The Discordant Crown

It's been more than 40 years since The King of the Kingdom of Veritas changed. The streets were filled with noise, rumours, and speculations. "I heard the King was terminally ill," someone said. "Maybe he was murdered?" wondered another. "He hadn't shown himself in public for a while," replied the third voice, "maybe he had some secrets?" The actual reason was that he was old and weak. And The Prince knew it. But everyone was convinced that there is a conspiracy and a whole hidden story behind it. As was expected, people loved to spill the tea.

However, The Prince certainly wasn't so enthusiastic about the change of the ruler. His father was strict, unyielding, and always busy with chores. The Prince couldn't remember the last time he saw him smiling. The Prince behaved as quietly as a lamb when they met while walking down the hall or having a family dinner. He was afraid of getting criticised. Nevertheless, he loved his father. And he was sure The King loved him in return, in his own way. But now The Prince was left alone: no father, no mother... He still had an older brother, though... who became a new King of the Kingdom of Veritas.

The Prince sat at the oak desk, staring at the flat wall and thinking about the unjust royal system. Why is it always the oldest one who gets all the public attention, an opportunity to make serious decisions, lots of personal guards, maids and governesses, and, most importantly, the status of The King? Is he, The Prince, not good enough to have all these benefits, too? Undoubtedly, he had his own servant, a young woman named Luna, who became his only companion at good and bad times. Luna came here from the Kingdom of Mendacium, quickly fit in the local area, and ultimately got a job in the King's castle.

The Prince heard a soft knock on the door.

"Who is there?" he asked.

The door slightly opened and Luna's round, freckly face looked out of it.

"Are you contemplating your life again?"

"Well..." The Prince said, "yes."

"I am going to visit my family next week," she stepped inside the room. "I haven't been there for months now. Will you let me go there?"

"Don't you need to ask for The King's permission first?" "I already did. He said he is fine with that!"

Luna got quiet, so The Prince realised that she is up to something. He noticed sparkles of joy in her eyes and in a moment a wide smile appeared on her face.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Do you want to join me?"

"Luna, I can't..." The Prince stuttered. His brother has made tons of plans and placed dozens of responsibilities on him. He couldn't just go along with Luna and leave the new monarch without any help. Or could he? He had advisors, politicians, guards, and servants by his side. It won't be a great problem if The Prince goes abroad for a while. "On second thought, yes, I will go with you!"

Finally, the long-awaited day has come. All the pieces of luggage were packed, the routes were created, and the details of the trip were discussed with Luna. However, The King didn't seem so enthusiastic about it.

"So you are going away for the whole week, and you are telling me about that only now?" The King asked, squinting eyes at his brother.

They were standing in one of the state rooms. The interior of this room has always annoyed The Prince with its excessive details: a red exquisite carpet, carved furniture, huge windows with heavy curtains, tall columns, and a gigantic сrystal сhandelier, hanging right above two of them. But this time, the sense of discomfort felt even stronger.

"Do you have any problems with that?"

"Of course, I do! You have to help me with some chores! We have even organised a ball, where everyone will expect to see you! Moreover, I promised one of the counts that you will give a speech at his place..."