The First Task as a Prince

I opened the door to my father's office with my heart beating fast. I am a little nervous but also excited on what is to come.

"Good morning, father." I greeted formally.

My father was sitting behind his desk stacked with documents. This sight always greeted me every time I come here to see my father since I was a little boy. I know how busy he is with his work. What I admire about him is that he has never let his work get in the way with his time with us, his family.

"Good morning, Alphonse." My father replied. "Come and take a sit while I explain your task to you."

I walked towards the chair in front of his desk and sat carefully. Chris, who was my father's assistant and also his close advisor walked near my father and gave him documents. I believe this was the one that contains my task.

"As you know, the empire has a business relationship with the country of Xing." My father said. "The princess of Xing has been very vocal about keeping this relationship."

Hearing the name of that country made my blood boil. It is the country where the prince that kidnapped and attacked us came from. But one of the princesses of Xing had told us that individual who is his half brother had been banished from their country because of atrocious reasons, and that his actions are purely his own agenda and not of Xing's.

Of course, as an emperor my father would not want to start a conflict with another country with baseless accusation. We never have collected enough evidence that the country of Xing had been behind the kidnapping plans, and so the trade business with them maintained. This trade business has been spear headed by the princess of Xing that I have only met once when I was still young.

"Envoys from Xing is coming here to further the talks of trade relations with our empire." My father explained. "Because this trade relation is both beneficial for us and them, I have agreed to accept their envoys. And that is where you come in, Alphonse. As the eldest prince of Astley Empire, I am giving you the task of accepting them into our territory."

"I will do my upmost best with this task father." I replied dutifully. "When are they arriving, father?" I asked.

"They are set to arrive by next week." My father replied. "You will depart for South Atlantia by tomorrow morning. As the head of the committee, you are to choose who you are to take. The planning of the receiving event in South Atlantia and the travel here in the capital with the envoys will be managed by you."

"Does that mean that you will leave every decision up to me, father?" I asked in curiosity.

"Yes." My father replied promptly. "This is a task where I can see your capabilities as a prince, Alphonse. And I would like to see what you can do by managing this important task."

"I understand father." I replied.

This task is like a somewhat test for me by father. He is a loving and kind person but strict when it comes to ruling the empire.

"As you know, I have not yet selected an heir to my throne." My father said. My focus was set to him when I heard his words. "As you know, in Grandcrest the choosing of an heir is done with pitting brother to brother. I have undergone a bloody battle with my half brothers to get to where I am. If I want to survive, I will have to be the crown prince."

The battle for the throne of Grandcrest was one of the few stories that my father was not proud t talk about. It has been a forgoing rite since long ago in Grandcrest that only the strongest could take the throne. And so, a bloody battle between brothers is done to see who will reign victor and be chosen as heir. It was a battle that my father won to survive. It was to kill or be killed in his time.

"But of course, I do not plan to do that to you and your siblings." My father said. "But I would want to select the best to take my place on the throne. Even a girl such as Aerith can contend."

"It is to be expected father and I understand." I replied promptly. "I will do my best in this task you have given to me. I will not let you down, father."

"I am sure you will not." My father replied. "I have elevated expectations from you." He smiled at last after the serious talk we just had.

"Then I will take my leave father." I replied. "I will start the plans on receiving the envoys from Xing." I stood up and bowed my head.

"Be careful on your way back." My father replied. "Oh, before I forget." He stood up and gestured to Chris for something.

Chris nodded and walked towards a floor to ceiling cabinet by the corner of my father's office. He opened it and I saw him take a sword before closing the cabinet once more. He walked back and gave the sword to my father.

"You can call this a late birthday present." My father said. "This is for you."

Father handed me the sword. I took it with eyes wide in surprise. I have never expected to be gifted by father with a sword, not in my wildest dreams.

"T-Thank you father." I replied. "Can I unsheathe it?" I asked.

"Of course, go ahead." My father replied.

"I unsheathe the sword and what I saw was a glamorous blade. It was still shiny that you can use it as a mirror. I assessed the blade with my thumb, and I can feel the sharpness. I swung the sword a few times to assess the weight and I was surprised of how light it was.

"Is this…" I had a hunch on what material it was.

"Yes." My father replied. "The blade is made out of Atlantium, the material that was mined in the mountains of Altantia."

Atlantium was found recently in the mountains of Atlantia, but it was long known since the ancient times. Dwarves of ancient times mined this together with other stones and riches in the mountains of Atlantia. And to think that they also survived by hiding like the sirens and the Lycans. They came out after knowing that the other ancient creatures were living peacefully with humans in this new age. They are residing mainly in Atlantia now, where most of their old mines were found. They are working together with Atlantians in making weapons such as this.

Atlantium is known for its light weight but very tough material. This material is rare and so it is deemed as a treasure to have a sword with this material.

"Thank you, father." I said with a wide smile. "I like it so much!"

"I am happy you like it." My father replied. "It is made together with its sibling sword. The other one, I will give to Aerith. I am sure you will need it for protection in your journey."

I sheathed the sword once again and bowed down to father to show my gratitude.

"Then I will be going now father." I said.

"Hmm." My father nodded.

I walked out of my father's office with excitement blooming inside me.