"Her Royal Highness, Galena Honora of Liechtenstein is with His Royal Highness, Franz Dietrich of Liechtenstein had come to greet his Majesty!" Big golden doors opened before us as i gracefully and calmly walked in foward to the king's throne room. We're being eyed by my fathers minister, i'm sure what they're discussing right now is about my incoming "debut to the society" which means i'll be an official lady from then on. And planning for my engagement needs a lot of work as they're still finding for a suitable man from a respectable and noble family.
I paid my curtsey, and motioned for Franz to do it as well. "This lowly child greets his majesty." Our mother not currently present right now. "Galena greets his majesty."
"Rise, it's good to see you both doing well." Our father smiles at us gently. We may not be close but he also never act as a cold hearted father to us, he cares and might even actually loves us.
"His majesty, father took care of us well." His smiles widen. "I'll give anything for my remarkably children... so tell me why does my princess and the 4th prince came here to visit me?"
"This princess only want to visit the court, we haven't seen father much of these days. I even bring 4th brother with me." My father, the king smiled at us. He paused for a while as if he's battling with his inner self. "Galena, we've been thinking so far... the day of your debut is coming near and we planned to hold a ball and celebrate it grandiose. What do you think?"
I smiled gratefully. "My father is generous but I'm fine with anything." He laughed. "My daugher is solicitous, you never changed. Let it be grand then!" My father looked at the Eunch beside him. "Be sure to take note of this. 'At the day of Princess Galena, the first princess of Liechtenstein coming of age a ball will be held and everyone from the neighboring noble countries are invited." The emperor ended his words and nod his head to the Eunch making him sure to prepare everything else from now.
"His majesty is virtuous, it's an honor for me." The Eunch payed his respect and appreciation. To be the one in charge to a grandiose ball that'll be held in a few months from now sure is an honor. Especially since the king himself appointed him, so it should be meticulously handled.
The emperor just nod his head and pay him no more heed of attention.
"Child, since it's already finalized. These ministers of mine has been pestering me a lot about your engagement... i know it's too early to speak about this but there will only be a few months left before you finally reached the age of a proper lady that should be engaged right on. Have you ever had anyone in your mind?"
That made me look secretly at my brother, unless he suddenly threw tantrums.. it'll be a trouble. He might be punished for it.
I saw him with harden looks, his eyes sharpened and hands we're balled in a fist. Our eyes met and i whisphered silently to calm him down.
"This lowly child understand very well about the ministers and the king concerns, but i don't have anyone in mind yet. Probably because i haven't seen anyone that's deserving of me."
"I see..." father thoughtlessly said. "Can this king ask what is her daughter's preference of a man?"
I smiled. "I want my Wèihūnfū to be as handsome as father. A person that's even better or yet second to none of my father's ability and masculinity." The emperor laughed loudly, probably forgetting the etiquette of a royal. "Silly child, if your mother happens to heard of this she'll be very jealous."
"Your father is the only man in our continent to held such power, having someone better or even placed second after my name cease to exist yet." I smiled. "Father is certainly speaking the truth therefore, as long as that person still cease to exist i won't be planning to get engage yet."
The room went on a thundrous begging and loud shouts from the ministers. Because its like i'm saying that i don't want to get married because my preference of man is too impossible to exist.
My father went serious, his fingers tapped loudly at his seat. "Silence!" The silenced room is very suffocating i might add. Father stroked his chin, with his other hand.
"Child, are you aware of the consequences you might bear behind those words?" He look at me, like he's counting and reading my own. "Yours words could be take in fault and use it agaisnt you. Not finding the man you wanted to marry is fine because it means that you're open for marriage and would still be willing to get married someday."
"But saying that you don't want to get engaged with anybody not until you find someone's either better or even placed after your great father, is out of line."
I bowed my head a bit and smiled. "Father, i know and understand your point but i still won't change my mind. Father is the great ruler of Liechtenstein, the one that won every battle yet leaving unscathed... he build a powerful name by himself in the whole land of East, West, South and even North. The reason why the kingdom is still great is because my father is the ruler."
"I was inspired by father's greatness, and i really eny mother and really hoped i could also marry such prideful man.. that is why i wished to be engaged and marry someone that's even better or second to the best."
The king sighed. Yeah, i better won't get engaged yet not until Franz's old enough to be married. Franz is the kind of a kid that remembers every words much worst an oath from me. It binds me with him, even if we're blood related. I really wished to meet the male lead, but it won't happen yet... not until my debut.
"But child..." my father cut his words, it's like he's out of it to make me change my decision. "Fine, but i'll still give you portraits of the noble men that was all selected from our land to our neighboring lands. Everything about them was clearly written, and i want you to check and make a report out of it... i'll be reading it everytime whether i am busy or not. If somehow someone from the selected noble men was able to catch your attention. Try to give it a chance."
"Fa-"
"Uh Uh... you have to do it whether you like it or not, it's an edict from the king." I sighed, but bowed obdiently. "His majesty is being considerate. I won't disappoint you."
"Good, now..." father looked at his ministers. "Dismissed, i want the unneeded official to leave for a while." Voices from tens of people reverberated over the room.
I remained unmoving. As some of the official left, the only left is me, the emperor, Franz, some other few imperial guards and the remaining important ministers and officials.
