He stood staring out the window, his heart has never felt heavier, he fought back the tears as hard as he could but they kept pouring down.

There was a knock on the door. He frowned, the last thing he needed was to speak to anyone in this state he was in.

With a clear irritation in his voice he said " leave, I am not in the mood to speak to anyone".

" My prince, the queen request your presence".

He sighed in frustration, " Fine, I am coming".

He turned to the mirror, his hair was disheveled, his shirt rumpled but thankfully his eyes were not swollen from crying. He walked into his closet and picked the first thing he laid his eyes on, a plain black buttoned up shirt and put it on, He looked at his trouser and it still looked neat to an extent, he thought to himself. Combed his hair back and stared at the mirror again, his skin was pale, his lips were cracked but at least he looked presentable.

He took a deep breath and walked to the door. He held the door knob, cleared his throat and opened the door.

The guard who came to call him stood at the door with five other guards in full armour. They bowed at his presence. He glanced at them and walked slowly towards his mother's chambers.

As he drew nearer, he heard his mother sobs and words of comfort to her from his sister in the midst of her own tears.

The guards at the door bowed as he approached them .

He knocked on the door gently and walked in . Standing and staring at his mother and sister crying was toture but he had to act strong. His mother has always been a source of strength and he admired her ability to handle situations wisely and support his father. Her skin was flawless and there was no bit of wrinkle on her face , hair was drawn back into a loose ponytail and hair face laid bare of any make up but she looked beautiful . His father always bragged about her beauty and how no one in the kingdom surpasses her beauty.

She raised her head and saw him, cleaned the tears from her eyes and tried to smile despite her tired face and swollen eyes red from crying.

She said in a voice that sounded very raspy and cracked "Oh, Alex my son, you are here".

She gestured for him to come and sit near her. He walked up to his mother and sat at the edge of the bed.

" Mother, you called for me".

She sat up and turned to his sister " Lira, please excuse I and your brother for a while".

Lira's face showed clear dissatisfaction with this request but she nodded in approval and left the room.

Immediately she left, his mother turned to turned to him with a very serious face.

" We need to get you ready for your meeting with the chiefs".

He was confused as to why his mother was so serious

" Mother, what is the problem you look so tense. It's just a meeting and besides, I have appeared before them before".

"That was different son, then your father was alive but with the death of your father, there is only much that I can do to protect you. There is something you don't know, the members of the royal cabinet through noble blood have right to the throne. So, they would likely use every opportunity to take your throne. I want you to be mentally prepared as they might want to use the fact that you did not grow up here against you. Be ready my son".

He stared at his mother astonished. The thought of the throne being taken from him has never crossed his mind. How was he going to fight this battle?