The Rise

Leon was preparing coffee in the kitchen whilst Veronica was in the living room - lying down on the couch, turning on the news and taking off her socks. Leon wasn't too worried about his father discovering a girl was in the house since he was most likely meeting with lawyers and preparing press releases.

"Good afternoon. Today we welcome the crown prince, His Highness, Thomas Vinzent."

Leon could hear the news on the TV from the kitchen. It was an interview.

"Recently the leader of the opposition, Mr. Alexander Lapuzi has been struck with allegations of corruption. Do you believe this is the end of the meteoric rise of Mr. Lapuzi?"

'Since when are royals asked to comment on politics?' thought Leon

"I believe that Mr. Lapuzi is an outstanding politician, I hope he can fight this in court as quickly as possible. If not, no one will be able to stop the Prime Minister's re-election." said Thomas with a deep, soothing voice.

"That's true; Mr. Lapuzi was the favorite to beat Prime Minister Theodore this election. It's also rumored that the Prime Minister's son is also running for a re-election as student council President in the esteemed Unitare High School."

"That's us Leo! That's our school! We're on the news!" Veronica shouted sarcastically from the living room.

"However it seems that your younger brother, Sinclair, will also be running against the Prime Minister's son."

'Since when do they talk school politics on the news?' thought Leon

"Say Leo… isn't this kind of weird?" said Veronica as if reading Leon's mind.

"Yes, it seems the young generation of the Vinzent dynasty is very interested in politics. I personally will be watching my little brother and this election very closely."

"What about you, have you considered running for political offi-"

Veronica turns off the TV. Leon pours the coffee into two separate mugs and makes his way to the living room only to find Veronica is gone. He puts down the coffee mugs and makes his way upstairs and as he reached his dad's office he noticed she's already scanning through his bookshelf.

"I was trying to find your room, but I ended up in this medieval room"

"It's my dad's office."

"Did you read any of these books? Art of War, 50 Strategies of War, The Mind of a General…"

"My dad taught me everything in those books since I was a little kid – these were my bibles."

"Was he trying to get you into the army? We're a neutral country – we don't fight wars."

"No-"

Leon would never forget what his father told him once in this room. Leon was sat on his father's l.a.p when he began to explain to him a philosophy that he lives by to this day:

"War, business, politics, even everyday conversations are all the same – they all involve people. It involves their emotions, their plans, their thoughts, their behaviors and inner d.e.s.i.r.es. A battle between two generals on an open field is no different to a battle between two politicians or two businessmen. Where there are people, there is politics and there is war."

"No, not the army, but politics." he said.

"These books make you a good politician?"

"They teach you strategy, maneuver and tactics; How to be ahead of your opponent at all times." he replied

Leon takes out a random book from the shelf and starts flipping through it.

"Though, it's all just theory, hardly any of it applies in real life. Only those that have the talent for this kind of stuff can really make it work."

"No wonder you never lost at hide and seek – you and your 'tactics'." She said as she pulled out a book from the shelf began inspecting it.

"No actually, you and Justin just s.u.c.k.e.d at that game."

"Oh really!? How about one more game of hide and seek then. Though, I haven't been in this house for a while, so make that two instead" she said putting up two fingers

"My dad is going to be back soon, and there something I need to take care of before tonight."

"Tonight? What is it?"

Veronica's face suddenly becomes pale as her eyes widen. Leon then hears the clanging of keys downstairs.

"Leon. Are you home?"