"Come now children." Father motioned for us to walk closer. I look at Franz, what's wrong with him? He's been very quiet since earlier. I hold his hand and we walked towards father slowly. "Galena, i know how much you look up to father as he was so great but you shouldn't have had said those words."
My head dropped. "Yes, father." He carressed my head with his head. "Now, i'm sure you have something to say... what is it?"
"Presents? Toys? Luxury? Tell me what you need[want)?
"Lately, this lowly child worries a lot for his younger brother's well being. He encountered a terrible trauma as he told me that he himself saw his mentor being assassinated. I'm aftaid that the news already reached his majesties ears and rumour has been starting to spread. That cause can affect my brother more, causing his mentors to forfeit. Thus, i'd like to use this moment to propose to the king to be my brother's temporary mentor until this matter subside."
"I see, this child of mine turns out to be a thoughtful and kind lady befittingly. As you have said, this matter's really quite troublesome for as it'll affect your brother's royal dignity... but proposing to be your brother's mentor? Doesn't it look too much for a child like you?"
But with the words that i just exclaimed perhaps they already noticed what i am reffering. Thus all the ministers and scholars slumped down and kneeled before us. It's really a wonderful sight to see.
"Our kingdom does not lack power, knowledge and wealth. Who dares to defy and look down on us?!" My father roared. The ministers and scholars shouted as they kowtoed and beg. "His majesty is higher among all! Our King, have mercy to your lowly servants!"
My father frowned in anger. "Ever since a prince or a possible rightful heir was born, learning everything about imperial knowledge was already bestowed upon them as their rights! And hearing that such lowly beings dare to defy it! Trecherous!"
Father's words mean to say : What's the use of producing such wise scholars and making them ministers if they can't handle their work properly!
I kowted and signaled Franz to do the same. "Father! This lowly child is at fault, i should be the one to punish.... i didn't teach my servant's properly causing such ruckus! Please punish this lowly child of yours!"
Suddenly all of them was alarmed as i was taking the blame for nothing. Saying that i should be punished for not teaching my servants a proper conduct means like i was also blaming the imperial queen dowager for she is the one that's managing and controlling the servants volume. And blaming the King for not handling his people properly. My words could be took widely with different meanings depending on how the person would take it. But as i can see, they took it far widely.
Suddenly Franz, jumped in. "No! Please don't your majesty! Have mercy! Sister only cares for my well being!." Then the prime minister followed. "Your majesty, your humble servant apologizes for his mistake as i was unable to live up to your expectation! Please punish this lowly servant of yours!" Ministers and scholars followed. "Have mercy on us, your majesty!"
The king sigh in annoyance, what could he possibly do? He might probably think that a merely innocent and pure child like me can possibly cause a ruckus; a very delicious meal for an early dinner i might add.
He looked at me. "Rise!" My remained down. "This old man doesn't forbid you to be your brother's mentor. But as you brought it upon yourself, then you should bear the responsibilty well. As your brother's official mentor i expect more from the two of you..."
It made me secretly smiled at his words. But those words doesn't seem that it should be interpreted like it; you create such trouble just to give your brother a proper guidance... what do you see me for! Such wealth and power can bought any underserving mentors you speak of! So why trouble me?! "I understand, father. Thank you very much."
"And as for the rumours you say, i'm sure this servants could handle it properly." He motioned for the ministers and scholars that's still on the floor. "We appreciate his Majesties kindness and trust! Long live his majesty, our sun!"
I let my head down for a while. "Your majesty, perhaps this lowly child is greedy but please accept my last request." The king eyed me, suspiciously. He must be eyeing me like a berry flavored candy that suddenly turned sour that's supposed to be sweet. Changing over the shory period of time.
"Speak child."
"Please let me join and spend some quality time with his majesty."
"What?"
"Father, ever since i had aged and began to have the knowldege same as the adult... i became quite occupied that i rarely even visit my father and the queen anymore. Since father hardly have leisure time this child wanted to be with father even in his busiest days."
The king look at me a bit suspiciously... i even flash a convoncing smile to make him believe me. "If it's fine with you... but i understand if father-"
"Alright... do whatever you desire. But this king wanted to remind you that the court is not a child's playground." I smiled happily. "Yes of course, this child understand." I look up at my father [I might just start now.]
The reason why i suddenly wants to join the king, is because soon they'll made a dam. Many people would lose their land that will lead to their backlash agaisnt the king's governance. It woudn't be enough to throw the king over but it would be enough to shaken his authority over the people.
And i don't want that to happen. I like this new family of mine, especially since they're fun to be with. In addition, it will cause a threat to the royalties power... the place where they will built the dam is in the west side of the country, where the boundary of the west and north resides. It will be a lot of troublesome especially to the west's dukedom. So the least thing i could do is lessen the anomalies that'll happen.
But i won't intervene that much because i can't mess with the story plot any longer, it'll be troublesome for me so i need to stick with the flow.
One last time i bid my goodbye, we might even see each other again later. And i'm very excited. Atleast i need to gain power and authority even if its not that much, if ever the plot still stayed the same i will still be able to protect my self against my doom.
"We don't want to disturb father anymore so we'll go now... please continue and i will just visit you again later."
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Zeestarisyours