, a lot of people could suffer.

"Now is not the time for you to worry about other people. You need to worry about yourself and little David. He needs a stable future and I'm not going to let anyone change that" I don't care if I'm about to step on someone what I do care about is making sure that my plans go accordingly.

"She means well Luke, don't involve her in your revenge" Amber looks at me and this time, shes not looking at me like how would often do, this time she was facing me with her true self. The one I knew so well. I was about to say something when she blinked twice then rises up, she fixes her skirt then faces me with nothing but barriers in her eyes "I already told you what I think. The rest is up to you" she slowly walks out on me and didn't even spare me a glance. With her acting like that I already know that she already has her mind set.

"Drey!" I called and after a few seconds he was already out of the entertainment room and walking towards me. "See what the Lords are up to? See if they are stirring up another trouble inside the inner court, they are about to suggest something my father can't help but agree" I said as soon as he faced me. "Things are about to get dirty so we need to be prepared" Drey taps something on his tablet then he faces me again waiting for the rest of my instruction but when he didn't hear anything else, he closes his tablet then sits in front of me.

"So, where were we?" He drops all formality, completely forgetting that its still his working hours and not his break. "Right! You still need to tell me what the hell happened last night" I rolled my eyes for how persistent Drey was with this matter.

"Why are you so interested with whatever the hell happened last night? We only talked and now were on the same page. Which means that things went according to plan. She now believes me and thats enough for now. With half the council stirring up another trouble, what happened last night should be less of your concern now" I have enough hearing things about Lady Danielle, I still have other things to think about. I have to carefully think about my next move. It is still early in the day but I feel so tired again.

"Fine I wont bother you about what happened last night, but the thing with Princess Amber, why did she come?" He asks and he was serious.

I stood up and went to refill my now empty cup of coffee. I saw some maids walking outside my place, probably doing their daily chores, just minding their own lives.

"The people on her side will make a move and corner the king, father won't have any other choice on this one and will say yes" I took a sip from my cup and watch as some ladies of the palace roam around laughing "They are going to propose a choosing ceremony. They must have heard about Lady Danielle or something else, but they are going to use the choosing ceremony as a cover up to put me down. They are going to use Amber to do their dirty work, they'll order her around like a puppet and then when things go their way, they'll put another prince on my place" I was calm, I always knew that half of the council wants me down and they'll do anything just to do that. "That is why, we need to prepare. They'll think the choosing ceremony will become a great disadvantage to me, but depending on how we'll deal with it, we can use it to our advantage" I turn around to look at him and there he was just looking and not fearing for what is about to happen. I smiled and walked back to where I sat awhile ago.

"A choosing ceremony huh? Does that mean they'll be inviting new ladies to come and join the inner palace?" Of course he is more interested with girls coming inside the palace but thats not going to happen. Yes, a choosing ceremony would also mean opening the gates of the inner palace to noble ladies but i'm pretty sure my grandmother wouldn't allow that to happen. Two ladies of different class is enough trouble as it is.

"Sorry to burst your little bubble but if the choosing ceremony happens, it will only be lady Danielle and lady Isabelle, both of them are enough ladies to compete" I cleared out which made Drey pout and slouch on my couch. I raised my eyebrows and he just rolled his eyes at me.

"What?! The ladies inside the court is getting usual, I need a new sight" he w.h.i.n.es

"So a thousand ladies working inside the kingdom is not enough for you" He nods and he looks like he was hoping that I'd say something great to help him with his little dilemma "Go to another country then, use your dating apps, go do some p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.es, I don't care, place your mind to where it is needed Drey. I don't care if you f.u.c.k the duchess of another kingdom just make sure you have your mind to the price" he scowls at me for reminding him of what he did the last time he got bored with the girls of the court.

"That was one time, I didn't know she was a duchess. If I knew she was one, I would have f.u.c.k.e.d her senseless" Drey smirks after finishing his sentence. I shake my head for his unbelievable and animal behavior. He often acts tough but he is very playful, he can be dangerous to ladies if he sets his mind to it. "Should I ready the guys for your bachelors party?" Of course he has the audacity to tease me so now its my turn to scowl at him. He laughs at my face but he raises both of his hand as a sign of surrender.

