Go! Go! Go! Go For It, Prince Lee!

ŌGAMA

Another day, just like any other dawned in the Kingdom of Starliana. The dynasty’s sovereign ruler, Queen Janine, began her day just as she always did with a brisk stroll around the grounds of her palace. It was the best a frightfully busy monarch such as herself could do to stay active, but there was one extra benefit she enjoyed most of all. That was being able to personally greet a number of her loyal subjects. From the cooks, to the cleaners, to the craftsperson’s; everyone in the palace delighted  in a chance appearance by their beloved queen. Seeing their smiling faces equally invigorated her, if not more-so.

Her constitutional would take  her up the castle's central tower. There, she paused to observe the scenery visible  from the elevated balcony. In the soldier’s barracks, she could watch the samurai engaging in their morning calisthenics. Afterward, they would proceed  to their scholarly lessons. Even their most seasoned soldiers were drilled every day to stay physically and mentally sharp.

Just beyond there, the castle town was full of activity this early in the morning. Vendors within the fortified walls were preparing their shops  for another  day’s trade, and students attending the university were up for their first classes.

Further out from the prime real estate closest to the castle, she could just see the true backbone of the country; the faming towns.  They too were hustling and bustling in accordance with her early to rise ordinance. Everyone would be able to finish their labors before the afternoon onset of excruciating seasonal heat. The health and safety of all of her subjects was the pensive royal’s highest priority, but most especially, it was the harmony between everyone she treasured most.

Her musings were unceremoniously interrupted by the unexpected arrival of a messenger hawk.

Right away, she noticed a correspondence strung to the leg of the feathered courier as it perched beside her on the balcony railing. Before even thinking of taking the note, the queen was quick to unearth a small satchel she kept inside a pocket of her kimono. She then emptied its contents of edible seeds into her open palm to offer them as a token of gratitude for its service.  As it gladly feasted, she unfastened the rolled piece of paper and began to read.

She read the letter twice; her eyes darting across, and her hands gripping it harder to hold it steady. What she read was correct and dread welled up within her at the knowledge of trouble  brewing in her kingdom. Without delay, she abandoned her walk to rush to assemble her advisors.

Meanwhile, Prince Lee was sequestered  in his room busily attending to affairs of state. He should’ve been but instead he was absentmindedly whittling away time. Tapping his pen upon his desk in a musical rhythm and bouncing  his leg to the tune he created was how he chose to spend working time.

He stopped when his mind willed itself into remembering the gravity of his responsibilities. He was being conditioned to succeed his mother as future monarch, and most importantly, he was shouldering the burden of her endless workload. Being mindful of this renewed his vigor. Just as he put his pen to the paper, he lifted it up to balance on his upper lip and recline dangerously far  back on his chair’s  rear legs.

The boy was still failing to concentrate on the mind-numbing task. The sheer amount of paperwork didn’t trouble him, nor did the complicated arithmetic he needed to perform. No, it was the strict guidance of the royal advisors demanding absolute concentration that made it so toilsome.

 No opening windows for natural sunlight.

No food or drink.

No company of any kind except for approved financial specialists.