"My father, the late King Gregory, gave his whole life to our people, working endless days and nights to reopen the gates of our beloved kingdom to the new millennium, the new world. I succeed the throne, bearing his legacy, and so I intend to see these plans through."

His voice was soft yet firm, echoing the room in dignified tones. In front of him were royal parchments, plans and wills, blueprints of modern constructions that would allow for new enterprises. The thought excited him, and so he gave what the parliament in front of him had been waiting for since this morning. A ghost of a smile that grazed his lips.

There was no fear, no trace of anxiety in his voice as he continued on and that signaled his readiness to take over the kingdom his family had ruled over for hundreds and hundreds of years.

"I approve of my brother's project. I see Prince Sebastiano's School of the New Arts, or as he would call it otherwise, as our first best step towards the new Khazkatia."

The courtroom was silent and every member of the parliament looked at him, appearing to listen intently behind the walnut-colored desks that outlined the round room. Some nodded to what the future king had to say. Some breathed in deeply, perhaps in contempt, while some wore an expression that only aimed to seek the monarchy's efforts to please.

When all had left the rather short assembly of men, Prince Leonard stayed on his seat and let out a long exhausted sigh. He looked out the cathedral window and placed his elegant fingers over his eyes to shield it from the noonday sun.

Half a year to coronation day and he couldn't figure out how to at least begin with most his father's visions. Looking at them now, he knew they would prove to be too much a change for the kingdom to handle. Add the fact to the challenges he'd have to face, trying to live up to his father's final wishes on his deathbed and he's getting worn out already.

He sighed, wishing his father didn't contract the virus that took his life.

Not that he didn't want to have anything to do with the throne; he was keyed up to the challenge, to the obligation. But there was something missing in his life, and though he had never found the courage to say it to his father, he had planned on seeking counsel of it from his mother.

"Your Highness?" Reynald, the family's trusted adviser, searched his face.

Prince Leonard placed his hands, with fingers intertwined, under his chin and finally said, "Send word to my youngest brother so that he comes home the soonest. Inform him of the project and ask that he bring with him an able group to work for the kingdom in the next months or years."

He stood from where he was and walked towards the door with long and dignified strides. His royal guards opened the doors for him and he immediately went out. At the other end of the hall is the love of his life, the Lady Madeline, who had been with him all his life. He moved to rush to her and kissed her cheek.

Then, he paused and turned his heel to face Reynald. "I cannot fail," he finally said before disappearing from the now-quiet courthouse.