After my little talk with Drey, I eventually went inside my office to finish up some work. Just because I'm the crownprince and not the king doesn't mean I don't have any job to do. As part of my training, I am also tasked to review every decision made by my father and also read through all reports from different officials of the court. I have to practice spending hours just to analyze different scenarios and I don't usually get to do this long because of my packed schedule but since I chose a day away from my schedule today, a little reading won't harm me.

I was going through some case files about some people causing trouble outside the palace when I encountered a very interesting case. This things are usually handled by officials assigned outside the palace, as long as they are minor offenses, the officials are authorized to give out whatever punishment the offender deserves. The officials then will pass a report regarding the cases they handle then if the council see the case as somewhat a major offense to the royal law, they will question the offender and the final ruling will come from my father.

A case was filed last week about a young man stealing a few bottles of milk and tabs of painkillers. The case said even before he could get away, the owner of the place was able to catch him and immediately brought him to the police station. The police then followed the necessary procedure and went to get the mans statement. He tells the investigator that he didn't really want to steal the milk and medicine, but he needs them for his kids and he didn't have enough money so he resulted to stealing. He was willing to pay for the things he stole after he receives his paycheck but the owner saw him so he didn't have any other choice. He willingly came to the station and didn't fight back when the owner hit him. He admitted to his crimes but what bothered me the most was at how they dealt with the situation. The laws within the kingdom were made to be flexible. They were made to make things easier for every person living under ruling of the King and Queen. The royal family wants nothing but peace within the kingdom. This is why, I am so irritated as to why the hell did the officials decide to put the young man in prison for ten years and unless the bail in not met, he'll stay inside the prison until he makes the pay. The law states that if a person steals, they will be ordered to stay in prison for weeks until they could bail themselves and then they'll be doing a a year of community service, this is also depending on the severity of their action. Say for example, they did steal and made a mess to the whole store or worst attempted to harm the owner then they'll be sent to prison for a longer service then once they get out, they'll be serving the army and then tasked to do community service until they learn the importance of doing service to people and not causing trouble. Unless the offender shows signs that they are not guilty nor do they regret their actions, they are to be judged with mercy.

After reading more about the case, I was more than convinced that the young man was unfairly judged. I fear that if I don't do anything, the public might never trust the kingdoms justice. So before i could change my mind, I pushed the buzzer that was below my table to call for anyone thats outside my place. Immediately Drey came in with confusion plastered on his face.

"Prepare my car, I'm going to visit the officials office" I instructed and left him to go to my room. I'll need to visit my father first before going so I chose to wear another formal suit . Drey was confused but he didn't say anything and instead follow. I dressed up and fixed myself, so much for having a free day.

I went out of my place and saw Drey waiting for me.

"I'll visit my father first, you go and get the file on my desk and wait for me in my car" I didn't let him reply as I was already leaving and walking the path leading to my parents place. My father should be in his office by now so thats where I'm going first.

As I reached my parents place, the maids and guards bowed their heads in my presence. They announced my presence so my father would know and then he calmly said for me to come in. I entered his place and knocked on his door before opening it. I close his doors when he looks at me and then I bowed my head in respect to his presence though no one is actually watching.

My father stands from his swivel chair then he goes to where his couches are then he points to the one in front of him for me to sit on, so I followed.

"What brings you here?" He asks in his serious and kingly tone.

"I would like to ask for your permission your highness, I was doing my readings and studying the latest reports when I came upon a certain case and the ruling were unjust and not necessary. I would like to investigate the case myself and punish the irresponsible official who made the unnecessary decision. Unless you would like to do it yourself then I would do only what is necessary" In cases like this, I'm very respectful to my father. I know how s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e this things are and he is a busy man, he can't always see whats happening outside, he only learns about things when the reports come in and thats it. I don't want to bother him with this kind of things but the authority and power comes from him. So I don't have a choice but to show him the true colors of whats happening outside the palace.

"What case are we talking about here?" He asks wondering.

