The trio sat in silence, watching the news broadcast. Evelyn's attempts to spark a conversation between her brother and Henry had failed, leaving the room filled only with the voices of the news anchors. The broadcast featured a professional male and female anchor sitting behind a sleek desk, a large TV screen displaying relevant images and videos behind them.
The female anchor, with her neatly styled hair and sharp suit, was wrapping up her segment. She handed off to her co-anchor, a man equally polished in appearance, who began the next segment with a measured tone. "Now for the international news, we have a major story about the newly formed alliance between two Arab countries, Sama and Tazkira, who have been enemies for the past 100 years." Behind him, the screen showed the flags of both countries and footage of their leaders signing the alliance agreement.
"Let's delve into the details of this historical moment and understand how it came to be," the male anchor continued. He paused briefly before going on, "As we all know, the Emperor of Sama, due to his poor health, appointed his first son as Crown Prince ten years ago. The Crown Prince has been running the country since then, making almost all major decisions. However, a year ago, the Crown Prince was involved in a car accident. He suffered fatal injuries and nearly lost his life, but thanks to timely medical intervention, his life was saved."
The screen transitioned to show CCTV footage of the car accident, followed by clips of the Crown Prince being rushed to the hospital. The broadcast then cut back to the anchor, who continued in a somber tone, "Although the Crown Prince's life was saved, he did not fully recover. Tragically, his legs were permanently disabled by the accident. A month after the incident, while he was on the path to recovery, he was taken back to the palace."
The anchor paused as the screen displayed images of the palace, before continuing, "Shortly after his return, news broke that the Prince had been diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease, the specifics of which were not disclosed by the royal family. The illness caused the Crown Prince to slip into a coma, from which he has yet to awaken. Doctors have stated that the chances of him waking up are very slim. Meanwhile, the health of the current Emperor has been rapidly declining, and medical experts suggest he may not have many days left."
As the anchor spoke, the screen showed footage of the frail Emperor, barely able to speak, sitting on his throne. The anchor resumed, "Given the Crown Prince's condition and the Emperor's deteriorating health, a significant decision was made a month ago. The Emperor decided to appoint a new Crown Prince, announcing the name of his 11th son, Prince Hananiah. At 31 years old, Prince Hananiah has taken on the responsibilities of the Crown Prince and is expected to be the next Emperor."
The screen then showed the inauguration ceremony, where the country's religious leader, Lord Galal, placed the crown on Prince Hananiah's head.
Henry, Evelyn, and Matthew watched intently, their interest piqued by the intriguing developments. The anchor continued with a serious tone, "After assuming the position of Crown Prince, the first major step Prince Hananiah took today was forming a cultural and religious alliance with their neighboring country, Tazkira. These two nations have been at odds for a century, and this alliance aims to end the longstanding animosity between them."
The screen displayed images of representatives from both countries signing the treaty. "Under this alliance, each country will send a certain number of representatives to the other nation to spread their culture and religion. Both countries are responsible for taking care of these groups and ensuring they are not hindered in any way. Initially, this treaty will last for ten years, with the possibility of extension if both nations benefit."
Experts appeared on screen, discussing the implications of the treaty. "Many experts believe this is a revolutionary step by the new Crown Prince. It will not only help reduce the century-old hatred and conflict but also bring the people of both countries closer together. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the region."
Footage of protests flashed across the screen. "However, not everyone is pleased. Many citizens of Sama are dissatisfied with this decision. In Tazkira, the reaction is mixed but mostly neutral. Despite the protests, the Crown Prince has firmly stated that he will not back down. He is determined to strengthen the relationship between the two nations to ensure mutual support in times of difficulty."
The broadcast cut to a clip of Prince Hananiah giving a speech, emphasizing his commitment to the alliance. "The Crown Prince also announced that the delegation from Sama will be led by Lady Zara, a highly respected servant of God Zohrath."
The screen showed a brief clip of Lady Zara addressing the media. The anchor resumed, "We will now go live to our reporters in Sama and Tazkira for reactions from the general public."
The scene shifted to on-the-ground reporters interviewing citizens. The first reporter, stationed in Sama, spoke with a middle-aged man who expressed his frustration. "We've been at odds with Tazkira for a hundred years. How can we trust them now?"
A woman, interviewed next, offered a different perspective. "This is a bold move by the Crown Prince. Maybe it's time we moved past our differences and looked towards a more peaceful future."
In Tazkira, the reactions were similarly varied. A young man said, "I'm skeptical, but if it means peace and prosperity for both nations, it's worth a shot." Another citizen, an elderly woman, added, "We have suffered long enough. If this brings peace, then we should support it."
The screen returned to the anchors in the studio, who summarized the mixed reactions and the potential implications for both countries.
Evelyn, her voice tinged with skepticism, commented from the side, "Hmph! This news anchor always makes things seem bigger than they really are. If that alliance was truly that important, they should have sent that old guy who was putting the crown on the prince's head. Instead, they're sending a woman to spread their religion and culture."
Matthew, sitting nearby, responded to his sister's comment with a touch of exasperation. "What do you know, Evelyn? You always watch dramas instead of something practical. If you watched the news more often, you'd understand why sending that woman is very important."
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