-WHITFIELD PALACE OF THE THORNDIKE-
Ever since I was a child, I have always been prepared to be the best. My father has given me the best food, clothes, toys, accommodation, education, and everything else that you can imagine. You might be thinking that I am exaggerating, but the thing is, I am not.
My name is Alexander. The complete name is Crown Prince Alexander Thorndike, the First Prince of the Kingdom of Saravia.
Yes, the reason why I have always received the best is that I am heir to the throne of the biggest Kingdom on the Continent.
You might be thinking that even though I have lived a very blessed life, I must have suffered. That is kind of true since the price of receiving the best since birth is to become the best since birth. The thing is, I have lived up to those expectations. I started reading when I was 2. I learned the history of our nation when I was 5. I completed my training for the Saravian Military Martial Arts when I was 8. I mastered the Thorndike Royalty Sword Style when I was 10. When I was 15, my martial ability is at the level of a General and my Knowledge is at the level of a veteran Scholar. My teachers have anointed me as 'A Genius that only comes out whenever a comet and a meteor collide'.
I have heard about stories of royalties having a very stressful life. The throne was fought by several princes. The stories about a high-ranking official scheming to take the throne for himself. Fortunately, those stories won't happen. First of all, in the Royal Family of Thorndike, there are currently four children. I am the second born. The firstborn is my older sister. The third born is also a sister that has a similar age as me because she was born to a different mother. Finally, the last child is a male that is also a half-brother born from the second wife of my father.
Females are not allowed to take the throne unless there are no other male options which disqualify my sisters. Princes born from a second wife are also not allowed to become royalty unless there are no other options which also disqualifies my younger brother. That makes me the undisputed heir to the throne. Other than those rules, we siblings also have a very close relationship even though we are not fully connected by blood. Well, I do have a great relationship with my older sister and younger brother. Not so much for my same-age sister even though I have tried my best to be close with her.
Enough of all of that chitchat.
Now that I am sixteen years old, my life as a prince is about to become even busier. I know for a fact that I am destined to become the King of Saravia and I have prepared my entire life to do so. Today, I am summoned by my father to the Royal Throne Room for a huge announcement. This will be a huge step toward my path to becoming the King of Saravia.
As I am walking in the hallway, I heard a familiar voice.
"ALEX!!!"
"Shhh!!! Lower your voice, sister. You know that father hates noises here in the hallway."
"Oh, it's fine. Are you not glad to see your sister after a very long time?"
This lady is my sister Cath. Princess Catherine Thorndike, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Saravia. She is my older sister. Cath is a very bubbly and energetic person. A very positive one, however when she gets serious, she could be a very intimidating lady.
"I already heard about your arrival earlier. I was about to greet you after I meet father in the throne room. By the way, where are you heading while wearing such a formal outfit?"
"Ahh, this? I just arrived and I have not changed my clothes because I need to greet my father first. This means that we are heading in the same direction. Why don't we walk together, Prince Alexander?"
*Chuckles* Looks like my sister still has not changed.
"That would be my pleasure, Princess Catherine."
I playfully reached out my arms to Cath which she accepted and then we continued walking towards the throne room.
"By the way Alex, why are you summoned by father?"
"Sister, I am now 16. You know what happens to us when we turn 16."
"Wait, your 16 already?!?! I am getting old so fast!!!"
"Be quiet. You are still 19."
"Wait, 16 means you are entering the-!"
I nodded as she gasped.
"Does that also mean that our sister is also going with you?"
"Probably. Cath, stay focused, we have already arrived."
We tidied our appearances and straightened our postures as we entered the Throne Room together.
The Throne Room is filled with antiques, paintings, and treasures that are all part of our Kingdom's History. The entrance is also filled with guards that bowed to us. But the main attraction is none other than the Jade Throne. The Chair that only the King could sit on. The Throne that I will sit on in the future.
My sister and I walked towards the Jade Throne but we noticed from afar that my father has yet to arrive and one familiar figure is standing right in front of the throne. Looks like she arrived first.
"CHAR!!!!"
Catherine quickly dashed towards her target as she hugs her tightly. I quickly followed her to prevent any problems.
"Sister… you… are suffocating… me…"
"Oh, right sorry about that! I am just very glad to see you once again after a very long period of time! Are you not happy to see me?"
"I am… Welcome back, sister."
"Oh, come on! Be more cheerful, Char! You have lesser energy than before. Don't tell me that Alex has given you a hard time while I was away?!"
"Wait, what?! Stop talking nonsense, sister. And you should also lower your voice. You know that we are currently in the throne room!"
"Oh please, father is not yet here. I still need to catch up with both of you!"
I looked at my other sister and greeted her.
"Hey there, Char."
Her timid expression quickly turned into an aggressive one as she looked me in the eye.
"You know that we are not that close for you to call me that, Prince Alexander."