Trapped In Hisstory

Numerous carriages were parked in front of the palace, and some carriages have just stopped as they had only arrived. Each carriage was unique, not one of it alike with the others. The symbol of their family name was marked on it to identify which nobles from different families were inside.

The Head of the Servants deserved his title. He had assigned everyone to a task based on how they work. Nicholas Wright has a good memory, allowing him to know which ones are good at certain tasks. He assigned them properly, knowing that it will have great results, which will guarantee everything to be done at the given time.

Knights were stationed at every entrance of the palace and the kingdom itself to make sure that the suspicious and harmful people will not have to come inside the kingdom and the palace where the celebration will take place. Commander Alec had grouped every knight in each squad to do a rotational patrol, to guarantee the safety of the Royal family, as well as the nobles who have come inside.

The first four houses to arrive were the House of Lockhart, House of Lanstone, House of Midford, and House of Millington. These families are one of the highest families that have power, but none of these other noble names' wealth could beat that of the Lockharts. Lockhart was the second most powerful. The first was, of course, the Howards. The Royal Family of Antares.

Nobles after nobles have arrived, and it has almost turned into a competition of gowns, pieces of jewelry as the nobles flaunt their wealth against each other. 

Most of those who step out of their carriages or those who enter the celebration room came in pairs, and some are more than two because other elder nobles have brought their heirs and heiresses. They are accompanied as well by one or two knights that they have brought by their choice for protection.

Chance Howard was making his way towards the large ballroom with Alec by his side. The cape on the Crown Prince's shoulders fluttered as he walked the halls of the palace.

Once he reached the doors, he is aware that those on the other side are people that are lower than his status, but at the same time higher than who he really is. He was only a historian locking himself inside his room with work on his mind. Work where he teaches but does not get enough money to be anywhere wealthy than the lowest noble that Antares has.

'But I am Charles today.' he reassured himself. Even if he was as poor as a beggar, that would not matter because, in this period, he is the Crown Prince of their kingdom. 'Probably Charles until the day I die here.' he added.

Alec and Chance both stopped as they reached the end of the hall. In front of them was the door to the ballroom, where celebrations are held. The two guards bowed as they hold their staves to pay respect to the Crown Prince, "Blessings from the Goddess, Your Royal Highness." they said at the same time. Chance nodded in return, accepting their greetings.

Alec glanced at the Crown Prince to know if he was ready to enter the room. Chance noticed his knight's stare and raised his hand, gesturing to make them open the door. Alec nodded at his order and looked at the two guards standing on both sides of the door. The guards received his gaze and knew what it meant.

The two knights guarding the entrance of the ballroom both raised their staves and hit them to the ground three times, as they always do whenever someone enters a room where the King was in.

The music and the buzzing of the people inside that Chance was hearing even from outside halted, causing pure silence, meaning they have heard the signal of the two guards.

The doors slowly opened, with the two servants opening them from the inside. The lights of the ballroom shone upon his face and all the nobles were waiting for him to enter.

"His Excellency, Alec Valorian, has arrived!" the messenger announced and Alec stepped inside first, as his name was first to be called. The people inside raised one of their arms with the back of their hands, facing the direction of the Valorian knight.

After the knight has entered, he stopped and slightly faced the Crown Prince. "The Star of the Celebration! His Royal Highness, Charles Howard, has arrived!" the messenger announced again.

With just one of his feet entering the room, all the people, even Alec Valorian, raised both of their arms and bowed to welcome the Crown Prince, the next King of Antares.

"We wish you a happy birthday and continuous blessings from the Goddess." all of them greeted in unison. "May glory always be in Antares." they added.

Chance's chest pounded in nervousness, but he tried hard not to panic nor be frightened by the crown inside the room of celebration. "You may all raise your heads," he ordered, and the servants and nobles all raised their heads and put down their arms that were raised in his direction.

Chance took another step, and he walked towards the throne where King Cadell is sitting, watching every move he makes. Considering that it was a celebration just for him, he did not bow his head nor raised his arm, "I do not have to pay respect to Your Majesty, for someday I will be the one to sit on that throne." he said with confidence.

The audible gasping of the crowd was heard, shocked for the Crown Prince to make that kind of statement in front of the current King of Antares. 

"How could he say that? How presumptuous!"

"For a prince to be so confident just because he holds the crown!"

"I do not think His Highness said anything wrong."

"How so!" 

"How would you like the star of the celebration raising his hands, bowing and kneeling in front of such a crowd?"

"Indeed, it is only natural for the next in line to be king to show confidence. Would you rather like a cute and innocent weak king to lead the kingdom?" 

The nobles continued to whisper as they talk to each other which made the Crown Prince feel like grimacing, 'With just one statement, they are already so loud.' he thought.

"Even if you are all whispering words that we cannot clearly hear, suspicion of speaking badly of a royalty is grave. Would you like to be punished by the laws of our Kingdom?" Chance said, causing the people around them to be silenced.

The King of Antares smirked and clapped, "Great!" he exclaimed. "To hear such words from the Crown Prince assures me that I have chosen a great person to rule the kingdom after me." he said.

Chance smiled, "Forgive me if people found what I said offensive." he said, "But I indeed have to thank you for such a big celebration for my birth." 

"It is natural to hold the best for you are the Crown Prince of this kingdom, my son." King Cadell said with a smile on his face.

"I, Caroline, wished for more blessings to come as well, Crown Prince."

Chance looked at the one who spoke and saw Lady Caroline by Cadell's side. The consort's wavy blonde hair was braided into a side bun, looking younger than her age as she sat beside the King with such grace emitting from her.

"I greet Your Highness as well, you look as beautiful as ever, as if you were close to the age of Princess Carmilla."

"What an exaggeration, you flatter me, Crown Prince."

Both of them smiled and then Nicholas Wright came, "It is time, Your Highness." the royal head butler said as he pointed at the balcony. 

It was time for the Crown Prince to go to the balcony and greet the people who are gathered outside the palace just to greet him. For people hoping to see him and hear his words as the next king of Antares.

Chance slowly walked towards the open balcony. In every step he made, he could feel the stares of the nobles piercing through him, waiting for his next moves, and some are waiting for him to make a mistake.

He ignored the stares of the people and made his way to the balcony as he walked with grace and confidence, unlike the shy, nervous person with low self-esteem that he was.

He stepped onto the balcony, putting his palms on the railings, and saw hundreds of people outside the gate of the palace, just to see him. It surprised him and it was overwhelming for him to see that all of these people came for him. Just to hear his words.

But then all of the sudden, he noticed that people are not moving. He looked around, and they were all frozen, as if time had stopped. There was a strong gush of wind. A familiar gush of wind that always comes whenever-

"Whenever Fate appears...." he muttered.