Life Together.

Benjamin

"Your majesty, it's time to wake up." A maid gently shook my bed to get me up.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes from sleep from my bed. 

"Hurry up or you'll be late for your lessons Prince Benji." she said as she went to open the windows and curtains wide open. 

I groggily squint my eyes at the little sun we get here in the Moon kingdom and stand up as the maid puts on my bathrobe. "Thank you  Arina, but you know I can do it myself right? I'm not a baby anymore." 

She blushes and I catch a glance of a bemused look on her face before she bowed, "I understand that sir, but it is my duty to take care of you. It has been a habit of mine since you were small sir." 

This is how every morning goes. Of course she has to say that, she is of a lower standing than me. She's lucky to even have this kind of pampering despite working for a low payment. Father is too kind to all of his employees and gives them protection, warmth, and clothing to them and their families. Despite these wonderful conditions, it is a pity that everyone here can't be any more than what they have right now. 

I once approached my father about this issue but he simply smiled and told me that everyone had a place in the world, their own destinies to follow. If anyone disrupted that, then everything would be in chaos. At that time I still did not understand what he meant. 

He said I was too young still.

I was twelve at the time. 

"Well, next time, you can just leave the clothes by the bed alright Arina?" 

"Yes, your Majesty." she curtsied and proceeded out the door to leave. 

You're probably wondering why she didn't bring me tea or breakfast once I woke up. Well, that's because I refused to let her do so. I wanted to walk into the dining room and greet my family before I started my day.

Once breakfast was finished, my older sisters bickering and father and mother were giving looks of disdain (they were both still mad at each other for an issue I don't know), it was on to my lessons. I disliked the teachings given by my instructor. They were too slow and seemed to never peak my interests. Although I met his expectations, he seemed to loathe me for who I was. 

"If you could pay attention today Prince Benji, that would be delightful. Now, today we will review Geography. Do you remember where each kingdom lies in?" 

I snapped out of my daze and stared at the map in front of me. "The Moon, Calo, Sun, and uh... where's the last one?" I could never remember the last one due to it's small territorial space.

"The Icarus!" he pointed at a small spot in between the Sun and Calo regions. " Young man, your assessment is tomorrow and if you cannot figure out each nation's location, then you are not fit to inherit your father's position."

Oh, here we go again. This is preposterous, I'm doing the best I can, and this man will not even give me a chance to redeem myself! I tuned out to his lecture about me holding up my father's reputation and leading a proud country just like him. 

"Stop telling me what I already know!" I snapped, I was getting fed up with his idiotic lecture. "I am fully aware of what I'm supposed to do. I am prepared enough for the assessment old man, so quit telling me things that are unimportant right now!"

The instructor bore an intense stare into my eyes. 

I did not back down and met his challenge to my own. 

"If you know everything there is to know, then tell me the history of how all of our nations got started." he said coolly, smirking as if he was expecting me to fail. 

Truth be told, I might have if I wasn't a diligent student under his tutelage. "The four kingdoms were originally formed by four great people. Alixa Sun, Sapika Calo, Kintep Icarus, and Melorin Moon. All were descendants of the stars and cousins to each other. All of them wanted to build something powerful together. When they began, everybody was in one nation of the Stars, living in discomfort of close counter with each other. However, each had different views of how it must be governed. Alixa Sun wanted people to live with pride and stand in the light of knowledge to keep on building up the land for the children. Sapika Calo wanted people to rely on each other and bring kindness and prosperity for all people. Kintep Icarus wanted everyone to live in freedom with each other, and speak without being frightened for speaking their minds, valuing good quality arguments to reach an agreement with everyone else. Melorin Moon wanted everyone to use their wits to come to a conclusion for peace. They fought and argued with each other to see who's idea of ruling was best and eventually came to the conclusion that dividing the lands evenly for each one was the best way to go. So, each cousin established their kingdoms in their own ways, some blood was shed to achieve these goals but here we are now, peaceful and prosperous for fifty years now." I answered without taking a single break in between. 

The instructor only curtly nodded and turned around. "Good, now shall we get back to reviewing your Geography of the place?" 

I narrowed my eyes "Yes, sir." 

"Oh, and Prince Benji, you're wrong about one thing." he said without turning back to face me.

"And that would be...?" I raised an eyebrow.

"We are not living in peace and prosperity, we are living among the blood that's been spilled to get you here and if nothing changes, then there will be more bloodshed."