<on hiatus> 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 - 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝟏𝟎 [𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲]

[audience with the king]

"No!" Incoherent yelling filled the entire room. "Your majesties, that simply cannot happen. The crown princess is incapable of ruling the kingdom," someone yelled.

I recognise him as Duke Austin Mabrey Von Hastle, a member of the aristocracy whose house was always against the throne. From what I remember, he was quite a good looking man despite his age and a brilliant swordsman and was made the commander of the Knighton's first knight squadron.

"Duke," I heard my mother's voice, "the king and I have made the decision to step down from the throne by the end of this year and the crown princess will ascend to the throne. Our decision is final."

"No matter what you say, your majesties, I will object to the princess's ascension to the throne," he protested. I wonder why he is so against me taking my father's place.

"... why do you say so, duke?" My father said.

"Your majesty," the duke began, "by having the princess ascend to the throne, aren't you considered breaking law and tradition?"

"Nonsense," I heard my father say. "What nonsense are you spewing, duke?"

"Your majesty, have you forgotten? A princess cannot rise to the throne without having a husband by her side."

There was a momentary silence.

"Duke," my mother said, "are you implying that my daughter must marry to ascend to the throne?"

"Yes, indeed, your majesty," I heard Duke Austin say. "But there is always another option."

"Which is?" My father said.

I feel nervous right now.It's kinda weird actually. I am the only child of the royal family of Knighton.

"Have Nicholas Wayne take your place as your successor, your majesty," he said," after all, House Wayne is your closest blood-related relative."

"Nicholas is a fine young man," the duke continued. "He is a few years older than the princess, of course. He was made Duke Wayne's heir, if you remember, and has made quite impressive accomplishments over the years despite his young age. I should tell you that he is a genius tactician, brilliant swordsman, and a promising future doctor."

"Oh, is he a medical student?" I heard my father's surprised tone. It sounded as if he was... impressed by Nicholas.

"Yes, he is. He's in his clinical years and will be graduating soon as we speak," Duke Austin continued. "Someone like him—a man of noble values, high status, intelligence and skill—is most suited for the throne."

There was a long silence in the room. The silence made me think that my parents were considering his suggestion.

"Do you have anything to say about this, Marquess Anders?" My mother said.

Marquess Keith Anders was Knighton's wise chancellor. I had seen him since I was a baby, and it seems as if he hasn't aged ever since. His looks are still as good as they were, and his wisdom beyond comparison.

"Forgive me for saying this, your majesties, but I'm afraid," Marquess Keith said, "that the duke is right. The law of Knighton clearly states that a princess must marry before she can ascend the throne. If Princess Macy refuses to marry, then Nicholas Wayne will have to ascend to the throne in her place."

"We never even had that law before!" My father objected. "I never recalled making it much less hearing about it."

"... they are right," my mother said after a while.

"Dear?" I heard my father say.

"It has been the law of Knighton for 115 years now, Eggred," my mother said. "There is no way against it.

"Fine," my father sighed. "The crown princess will be given a year to find a husband in order to rule the kingdom—"

"No," Marquess Anders protested. "I'm afraid that duration is too long, your majesty."

"... what about six months?"

"Three months, your majesty," Duke Austin said nonchalantly.

"... fine. Three months."

I stormed off and headed to my room to think this through.