It was the month of October, year 2016. Japan's stronghold had been defeated. Throngs of Britannian foot soldiers and Knightmares stormed the once glorious country. They laid waste the cities, provinces, and the people itself. Bloodshed was perceptible everywhere you looked. Desperate attempts by various guerilla groups were being manifested, providing the only light of hope to Japan, only to be trampled on a while later. The number of those who surrendered in order to survive grew. Fear was apparent everywhere.

At last, King Charles' wish has finally come to life. Now, Britannia's triumph was sure and would certainly last for a very long time.

Japan was renamed as Area 11.

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In Britannia, the whole nation rejoiced in the new accomplishment of the king. Now, their leader and their country will be one among the ranks of those who achieved absolute power and conquered many realms.

Now that Japan was officially a part of Britannian territory, the king would, of course, need a viceroy to represent him in that country. Another celebration was to be ensued for the proclamation of the would-be viceroy of Area 11. Candidates to this position were already being whispered around the Palace. Some say it would be Schneizel el Britannia. Some say it would be Princess Cornelia. Still, some say it would be the first prince, Odysseus u Britannia. No one really knows for sure, only the king knows.

This time, the celebration is limited only to the Britannian royal family. No outsiders were allowed to join in since the palace treasury was nearing the edge of bankruptcy, what with the war they fought in Japan. Adjustments had to be made and food was served in moderation, consisting mainly of meat and pastries. Delicious red wine was to be presented to suffice for the lack of some mundane things.

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Clovis la Britannia, dressed in his signature white jacket, descended the stairs leading to the Britannian royal ballroom. A grand piano was set to one side where the world-renowned Sophia Taotou was playing a solemn piece. His brothers and sisters, including Charles' consorts, were already down there, mingling and talking to each other in wild, ecstatic tones. Even though they looked very much contented and happy, he could sense the heavy tension in the air. Everyone wanted to be viceroy. Everyone wanted to be powerful and famous. Everyone wanted to be the king's little puppet. Whoever would be proclaimed that night was expected to leave immediately the next day as various preparations were needed in Area 11.

Audrey waited for him at the foot of the stairs. As usual, she looked quite glamorous in spite of the tight budget. She was dressed in a beautifully beaded light-blue gown that was becoming to her height and figure. Her hair was loose and reached down to her slender waist. He looped his arms around this waist and they walked to their table.

"You're late." She said in a tone both amused and cunning. "What took you so long?"

"Dressing up for you, of course." Clovis replied, smiling. "Have you met my siblings?"

"Some of them, but not all..." She sighed. "One night isn't enough to get to know them all, you know."

"There could be more of them coming." He said jokingly. "Father's interest in women doesn't stop here. Haven't you noticed that he's been looking at you all the time you were here? Do you think he favors you too much? Could it be that he has fallen for you? More importantly, would you love him back?"

"Me?" She stopped and looked at his eyes dreamily. "Never."

- - - - -

Everyone was having a perfectly beautiful time. There was dancing and chatting here and there. Eating. Laughing. Giggling. Almost all of them got along very well, but the tension in the air was still there. Their hearts were beating faster and faster as each minute passed. They were all feeling very queasy, the thought of the real reason for the celebration horribly bothering them.

Finally, at last, the clock struck twelve and everyone gathered around the stage, eager to hear the king's proclamation. Charles had already stood up on the stage and was looking down at his sons, daughters, and consorts. The pianist stopped playing to give way for the king's speech.

"Tonight," He began, in a voice that penetrated your very heart and soul. "We shall make history. Tonight, our viceroy in Area 11 will be known to all. Tonight, a life will be changed for eternity!" Applause filled the whole ballroom. He raised up his hand for silence. "We have now, in our hand, a paper." He showed it to everyone. "Here in this paper, the name of our representative is written. Take note that we ourselves have chosen him or her. The advice of other people we have refused to hear." He said, talking in the formal way noble people speak. "Let us now have complete silence."

Everyone stopped squirming and talking. They sat in their chairs, completely absorbed in what the king was saying. Schneizel watched the scene with amused eyes, as if he knew which one is to be chosen. He exchanged a knowing glance with his younger brother, Clovis, and winked at him.

"The name of the viceroy is..." Charles paused and smiled at the people below him. "Clovis la Britannia."

Clovis looked at his Father in the eye. Charles smiled at his son and bade him to come up to the stage to make his acceptance speech. Audrey watched him go with mixed feelings in her heart. A part of her wanted this because he looked so happy and elated. Another part of her felt sad and sorrowful. Beside her, Gabriella la Britannia was looking at her son proudly, with tears in her beautiful eyes. Audrey placed a hand on the older woman's and the two of them embraced, both of them crying.

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Clovis walked back to their table, smiling happily. He held Audrey's hands in his and kissed her on the cheek. "What a wonderful evening, Audrey! How wonderful... How perfectly wonderful!"

