Crown The Empire

Chapter One

Proud. Everyone has at least one person who they want to make proud. For Prince Leif, it was his father, King Reginald. He would do just about anything if it meant fulfilling the dreams that his father had wished for him.

What seemed to be the number one plan at the moment was that Leif was to be King in just one month, as that would be the day the boy would turn 18. It was a day that Leif knew was going to happen since he was a child, he just never thought it would approach as quickly as it did. In fact, sometimes he imagined that he could already feel the nerves for his 'big day'. At the slightest mention of his coronation, Leif would feel his body tense up and heart start to beat faster.

The word that the doctor's called it was anxiety, and it was normal for teens his age. It also was said to be inevitable.

Leif stood in the one place that seemed to relieve him, no matter how nervous he felt. Near the castle, a lake was placed directly across from his room's balcony. He stood near the water allowing his mind and breathing to become synchronised with the steady crash of the waves. He stood close enough to the water, that if the wave was big enough, the mist it produced would be sprayed against his pants.

After standing there for long amounts of time, his clothing slowly became wet with the kiss of the water, especially around the bottom of his pants.

He didn't mind though. It was a gentle reminder that he was still there. In a way, it kept him tethered to reality.

A slight breeze would pass every couple of moments. It's soft breath shifting the locks of light brown hair that covered his head. The leaves on the trees rustling in their own harmonies. Leif couldn't help but to allow his eyes to close softly as he stood. His mindset was completely calm, the feeling of anxiety draining from his body. Something about the nature surrounding him was so enchanting. It was like a spell that warded off all negative emotions.

Leif became so fixated on the waves and the song of the leaves that he didn't even notice the soft footsteps that approached him. In fact, he didn't realise a person was approaching until he felt the gentle touch of someone tapping on his shoulder. Leif jumped at the sudden contact, he thought that there was no one else there, just him and nature.

"I'm terribly sorry for frightening you, Prince." The frail voice belonged to a young woman who was part of the castle's staff. She had a slightly scared expression on her face, concerned that the Prince might've been mad that she scared him.

Leif turned to face her, "No worries." he replied with a soft smile, assuring the woman that she had nothing to fear. "I just thought I was alone."

"I am very sorry for disturbing you. Any other time I would've left you to think alone but I'm afraid that your mother has requested to talk to you, Your Highness." She explained.

Leif paused and mentally noted about how she had addressed him formally both times she spoke. He never really liked being referred to as 'The Prince' or 'Prince Leif', it made him feel as if he had too much authority. However, that was how his parents, mainly his father, liked it so he didn't really have a choice.

"Something wrong, Prince?" She asked, noticing that Leif was taking longer than expected to respond.

"Nothing is wrong." He confirmed, with a weak smile, giving the lady the words she wished to hear. She smiled back and began to return back to the castle.

Leif could feel his hands slowly become coated in a layer of sweat. He always felt nervous and tense whenever someone had requested to talk to him unexpectedly. It was the feeling of having no way to predict the next situation. Relax. The voice inside his head said. It's just your mother.