Crowns ~ Smosh

Three

Breakfast was as usual. All twelve children were in their chairs, calmly eating what was served to them. Their father was missing, but he never seemed to show up during breakfast. But their routine was broken, as an unusual carriage pulled up to the front steps of the castle. 

Out stepped an unfamiliar man, with another unfamiliar man following closely behind. Another man stepped down from the driver's seat, following the two people with their baggage. It was these people that would change the lives of the royalty forever. 

The first man that approached had a large beard, the second one also had a full beard, it was almost as if they were approaching in order of how much facial hair they had since the third man also had facial hair, but considerably less than the other two. 

They were welcomed into the castle, and left standing the entrance way as the servant went off to find the king, who was expecting the three men. Inside this entrance was a large portrait of the late queen, some of the artifacts that were made for her were displayed beneath it. One of the men went towards these objects, picking up a silver goblet and examining it closely. 

"His Majesty the King," The servant introduced, bowing as King Ian walked through one of the doors and into the entrance way. The man who had been examining the goblet, quickly replaced it and moved to stand next to his companions. The king didn't seem to notice. 

"Thank you so much for coming, Cousin," The King said, hugging the man with the large beard. The man returned the hug.

"Oh it was no problem at all," The man smiled. "I was wondering when you would ask me for help." He turned away from the king, or his cousin, and turned towards his companions. 

"This is the Duke Bereta of Bostrurg, a very good friend of mine, who is trained in female equiquete. He will be working closely with your daughters while I work with your sons. And this is my servant, Sunny." For a man named Sunny, the servant was not full of happiness. In fact he looked rather miserable standing beside the two dukes. 

"Thank you very much for coming, Duke Bereta. I am sure my cousin has filled you in on the situation at hand?" The king asked, shaking the duke's hand. 

"He has," The duke replied. "I have trained many young princess in Bostrurg and have received fabulous results, I am sure that your daughters will be no different." 

"And of course I know all about your accomplishments with young princes, Cousin," The king said, smiling at the man he called Cousin. "I am sure that I am leaving my children in the right hands. My servant will show Sunny to where you will be roomed during your stay here, while I will introduce you to my children.

The king led the two dukes into an empty ballroom, where the king had his children line up for the introduction. And as he led the dukes closer and closer to where his children were waiting, he truly believed that he was doing the right thing.

He opened the door, revealing his children, who stood in their line, waiting anxiously. Their heads turned to the door as it was opened, and watched silently as the three men approached.

"Children," The king greeted. "This is Duke Raub of Tuscil, my cousin, and Duke Bereta of Bostrurg. They are here to teach you how to act like proper royalty." Whispers immediately flooded the silent room, as his children all looked at eachother in confusion. "Quiet please," The king snapped, and the room once again fell silent. The king coughed and stepped forward. 

"This is David, the eldest," The king introduced. David bowed.

"Pleasure to meet you, Your Graces," David said.

"Pleasure," Duke Raub responded. Duke Bereta only stayed silent, as if he were judging every movement from the princes and princesses standing in front of him, and perhaps he was.

"Mari, the second eldest." 

"Welcome, Your Graces," Mari said as she moved upward from her curtsey. 

"Is that mud on your skirt?" Duke Bereta almost sneered. Mari looked down at the skirt of her dress, realizing that there was in fact mud smeared around the edges of her skirt.

"Yes," She admitted quietly. "Noah and I were playing in the garden, I'm afraid it may have gotten dirty then." The Dukes didn't respond and the king awkwardly moved onto the next child.

"Joshua."

"Hello," Joshua responded nervously, moving to quickly push his glasses back up his face.

"Yes, hello," Duke Raub responded before walking along, waiting for the king to introduce the next child in the line. 

"Matthew." 

"Greetings," Matthew said as professionally as he could muster, bowing towards them as his brothers did before him.

"And to you," Duke Raub responded, before walking forward. 

"The twins, Wesley and Shayne," The king introduced. 

"Welcome, Your Graces," The twins responded in unison, also bowing simultaneously.  

"The pleasure is mine," Duke Raub answered, strolling past them.

"The triplets, Keith, Ericka, and Olivia."

"Hello," The three responded, but this time Duke Bereta spoke up, eyeing the two girls.

"Would that be paint? In your hair?" He asked, peering at them. The two girls turned towards each other, examining each other's hair in a mild panic. Keith turned towards his sisters as if to help them, but seemed at a loss for what to do, so he just stood there, slightly turned towards them. 

"Damien." 

"Hi, Your Graces," He said to them, smiling as he usually did. 

"Yes, hi," Duke Raub said in response moving on quickly to the next child.

"Courtney."

Courtney didn't respond, she was busy flipping through her notebook that she seemed to carry everywhere. Only when Damien nudged her did she respond.

"Oh, hello," She said shyly, quickly turning red in embarrassment. 

"Hello," Duke Bereta responded, and to Courtney's relief neither seemed to bother by her mess up.

"And finally, Noah." 

"Hi!" Noah said excitedly. 

"Well," Duke Raub said, turning towards the king. "You called me not a moment too soon. Your children are dreadfully unprepared for royal life." The king cleared his throat, turning to his children.

"I have asked Duke Raub and Duke Bereta to take charge in your upbringing," He said in a way of explaining what was going on. 

"But, Dad we-," Matthew started, stepping forward out of line.

"No protests please," The king stated strenly and Matthew quietly got back in line. "One day you will be in charge of running the kingdom. David may be next in line, but each and every one of you will have a role in this kingdom's future. You need to be proper royalty! Duke Raub and Duke Bereta will prepare you for this responsibility."

"And it looks like we have our work cut out for us," Duke Bereta responded, looking over all the children once more. Mari shifted uncomfortably as she realized just how much their lives were about to change.

I just wanted to say that I almost put Duck so many times instead of Duke, so if you do see that anywhere just remember that it is actually Duke and point it out to me so I can fix it.

Thanks!

~Jo