"Its the case about a young man stealing a milk and few tabs of painkillers your highness, its the case reported from the sixth district" My father raised his brows when I said where the case came from and he just taps his knee as he thinks whether he'd allow me to do whatever I want or to ask me more about the case.

"You said the ruling was unnecessary and unjust? Why?" My fathers asks

"He is just another father who wants to feed his kids. He didn't have enough money to support his family so he resulted to stealing. He was willing to pay for it once he gets his paycheck, he didn't fight back and willingly came to the station with the owner. A ten year imprisonment is not right for this kind of case, he didn't cause harm to anyone nor did he destroy anything from the store, aside from those facts, he showed guilt and regret. He admitted to his crimes and promised to pay up once he gets his paycheck" My voice changed from calm to frustration "The officials of that district is obviously using the their authority to show power within the district. If the kingdom is striving well, then why would someone decide to steal instead of going to the royal sanctuaries to ask for food and medicine? As far as I know, you've allocated enough budget for the sanctuaries to provide food and medicine to those who are in need. Something is not right" my father looks at me then he suddenly sighs.

"That district is under the Prime ministers care, when that case was presented during the council session, they didn't say the number of years the young man has to spend inside the prison, I was suspicious but since it was a case handled by the officials and everything seems to be in order, it was placed to filing." He stands up then goes to his desk to get something. He opens his drawer then he takes out something. "As your King, I am more than willing to give you my seal as a sign of my permission giving you the authority, but as your father, i'm giving this to you because I can finally see you becoming a great leader of this nation" he walks to my side and I stood up to see whats in his hand. It was a small rectangular box wrapped in a thick cloth. He unwraps the box then he opens it to reveal his royal medal of honor. I looked back to my father surprised and unsure if he was really going to do what I think he'll do. "I gave almost half of my royal medals to your brother, those medals served him well in many occasions but I've always kept this one hoping that someday I may gave it to you. Honor" he starts saying before taking out the medal and placing it on my suit jacket "Honor is what i've always prayed for you son. Nothing was sure about your future when Mark was alive then things suddenly changed for you. Honor was harshly taken from you the moment you were born and I've always wanted to give it back to you. " my father taps my shoulder before continuing "With this, no one can question your order, you are the Crown prince of this kingdom and you have the authority to do whatever you want. You didn't have to come here and defend a poor young man son, but you still did and for that, i' m happy that you are still grounded. You are growing, keep walking this path son and become a better ruler than me or your brother" I was still surprise by what just happened but my father pushed me to go and do what must be done before even letting me say anything about the whole honor thing.

I mean I've always struggled getting the kind of respect the people used to have when my brother was their prince, but I never knew that my father actually noticed. He was always mad at me for being such a jerk back when Mark was still alive, I would always rebel and do something crazy, causing my whole family to w.h.i.n.e and rant about my behavior. My thoughts were always filled of my father being disappointed for the things I did. I removed the medal he gave me and looked at it. This is the first symbol of my father trust in me. So I held on to it and went to where Drey was waiting for me.

"Which district your highness?" Drey asks me as he opens the door for me

"Sixth" I said and he nods. He closes my door then goes to the passenger side of the car and told the driver where we are going.

I opened my phone to call someone I know outside the palace, someone who always has my back and would help me in a snap.

"What trouble did you get yourself into now?" He immediately answered. I rolled my eyes but I understand why he would say that instead of saying a normal hello or hi.

"I'm not the one in trouble but someone else. I need you in sixth district and its a royal order, so you can't escape unless you want a severe punishment, then so be it" I heard him chuckle then I heard some movements.

"Fine! I'm on my way" he says without further question. I turn my phone down and look outside my window.

It took us minutes to get to where I need to be and when we arrived, the guards immediately recognized my car and so they aligned themselves to welcome me as this is part of their training. I saw the officials of the sixth district coming out of the front door running down the stairs before fixing their coats and aligning themselves with the guards. When everything seems to be in order, Drey comes out of the passengers side then he goes to my door. He slowly opens my door then I step out of my car, fixing my suit and looking to each official. They all smiled as if they really wanted me to be here.

