1 001. The Fleurian Kingdom

The world began thousands of years ago when the god of life Aoife blessed the dried ground and brought life to it. Then he created the plants for the animals and people to consume, trees that's sturdy enough for shelter, the flowers that decorated the land, the animals that could walk, run, fly, and swim, and the humans who take care of them all.

Everyone and everything were living in order and peace, until a dark energy loomed over the blessed land. Some felt curious about the dark energy that they touched it with their bare hands, and because of that, they were slowly becoming corrupted and were slowly becoming part of the darkness. Causing for the humans to feel various of emotions and have different kinds of thoughts.

Eventually, they became greedy for the land that Aoife bestowed to them that they began fighting one another. Blood was spilled at the once blessed land, and a lot of life were taken by the hands of the people that Aoife created and loved.

Amidst the gruesome situation, one human remained sane and he continued to take care of Aoife's other creations, he was called Fleur. Because of this, the darkness that was the reason of the sudden greediness that the humans felt appeared right before him. The darkness, that carried the name Omie, was revealed to be Aoife's sinister twin brother, and he offered the human Fleur power. But the man was loyal enough to reject the darkness' temptation.

Fleur held a weapon that he made from the strong mahogany tree and used it to stand against Omie and fought him. Aoife found out about the man's braveness and watched him in awe as Fleur subdued his evil brother. Omiw lost from Fleur's fierce loyalty and ended on his knees pressed against the cold ground.

Out of rage, Aoife cursed his brother and imprisons him in the infernal part of the world that was soon called the Ordeal of Nightmare. Then he granted Fleur a land all for himself, to rule and tend.

With Aoife's permission, Fleur built a Kingdom and named it after himself. The benevolent god even gifted the brave man physical strength that's enough to protect his Kingdom from any enemies and a wise mind to cater to his people's needs.

And the Fleurian Dynasty remained for the next few years, leading an impenetrable life of chivalry and order.

But everything changed when the 20th ruler rose to the throne. King Basil II, the 20th ruler of the Fleurian Kingdom. Years passed and the world fell in a transition of change. Women are now given the same rights along with the men. They are also allowed to inherit titles, lands, properties, and even the throne. A representative for the common people is elected every two years to be part of the Royal Court.

Despite that, King Basil II decided to break the royal system and instead of choosing his heir from one of his six royal children, he divided the Fleurian Kingdom into five Dukedoms. He gifted the five Dukedoms to his eldest children and ordered the youngest child to live with him in the mainland or the Capital of the Kingdom which is located at the center part of the five Dukedoms.

King Basil II was so firm on his decision. He even thought that killing the La Fleur royal bloodline would be a better decision than handing the throne to either one of the royal children.

Because of this, a fire of chaos was slowly boiling right under his feet.

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In the midst of the coming-of-age celebration of the third prince and the second princess, the Noble Faction were busy filing complaints to the King. Aside from the banquet held for the two royal children, today was supposed to be a special day where the King would announce his heir, the next and future ruler of the Kingdom. However, the King seemed like he did not have any plan to commence an announcement today or even the next days.

His butler and personal aide Ludwig sighed heavily as he fixed his rectangular glasses. He knew that the nobles would express their dissatisfaction about the King's decision and had expected their complaints would pile up on the King's desk, but he was not expecting that the King would request for their complaints to be burned. But what can he do when he's only a butler and aide to His Majesty the King? As far as his life was concern, all he could do was heave a heavy sigh as he heeds to the King's orders.

"Your Majesty," Chancellor Von Reich started while he carefully wipes the glass of his round, gold-rimmed monocle using his satin handkerchief. "Don't you think it's absurd to deny an heir to the throne? I do not dare question His Majesty's just decision, but as your royal subject, I wish to express my worry."

'Yet you already threw a question regarding His Majesty's decision,' Ludwig thought.

The King, who was busy sipping his favorite flower tea, threw a glance at his Chancellor. He knew that aside from the Noble Faction, his aide and Chancellors would express their worries about his decision. But he did not want them or anyone else, to change his mind. Not even his royal children, who are yet to hear about his firm decision.

