AMA-Con: The Compilation

Kingdom

@aosfiction – Quirky Maine + Snary Alden –Kia @candyscribbles

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1

It was like a scene in a movie. The boss was walking straight on his way to his office. His bodyguards trailed behind him. The staff who saw the boss went out of the prince's way, either sneaking back to their offices or stopping on the side and giving him a light curtsy when he passed by. He ignored everyone. He was a man on a mission. When he neared his office, a guard opened it up immediately for him and he went straight inside.

His two brothers and a sister greeted him. They were waiting for him for a while now. They knew that he just came from one royal engagement and they could not do anything about it. As the eldest child and the crown prince, Prince Richard has more royal duties than the rest of his siblings. Recently, his position as the CEO of their family-owned company was transferred to the second son, his brother Jake, so that he could focus more on his training as the future king. Regardless of that, his schedule was taking away the time that he wanted to spend on his family and his hobbies, mainly playing polo with his friends.

He quietly looked at his siblings. "I was told that you wanted to see me. What is it about?" He went around his table and sat on his chair. He saw the documents on top of it and started perusing each. For sure, their father, King George, would ask about this later and he needed to review it immediately.

When his siblings did not say anything, he looked up. He found them just watching him. He frowned. "You know, we all have some precious time. Just tell me what brought you here, and I mean all of you."

"I still don't understand why you're so grumpy. You need to loosen up. You're so tight." Henry said, earning a light smack on the head from their sister.

"I don't need your opinion. Just tell me what it is and leave." He did not have time for anything right now. His next schedule would be in thirty minutes with his lawyer. Jake and Henry looked at each other and then, they turned to their sister, Alyx. The youngest among the brood swallowed hard as she fumbled on the hem of her dress.

"I'm getting married, to Frederique."

There was silence in the room. The three watched their brother paused. His head slowly moved up and looked at them.

Richard slammed his hand on the desk, making his siblings jolt in surprise. "What?!" He stood up. "What the hell, Alyx? Are you pregnant? You're too young!" His sister looked at him with defiance. So, this was what the meeting was all about. His brothers were here to support their sister because they knew how much he disliked Alyx's boyfriend. Honestly, their princess didn't deserve such a man, but Alyx would never listen to him.

"I'm not. I just really love him. So I came here to let you know and I will not back down on my decision just because you dislike Fred."

It was a custom in their family. The daughter should get the approval and blessing of her parents and siblings before getting married. Richard was probably the last person they talked to about this. Well, he would not give her what she needed from him. "Your boyfriend never even tried to win everyone in this family. How dare is he to even ask you to marry him? So don't blame me if I won't give you my approval for you to get married."

"You have to, Richard. I want to marry him."

"It's just a passing fancy. Give yourself more time to think about it and know him better, and then, you can get married later. But right now, I will not give you what you want. That man have to learn how to earn our trust and respect." He sat back down. Case closed. He heard Alyx stomped on her feet and he heard a door slammed close. He shook his head. With a behavior like that, he doubted if Alyx was actually ready to get married. She was acting like a kid. She only liked the idea of a wedding. When he looked up, his brothers were still there.