“A heavy dialogue for the prince”
1463 Words
In the Northern Kingdom, where King Baldon sits, any news about his daughter from the White Castle? A message reached him from the King of the Castle, asking his forgiveness and pledging loyalty, and also as a gift, a chest of gold. He promised to gather what he agreed upon with the prince and bring it within three months. That letter reassured the king a little, but he still hoped to see his daughter truly assured.
King Baldon: Look at my son, what is he doing?
Minister: According to the letter, my lord, he succeeded in his mission and is coming back safely, God willing.
King Baldon: Yes, but for him to go alone without taking any soldiers—what is he thinking? Is this how politics should be done?
Soldier: (entered suddenly) Announcing the return of the prince!
Minister: It seems he has arrived, Your Majesty.
King Baldon: Yes.
Messenger of the Prince: My prince, what will you do with the ruler?
Prince: Father, do not worry. We understand each other very well.
Messenger: Tell him about all the events.
Prince: I have something more important to do first.
Messenger: More important than meeting the king? What is it?
Prince: Do not ask too many questions. Keep walking—you were the reason for my imprisonment.
Messenger: Do you really blame me?
Minister: Welcome back safely, my prince.
Prince: Minister, I expected the king himself to come. So where is he?
Minister: In fact, he is waiting eagerly for you, and he wants you alone. I advise you, he seems very angry.
Prince: Your words relieved me. I will go.
Minister: Please, Your Highness. As for you, messenger Mark, you shall wait. There is something I will discuss with you, so wait.
Prince: (entered the room. His father was standing in front of the window, looking through it. When he entered, the king turned to him and ordered everyone to leave. He held the letter and asked him) What is your opinion of its contents?
Prince: This means that he admitted his mistake and will pay for the peace treaty that was written between us.
King Baldon: So that is your opinion? Tell me, I am a king, and when I decide to declare war on any land, and its messenger and its prince come to me, I do not change my decision. And if I did, I would not give him half the treasury of my kingdom, or pay the amount of gold written in this paper. So what have you done?
Prince: Father—
King Baldon: I am not your father now. Tell me what I want to know. Do you understand?
Prince: Then, O king, I will tell you. (I told my father everything that happened, from the beginning of my imprisonment to my release, and seizing control of the castle. He stood listening, and he seemed angry. After I finished speaking, he was silent, then said:)
King Baldon: Prince Ryota, tell me, how many mistakes did you make from your own words now? Do you know how many mistakes you committed?
Prince Ryota: Let the king tell me and enlighten my vision, for he knows better.
King Baldon: The first mistake was that your heart got attached to someone, and you went to help them. The second, and more dangerous, was that you risked all the lives of this kingdom by one step—your capture.
Prince Ryota: How could it fall, while it has a great king like you?
King Baldon: Because if the news of your imprisonment had spread, I would have erased the White Castle completely. But the kingdom has two enemies: the Southern Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom. Which of them would not seize the opportunity? Tell me. Our soldiers are brave, our horses outrun the wind, but all of that would not be useful. With what would you defend yourself now?
Prince Ryota: No defense. But as you said, the enemies are many, and we try as much as possible to reduce them. The White Castle was about to join the Southern Kingdom, and we had to move to prevent that.
King Baldon: Do you not think of the consequences? The Iron Kingdom is preparing a huge army and waiting for the right moment. The Southern Kingdom is also waiting for any chance to take control. Shall we defend our kingdom, or act according to whims? Tell me.
Prince Ryota: (I went out of the room and shouted at the soldiers. The palace was suddenly filled with guards. Then I asked them:) If you went to attack a kingdom, and two hundred soldiers remained while the enemy attacked, how many would you kill?
Soldiers: Our purpose is not to defeat them, but to prevent them from entering until reinforcements arrive!
Prince Ryota: How long do you think I will be away?
Soldiers: While we prepare the defense equipment and fire the first arrow, you will have already defeated your enemy and overcome the besiegers.
Prince Ryota: (I looked at my father and said) Those are my soldiers. I am the one who trains them and I know them, with a heart and soul that can endure all the storms and monsters to come.
King Baldon: (looked at the soldiers, then at me, and said) Let us enter. (Then he told me) Well done, my son. A heart that does not waver from its decision owns the world. But one who does not care for the safety of his people does not deserve the throne. Let that be a warning to you. Do you understand?
Prince Ryota: Yes, my king.
King Baldon: Now I will speak to you as a father, not as a king. (He removed the crown, embraced me deeply, and spoke, saying) And I will say: praise be to God for your safety, my son. Truly, I thank God that you returned safely. I was truly worried about you, my brave son.
Prince Ryota: Father…
King Baldon: Now that we are done, there is an event today.
Prince Ryota: Event? What event?
King Baldon: The anniversary of your grandfather’s victory over the enemies. We will hold a feast for that occasion, and also, so that someone might search for the love of their life instead of running away.
Prince Ryota: Father, you know I have no plans for marriage now. I have ambitions that I must achieve first.
King Baldon: Great plans need a wife to help you. I also want to see my grandson inherit the throne. Then I will be assured of the kingdom.
Prince Ryota: You speak of my son who has not yet come, while I am still alive.
King Baldon: My son, who follows only his desires, is not worthy of ruling.
Prince Ryota: And whom have you chosen for me, Father?
King Baldon: You know that I have chosen for you. Princess Charlotte will be an excellent wife. What do you think?
Prince Ryota: The future ruler of Edmund Kingdom? No, thank you.
King Baldon: What does she lack? Tell me.
Prince Ryota: That she is spoiled to this degree.
King Baldon: True, spoiled. But she is the ruler of the Edmund Kingdom, with its vast trade and resources. With that, both kingdoms will be stronger.
Prince Ryota: Listen, Father, I—
King Baldon: Also, this is a punishment for you, as your king. Do you understand?
Prince Ryota: O King Baldon, I resign from being the commander of the army and also as heir to the kingdom. And there is another thing—you have lost one of the heroes of your kingdom.
King Baldon: Enough! Guards, accompany my son to prepare for the feast tonight. If he escapes, your heads will be cut off. Do you understand?
Prince Ryota: No, I will not retreat. (I went to my room, got ready for the feast, and dressed elegantly.)
Messenger Mark: The king made you attend the feast at last.
Prince Ryota: Yes, but I have my duties, so I will hurry this feast.
Messenger Mark: Hurry it? How? Will you use an hourglass to count the time?
Prince Ryota: No. Tell me, what reasons might make the feast end quickly?
Messenger Mark: Let us see… if an attack happened, or an earthquake, or… I do not know, nothing else.
Prince Ryota: Have you ever heard the saying: Never anger a woman, because she will not be satisfied with simple revenge?
Messenger Mark: Look at the invited people—the United Kingdoms in peace and harmony—and then a prince comes and destroys all of that. Are you mad?
Prince Ryota: Oh, Mark, I am not mad. I am madness itself. But do not worry, I will not do anything that causes harmw.
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- Writer
