HER MAJESTY, HIS ROYALTY

EPISODE 2: UNVEILING ROYALTIES' HEARTS

Mshell

For the first time in a while, I find myself eager for the holiday to end. Not that home was unpleasant or anything, but I truly miss my friends from school. It's only been a week since the holiday began, but it feels like a long time already.

It's funny how back in my prime years at Crowns Academy, I didn't have many friends. Yet, now in my senior year, I have so many wonderful people in my life. There's Mello, my buddy, his adorable girl, Carlo, the talented blonde basketball player, Jerry, my all-time boss, and Hayley... she's really special. And then there's my most recent friend, Evly. She may come off strong, but I have a really good feeling that we'll be close soon enough.

A polite voice from the other side of my room door called out, "Your Highness." I invited the Chief servant, Mr. Owen, to come in. He had brought the castle servants to help me get ready. I wasn't particularly fond of the royal hearings. They were always long and boring, with Kings and Lords from the kingdoms reading scrolls and making statements. These scenes suited Kenzo more; after all, he was the crown prince. However, Mr. Owen insisted that I attend, probably because my father wanted me to be part of the hearing.

The royal hearing dragged on for a while. Joe and I sat next to each other while Kenzo, Dad, the Kings, and the Lords were seated at the other end of the royal court. It seemed more bearable to me than to Joe; you could say he was losing his mind.

My siblings are the most unique and wonderful siblings one could have. Kenzo, the firstborn and crown prince, is very timid and sweet. I know he would make a great emperor; it's like he was born to lead this great nation. Carmen, the second-born and only girl, is beautiful and successful. She graduated from the Royal School of Music as the best student and has been flourishing ever since. I'll miss her when she gets married; she's like a second mom to me. Then there's Joe, the youngest and the funniest being. He's in high school, but not at Crowns; he attends the Royal School of Arts here in Athras Central.

"I'm losing my mind, Mshell. When will this be over?" Joe asked, as though I would have the slightest idea.

"Trust me, bro, I have no idea," I replied.

After what seemed like endless hours of listening to tedious speeches, the royal hearing finally came to an end, and the Lords of the kingdoms exited the court. We had to stay back and pay our respects to the royal family.

As each of the Lords and Kings of the kingdoms in Athras came forward, Mr Owen would announce their names and state their positions in the nation. I learned the breakdown of the great nation of Athras at a young age. As the second son of the emperor, this knowledge was something I couldn't escape.

The great nation of Athras is divided into three main parts: Athras Central (the capital of the nation and where the emperor's home is located), the North, and the South. The North has two kingdoms: Al'done and Odessa, while the South has three main kingdoms: Asianie, Mane's, and De'Rheal.

Finally, the hearing was over, and I could carry on with my life. Life in the palace was not as boring as one might think. We had a huge library filled with numerous books, and being the nerd that I am, I made the most of it.

Later that day, we had dinner, and Carmen's engagement was officially announced. She was getting engaged to the son of the prime minister of Athras Central. They met at the Royal School of Music and fell in love. Carmen is my closest sibling, so I know all about their love story, and it's truly beautiful. Despite knowing about my crush on Hayley, Carmen keeps telling me to look around, thinking I might be into someone else, but Hayley is the one; these feelings are rare for me, but they happened with Hayley.

After dinner, I went to my room and decided to check my phone. Evly and I have been texting a lot this holiday; she has been really helpful with my Hayley situation.