One Night With The King: The New Empire

The Crowned Prince Banjamin

3 Years Later

Esther POV

Today is the official coronation of my son and heir to the Persian empire. He will have to enter the throne room on his own and walk up to his father to receive his crown. I am nervous though, court is very dangerous even for a young prince. I was overseeing his preparation for this for the last few months. I cannot help him once I am seated beside my husband as queen. Hopefully he remembers everything I taught him about protocol.

"Benjamin please come here." I called for my son who was running around the garden. He ran towards me and hugged me on site. He was such a sweet child, full of life and energy. I knew that was one of the reasons I was super nervous about his coronation.

"Yes mother." Benjamin looked into my eyes sensing it was time to be serious. He was also a very smart child. He knew this day was very important.

"Do you remember what you are supposed to say when you greet your father in court?" I asked him as a form of review. He thought very hard for a moment before answering, "Yes mother I remember. I am not to approach him unless summoned and I am also not supposed to call him father. I am to refer to him as my lord or your majesty. I must also remember to bow as a sign of reverence."

I was impressed by his astute level of remembering detail. He was more than ready for this moment. As his mother I could not be more proud. I hugged him one last time before he was lead away by Hegai to prepare for tonight. My handmaids had arrived once they had left my bedchamber. I had to be arraigned as queen for this moment. I just pray everything goes well for my son.

Hours have passed by and I making my way to my liter. Upon entering the throne room the people of Persia bowed to me. I will never get used to that but it comes with being queen. I took my seat beside my husband's throne and awaited his arrival.

King Xerxes POV

My liter had just stopped in front of the throne room and I waited for the Immortals to appear. Once they had appeared I heard Hegai announce my arrival. I entered the room seeing the people of Persia bowed to the ground. I walked forward and ascended the stairs where I saw my queen bowing her head in reverence as well. I kissed her hand before taking my place upon my throne.

I was nervous for my son Benjamin. This was his first appearance in court and he had to follow protocol. He was only 3 years so I never thought about enforcing protocol outside of court. He had learned that in private I am his father only but in court I was King. I was going to be lenient with him of course considering his age. I was also confident his mother had taught well though so he probably wouldn't make any mistakes.

The doors opened and in walked Hegai to announce my son, the crowned Prince's arrival.

"I appeal to you by the great king of kings and the beautiful queen, his royal highness the crowned Prince Benjamin, son of Xerxes." Hegai spoke.

I beamed with pride once my son entered the room on his own. The people of Persia all bowed to honor the young prince.

I looked to my left and his mother smiling with pride as walked farther into the room. He walked with so much authority and pride for such a young child. He paused once he reached the stairs for a brief moment with his head bowed. I knew right then Esther had taught him well. No one was to approach me unsummoned not even my children. He looked down the entire time while he waited for my permission to approach the throne. I grabbed my scepter in my hand before responding.

"You may approach Prince Benjamin." I said with the scepter held out to him.

He ascended the stairs and touched the end of my scepter before bowing before me. I was impressed with how well he had done. My son had not only learned protocol but he was also unafraid of me even this moment knowing one false move could mean his very life. I of course would never kill my son.

He lifted his eyes towards and smiled brightly replying, "You sent for me my lord." I could not be more proud than I was at the moment. He knew not address me as father, what else did Esther teach him?

"I did young prince you may rise. You have learned well from the queen and Hegai." I answered with a smile.

"Yes your majesty, Queen Esther and Hegai have spent many months preparing me for this day. I am ready to take on my responsibility as the crowned prince." He replied and I turned to my queen with a warm smile. She smiled in return before I turned my attention back to my son.

I stood up from my throne and grabbed his hands in my own before speaking, "On this day I give your crowned prince and heir to the Medo-Persian Empire, Benjamin. It is my will that you regard him as you would your king." I turned to Harbona who stood with my son's crown on a red pillow behind me

I lifted the crown off of the pillow and turned to place it upon my son's head. He bowed before the crown even touched his head. Once he stood up completely I reached out my hand for him to take. He placed his hand in mine and we turned to entire throne room of Persians which erupted in praise for the new prince.

I leaned over towards the young prince and whispered in his ear, "Well done my son I am pleased." He immediately smiled from ear to ear. He bowed once again to me and his mother before descending down the stairs and out the throne room. Queen Esther followed after him. I dismissed court for the day and descended the stairs towards the banquet that was prepared in honor of Prince Benjamin.

At the banquet the queen and I would enter with our son. I watched as he talked with his mother. She was so proud of him and hugged him profusely. I laughed to myself at her motherly antics. Once I approached I hugged him as well beaming with pride. Hegai approached us and told us it was time to enter the banquet for the first time as the royal family.

After the banquet I lead my family out of the room towards our son's room. Once we arrived to his official bedchamber I stopped and said, "Benjamin this is your room, as the Prince of Persia you are no longer allowed to sleep with your mother." I saw the slight disappointment in his eyes before he spoke, "Ok father I understand and goodnight to you and mother." He hugged us both before completely disappearing into the room.

I walked my wife to her bedchamber as well which wasn't far from Benjamin's room. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I know this was hard for her, separating from her son but he had to grow up now.

"My love you knew he would be crowned at the age of 3. He has to learn the ways of the empire now. I know its hard but that doesn't mean you are not his mother and he will not still need your care. He is only down the hall, you can send for him whenever you like." I said hoping that would cheer her up. She immediately smiled at me before embracing me in a hug.

"Alright my love, goodnight." She said before kissing me and disappearing into her room.

As I entered my own bedchamber I blew a sigh of relief and smiled with pride. My son Benjamin was now a prince of the face. I laid upon my bed and fell asleep in pure bliss and joy.

Prince Benjamin POV

I am now the crowned prince that is a lot of responsibility. At least mother and father were proud of me. Uncle Mordecai was proud of me too, I just hope I can make all of Persia proud. As I did every night I got on my knees to pray.

"God, please help me to not mess up this role I was given. I need your guidance and continue to protect me and my family. Amen."

I climbed into bed and drifted off into peaceful slumber.