"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."
As soon as she said those words, the atmosphere of the entire room suddenly changed. Even Catherine's smile surprisingly disappeared.
The room was silent for while until Cath broke the ice.
"HA HA… It seems like the two of you are still lively as ever. HA HA…"
Her name is Charlotte. Princess Charlotte Thorndike Capps. The Second Princess of the Kingdom of Saravia. Since she was born to a second wife, the last name that she carries is different from Catherine and mine. That is also the same case for our younger brother.
My encounters with Charlotte have always been like that ever since we were children.
We are both born royalties. We are both the same age. We eat the same food and sleep under the same mansion. Even though we have different teachers, we are still given the best education from birth. Even after all of those, Charlotte has always been hostile to me.
She is the kind of person that takes everything seriously. She has the eyes of someone that is determined to achieve her goals in life. She is that kind of person. Due to that nature, she is generally cold towards everybody, but she is particularly belligerent towards me.
Even though I still have no idea what the reason why is she like this to me, I do think it has to do something with our statuses as royalty. Maybe she wants to win the throne? Who knows, but if that were true, I am not giving up my destiny for us to be close. That does not mean that I hate her though. Even though she always pushes me back, I won't lose her since I believe that she is the most talented person that I have ever met. She will be a needed asset for my future and at the end of the day, she is still my sister.
The hostile environment of the room quickly disappeared as soon as an announcement arrived.
"His Majesty, King Robert Thorndike of the Kingdom of Saravia enters the Royal Throne Room!!!"
The three of us along with the guards in the room quickly paid our respects to our father. Our siblings kneeled and bowed our heads as we make way for our father to walk towards the Jade Throne and he quickly takes a seat on his throne. Together with him is the Thorndike Family's trusted Aide, Sir Vincent Cahill.
The three of us then greeted our father in unison.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Greetings my children, you may now rise."
All of us quickly rose up as we respectfully looked at our father.
"Guards, you may now leave the room."
As soon as my father signaled, the guards left.
"Now that they have left. Where should we start?"
"Father!!! I am now back!!!"
The professional look and posture of Cath immediately turned into excitement as she dashed toward our father for a hug. Father on the other hand turned his serious face into a smile as he receives the hug from his first daughter.
"Welcome back, my daughter Cath. It seems like you have yet to change. You are still immature as always."
"Father!!! I am not immature. I just missed you so much!!!"
"HA HA HA HA HA!!! I missed you too dear."
Although he is the father of the greatest nation of the continent, King Robert, he is still a father of four. I know that he is exhausted due to his duties but he is still able to be a wonderful father to all of us. That is why I have always idolized my father and as soon as I become the King of Saravia, I will strive to become as good as my father.
"Alright, my dear. I know that you just returned. You may now leave and take a rest. Your father is glad to see you. Let us talk next time."
"Ok father. Your Daughter will now be leaving. I am going ahead Alex and Charlotte!"
"Sure! Let's talk later."
I waved goodbye as she leaves the Throne Room.
My father ended his chuckling and went back to his serious look.
"Alexander and Charlotte. Now that you are both 16, you should know what will happen to the both of you from now on. Are both of you ready?!"
"We are prepared, Your Majesty!"
"It is nice to hear your energy. The two of you have been sheltered in this Palace for your entire lives. You are both under my protection as you head towards your adulthood. Now that you are at the right age, you will now be entering society not as royalties, but as yourselves. This has been a long-running tradition of the Thorndike Family for centuries, but this will be the first time that two Royalties will enter at the same time. The two of you should know that after this stint, both of you will be formally introduced to the Kingdom of Saravia as Prince and Princess. Especially for you, Alexander. This is very important."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will not disappoint you."
Father is right. This will be crucial for me as the future King of this nation. This will be the first time I will without my status as Prince. All I have is everything that I learned in my life. After four years when I turn 20, I will be publicly known. For 4 years, I will be away.
"Prince Alexander and Princess Charlotte, as the King of Saravia, I hereby command the two of you to rest your titles as royalties and enter the Fevrier Academy of Excellence!"