Beset by the Greatest of Trials
(Shoppai Namida (Salty Tears) by Shougo Sakamoto-Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine (The Royal Tutor) OP AMV/Lyrics)
(Theme Song | Sofia the First | Disney Junior)
(Chrissy's POV)
*It began in the middle of the night. I was sleeping in my bed when I heard a knock at the door. I groggily got out of bed, put on a pink bathrobe, & answered the door. On the other side, was a butler*
Chrissy:*yawn* Yes?
Butler: Pardon the intrusion, Princess. His Majesty the King returned from his travels moments ago. *I was surprised when I heard that* His Majesty wishes to meet with you, the Princes, the Royal Tutor, and your Governess. I will show you to the King's study come morn.
Chrissy: Oh, y - yes. I understand. Thank you. *I closed the door & went back to bed**in her mind* My Father has finally come home. I finally get to meet the Father I never knew. I wonder . . . Did he invite me to stay here out of pity . . . Or was it out of love.
*I was so nervous, I had a little trouble falling back to sleep*
*The next morning, I woke up early & called Helene to my room. She arrived with three other maids*
Helene: Yes, Princess Chrissy. You called?
Chrissy: Yes. As I'm sure you've already heard, my Father, the King, has returned. So . . . Could you all help me pick a dress?
*The maids were silent for a few seconds. Usually, I got myself dressed & only asked for help when I was having trouble with a certain part of my dress. Then they smiled really wide*
Helene: Of course, Princess! *she & the maids started going through my closet* We should definitely pick something in a light shade.
Maid #2: Ooh, how about this one?
*She help up a light purple dress*
Maid #3: This one goes with her eyes.
*She held up a blue dress*
Maid #4: This one brings out her complexion.
*She held up a blush pink dress*
Ms. Richter:*off-screen* Don't be ridiculous. *we all turned around & saw her standing at the door**on-screen* I'm sure His Majesty would want to see the Princess in the dress he bought for her himself. *she turned to me with a stern look* You do want to make a good first impression on your Father, correct.
Chrissy: W - Well . . . I suppose.
*Soon, after I took a bath, my hair was in a low ponytail with a pink bow in it & wearing a pink dress & matching shoes (look up "Daisy - Anastasia (Child - Pink Dress)" by "KatLime" on "DeviantArt")*
Helene: Oh, Princess! You look absolutely beautiful!
Maid #2: Perfect!
Maid #3: Lovely!
Maid #4: Prettiest in the palace!
Ms. Richter: Excellent job, ladies.
*I blushed at all the praise I was getting*
*Soon, Ms. Richter & I were following the butler from last night to my Father's study. We arrived at a door with two guards in front of it*
Butler: This is King's study.
Ms. Richter: Thank you for showing us the way.
Chrissy: Yes, thank you.
*The guards opened up doors to find my brothers, who looked a little depressed, talking with the Professor. They all stopped when they saw me & Ms. Richter. Licht immediately cheered up when he saw me & rushed over to hug me*
Licht: Chrissy! My oasis is here!
*Luckily, Ms. Richter was able to pull me out of the way in time & he fell face first to the floor. She gave him a stern look as he picked himself up*
Ms. Richter: Your Highness. Please refrain from behaving in that manner. Such behavior is unbefittng of a Prince.
Licht: Yes, ma'am . . .
*Bruno face-palmed & Leo sighed. They & Kai then turned to me with smiles*
Bruno: You look lovely, Chrissy.
Leo: You should dress like that all the time.
Kai: Very . . . Pretty . . .
Chrissy: Th - Thank you. I just thought I would dress up, since it's a special occasion.
*I then looked at a painting of my Father wearing a military uniform, riding on a white horse, & waving a sword*
Chrissy:*in her mind* I remember reading about him in school. He took the throne at the age of eighteen. The youngest monarch in the history of the Kingdom. Soon he transformed the army into most powerful on the entire western continent. His legacy has earned him a second name, "The Warrior King."
*I started to feel nervous again*
Butler: Is everyone ready? They looked to be squabbling . . .
Professor Heine: Yes.
*The butler went up to another door*
Butler: Your Majesty. The Princes, Princess Chrissy, her Governess, and Herr Wittgenstein are here to see you.
?:*off-screen* Send them in.
*Two more guards opened the doors & we all stepped inside. Sitting at a desk was a very handsome older gentleman with shoulder length blonde hair that had bangs to the right side, pale skin, blue eyes, & wearing a blue royal uniform. What really surprised me was how young young he looked. I had heard the King was in his forties, but I didn't see a single wrinkle on his face*
Chrissy:*in her mind* Has he been drinking from the fountain of youth? This man . . . Is King Victor Von Granzreich . . . My Father . . .
