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Kingdom of the Pearl of the Orient

In the waning years of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, a young boy named Alfonso XIII was proclaimed King of Spain in 1886. However, being just a child, his mother, Queen Maria Christina, ruled as regent in his place. Queen Maria Christina adopted a somewhat lenient policy, granting the Filipinos a degree of freedom while still keeping them as subjects of the Spanish monarchy. As time passed, the Philippines remained under Spanish rule until it was finally passed on to Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, in 1920. But Alfonso, wise beyond his years, saw the plight of the Filipino people and understood their deep desire for independence in their hearts. He made a momentous decision – renouncing his claim to the Spanish throne and requesting to govern the Philippines instead. Surprisingly, the Spanish monarch agreed to this arrangement, and Alfonso was given the unique responsibility of managing the Philippines as a separate entity. But unknown to everyone, the original Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, died due to drowning accident and was replaced by Miguel Reyes. In a world reminiscent of the early twentieth century but with a twist, Miguel Reyes, a brilliant scientist,engineer, military enthusiast, and businessman from the Philippines, found himself in a strange predicament. After a fatal car accident in 2023, Miguel was granted an extraordinary second chance at life. He awakened to find his soul inexplicably reincarnated into the body of a prince in a distant land. Confused and disoriented at first, Miguel soon discovered that he was inhabiting none other than the young Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, decades before his untimely death. Realizing the significance of this opportunity, Miguel knew he had to act wisely. He had lived a life devoted to knowledge and progress, and now he found himself in a pivotal position to change history for the better. Armed with the knowledge of Alfonso's fate and aware of the impending struggles faced by the Philippines, Miguel resolved to take a different path. Join Alfonso (Miguel Reyes) on a life-changing experience. Will Miguel Reyes find tranquility in his second life as he governs the nation and steers it towards greatness? Or will he face the shadow of a conspiracy lurking within the borders?

Moonlights_18 · Hiện thực
Không đủ số lượng người đọc
210 Chs

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.