Bloody Crown

"Your Majesty, there is a letter for you from the editor-in-chief of The Royal Wave," the king's private secretary informed, handing him a wax stamped envelope. For the king's inner circle, they were already aware of the meaning behind the color-coding, and black meant urgent. The Royal Wave was a magazine featuring anything royal. The magazine could be very much appreciative yet also downright destructive and demeaning. For many occasions, they have threatened the royal family, causing the latter to bribe the magazine company for good publicity. This cycle became toxic that the magazine seemed to have control over the royal family.

The king stared at it for a moment before taking it. "What do you think does it say?" he asked.

"I am not sure, your highness! But, whatever it is, it's urgent and I am sure it's another threat," his private secretary replied. King Phillip opened the envelope that revealed a short letter, very direct and threatening, not only to the king but also to his sovereignty. He clenched his fists and slammed his desk.

"Are you okay, your highness?" his private secretary asked, worried about his master. But, he kept his distance.

"Leave me," King Phillip commanded.

"Yes, your highness!" his private secretary said as he bowed and stepped out of the room, leaving the king enraged. He went through the letter again, making sure he had read it correctly. "Liam!" he muttered, crumpling the paper to a ball and tossed it into the bin. After a moment, he picked it up and put it in his pocket before heading to Prince's Liam.

He found him basking on the floor under a sunbeam penetrating through the Victorian window with his legs crossed and lifted on the window pane. "Get up!" the king thundered. Prince Liam ignored the king and remained to lie. He even closed his eyes. Annoyed by the prince's nonchalance, the king yanked him to stand. "Am I some kind of a joke to you?!" he yelled at the prince's face.

"Oh, your majesty! You're here," Prince Liam teased, "What brings the most powerful man to this lowly place?"

"I am warning you! Clean your name at once before it ruins everything we built," the king ordered.

Prince Liam shrugged. "I'm not sure whether we are on the same page, your majesty," Prince Liam replied, ignoring the king's fury.

"Here!" King Phillip said, slamming the crumpled letter on Prince Liam's chest. Prince Liam took the paper and carefully opened it. He was quiet for a moment, uncertain of what to say or do.

"This is insane!" the prince huffed, crumpling the paper again. This time he hit it inside his small treasure chest, where he put any valuable item he took such as old coins and bills, controversial letters, and so on.

The king paced around the room. "Do you see the gravity of this situation now, Liam? Once this is published, the cool and well-lived prince will be forgotten instantly. Do you still choose to stay on those people's side?" he mocked.

Prince Liam remained silent. He sat at the foot of his bed as he pondered upon his actions and the floodgate that was about to open. He was well aware of the media scrutiny that his family went through even with petty fake news and he could already imagine how the public would react if this would go public. It would really shake the family to its core.

Never in his life was Prince Liam torn in two. Should he stick to the truth and protect the innocent people? Or should he turn his back on them to protect his family? Whatever choice he made would have a great impact on either side.

"Forget about your pride, Liam, and protect the honor and dignity of this family! For now, that is the best thing you can do," the king insisted.

Prince Liam was enraged by the fact that everything was beyond his control. And the king wasn't helping at all. He was angry that everything that mattered to King Phillip was his honor, his prestige.

"Honor? How could you talk about honor and dignity when you are about to do something unhonorable, unjust, and ignoble?!" the prince questioned. "Are you going to turn your back to those people for your coveted reputation?!"

"Yes! I will do everything I can to protect this family. And I expect you to do the same!"

"I am also a victim of that unfortunate event, your majesty! So, I don't understand why do I have to choose between innocent people and our family? You know who did the attack, you know where to find them," Liam asked in pain.

"It's not that simple," the king simply said.

"So, I am a sacrificial lamb? Are you really going to turn your back on your own son?!"

"Yes. If that's the best for our family and this kingdom!" the king firmly said. Prince Liam couldn't help but sob. He was deeply hurt. He knew that for his father, duty was above anything even his family, but hearing it from his own mouth really hit home.

Back to the present...

Remembering that chapter of his life fueled his determination to find the answers to his questions. Most importantly, restore his name in doing the right thing. When they landed on the remote island, Mevious filled his chest with fresh air. Ana was hesitant to get out of the airplane as she wasn't sure what to expect from this isolated place.

"Will you get out willingly or do I have to pull you out?" Mevious warned. Ana didn't have a choice but to follow Mevious outside. It was already pitch dark when they arrived. There was a giant black man waiting for them as soon as they got out of the plane. The two men hugged each other before he took the luggage from her hand. Mevious went first without even introducing her to this man.

"Why should he? As if I am his guest. If I know, this man probably knew who I am?" Ana thought. The man didn't speak to her as they headed to a simple yet cozy cabin made of coco lumber and straw.

"Thanks for preparing this, man. I really appreciate it," Mevious told him.

He smiled, showing his pearly white and perfectly aligned teeth. "It's an honor to serve you, your highness! I hope you and your girlfriend enjoy the privacy that you crave," he replied.

"We will," Mevious replied and bade goodbye before Ana could even react.