9) Miro's disappearance.
No one knew exactly what happened, at one moment the princes and the guard were in their daily affairs and the next they were helping the royal ship with the wounded from the attack on the king.
Of the entire fleet, most were with extensive injuries while the rest were mild, but no sign of the king. Randor sent a team after his father, but to no avail, as did the other three search teams sent soon after by both Randor and Jeremy and Brinna.
The teams' response remained the same for months.
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'' Now it's official, after months of silence, the royal palace has released the date of the crown prince's coronation. Prince Randor's coronation is scheduled for the 15th of this month, just one week from today. The decision was unanimous among the advisors of the royal court of Eternia, the monarchs and leaders of all kingdoms spread across the planet and by the previous monarchs, King Jeremy and Queen Mother Brinna ... '' Miranda turned off the monitor and looked for grandparents. Incredibly, her four grandparents were in Eternos that day.
Marina cannot help but notice the similarity of her granddaughter's expression with that of her daughter. Miranda was much more like the mother than everyone thought.
'' Are you sure this is the right time for that? ''
'' Randor has been ready to rule for years. '' Jeremy replied.
'' Yes he is, but do you think it's the best time now? Damn, it's not even a year since our father disappeared and now Randor needs to take the lead on the planet ... ''
'' Mi, we talked to him. He decided the coronation day. He said the planet needs someone. And he's right, the planet needs a leader. '' Patrick replied as his granddaughter got up and went to the window. None of the kings needed to get up to know who she saw. Randor was practicing fencing with Duncan.
Miranda has grown even closer to the brothers in recent years, and her concern for both has also increased. So much so that Nathaniel, her boyfriend started to worry about her, because the princess took such care of her brothers that she sometimes forgot about herself.
'' And what happens next? ''
'' Then we hope he chooses a queen. '' Jeremy shrugged. '' In that, none of the lords can choose for him. '' He turned to his wife. '' Not that they don't want to do that anymore. ''
'' Randor will never allow this. '' Brinna commented. '' Not after Elinia. ''
'' What exactly does Elinia have to do with this? I thought she was a good girl. '' Patrick asked no one in particular.
'' Mi, we talked to him. He decided the coronation day. He said the planet needs someone. And he's right, the planet needs a leader. '' Patrick replied as his granddaughter got up and went to the window. None of the kings needed to get up to know who she saw. Randor was practicing fencing with Duncan.
Miranda has grown even closer to the brothers in recent years, and her concern for both has also increased. So much so that Nathaniel, her boyfriend started to worry about her, because the princess took such care of her brothers that she sometimes forgot about herself.
'' And what happens next? ''
'' Then we hope he chooses a queen. '' Jeremy shrugged. '' In that, none of the lords can choose for him. '' He turned to his wife. '' Not that they don't want to do that anymore. ''
'' Randor will never allow this. '' Brinna commented. '' Not after Elinia. ''
'' What exactly does Elinia have to do with this? I thought she was a good girl. '' Patrick asked no one in particular.
'' The courtship was long, yes, but they met at court thanks to the demand of one of the lords so that their daughter could meet him. Miro let them meet on one of Randor's chores, well one thing leads to another and they started dating. What nobody knew at the time was that she just wanted the throne. '' Miranda replied.
'' She almost succeeded, if Randor hadn't caught her kissing Lord Jasen's son. It was there that she admitted that she didn't love him and he dismissed her. '' Marina finished. '' Leandra never trusted that girl, said someone from another planet would be a queen and a better companion for him than Elinia. ''
The four kings looked at each other, they knew that Miranda would defend Randor, even if the older brother did not need protection, but they did not expect so much reluctance from the next queen of Beira-Mar (she had been named heiress after the resignation of uncles to the throne of the kingdom).
xxXXXxx
Meanwhile in the training ring Randor and Duncan trained in fencing and fighting, both were at a very close level of military training, although Duncan was a little ahead of him as a captain of the royal guard.
'' Have you thought about my request? '' Randor deflected a blow while jumping to the opposite side of his friend.
''Which one?''
'' You know very well which one. '' Randor attacked this time, but Duncan's shield was faster.
'' I don't think I'm ready for that, Randor. '' He answered sincerely.
'' Nonsense. ''
'' I'd like to be as safe as you are. ''
Randor chuckles. '' I'd like to be as safe as I look. It's an entire planet Duncan, I ... '' He returns the sword attack, both blades collided again. '' I know I've been trained to do this my whole life, but I still feel like I can disappoint people somehow. ''
'' You won't let them down. You are too strict with yourself to lead. This makes him different from other kings. ''
The two were silent as they continued their training.
Until Randor broke the silence again. '' I still need your answer. ''
Duncan sighed. '' I won't be able to change your mind, right? ''
''Not. You are the best candidate for this position, old friend. ''
This time Duncan smiled. '' If your majesty thinks so, then I accept to be your man-at-arms, Randor. ''
The young, uncrowned king smiled at his childhood friend. '' Talk to Logan later today, I want to see you in uniform before my coronation. ''
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A week later.
Miranda packed her brother's medals, he would have to wear them during today's events, to his unhappiness. Randor honestly thought it looked like a trophy case, or a chandelier, judging by the combination of the crown, the medals, the cape and the suit that was too formal for his taste. The young man was grateful that it was not mandatory to use this every day or else he would have abdicated before he was officially crowned.
''Are you ready?''
'' As I always have been. ''
She raised an eyebrow. And Stefen was watching him intently from across the room.
'' I don't have much choice now, I need to be ready. ''
'' I know, but it still looks so surreal. ''
'' True, at least four years ago his coronation seemed to be decades away. '' Stefen agreed with his sister.
Randor gave his younger brother a half smile before turning to a small family photo he always left over the fireplace. His mind wandered for years in the past, when he imagined what the day would be like when Miro would crown him king, how his father would put the crown on Randor's head and his mother would hug him after the celebration. He also imagined that when he was crowned he would be married, as would his parents. But none of those childhood fantasies came close to today, sighing, he made a small oath for the photo.
'' As long as I'm here, I will protect Eternia with all of me, never corrupting myself or accepting injustice. I will be proud of you both. '' He whispered.
Minutes passed before someone knocked on his door.
'' Majesty, it's time. ''
Randor nodded and looked at the painting again, before smiling a little and following the man into the throne room.
A/N: Tell me what you think about this chapter.