chapter 2

Prince Alexandros sat on a slightly lower dais beside his father the King in the grand royal court. The room was abuzz with voices-ministers debating, advisors whispering counsel, and guards standing at the ready. For the past few months, Alex had taken this seat each morning, immersing himself in the gravity of royal affairs. One day, he knew, the weight of these responsibilities would rest solely on his shoulders as the crown prince and future king.

Today's case was particularly unusual and had stirred quiet murmurs across the hall. Two brothers stood before the throne, each with a compelling claim to a plot of land left behind by their deceased father. The land itself was small but valuable, rich with fertile soil and located near a bustling village market, making it highly sought after by both men.

The elder brother spoke first, his tone calm but resolute. "This land should belong to me, Your Majesty. I am the eldest, and by tradition, the inheritance ought to pass to me. I took care of our father in his final days and oversaw all responsibilities on his behalf."

The younger brother shook his head, clearly frustrated. "But I worked that land all my life. I planted every crop, tilled every inch of soil, and made it what it is today. Without my hard work, it would have been barren. I have a rightful claim, not only by blood but by effort."

The two brothers' arguments were evenly matched-one by duty and tradition, the other by labor and dedication. Ministers exchanged glances, some leaning toward one brother, some toward the other, but none able to settle on a fair resolution.

After hearing both sides, King Alistair looked to one of his chief advisors, who in turn addressed the young prince. "Prince Alexandros," the advisor said with a deferential nod, "you have observed the proceedings and heard both men's claims. In your judgment, what would be the most just course of action?"

Alex took a breath, his mind racing as he considered both brothers' arguments. He had learned enough to know that, as a ruler, he could not let emotions sway his decision. Justice required fairness and insight. After a thoughtful pause, he spoke, his voice calm but confident.

"Both of you have compelling reasons for wanting this land, and both of you hold some form of right to it," Alex began, addressing the brothers directly. "But if we give the land to only one of you, then the other will likely be left feeling wronged and resentful, which may breed further conflict between you both."

He glanced at his father, who nodded, encouraging him to continue.

"Inheritance is not just about possession, but about the responsibilities shared by family," Alex continued. "Your father left no will, no clear directive. In situations like these, I believe it's best to honor both tradition and effort. Therefore, I suggest that the land be divided in two. Each of you should receive an equal share to cultivate and to call your own. In this way, you may each continue your father's legacy, side by side, and honor him through your shared stewardship."

A hush fell over the room as Alex's suggestion settled over the court. The brothers exchanged a glance, their expressions softening as they realized the fairness in his solution.

The elder brother finally bowed his head, breaking the silence. "That would be acceptable to me, Your Highness. It is true that we are family, and dividing the land would honor our father's memory."

The younger brother nodded as well, his expression one of reluctant acceptance. "Yes... I can agree to that. It would be better to share it than to lose my brother over it."

King Alistair turned to his son, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Wise counsel, Prince Alexandros. By choosing unity, you have ensured peace within this family. May this decision remind us all that justice does not always favor one over the other but often lies in balance."

The court murmured in approval as the decision was finalized. For Alex, it was a lesson in leadership, one he would carry with him as he moved ever closer to the throne.

Alex leaned back in the plush seat of the carriage, listening to the rhythmic clop of horses' hooves as they wound down the mountain path. His father had arranged for him to return to the palace, but Alex had quietly instructed the driver to take him somewhere else-a small village nestled in the valley below, one of many within his father's kingdom. It wasn't a place he visited often, but he longed to feel the simplicity and warmth of the villagers' lives, away from the rigid formality of the court.

The carriage finally came to a halt at the village's edge, where Alex dismounted and stepped into the cold mountain air, his cloak pulled tightly around him. Despite the chill, the villagers greeted him warmly, gathering around with smiles and curious glances. He exchanged easy words with them, asking about their lives, their families, and the harvest. He even joined the children in a lively game, running alongside them across the frosty ground, laughing as they darted between the trees.