*My brothers & I were feeling even more nervous now. Ms. Richter cleared her throat*
Professor Heine:*whispering* Your Highnesses. Where are your greetings for his Majesty?
Leo: Ah! E - Erm . . .
Ms. Richter:*whispering* Remember what we practiced, Princess.
*My brothers stepped forward & bowed to him*
Bruno: We celebrate your safe return to the Kingdom, Your Majesty.
Licht: Your Majesty must be weary from the long journey.
*Professor Heine bowed next*
Professor Heine: I am Heine Wittgenstein, the Royal Tutor. I am truly grateful for this honor. *His Majesty seemed to glare at them & then started to shake* . . . Your Majesty?
*The Professor & I were really surprised to see a tear coming out of his Majesty's eye*
King Victor: . . . F - Forgive me. I am overcome with emotion . . . 'Twas mere moments ago that my sons were but tiny babes. Already they greet their Father with the formality expected of grown men . . .
*He suddenly burst into tears*
Leo: WH - WHA!?
*He & Licht went to comfort him*
Licht: Please, Father! We're not little children anymore!
Leo: It was you who taught us how to greet a Royal!
*I started getting a sense of deja vu as I thought of Grandmother*
Chrissy:*in her mind* Like Mother, like son.
Ms. Richter: Honestly. How many times have I told you not to behave like this in front of your children. What kind of example are you setting for them?
King Victor: I - I . . . Apologize.
Note: Ms. Richter was also the King's Governess.
*Bruno pull me & the Professor to the side*
Bruno: Ahem . . . This happens every time we see our Father. I was embarrassed to see him with my Master present . . .
Professor Heine: So that is why you seemed less than pleased.
*I looked back as I watched the King tousle Licht's hair*
Chrissy:*in her mind* Who would have guessed the "Warrior King" loved his children this much. Wait? Will I have to go through this whenever I see him to?
*The King then looked up & saw me*
King Victor: Chrissy . . . We finally meet . . .
*I straightened up & curtsied to him*
Chrissy: It is an honor to finally meet you, Your Majesty. I welcome you home.
*His Majesty stared at me for a few seconds & then tears came out of his eyes again*
King Victor: Oh . . . Chrissy . . . Seems like just yesterday you were but a little baby . . . And now you're all grown up.
Leo: Not again! Father, please!
*His Majesty then turned to the Professor*
King Victor: And you as well, Royal Tutor. Thank you for looking after my children.
*The Professor was silent for a minute*
Bruno: If I may ask, are the two of you acquainted?
Professor Heine: Only through correspondence.
King Victor: . . . I heard word of his excellence as an educator, and we exchanged several letters. Based on those, I summoned him to the palace. *he turned to us* Well? Are you getting along well with your new Tutor?
*Kai nodded enthusiastically*
Chrissy: Yes! Very much!
*Licht was fixing his hair*
Licht: You don't have to ask.
Leo: I - I don't really . . .
King Victor: If you're not outright objecting to him, it must be going well. *his face turned serious* - Now then, the heart of the matter. From here on, I speak not as your Father, but as your King. *the atmosphere started to get tense as he took out some papers* According to our new Royal Tutor's reports to me, only Bruno, Kai, and Chrissy received high marks on the competency test. Bruno, your academic progress is flawless, but remember that a true leader must be able to think flexibly.
Bruno: Y - Yes, Your Majesty!
King Victor: Kai, I have no qualms with your academic skills either. You should, however, polish your communication skills. Learn to express your emotions. *Kai just nodded* Chrissy, I'll admit, your academic skills are not what I expected, but I am proud of your results. Also, according to the report I received from Ms. Richter, your etiquette lessons are going very well.
Chrissy: Yes . . . Father . . .
*It was going to take me a while to get used to saying that*
King Victor: Ms. Richter, I hope you will continue to look after my daughter.
Ms. Richter: Of course, Your Majesty.
*I wasn't used to hearing that either*
King Victor: Now then, Licht. Your score of sixty reflects sloppy work due to lack of interest, am I correct? *Licht flinched* You'll have to fix that laziness of yours.
*Licht pouted*
Licht: Yes, Your Majesty.
King Victor: The biggest problem, however, is Leonard. In truth, I doubted my eyes . . . How shall I say this . . .? I was taken aback . . .
Leo: Eh . . .?
*He looked confused. All of us, except Ms. Richter, flinched. I had almost forgotten about that*
Chrissy:*in her mind* He only got one point on his test!
Leo: Oh!
