"Are you dissatisfied as well?"
Every ounce of royal training was demanded of Bane in that moment. He could not show the emotions that surely boiled within him. He could not agree with the protestors without sounding weak and entitled, as if he feared a fair fight. He was trapped, and the masterful player had to find a way out.
He stepped forward, and when he spoke, his voice was clear, confident, and carried a warmth that belied the ice in his veins.
He offered his father a respectful bow, and then a smile that was every bit as flawless and composed as the one he had been wearing.
"Dissatisfied, Father?" Bane said, his tone laced with humble conviction. "How could I be? You have just offered me the one thing I have always wanted above all else."
He paused, letting the curiosity build.
"Not the crown," he clarified, his gaze sweeping the crowd before returning to the king. "But the chance to prove, beyond any doubt or whisper of doubt, that I am worthy of it. That I have not earned my place by birthright alone, but by my own merit. This is not a punishment. It is the highest honor."
A few of his supporters wanted to speak up, saying what about their contributions so far, but sensing the atmosphere, they could only shut up and bite their lips.
"I welcome these Trials, Father. I will prove myself to you, to the court, and to the kingdom." Bane finished his answer.
It was a perfect performance. A masterclass in turning certain defeat into a show of strength and humility.
"Clap-! Clap-!"
A wave of applause broke out, led fervently by Bane’s supporters. Their initial panic was washed away by a tide of renewed admiration.
"Spoken like a true king!" a voice rang out.
"His confidence is unwavering!" another added.
"Amazing! As expected of the crown prince!"
The narrative had instantly shifted from the king’s slight to the crown prince’s magnificent display of character.
King Liam watched his son, a genuine, if weary, satisfaction in his eyes. He gave a slow, approving nod. "Well spoken, my son," he murmured, the words meant for Bane but carrying in the quieting hall. "I truly did not misjudge you."
Then, his voice rose again to address the entire dais. "My children! Come forth!"
The command was immediate. Josephina smoothed her skirts, Norvus adjusted his jacket, Clara stood straighter, Neron’s eyes glinted with focus, Aurelia seemed to take a steadying breath, and even Ilan quickly wiped his hands and found his place.
They quickly formed a line before their father, a spectrum of ambition, anxiety, and determination.
The King looked upon them, a faint, proud smile touching his lips. "Look at you. The future of this kingdom, standing together."
"This will be your chance. Not to fight each other, but to prove to yourselves, and to all of us, the depth of your spirit and the strength of your will."
He paused, letting his words settle over them and the silent, watching court.
"The Trials of the Crown will be five in number," he announced. "Each designed to test a different facet of the strength required to wear this crown. I will announce the nature of each trial only when its time has come."
A ripple of anticipation went through the siblings. The uncertainty was itself a test.
"Participation in the first four trials is a choice," the King continued, his tone leaving no room for debate on the next point. "But the fifth and final trial is mandatory for every one of you who has come of age and awakened. It is your duty to this crown and to this kingdom."
His gaze grew more intense, a silent warning woven into his next words. "And know this: your performance in the first four trials will not be without its rewards. Those who distinguish themselves will gain resources, influence, and advantages that will be crucial for navigating the final challenge. To succeed in the last trial, it is highly recommended you give your all in the ones that precede it."
"The first trial will begin one week from today."
The King let the weight of the deadline settle over the assembly.
"However," he continued, his voice cutting through the quiet planning already beginning in the minds of his children, "that week will not be a mystery. It will serve as your preparation. Therefore, let me reveal the nature of your first challenge now."
He paused for maximum effect, his eyes tracing the line of his heirs.
"The first trial shall be The Trial of the Heart."
A murmur, this one of confusion mixed with curiosity, rustled through the court. It was not the name of a martial or intellectual test. It was something far more nebulous, and for some, far more dangerous.
"You will each be assigned a region of our kingdom that is in dire need," the King explained, his tone leaving no room for argument. "A village plagued by drought, a town whose mines have failed, a community on the border suffering from monster incursions."
"And more importantly..."
"You will be stripped of your royal titles and comforts for the duration of this trial. You will go there not as princes and princesses, but as servants of the crown. Your goal is not to rule, but to serve. To integrate into that community, to understand its suffering, and to work alongside its people to implement a real, tangible solution that improves their lives."
He looked at each of them, his gaze unforgiving.
"This trial will measure your empathy, your humility, and your ability to lead from within rather than from above. It will test your connection to the very people you aspire to rule. Special unbiased observers will be present, but they will be unseen. They will not report solely on your success, but on your character. On your genuine compassion."
His final words hung in the air, a profound and daunting challenge.
"Prepare yourselves. You depart at dawn in seven days’ time."