As the evening wore on, people began to talk, their voices soft but warm, filled with admiration and a touch of hope. Standing close enough to hear but far enough to remain unseen, Alex listened as they spoke of him.

"If he becomes our king, it'll be the best thing that could happen to us as the citizen of this kingdom. " one older man murmured, his voice thick with reverence.

A woman nearby nodded in agreement. "Yes, he listens to us. He cares, truly. I think he'd let us live with the freedom we've always have. And he wouldn't take away the simple things we value so much."

Another villager, a young man with a thoughtful expression, added, "I don't think he'd want to change things too much. He'd let us stay as we are."

But then, a skeptical voice piped up from the crowd. "You're forgetting something important," an elderly woman reminded them. "The royal tradition-no one can become king/Queen without a spouse. We have no idea who he'd marry, or where they'd come from."

Someone else chimed in, a worried look on their face. "And what if his spouse tries to control him? Tells him what to do, what not to do? They might not understand our ways, might not let him come here as freely. His marriage could change everything."

The young man who'd spoken earlier shook his head, a wistful look in his eyes. "But I heard he's open to both men and women. So, maybe there's hope. Perhaps he'll find someone who understands him, someone like him. Maybe then, he'd stay just the way we see him now."

A hopeful murmur spread through the crowd, and Alex felt a pang in his heart. He knew they saw in him the promise of a leader who understood them, who valued the things they cherished. And though he couldn't offer them any promises about the future, he wished-deeply-that he could live up to their faith in him.

After a few more quiet words and farewells, he returned to his carriage, the villagers' words echoing in his mind. He knew that his future, and theirs, was bound up in choices yet to come, choices that would shape his life and theirs alike.

Alex sat alone in his room, a few ancient books spread across his desk, their pages filled with stories of the kingdom's past rulers, the choices they'd made, and the wars they'd waged. A faint glow of candlelight illuminated his thoughtful face as he traced his fingers along a map of the kingdom, absorbed in his thoughts.

For as long as he could remember, he'd been called a ray of sunshine-a source of warmth and optimism that seemed to light up any room he entered. He was the prince people loved to see, the one who seemed effortlessly content and full of life. And it was true; he loved living. Horse riding, sword fighting, and even the occasional quiet game of chess all brought him joy. He'd spent countless hours studying economics and politics, eager to understand the world he would one day rule, to build a kingdom that could thrive not just for his people but for future generations as well.

But tonight, the weight of it all seemed a little heavier. Being the crown prince was a role he'd embraced willingly, with pride, yet he was only beginning to understand how much it meant to others. His father expected him to carry on the family legacy, his people saw him as their future, and even his grandmother, in her soft-spoken wisdom, had always seen in him the next rightful king. And while he took comfort in these expectations, he also felt the burden of them.

Leaning back, he let out a quiet sigh, gazing out of his window toward the kingdom he'd spent his whole life preparing to lead. It was a peaceful place, content under his father's rule, and yet he wondered if there was more he could offer them. What could he change? What could he do better?

His mind wandered through dreams of innovation-better trade routes, advancements in agriculture, maybe even new schools where children from every corner of the kingdom could come to learn. He could see a vision of a kingdom that was not only content but thriving, evolving beyond what even his father could imagine.

But along with these dreams came a quiet fear. What if he wasn't enough? What if, in trying to be the king they all expected, he somehow lost the freedom to be himself-the cheerful, independent soul who lived without the need to prove anything to anyone? He was so used to bringing happiness to others, but the path before him was serious, demanding.

For a moment, he closed his eyes, letting himself imagine the future. A future where he could be both the king his people needed and the man he had always been-a man who loved his kingdom deeply, who believed that happiness was just as important as prosperity.

In that quiet space, he promised himself that no matter what lay ahead, he would stay true to his heart and his people, striving for a kingdom that reflected not just tradition but hope for a better future.

