Johnathan's eyes snapped open, and he was met with opulent furnishings and lavish tapestries. Confusion washed over him as he struggled to recall how he ended up in this grand bedchamber. Memories of his previous life as an engineer and his encounter with the Architect of Realms flooded his mind.
As he sat up, a figure entered the room. "Your Highness, you're awake. Thank God you're alright," the servant said, bowing low. Johnathan's gaze narrowed, his mind wondering what the man was talking about. He asked, "Who am I?"
The servant's expression turned somber. "You are the Crown Prince Ryker of Penthoria."
Johnathan's mind reeled. He was supposed to be building an empire from scratch, not inheriting a throne. The System's notification confirmed his new circumstances:
_System Notification_
Welcome, Crown Prince Ryker. Your goal is to stabilize and restore Penthoria. Use your skills and the System to navigate the complexities of royal politics and rebuild your kingdom.
Johnathan's thoughts swirled with questions. How did he become the crown prince? What happened to his empire-building mission? The Architect's words echoed in his mind: "Use the System wisely."
As he looked around the room, Johnathan noticed the lavish design, which seemed at odds with the System's warning about the kingdom's state. "Tell me, what happened? How did I get here?" Johnathan asked.
The servant hesitated before speaking, "Your carriage was attacked on your way back from Fredoria, from the celebration of their king's third wedding ceremony, Your Highness."
Just then, the doors burst open, and King Everard stormed in along with queen lily , his face etched with rage and worry. "Ryker! My son! I was out of my mind with worry!" He rushed to Johnathan's bedside, his eyes scanning him for injuries.
The king's anger was palpable as he turned to the man who followed him in his knight attire "Tell me, who was responsible for this attack? I'll make them pay dearly for daring to harm my son!"
The servant trembled. "We're still investigating, Your Majesty, but it seems to be the work of the Shadowhand, a rogue faction that's been causing trouble in the region."
The king's face darkened. "I'll crush them. Prepare the knights; we're going to track down those responsible and bring them to justice."
Johnathan watched, taken aback by the king's ferocity. He wondered how he would navigate his new role as Crown Prince Ryker.