Final Fantasy XVI: Lion King Edition

The Empire of Sanbreque

Back at the castle, Annabella was sitting on the throne. It was among the many moments of the day where she can find inner peace, in her own little world where everything was perfect. No Clive, no humble husband, Joshua as archduke. She could have done the entire day lost in that perfect little world.

Unfortunately, that world came crashing down when Joshua and Clive came to greet her.

"Hello, Mother!" chirped Joshua. "Father took us out and he says that one day Clive will rule everything someday!"

"Nothing would please me more than to see you on the throne instead," Anabella smiled to Joshua and Joshua only.

Clive, who always tried to please his mother (his attempts always ended in vain), asked an innocent question.

"Mother, when I....or Joshua is archduke, what will that make you?"

"An archduchess' mother. Now go away, I want to be left alone."

"If you say so," said Clive. "But I want to ask something. Joshua seems certain that not all Bearers are bad."

"They're just as bad as the Empire of Sanbreque," Anabella retorted. "Who knows if their magic goes awry. They should be purged or exiled."

"At least Father gives them fair treatment," remarked Joshua, crossing his arms like a fussy little child.

As much as Anabella wanted to tell her sons how much of a retard their father was, a brilliantly awful idea flew into her head.

"Because your father is brave and only the bravest of men go there. You must promise both of us that you will never visit that place."

Joshua and Clive gave innocent smiles.

"We won't," they said in unison.

"That's good. Now run along and let me be alone."

So Joshua and Clive went upstairs to their chambers. They lounged on the king-sized bed, looking out at the world from the safety of the windows. In unison, they sighed sadly.

"For once, I just wish Mother would be proud of me," said Clive.

It seemed that no matter what he did, Anabella was very hard to please. She was as mighty as a brick wall, unmoving and undeterred. He had known that his entire life.

"And sometimes I wish you were the Phoenix," said Joshua. "Then she'd be happy."

"You do?" Clive had never heard him say such a thing.

"Of course, you're the oldest, you deserve it."

There were times where Clive had wished he had been blessed by the Phoenix, but since fate had other plans, the burden of this responsibility fell on Joshua's shoulders (as if you needed reminding).

Suddenly, a brainstorm hit Clive's head like lightning.

"How would a trip to the Empire of Sanbreque suit you?"

"Clive, you're not thinking...."

"Of course I am. If I can show Mother that I am just as good as knight, maybe she'll learn to love me."

Joshua couldn't agree more.

Some time later, Clive and Joshua rushed to the stables where they met up with Jill Warrick and their pet wolf cub Torgal. Both came from the Northern Territories after it was sacked by the Empire of Sanbreque. During his last encounter with them, Elwin found the two and brought them home. She got along well as a sister/friend figure to Clive and Joshua along with the servants. Unsurprisingly, Anabella was not too fond her for two reasons: 1. She was not a Dominant. 2. She did not want another mouth to feed, but gave in to Elwin's requests and she had a hard time being a gracious host to her. But through it all, Jill was gracious, grateful and kind.