"May I come in, father?", Prince Arthur asked for permission to enter the royal study room.
"You may, my son", Francis looked up from the paperwork in front of him.
"Father", Arthur came in. He took a glance at all the paperwork in front of his father and realized how much work he's been doing these days. Rupert Davison, a very personal assistant of King Francis bowed down to the prince.
"How are you been, son?", Francis put the pen in his hands down and got up from his chair. Arthur was sitting on the sofa in front of his desk.
The door was knocked, and Queen Josephine came in.
"Mother!", Arthur turned to see his mother. Queen came with a maid who was handling tea and some snacks. "Let's have a tea together!", She exclaimed.
Francis looked at Rupert and Rupert understood the gaze. He bowed down to the royal family and took his leave.
Josephine sat beside Arthur on the sofa. The maid served the tea and left the chambers.
"Father!", Arthur kept the cup on the table and spoke. "What is this all about?"
"We expect you to say that.", King Francis sipped the tea. "Arthur, you have been to the east for long. You have seen the situation."
"I know father." Arthur tried to keep himself calm. "However, sacrificing Catherine…"
"Sacrificing?", Francis said that word again with his voice raised a little. "If you want to put it in that way then be it."
"Is it not?", Arthur said in a reluctant tone. Queen Josephine was looking at both of them. 'Like father, like son', she thought. But on outside, she said, "Arthur, where are your manners?"
"Mother," Arthur turned to his mother and said, "I know the concern. However, how can you forget what happened 10 years ago?" Queen looked down immediately as that matter was mentioned.
"Father, please consider it again. Are we going to forget what happened to the elder brother?", Arthur chose to take a risk and mentioned his brother.
"Arthur", Francis called his name in calm and serious tone. He got up from his seat and faced the window behind it with his hands folded behind his back.
"We didn't forget that. However, this is what we need to do to save our people.", He said.
"Did you even ask Catherine?", asked Arthur. Francis said, "You can ask her by yourself. She is more than happy."
Arthur got confused. He looked at his mother who was nodding with smile on her face.
"Son", Francis turned to Arthur and moved towards sofa. He held Arthur's shoulders and indicated him to raise. Arthur got up. Father son duo looked at each other.
"You are my sun, my heir.", Francis said. He had proud and victories shine in his eyes. "Tomorrow when the formal function of your arrival will be held, we are happy to declare our crown prince."
Arthur didn't understand how to respond. He just accepted the greeting by presenting fake smile for the moment.
"You must be tired. Go get some rest.", Francis said and patted his shoulder.
"Yeah. I'll take my leave now.", Arthur said.
"Don't worry." Josephine was trying to convince her son in his chambers. "Everything will be fine." Arthur was rather calm. He said. "Mother, I'll take a nap. I guess I'm indeed tired." Josephine understood that this son of her wanted some private time for himself. She nodded and turned to leave the room.
"Mother", Arthur called.
"Yes son?", Josephine turned.
"Are you happy on what father have in his mind for me?", He asked like a child.
"Yes of course. And why are you saying what father have in his mind for you? Don't you want to become the successor?", Josephine said.
"I don't know. Maybe", Arthur murmured.
"Arthur", Josephine went near to her son and moved her fingers from his hairs. "Don't be stress. The throne will give you responsibility…" She waited for a moment and continue, "… and power to change anything." Arthur looked in his mother's eyes. He saw the same winning glitter as he had seen in his father's eyes before.
"Now get some rest. I'll call you for dinner later.", Josephine left before Arthur could say anything. She left in a hurry, but she gave her genius son something to think about. Arthur rests his head on the pillow and thought of what his mother just said. He had understood the vague meaning behind the words 'power to change anything'.