Chapter 1: A Tragic Event
"Your Majesty, wake up, there was an emergency," Mayordoma Luisa said as she gently roused Queen Victoria Eugenie Julia Ena of Battenberg from her slumber. Queen Victoria Eugenie was the illustrious Queen of Spain, having become so through her marriage to King Alfonso XIII on the auspicious day of 31st May 1906, reigning until the dawn of the Spanish Second Republic on 14th April 1931. A true noble by birth, hailing from the House of Hesse-Darmstadt, she was a Hessian princess and a distinguished member of the Battenberg family, graced by her blood ties to Queen Victoria herself. Among her many regal achievements, she and King Alfonso III were blessed with seven offspring: Alfonso, Prince of Asturias (born in 1907), Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia (born in 1908), Infanta Beatriz (born in 1909), Infante Fernando (born stillborn in 1910), Infanta María Cristina (born in 1911), Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona (born in 1913), and Infante Gonzalo (born in 1914).
"Hmm, what? What happened, Luisa?" Queen Victoria Eugenie inquired with curiosity and concern.
"There was an accident; Prince Alfonso almost drowned and nearly lost his life," Mayordoma Luisa replied.
"What? Oh my god, hurry, help me get dressed, and bring me to Alfonso," Queen Victoria Eugenie commanded with urgency.
As his mother frantically dressed herself, Prince Alfonso remained unconscious, receiving tender care from the esteemed Spanish Royal doctor, Juan. The attentive attendant announced, "Her Majesty, the queen, has arrived," to which Queen Victoria inquired with a voice infused with nervousness and anxiety, "Tell me, Juan, how's Alfonso?"
"He is stable now, Your Majesty. Fortunately, we managed to remove all the water he had swallowed during the drowning incident," assured Royal Doctor Juan.
"Thank god, would there be any complications?" Queen Victoria inquired further.
"There would be no complications, Your Majesty. As we managed to remove all the water, what he needs now is rest," reassured the Royal Doctor.
"Good, good. Is there anything else you need to inform me about, Juan?" Queen Victoria asked, displaying her dedication to her son's wellbeing.
"None, Your Majesty. We will continue to monitor His Highness until he wakes. Please feel free to summon us, Your Majesty, should you require anything. For now, we shall take our leave, allowing you some privacy with his Highness," responded Royal Doctor Juan, displaying his profound respect for the queen.
"Okay, you may leave. Thank you for your prompt response, Juan," Queen Victoria expressed her gratitude.
"Luisa, can you call Beatriz to come and stay with her brother?" Queen Victoria commanded, ensuring her son's comfort and support.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Luisa dutifully responded.
As Alfonso was the heir apparent, his wellbeing was a subject of great controversy, especially considering the possibility of his demise by drowning within the confines of their own domain.
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Somewhere in Manila,
The winding national highway stretched westwards, away from the city's vibrant lights. Further up the road, an untouched expanse of forest eagerly awaited visitors. The national highway continued beyond the county border, meandering silently.
Although two lanes adorned the road, no crossing cars were visible, even with the sporadic street lights. In the dead of night, the national highway seemed to retreat from collective memory into the abyss of silence.
On this profoundly quiet night, Miguel Reyes maneuvered his BMW car, while contemplating the inexplicable events of his life.
Miguel Reyes, a man born and bred in the vibrant and diverse city of Manila, Philippines, possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world around him, an unyielding desire to learn and explore. Growing up amidst a culturally rich environment, Miguel developed a deep reverence for his country's history and heritage, fueling his unwavering pursuit of knowledge and progress.
As his teenage years dawned, Miguel's innate brilliance in science and technology became evident. He excelled academically, particularly in the realms of physics, chemistry, and mathematics. His keen interest in military history, tactics, and strategies ignited a passion for the world of defense and warfare.
Beyond the confines of traditional education, Miguel's inquisitive nature led him to independent research, where he conducted experiments and invented marvels in his makeshift home laboratory. Esteem and admiration from his peers followed, as he earned a reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking young scientist.
As adulthood beckoned, Miguel's exceptional intellect and unwavering determination captivated local business leaders, who recognized his vast potential and provided him with ample opportunities to thrive in the world of entrepreneurship. He embraced the challenges, proving not only to be a brilliant scientist but also a shrewd entrepreneur.
While engulfed in thoughts, a flash of light erupted in the distance. Miguel jolted awake, steering the car away from a truck that seemed to materialize out of thin air. Blinded and disoriented by the luminous headlights, he overcorrected, causing his car to crash against the railings and tumble over the cliffs.
"Shit!" Miguel cursed as his car careened off the railing and into the void below.
Outside his car windows, the world spun madly, mirroring the nauseating sensation of a nosediving aircraft.
Weightless, surrounded by the glaring headlights, Miguel realized that death was rapidly approaching.
The engine roared, its echoes intertwined with Miguel's stifled screams, as the impact crushed the car's front, engulfing everything within.
And in that moment, Miguel Reyes met his demise in a tragic car accident.