Every official assigned to each district is chosen by the council members, as far as I know, in order for someone to become an official, they need to undergo multiple trainings and they have to pass the military exam before taking any rank and doing community services until they get promoted to high officials. In short, they have to prove themselves until they reach the top.

An official comes forward to greet me, he stops in front of me then he lowers his head before facing me back and smiling.

"Welcome to the sixth district your highness, I'm the head official of this district, Matheous Lugham" he introduces and then he extended his hand to shake mine. Of I don't shake his hand, people witnessing this event will question my sudden visit, so I extend my hand to shake his hand.

"Maybe we should get inside first, I'll be waiting for someone first before we start our little chat" he looked at me confused but nevertheless he led me inside his office followed by the other officials present.

As by the law, they'll need to lead to where their head office is or where they do their meeting but as I am a pain in the a.s.s, I chose to enter the head office instead when all the officials are leading me towards their meeting room. They all wanted me there, instead of the office, so something tells me they don't want me snooping behind their leaders desk. Well they can't really force me to go somewhere else so what they could only do if be s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e to everything I do while we are inside the office.

I sat at the very center of the whole office, while all the official pile up inside, fidgeting and wondering what I'm up to.

"Your highness" Drey calls out behind the office door then he opens the door to reveal my lawyer friend, Andrews!

"Your highness" he bows as soon as he enters the office and all officials watch him knowing full well who is this person stand for within the kingdom.

"Finally you are here, we can now begin" I smiled at Andrews when he raises his eyebrows and wondering eyes kept watching me while waiting for me to explain what I meant. "Why don't you all sit and breathe, there is enough room for every one of you" I said to all of them and they all slowly bowed in understanding before walking to the couches placed inside the room. They are all facing me, waiting for my next words to say. Andrews went to my side and so did Drey, waiting for both their orders.

"As you all know, this is Attorney Peter Jake Andrews, he is here today to represent mr. Eddie Whiller" Andrews looked at me surprise but nevertheless he opens his case to rummage through his files then he takes out something, it was the case file I was reading earlier and the one I asked Drey to take. He must have been put into speed by Drey but even so, he is still surprise with my sudden declaration. As for the officials, they were all looking at me with disbelief, especially the official in charged of the said case, the head himself.

"With all due respect your highness, but that case is done and dealt with." Mr. Lugharo reasoned, he looks rather shaken by my sudden interest with the case he handled few months ago.

"Dealt with?..." I stood up and went around his desk to stand in front of them, facing him intently "Tell me, Mr. Lugharo? Is putting a harmless man inside jail and putting him in a ten years of imprisonment, your way of dealing with a very small case?" I challenged and his eyes went wide. I smiled and walked around the room, the rest of the officials looking and whispering within themselves "Do you know what my father hate the most officials?" I asked randomly and they all went silent.

"Disrespect? Your highness?" Another official says awkwardly, unsure whether he is right or not.

I look at all of them to see if someone else wants to answer but none of them did. They each passed the exams ands tests given to them so they could get to where there are now and yet no one knows about what their king hates.

"Disrespect maybe one of the things my father hate but he also know that respect is earned." They all watch me as I kept walking around them. "Drey should you please tell our hardworking officials here what their king hates the most" Drey comes forward to do my command.

"His highness values justice and order, he hates when high officials show abuse of power and putting his people into constant fear of the laws implemented on them. He also dislikes dishonesty, disloyalty and negligence to the job" I nod to every word Drey just said and faced once again all officials present in the room.

"Growing up father would tell my brother and I how we should handle the public , so they'd remain loyal to the throne. He told us to only practice what we can to never go above it" I paused " Mr. Whiller didn't show any restraint when he was caught , he didn't lie and straight up told you what he did. Now Atty. Andrews could you please refresh my memory of what we must do in cases like Mr. Whiller?" I asked making the official bow their heads fearing of what may come out of my friends mouth.

"The law states that if a person is caught stealing and destroying properties, they'd be charged for a few weeks in prison then he can make bail. After that he will have to serve the community depending on what is ordered by the official in charge" Andrews states

"THEN WHY IN THE HELL WAS A YOUNG MAN CHARGED FOR TEN YEARS IN PRISON?!" I shouted and all of them went silent.