🦁🐿🦅🐍

(Italics are for letters and flashbacks.)

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.

Dear Prince Cal of Angletonia,

I hope you are well. I have been busy with my eldest son's coming-of-age party. I can't believe Aditya is eighteen. Since he was little, he has always been very protective of his younger brothers and only sister, Gianita. Seeing your display of courage months ago reminded me of him.

Please send my regards to the Emperor and Empress of Angletonia.

Nataraja IX of Prajanagara

~

Dear Prince Cal of Angletonia,

Congratulations on the birth of your son; I can imagine the joy you must be feeling. I myself had the delight to welcome the birth of my youngest son, Aravin last spring. It was a surprise. After our Gianita was born twelve years ago; my wife didn't think she'd be welcoming another child.

May you and your child be blessed with Life, Prosperity, and Health.

Nataraja IX of Prajanagara

~

Dear Prince Cal of Angletonia,

How kind of you to have sent me a photograph of you and your little prince! I think it's only fair for me to send you one of me and my children.

The young lady by my side is my dear daughter Gianita. She is now sixteen and has been taught to read, write, and speak fluently in no less than three languages; including Anglese.

She also holds a strong interest in literature.

Nataraja IX of Prajanagara

~

Dear Cal, Emperor of Angletonia

I deeply regret having to miss your coronation. I would have been there personally, if not bound by the obligations I have for my country. I sent my letter with my son Eshaan who would be attending in my place. I hope you welcome him as warmly as you would me.

Nataraja IX of Prajanagara

~

Dear King Nataraja IX of Prajanagara,

I have the greatest pleasure to have you as a friend, brother, and perhaps even a father figure over the years. For that, I would like to tighten our bonds of friendship as well as the good relationship between our countries into that of a family by asking for your daughter's hand in marriage.

Angletonia has not had an Empress since the passing of my dear mother, and I believe that Princess Gianita has the virtue as well as the capability to fit the role.

I would be honoured to have her by my side as the Empress of Angletonia and as my wife, so that generations from now, we will forever be united through heart, mind, and blood.

I'm looking forward to hearing good news.

Cal Raedan Leroy,

Emperor of Angletonia

~

Dear Mother and Father,

The coronation and banquet went well, thanks to the Emperor and Prince Cal's endless support. I am now officially crowned the Empress of Angletonia.

For now, I will focus on the task at hand, but I will keep you updated with anything of importance.

So please do not worry about me.

Your daughter,

Gianita

***

A middle-aged man dressed in a finely embroidered, black velvet jacket glanced down at the letter in his hands. Reading the content, he smiled in satisfaction.

"What is that, Father? Is it the letter from Gigi?" said a younger man, also dressed in fine clothing. "Finally, after so long?"

"You know your sister; she has always insisted on acting on her own." Folding the paper, he slid it back inside the envelope.

"But Father, why did you insist on marrying Gigi to the Emperor of Angletonia? Surely there are other ways that you could have assured alliance?"

"Of course there are." The King chuckled. "But marriage is the best way to assure this alliance."

The Crown Prince, Aditya, tilted his head.

"I have met Cal Leroy before he became the Emperor. It was a long time ago, during the early years of my reign and Praja became the host of an international conference," The King admitted. "He was barely twelve."

***

May 1919

The new Prajan King was on his way to attend an international conference held in Praja. It was an honour to be selected as host, given most countries that were picked were always the powerful, influential countries. His Praja, despite its potential, had yet to reach that level.

All of a sudden, he heard the noise of a quarrel, and he ordered his carriage to halt.

"How dare you! Get the hell out of there, you shameless lot! Where's your Lord?"

The King stepped out of the carriage, and before him was a handsome foreign teenager; tall for his age, pale and dark-haired. He was swinging his fists at a couple of administration officers, who stood their ground.

"What's going on?" The King asked.

"They wouldn't pay for the entrance fees, Your Majesty." Two officers informed him in Prajan.

"You bastards are trying to poach my chauffeur for illegal levies!" The teenage boy roared in Anglese.

The modestly-dressed foreign man behind him lowered his head, appearing guilty. "It's alright, Your Imperial Highness. I've got enough money to pay for it, so—"

"No, it is not! It's your money, and you needn't pay a single cent for entering, cause we're invited guests! My father is inside and if he learns what happened..." The boy fumed with anger, his attention settling on the King. "Who are you?"

The King stared at him. "I am Nataraja IX, the King of Praja. May I know whom I am speaking to?"

Mentioning his title would've made anyone else cower in fear, or at the least bit discouraged. But the teenage boy kept his fearless glare at him. "And I am Prince Cal of Angletonia," he stated firmly.

The King was alarmed by his name but kept his composure. "Mind explaining to me what's happened here, Prince Cal?"

"Your sleazy officers are trying to trick my chauffeur into paying for entrance! They think because I'm young and he's an employee, we'd be oblivious to their deception!" he seethed. "But we're not."

"We truly have no intentions against foreign dignitaries or their employees. For the mistakes of my men, I humbly apologize." The King then turned towards his guards. "Don't you all hear him? This is the future heir of Angletonia, how dare you make him pay from entering? Apologize immediately!"

"Not only to me, but my chauffeur, too," he smirked.

"Your Majesty!" the officers objected, for having to lower themselves to a mere chauffeur.

When it was clear the order would not be retracted, the pair bowed deeply to Cal and his chauffeur, the men apologizing in unison. But it didn't seem to appease the prince, who was still glaring at them.

"Is that all? You're done?" He scowled, hands on hips. "Such an embarrassment."

"Then what should I do to make the Prince so pleased?"

"Sack them. Angletonia is a prominent patron of this event, and we hold a major influence over the decision making. This is the first time a worldwide conference has ever been held in Praja, and they are smearing your country's name. You wouldn't want it to be the last, would you?" He raised a brow. "Give them a suitable punishment, and then report back to me. I swear I will know if it is not carried."

The King nodded. "Very well, Prince Cal. You have my word."

***

"I have never seen a boy so strong. So fearless. So vigorous. The look he had in his eyes, he was like a little lion cub, ready to take on the world." The King said, reminiscing.

"If I recall correctly, he is supposed to be a snake," Aditya corrected.

"Yes, a little snakeling then."

"Isn't he several years younger than me?"

"He's a one of a kind, I assure you," Nataraja said with admiration. "Unlike your brothers. Perhaps unlike anyone you've ever met."

"Really? It makes me curious to see him in person."

"Ever since then I knew, if there was any man deserving of my daughter it was Cal Raedan Leroy." The King continued with the Prince listening, "What had happened to him must have weakened him, but I'm sure that once he's himself again there will be no rulers, no sovereign in the world, that could stand against him. Not even me."

"But, Father, did you ever tell Gigi about it? About what exactly happened to him?"

The King smiled. "Not at all. It would have weakened her resolve. I trust she will be able to figure it out herself. I knew he was going to reject her the first time. But to have a daughter of Praja nursing him back to full vigour; imagine what he could offer us—what he would give us. What kind of power."

Unable to say more, Aditya hid his frown and nodded obediently to appease his father.

"When he announced that he was getting married eight years ago, I thought I had lost my chance." Nataraja gave a triumphant smile. "But then that happened. So it appears that the gods are on my side after all."

.·。.·゜·༺♥༻ ·゜·。.

What do you think of Gigi's father's plan? Was he trying to help Cal Sr. or just using him? Will it work and how would it affect Cal Sr., Gigi and Praja in the future?