The dining hall was filled with warm light, the clinking of silverware, and the soft murmur of conversation as the royal family gathered for their evening meal. Prince Alexandros, or Alex, as he was known more casually among family, sat at the long table, flanked by his parents, the King and Queen. His grandmother, with her gentle smile and knowing eyes, sat across from him, along with his uncle, aunt, their young daughter  his own adorable little sister, who was happily nibbling on her dinner.

Everyone seemed to be chatting comfortably-Alex's sister giggled as his grandmother slipped her a small treat, and his uncle was animatedly talking about the latest trade agreements. It was a rare moment when all of them could simply enjoy each other's company, and Alex found himself relaxing into it. That is, until his father turned to him with a thoughtful look.

"Prince " the King began in a formal tone, drawing everyone's attention. Alex looked up from his plate, setting down his fork, and replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty?"

The King's gaze softened as he continued, "I wanted to ask you a question about your future. As you know, tradition holds that, to ascend to the throne, a crown prince must have a spouse."

Alex nodded, his expression composed but curious. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'm aware."

The King continued, "Do you know of the Kingdom of Ashbroune?"

"Yes," Alex replied, recognizing the name immediately. Ashbroune was a well-established ally of their kingdom, ruled by King Julian III. The people were known for their rich culture and strong sense of tradition, much like his own kingdom.

The King leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a mix of both excitement and caution. "Well, as it happens, I think Ashbroune's Prince Maximilian is eligible as a potential match for you. Your mother and I have been considering the prospect... if you are open to his um... unique nature. "

Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also caught slightly off guard. "Unique nature?" he asked, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Could you clarify, Father?"

His father chuckled. "Well, Maximilian is... let's say, a bit unconventional by traditional standards. He's tall-perhaps even a bit taller than you-and carries a certain masculinity that isn't typically associated with the image of a royal spouse."

Alex chuckled, brushing off his father's concern with a shrug. "Oh, I thought there might be something more serious. I'm not concerned about a few inches of height, Father. If you believe Prince Maximilian might be a good match, then by all means, go ahead and open a discussion with King Julian."

The King's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, clearly pleased with Alex's open-mindedness. "Very well, then," he said, nodding. "We'll begin talks with Ashbroune and see where things lead."

Conversation shifted back to lighter topics as they continued their meal, but Alex found his mind lingering on the idea of meeting Prince Maximilian. His father's words had piqued his interest-not because of the royal duty involved but because he felt a genuine curiosity about the person behind the title.

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Here’s the revised version with the changes:

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Author's Note

Hi, everyone! Here’s the second chapter, and first, I want to say a big thank you for understanding my situation regarding Heartbeat That Echoes. I’ve seen your comments, and I truly appreciate the support and encouragement. To everyone who told me it’s okay to take my time and focus on myself—thank you. It means so much to me.

Now, about Heartbeat That Echoes: I’ll be honest—I can’t work on it right now. I won’t say it’s completely discontinued, but I’m not in the right mindset to touch it at this point. However, because I know many of you still love that story, I want to leave the door open for the future. Maybe one day, I’ll come back to it. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try to keep it in mind.

If you’ve been wondering why my updates for this book haven’t been regular, the answer is simple: exams. Yes, exams are fucking me up( and nobody else is), but once they’re done (after next Sunday), I’ll be able to get back on track. You can expect more regular and consistent updates after that.

Now for something exciting! I’ve been brainstorming my next book and wanted to share a bit of my idea with you. I’m thinking of writing a more mature, intense story—possibly with BDSM themes. It’ll feature characters like Pooh and Pavel, but I want to explore them in a different way. Here’s a question for you: what do you think about seeing both Pooh and Pavel as red flags? A red flag Pooh and a red flag Pavel—what’s your take on that?

Let me know your thoughts! Your feedback always helps me shape my stories, and I love hearing your ideas. Thank you again for all your patience and support—you guys are amazing!

Much love,

Sam