*Seemed he finally remembered*
King Victor: This grading method gave me a start as well. To think you would grant him one point for writing his name when every single one of his answers was incorrect! *the Professor didn't say a word* You were sparing his feelings, I'm sure. Thank you for that. However, these results are unacceptable for one with a claim to the throne. *he pointed at Leo* Three days from now, you will retake the competency test. And you will match Licht's score. If you do not earn a score of at least sixty points . . . Leonard. I will strip you of your claim to the throne. *we all flinched at that* I've requested that Heine divide his time equally among the five of you, but I will make an exception for the next three days and allow Leonard to have extra lessons in the evenings. Can I ask you to take care of this, Heine?
Professor Heine: . . . Yes, Your Majesty.
Bruno: F - Father! Are you not being too harsh on Leonard?
*I wanted to say something to, but he held up a hand to stop us*
King Victor: That is all I have to say. I am sorry, but I must attend to my duties. *he pulled all five of us into a group hug* We'll have a nice, long talk another time . . . My dear children.
*Leo looked terrified*
*Later, I met with the Professor & my brothers in the parlor (my hair was in a half-up ponytail & I was wearing a tan apron over a pink dress & brown boots (look up "Haruno Haruka [Precure Tsunagaru Pazurun]" by "JellyHeartsOffical" on "DeviantArt"). He was crouched on the floor in one corner of the room, looking dejected & writing in multiple disaster diaries like a mad man & mumbling to himself*
Leo: I'm too much of a fool to ever be King. All because my brain is deficient. What now?
Chrissy:*in her mind* Oh dear. I never expected the King to be this strict with his children. I know I'm not in the running for the throne, but I better watch what I do if I don't want to get on his bad side.
Kai: Leonard . . .
Licht: That dumb Dad! How could he shame Leonard in front of us?
Chrissy: Licht! I'm sure he means well.
Bruno: Hu must have deemed it best to inform us of the special lessons. Don't speak ill of Father.
*Licht pouted & kneeled down next to Leonard*
Licht: This is nothing to get so down over, Leonie! Quite the opposite in fact! The job of a King is a taxing one, I bet. You should count yourself lucky not to have to deal with it.
Leo: No. I'm not upset about my claim to the throne. I just . . . For Father to be disappointed in me . . . It hurts so much . . . It's misery itself . . . Who knew receiving a bad grade could be so . . . So vexing? I never did . . .
*Me, Bruno, Kai, & Licht looked at him in worry*
Bruno: Leonard . . .
Professor Heine: But you yourself chased off many a Royal Tutor. Is this not your just desserts?
*Those words seemed to pierce Leonard*
Chrissy:*in her mind* Oh dear.
*A spear looked like it was stuck in his head*
Leo: Why, you . . .
Professor Heine: I am willing to listen to a rebuttal.
Leo: Ahhh, I don't care! Say whatever you like! It's too late for me to keep my claim to the throne anyway! My life as a Prince is over!
Chrissy: Leo, don't say that!
*The Professor stepped up to him & held out his hand*
Professor Heine: Not so. You can rise up still. It is not truly over until even that vexed feeling has left you. You have three days yet. I will do my upmost to steer you in the right direction.
*Leo looked away from him*
Leo: . . . B . . . But . . . *Bruno put a hand on his shoulder* Dearest brother?
Bruno: . . . Strictly speaking, we brothers are also rivals for the throne. *he pulled Leo to his feet* But I cannot ignore my dear brother in such low spirits! So long as it is in my power to do so, I will lend you my strength!
*Kai squeezed his arm*
Kai: Me too . . .
*I took his hand*
Chrissy: I'll also help however I can.
*Licht lightly punched his chest*
Licht: Nothing for it, is there? I'll look heartless if I'm the only one to turn his back.
Leo: Dearest brother . . . Elder brother . . . Chrissy . . . Licht . . . *he looked down for a moment & then looked up with tears in his eyes* I accept the challenge! I swear to you, I will make Father swallow his words!
Licht: Leonie, your eyes are watery. Were you crying?
Leo: Wh . . .! *he quickly wiped them away* You're wrong! It's . . . It's just a runny nose!
Licht: What? Gross!
*I handed him a handkerchief*
Chrissy: Here.
*Leo took it & blew his nose*
Leo: Thank you.
Bruno: Say . . . We mean to help, of course . . . But I sense we do not have an accurate understanding of Leonard's a academic level.
Licht:*laugh* What of it? I'm sure he at least knows the sum of one and one!
*Leo looked confused*
Leo: Huh?
*Kai, Bruno, & Licht looked dumbfounded*
Kai, Bruno, & Licht: WHAT!?
*The Professor was . He apparently saw this coming. I sighed*
Chrissy:*in her mind* This is gonna be a long three days.