Instead of giving an answer to the Chancellor's worry, his gaze darted to his aide, Ludwig. "What do you say about this, Ludwig?"

A grim expression befell his aide and an exasperated blow of air erupted from his pale lips. 'Why do I have to do this?' He thought before facing the King and the Chancellor. "Your Majesty, I beg to disagree in answering the Chancellor's question. I believe that I do not possess a wise mind to give a just answer for the Chancellor's worries."

The King's cup clanked against the ceramic saucer as he placed his teacup down with a sudden force. "Splendid answer, Ludwig." He clapped in fake amazement. "The Chancellor should learn more from you." The Chancellor shivered at the King's words. It was a clear sign that His Majesty wished for them to shut up. And that's when he knew he fucked up.

"I do not want to discuss this matter any further."

"I apologize, Your Majesty," he murmured nervously.

But the King ignored him then he stood up from his seat, his bulky shadow towering over the Chancellor's petite figure. The King did not want to stay in the same place as his Chancellor since he couldn't enjoy the citrus aftertaste of his flower tea because of his worries. The King was sure enough that the nobles were just trying to use his Chancellor to express their insights about his decisions.

"Prepare the documents for the Council meeting tomorrow. I will go to the banquet now."

And the King left his two loyal subjects with a pitiful look etched on their faces.

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[ THE NEXT DAY ]

Fleurian, the capital of the Fleurian Kingdom and also called the Mainland, is where the residence of the royal family stands and where the main commerce of the Kingdom lies. Various of shops and boutiques line up at the central capital. Merchants from different parts of the Kingdom occupy the annex. And the rest part of the capital were the townhouses and inns that are built for the Fleurian citizens.

The royal castle was built at the top of the capital, acting like a head for a human's body. Before, only two forts were built for the capital, one at the foot of the capital's entrance and one at the back of the royal castle. However, five years ago, King Basil II, the 20th King, issued a royal order to relocate the forts and to build at least four to protect each side of the capital, and along with it was a great wall that surrounds it. All for the protection of the citizens in the mainland.

The issued order felt ludicrous to some nobles. They pressed the King for the truth regarding the forts he instructed to build, but the King only smiled at them, as if he was mocking the funny, angry faces that the nobles were making.

Before the completion of the forts, the King issued another order. He gave the common people rights to elect a representative that will join the royal council. And before the nobles could file a complaint about this absurd order, the King decided to display his power by stripping the title and properties of a Viscount who tried to dissuade him during the council meeting.

That terrified the nobles. After all, the nobles would be nothing if they'll lose their titles and properties. So they remained silent and still, like a crocodile in a lake, observing and waiting for the right time to voice out their opinions. Their opinions against King Basil II's preposterous orders.

They didn't think that a day would come when they could all act as one and dissuade the King without fear. Or with less fear that bounds them on the ground.

The Emerald Palace, the palace located near the gates of the castle, was full of nobles, buzzing in and out of its huge, green doors. Its walls made of green marbles twinkled at the hot ray of the sun. It looked fascinating enough to catch one's attention, yet the people passing and entering this palace, completely ignored it. They were too busy discussing political matters that they could not spare a moment of their time to appreciate its grand structure.

"How can the King do this? Does he want the throne all for himself?" One nobleman in dark blue clothes whispered to his subordinate. He was Count Chester Wilmington, the representative of the Noble Faction.

His subordinate, Baron Tremure, felt nervous. He nudged the latter's shoulder and pointed at the royal guards surrounding the palace. But the Count couldn't care less. He was too clouded with questions regarding the King's royal decree.

He knew well how they tried to voice out their opinions about the first royal order, then they stayed silent at the second one, but the third one that they heard two days ago was too much to handle and understand.

How does a Kingdom prosper without a King to rule and guide it? Is it not the current King's responsibility to choose a competent heir for their Kingdom?

Aside from the nobles, the Amethyst Palace, that houses the royal children, was thrown into chaos because of the various and the violent reactions of the princes and princesses. Like everyone else, they could not accept the royal decree issued by the King.

So they all planned to express their dismay during the council meeting today.

Or so they hope they could.