Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

XXIV. Hugo

Sunday, 1st October 1939

Alexander and I would be in my office at Regillus Eques, knowing that we won't be disturbed. Because who would be bothered in disturbing me and Alexander? I checked the calendar and realised it's been a month since the war started. Time flies when you're busy. A month since everything has slowly fallen into its appropriate places, from my point of view with Regillus Eques. With six years worth of planning, I do hope that the whole Regillus Eques would follow it down to the letter. If we mess it up, even the most basic thing... I fear for the worst. I'm not sure how Alexander will react if we made a mistake.

"Earth to Hugo. You there, buddy?" Alexander asked me and I zone back into reality as I looked at him.

"I'm here," I replied, before I shift in my seat, adjusting how I sat, making me more comfortable.

"Good. Because there's quite a lot of things we need to discuss," Alexander told me and I nodded.

"I'm not surprised that you know where Hitler will strike next and I won't ask," I told him, who laughed.

"You occasionally forget some things about me, Hugo. But no matter, it's fine," Alexander told me, before clearing his throat.

"Right... Back to the matter at hand," Alexander continued, looking at his notes. I nodded.

"The Inner War will be starting in two days. As you know, we made some tiny changes. Only Colette knows the changes. However, Winston and King Francois doesn't," Alexander started before looking at me, "Are you sure you are ready for this?"

"I'm going to ask you the same question, Alexander," I replied. Alexander looked grim.

"I believe I am up for this. I am duty-bound to do so. Born into the Royal Family, I... made an oath. An oath that was immediately put into place the moment I was born. It was about duty. Duty to protect this great nation and her people. This... duty has now expanded to both France and Denmark. Ever since I was made the Duke of Cambridge... I realised that being the Duke of Cambridge was more than the title. It was about the honour, valour, and the duty behind it. I don't know how to explain it, but it's just this need for duty..." Alexander told me.

"It is a heavy burden, but the military also shares this burden, Alexander," I told him.

"Yes," Alexander muttered before looking at me, "What about you?"

"Well, truth be told... I didn't imagine myself about serving both France and Britain when I was younger. I imagined myself to be a carefree lad before meeting you. When I first met you, I would expect myself to be... Carefree. Until Regillus Eques. The dream of carefree was just thrown out of the window right afterwards. You, Alexander, have taught me the definition of duty to serve. You, the Prince of Wales, have not just taught me, but every single Regillus Eques agent, the definition of duty to serve, the right and wrong, among a number of other lessons that you have taught us. You, Heir Apparent of the British Throne, is a goddamn inspiration," I replied. Alexander looked at me.

"Since when can you pull out an inspirational speech?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I really have no idea. Maybe it's something that's rubbed off on me from someone," I replied.

"That's definitely me, right?"

"Yeah."

"You, old friend, will need to sleep early tonight. You're leaving early tomorrow. I'll make sure everything will go smoothly here, from the news to the reactions," Alexander told me.

"I'm sure you will. You're a bloody perfectionist," I stated and he rolled his eyes, "You know it's fact."

"Yeah yeah I know," Alexander replied.

"I think both of us are ready for this. Anyway... How certain are you about our victory?"

Alexander stared at me.

"Quite certain."

I nodded.

"Just double-checking."

"Of course. After all... You are the so-called 'sane one' in this duo," Alexander joked. I laughed.

"I believe that this includes our meeting...?" I asked, slightly curious as I stood. Alexander nodded as he stood. He squared his shoulders as he looked at me.

"Good luck, Alexander. Be careful," I told him. Alexander nodded.

"Send a telegram once you're in Berlin. Use a false identity too," Alexander told me. I nodded.

"Hugo... Be careful. Don't set everything on fire before I arrive," Alexander continued.

"I won't. I'll make sure everything went according to plan," I stated. Alexander then hugged me. I hugged back. We soon release one another and look at one another in the eyes.

"Rex enim et patria [For King and for country]," Alexander stated.

"Rex enim et patria," I repeated, "Vivat Rex [God save the King]."

These two statements became a code for both Alexander and I. It is a way for us to know that it is us in the fear of doppelgangers that were posing as us. If the doppelgangers looked at us with a questionable look... We know it's not the other. Consider it as the safety codes shared between us.

Monday, 2nd October 1939

Britannicus,

I have just arrived. Send the word.

-Gallico

After writing the telegram, I sealed it and gave it to the receptionist.

"Gib es dem Generaldirektor. Nur der Generaldirektor. Kein anderer. Verstanden? [Give it to the Director-General. Only the Director-General. No one else. Understood?]" I told the receptionist.

"Jawohl. [Yes, sir.]" The receptionist replied.

"Gut. Senden Sie nun das Telegramm sofort an den Generaldirektor. Es ist keine Zeit zu verlieren. [Good. Now send the telegram to the Director-General immediately. There is no time to lose.]" I snapped, and the receptionist stood up before scrambling away. I watched him for a moment, before heading back to my room, meanwhile, unease washes over me as I closed the door behind me. I walked over to the window and looked out to the city of Berlin with grim determination.

'Rex enim et patria.' I thought. I then settle down in the room, as unease continues to reign within my mind for the rest of the day.

Dear Diary,

I have arrived at the hotel in Berlin, just to make sure things go alongside Alexander's plans. It is one of the Regillus Eques owned hotels (that Alexander and I will be staying in), meaning that there are security plans, as well as a number of other things set in place that allows Regillus Eques agents to escape in fear of prosecution and others. Stories have been miraculously prepared and planned to the tiniest detail. The moment I land in Berlin, Regillus Eques will immediately spread the word of my...capture as the war's first Anglo-French RAF soldier taken as a prisoner of war. There have been now words since I left in regards to anything. There are two different meanings to this. It is a good thing because I really need to focus and concentrate on what lies ahead. But, the downside to this, I really need to know what is going on with everyone back home.

With everything in mind right now, there are a lot of things that are in the high stakes area because of the 'make or break' mindset. I don't know what the future will hold, as it is out of anyone's hands. Despite the brutality of the German military as of now, the British military will no doubt return the favour in the years to come. Nothing, let me repeat, nothing is invincible, and remain undefeated for a long number of years. Unless... you count the Royal Navy up to the point of the Great War.

I'll need to get some sleep now. There is so much that is relying on the success of the Inner War.

-Hugo