"Yes, truly... Wonderful." She said, smiling wanly. "I am happy for your new-found joy."

The usual sparkle of her voice was gone but he took no time to notice because of the excitement overflowing in his heart. "I'm glad you are. I plan on taking you there as soon as we get married. The two of us will build a strong Area 11. Our children will be born there and respected by all. We shall rule there! We will create a noble country of peaceful citizens! The flags of Britannia will be hoisted on top of every house and structure! Can you see future we shall build, Audrey?" He paused as he looked at her eyes, brimming with unshed tears. "Are you well, Audrey? Come, come, let's go to the garden. The night air might freshen you up a bit."

His arms around her waist, he led her out into the cool night. The sky was cloudy and not a star was to be seen but the moon was full and provided enough light for the two of them to see each other. Lamps burned all around the garden, illuminating the marble villa where he led her. Clovis stroked her ivory face slowly with his hands.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"It's just that... It feels so unfair that I can't be truly happy for you..." She turned away and looked at the people rejoicing inside the Palace. "I just know that something is bound to happen. Area 11 isn't safe. Rebels still roam that place and nobody knows when they would come and attack. They might even plot an ambush or an assassination... I just feel dreadful..."

He placed a hand on hers. "Thank you for your concern, but you must know... A prince is born to become a leader. Now that my turn has come, why would I refuse to take it? I don't see any real reason why. Dear Audrey," He said, turning her around so that she could see the sincerity in his blue eyes. "You have my royal word that once everything is in order I will come back for you. Is that alright with you?"

She forced a smile in spite of her tears. "Yes, of course..."

Clovis cupped her hand in his hands and bent down to kiss her. Almost at once, a glittering cloud of fireflies rose up from the shrubs and bushes, illuminating the villa more clearly. The clouds on the sky parted and revealed a starry heaven, with the solemn vow of a new and brighter morning...

- - - - -

The terror was evident in everyone's faces. The Palace was driven mad by the news. Televisions were turned on and roared the developments on the current events in Area 11. Hearts pounded in fear and anxiety. "What was truly happening?" Their feelings went out for the royal family. "What were they feeling now?" The thought screamed inside their minds.

It was reported that the Emperor, Charles zi Britannia, could not stand still and paced his room back and forth. His face was contorted in such a way that it revealed his feelings. Anxiety. Rage. Worry. He would neither eat nor drink. He refused to see any visitors, whether they were commoners or nobilities. His pages were driven sick with concern.

The king's other consorts were apprehensive of the king's behavior. The only thing on their minds were their children's future. If, considering, the third prince dies, those below him would rise in rank, thus increasing their chances of claiming the throne for their own. How they wished that the third prince would die! Even then, they would feel grateful to the still unknown assassin.

Lady Gabriella was locked up in her room with her royal maids. She had been holding prayer beads for quite a long time now and was kneeling in front of her elaborately made altar, her lips muttering prayers of safety for her dearest son. She too refused everything offered to her.

Audrey Deneuve was also restless, pacing the room back and forth. A weird sensation was forming in her heart and she disliked it every passing minute. It was as if something evil was bound to happen on that day. Prince Schneizel observed her with amused eyes, sipping a goblet of spiced wine as he did so. She would often look to his direction, her eyes pleading for the help he could not give.

- - - - -

It was late in the afternoon when the news broke, as sudden as the bullet that killed him. The Palace was in disarray with the report. The King stopped walking and merely sighed. He then called his attendants for the arrangements of the funeral that was to follow soon. People present swore that no grief was shown on the King's face, like he didn't really care.

Lady Gabriella collapsed like a pillar of salt on the lushly carpeted floor. She let out a shriek that pierced the walls. Her hands shook uncontrollably. Her fragile nerves failed her and she cried all evening long, refusing to be comforted. She spent the next few days in bed, shocked and unresponsive. A doctor proclaimed a kind of psychological sickness and it may cripple her emotions for life.

Audrey, upon hearing the news, sat down on the chair beside the second prince. The flask of wine was empty now. Slowly, he put down the goblet and took her hands in his. She looked at him, teary-eyed. Those eyes spoke volumes.

"Clovis is gone." He said, gently.

"I know..."

"What would you do now, Lady Audrey?"

"I will... Choose to be happy and fulfill his dreams. Our dreams... We swore, together, that we will make sure that our child will see and live in a peaceful and united world..." She smiled, wanly. The words she spoke pained her as the realization that Clovis would never see his dreams come to life. "I will make sure, that when his son is born, all is well."

- - - - -

Soon after Prince Clovis' funeral and Princess Cornelia was ordained as the new viceroy of Area 11, both Audrey Deneuve and Lady Gabriella la Britannia stayed in Warrick Palace to spend their days in remembering and to keep the memories of Clovis alive.

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Fin

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Author's Note: Cut. End of story. Review, pretty please?