"Prince Augustus Akkadian Vradica of the New Human Empire, heir apparent to her Royal Highness Empress Augustus Vradica. Imperial Duke of Byzantium. Arch Councillor of the Imperial Court. Governor of the Consulate. Lord High Commander of the Armed Forces and Captain of the Imperial Navy. Defender of the Empire and Champion of its people," Seth declared, sounding extremely proud. "I think it did quite well with it all. It sounds very regal, don't you think?" she asked. "Though I'm sure I can come up with a few more titles..."

"Please...no more. It already sounds...stuffy enough," Abel pursed his lip. "And why are you making me Commander of the Armed Forces and the Navy?" he asked.

"I thought it made perfect sense," she shrugged, "You've done it before."

"Yes, 900 years ago!"

"Well, I don't think it's the sort of work that one forgets," she said.

"I think it sounds excellent, your Highness," Mirka remarked with a smile. "Though how are we to explain the existence of Father Abel Nightroad and his resemblance to our Prince?"

"I believe our best option," Seth began. "Is to claim that the Prince Augustus and Abel Nightroad are one in the same, rather than trying to convince people otherwise. I believe we could claim that my brother was working undercover in the Terran world to bring down the Contra Mundi."

"Then they'll just think I've been lying to them all for a decade!" Abel shook his head. "Won't that cause you more problems if they think you planted a Methuselah into the Vatican right under their noses?l And how would we explain my...death?"

"It was faked," Seth shrugged, "So that you could fight on my behalf from the shadows."

"There was a funeral!" he exclaimed.

"It was a very convincing fake funeral."

"That's a horrible thing to say! I don't want to lie about that!"

"You'll be lying to them anyway. And you already did, for a decade. No one knew what you are and we're hardly going to out ourselves as Crusink, are we?"

Abel sighed and pursed his lip. "Well...that wasn't exactly what I meant," he mumbled.

"What other choice do we have?" Seth sighed, "It'll be too difficult to try and convince everyone that you're two separate people."

"I don't really like either option," Abel remarked.

"Well, you're not going into hiding for another 900 years. I forbid it," Seth told him, sternly.

"I wasn't going to..."

"Good. Because if you tried, I'd hunt you down and drag you back here myself," she stated with her arms crossed.

"Erm...understood," he blanched. "Then...what am I supposed to...How are we meant to explain where I've been all this time? Before the Vatican, I mean? No one knew you had a brother here, did they?"

"You were working for me in the world beyond our borders," Seth shrugged. "It's a believable enough reason. No one knew about you for your own safety and for mine."

"It should suffice, your Highness," Mirka agreed.

"You seem to have worked all this out already," Abel sighed.

"Of course we have," Seth said, "This needs to be done properly."

"And you're sure I have to be a Prince?"

"Yes. That's not up for debate," his sister replied, sternly and he sighed. "Don't be so dramatic, it won't be that bad," she scolded but he just sighed again. "I want to introduce you to the court as soon as possible, when you feel well enough."

"I'm well enough now but I don't really want to do it," Abel admitted.

"Tough," Seth smirked.

"I've had my tailors working around the clock in complete secrecy, your Highness, they'll be done with their work in a matter of days," Astha said.

"Wonderful," Seth smiled.

"Wait, what! Tailors?! What're you talking about?" Abel demanded.

"Abel, you can't come to court in priest robes. You're a Prince now, you need to look the part," Seth told him.

"Well...I got used to those robes and I liked them and..."

"You'll like the new clothes too. The Duchess of Kiev's tailors are famous throughout the Empire," Seth remarked. "I know you miss your work in the Vatican and I'm sorry for that. But I thought that if you work with the Council and help the people it will help you too. You can't sit idle, you've never been good at that. As for the Armed Forces, Abel, you are a great warrior. You can help the people here you can help keep them safe. I'm not saying that there's going to be a war. I hope there isn't. But the situation with the Terrans is still fragile and a lasting peace is still a long way away. And you can help with that. I can't make it so that you're a Priest again, but I can make you a Prince and I won't apologise for that."

"I know...and I don't mean to sound ungrateful for everything you've done for me...all of you..." Abel sighed. "But I've never been a Prince before."

"900 years ago, Abel, you had the bearing of one. You still do when you want to. As much as you enjoyed playing the bumbling Priest...and I know deep down you're still the same clueless dolt you've always been..."

"Oi..." his eye twitched at her, indignantly.

"You're still the same person you were back then," Seth said.

"No, I'm not. Thankfully," he grumbled.

"You could easily convince a room of court members and dignitaries that you're a Prince."

"I'm not so sure," Abel said, biting his lip. "I've gotten so used to...trying to hide away. It was what I wanted. I don't know that I want to be at the centre of anything again."

"At least try," Seth said, pleadingly. "I know you'll succeed. You'll have them fawning all over you. I know it."

"Fawning?" he blushed, "I definitely don't want that."

"We might even find a nice young lady for you," Seth teased with a grin, making his flush even more.

"Erm...I...erm..." he stammered.

"One problem at a time, though. Impress them first then get them fawning, then wait for the marriage proposals," Seth held up her index finger and pointed at him. "I know you can do it, nii-san. You have to. I say so. If not...I'll throw you in prison."

"Eeehhhhhhhh?!" Abel exclaimed. "...Wait...did you say marriage? No, no, no, no, no, no, no..." he waved his hands around frantically. "That wasn't part of our deal. You never said anything about that!"

"First things first," Seth appraised him in a way that made him nervous and made his fidget in his seat. "What do you do about your hair?" she mused aloud.

"Eh! My hair? What's wrong with it?" Abel asked, frantically.

"It's covering your eyes, it's in the way."

"Astha-san's hair does that!"

"Not like yours and we can at least see her eyes. She has beautiful eyes, don't you think nii-san?" Seth glanced coyly at the Duchess who couldn't help but flush a little

"Erm...well...yes, I...she does...but, what does this..."

"Yours has grown too long. At least let me cut it a little. We can brush it back so we can see your face..."

"No! No! I refuse. You are NOT cutting my hair," he scrambled and grabbed his long hair in his hands.

"Don't be a baby."

"You are not cutting my hair. No. I refuse. You'll ruin it. I'll look like an idiot! Besides, it's pointless doing much of anything with it...when we use Crusink it just..." he said and raised his hands up above his head, reminiscent of the silver crown his hair formed when he used his powers.

"Good point," she pursed her lip. "Next...well, the clothes will be done soon," Seth pondered, "I wonder what else."

"Posture, your Eminence," Mirka said with a slight bow.

"Yes! Posture. Abel...no...Augustus...we need to use that name to practice. Where were we...ah yes, posture. Augustus, you will be taking posture and etiquette lessons from the Duchess of Moldova."

"I will?"

"Yes, you will. You need to convince the court that you're royalty and ten years as a humble, travelling Priest won't do you any good here."

"Suddenly I miss the Priesthood," he grumbled.

"It can't hurt to brush up on the basics and I can think of none better than the Duchess to help you," Seth declared.

"...Okay..." he sighed.

"Sit up straight, your royal Highness," Mirka commanded.

"...Wh...you mean me?" Abel blinked, unsuspecting to being addressed as such.

"Yes, you, sire," she crossed her arms, clearly unamused.

"Erm...right..." he said and sat up straight.

"I expect you to work well with Mirka Fortuna and give your all, Prince Augustus," Seth smiled and her brother nervously swallowed.

He nodded and wondered just what he'd gotten himself into now.