The Golden Crown's Sterling Treasure

Chapter 1

110,000 pieces of cutlery.

300,000 servants at his very beck and call.

1,000,000 soldiers fighting in wars.

2,081,224 nuggets of Gold in all.

The tall, brunette dropped the gold coin he fiddled with, placing it on the long dining table he was seated at. His head was rested upon his hand as he stared at his many maids coming in and out of the room; coming in with the most appetizing meal, leaving with nothing in hand. His carmine red and pearl white princely garment, was slowly becoming wrinkled due his slumped over posture. If his father were to see him in such a state, disapproving glares is all that he'd receive. Not to mention the long and monotonous lecture he'd receive about 'setting an example' and 'looking professional in front of his subjects'.

He had so much, yet nothing seemed to fulfill his needs nor wants. All of his luxuries were meaningless and barren through his eyes. Being born to inherit the crown at the age of 19, he was presented with a leisurely, carefree life. That isn't to say that his life had no lows nor troublesome situations, they weren't as frequent as of a servants or peasants.

Maybe he was thankful for his life, but who could be as genuinely thankful for such a repetitive life? The same routine, the same princely duties and classes, the casual balls filled with arrogant, rich snobs whom he detested with an immense passion. All he yearned for was something new. Maybe an adventure of sorts, a rival to fight with and to bring a pinch of spice in his life, or maybe a friend.

Although he despised acknowledging it, he had no real friend. Being as well loved as him, one would assume he'd have many acquaintances and confidants. Yet it was obscure from the public view that the dashing prince had no one he was able to truly call his friend. All those who 'wished to be his friend' only had their eyes set on one thing, the power and status they'd gain by this 'friendship'. All the women just wish to be wed to him, in turn gaining the status as queen to the throne. They could've cared less about him.

The quiet hum of the banging plates and the rushed feet of the maids, slowly lulling him to sleep. That was until a polite poke to his golden epaulettes returned him back to his original state.

He turned his head to right to get a better view of his disturber, it was one of the maids. The young lady held a golden rimmed plate tightly towards her chest. Her dress partially covered in flour and crumbs, with her apron covered to its fullest with batter. The maid looked alarmed by the dark bags under the future king's eyes.

"M-my deepest apologies my lord!" She said frantically. Goro gave out a small dismissive wave to the startled servent. "No, no. It's quite alright. This is no place nor time for me to doze off." Goro spoke tiredly. She continued to let out a stuttery chuckle, bringing the plate to her side. "Did you require something from me?" Goro asked as he remembered the reason behind the maid's presence.

"Oh! Um well, yes. We recruited a new maid, due to the death of one of the cleaners. One of your attendants had instructed me to inform you on the matter." Goro's eyes slightly widened in surprise, but it was quickly replaced with a more saddening expression; concern filling his eyes.

"That's.." He takes a moment to recalculate his thoughts, everything he says can be used against or for him. That's the first thing he's ever learned.

"That's quite unfortunate." All of it was fake. His so called 'friendly smiles' he'd give to anyone. His feelings, he couldn't ever show how he truly felt about a situation. Rather he'd be forced to show what he thought would make the kingdom believe that he is humble, and sincere.

So what did he truly feel about this situation?

It indeed was unfortunate but it was suspicious than anything. Servants, advisors, attendants and towns folk had been randomly disappearing into thin air, then a week later they had been found dead. It became such a frequent occurrence that many were concerned with what all of this had meant.

Goro desperately tried to find a connection behind all of this deaths, yet he'd came to a dead end. All the victims seemingly had no relations to one another. Most of those who'd died were innocent people as he was informed by the public's eye.

As future king, he was determined to find the root of this problem. It could've been to protect his people or to give his people another reason to fawn over him.

"Give her family my sincerest apologies as well as a gift basket." Goro kindly commanded the maid. "Of course, right away sire! But before I go, the attendant had recommended that you go and greet the new maid." She spoke timidly, shying away as she continued to speak.

"Y-yes, I'll get to that when I can."