A Story From Zinnia

Part 1: Introduction

"Sister Ashton!!!" There was the voice of a young man who called while running towards the owner of the name.

"Sister said you can't run around like this in the palace, danger if you fall" said the brother as he approached his sister.

"What's brother here for? What are you watching?" Ask the curious sister.

Now the two of them are standing on the balcony of the 3rd floor of the palace, facing the sunset with a view of the houses of the citizens that looks from the palace walls.

"Taking a look at our country" Ashton replied

"Eyy isn't that boring? Brother has often noticed the same scene many times" said the sister.

"Xavier, listen to brother, one day you will be king of this land. A good king is one who always cares about and worries about his people." Ashton said softly to his sister just turned 8 years old.

"I don't want to be king, I'd rather be the king of this country. If I were king, I could no longer play and would have to deal with endless paperwork in the study like dad." Xavier made Ashton laugh.

"When have you been so good at talking like this, huh? You're a big man."

"Sure, I will also be taller than big brother" Xavier sneered as he ran away from his brother.

"Hey come here! Shouldn't you be studying in a library? Xavier's here!"

The two brothers are running around in the hallway of the palace, the age of the two who are adrift different 9 years is not the reason their relationship is tenuous. Ashton loved his younger brother Xavier, and vice versa. The state of the palace became more colorful with the presence of these two brothers princes. Although their nosy behavior sometimes overwhelmed the servants, everyone in the palace loved these two princes very much.

"Xavier's here!" Ashton shouts along the corridors of Cassania's palace.

Their steps were stopped when the king's secretary stood up to them "Your Majesty why are you running around here?"

"Oh Uncle Elthon?" Say both in unison

"My respect Your Highness Prince Nathaniel and His Highness Prince Xavier." Said Elthon while bowing. The two princes returned the greeting of Elthon.

"What's the matter uncle? It's not usually uncle's visiting the palace wing." Ashton asked curiously.

"His Majesty the King sent the servant to see Prince Nathaniel, your majesty said there was something he wanted to convey to His Majesty." Obviously Elthon

"Oh really? What do you want to say? It seems so important to tell you to come here."

"Sorry Your Majesty, I know little. It is better that His Majesty immediately go to meet his majesty in the royal hall."

"All right then. Xavier go back to the library, we play again later." Ashton said to his brother

"Always dad interrupts our playtime. Okay...." Xavier answered with a stroke.

Ashton went to the hall to meet his father there. He saw his father standing in the distance. Right now his father was facing the window, not knowing what he was thinking in his mind.

"Dad... I heard you calling me, what's wrong?" Ashton asked gently

"Nathanael Ashton Rayton... How old are you this year?"

"17 years, why?"

"It's time you got military training."

"Military training?! Isn't that too fast, Dad?" Ashton asked who could not believe what his father was saying

"Nathanyel... You will be king one day, you are crown prince of this country and therefore you must be able to protect your people. Think good, our country is still at war, and I'd be very happy if you could be the commander of your army." Obviously the father at length

"Dad but I just finished my basic training last year, isn't this too soon Dad?"

"Nathaniel, this is my father's request to you. You never know when your enemy fires his bullets at us, it never hurts to be prepared. Think by you Nathaniel, I would recommend you to the air force, wouldn't you be happy with a fighter from a young age?"

"I understand you, I'll think about it."

"You have until the end of next month, think carefully."

Ashton walked out of the hall with heavy strides, many things swamped in his mind. From a young age he was educated by military means by his father. Dysipilin, firm and responsible. Even so, he inherited the gentle nature of his mother, the late Queen Issabela. His father's request often stifled his chest, as the other children played cheerfully in the garden, he struggled with the royal history books in the palace library. Born with a crown on his head, he understood the responsibility that lay on his shoulders as heir to the royal throne.

The birth of Xavier, the younger brother after 9 years was like a breath of fresh air for Ashton. He who has no friends in the palace, finally has a friend to play and study together. So that's what makes Ashton very fond of his sister.

Unlike Ashton, the father did not put too much restraint on Xavier. It was common knowledge in the palace that these two princes had opposite traits. Ashton inherited his mother's gentle nature and never rejected what his father said, while Xavier was more rebellious and open. The resemblance of these two brothers lies only in their beautiful sapphire blue eye color, inheriting the father.

"Sister Ashton! What did you say just now?" Xavier ran over to his pensive older brother sitting under a tree. Ashton smiled at his brother and said,

"I think your father wanted a brother to learn about fighter planes."

"Fighter aircraft? Isn't that so cool, brother?" Xavier said with sparkling eyes.

"really? Do you like fighter planes too?"

"No, I prefer battleships. I saw a picture of Grandpa wearing a navy army suit and it looked really cool."

"Do you want to enter the navy later?"

"Of course, I was a kid anyway, they wouldn't accept me." Xavier said with a laugh

"Xavier's... Are you okay if you stay away from me for a long time?"

"Where is my brother going?"

4 Years ago, Queen Issabela died of severe illness. Xavier was 4 years old at the time, he realized that his mother had not had a high fever for 5 days. Since then, Ashton has been a mother and sister figure to her. For Ashton, parting ways with Xavier is not easy. His sister still does not understand many things.

"Dad asked you to join the air force's military training, and I think it'll take 4 years."

"That's... Dad's request?"

"Yes, I asked him directly."

"Then just come along, brother, there must be a reason why you asked brother to take training, right? Besides, brother looks cool wearing a military suit." Xavier said with a smile on his teeth.

"You're so easy to make a decision like that?"

"If it's a good thing, it doesn't take long to break sister."

Although still young, Xavier often seems more mature than his brother. When Ashton is confused, Xavier often gives way to his problems. Ashton is grateful to have Xavier as his younger brother, the one who will always support his decision.

"Alright, brother will enter the air force then!" Ashton cried as he moved from his seat.

One month later

As his father said, training began this month. In the palace hall, Ashton was already preparing to go to the military base with his aides.

"Do your training well"

"Good dad."

"SISTER ASHTON!!!" with a gasping sound, anyone knew Xavier was running here.

"Aren't you leaving already? Really true?" Xavier's voice began to sound roaring and the whirlpools of his tears had already piled up in his eyes.

"Xavier's... You cried? A Xavier Hellen Rayton crying? Big brother won't be long and big brother will definitely be back. As long as you're not around, listen to what you're saying and don't bother the servants, you understand?" Ashton said as he knelt hugging to calm his sister.

Xavier gave a small nod, his heart feeling heavy seeing his brother leave. Although he was sure his brother would return, but still 4 years was not a short time.

"Don't forget to complete the study of the filial and historical government. Promise me you won't be naughty as long as you're gone."

"Okay, come home safe."

"certainly. Oh and here, wear this bracelet, take good care of it. You understand this?" Ashton wears a red bracelet on Savier's arm.

"Isn't this a bracelet from my mother?"

"Rubber. Now you take care of him, okay?"

"Hm." Xavier nodded his head.

Ashton then got up and rubbed his sister's hair.

"Your Majesty, the car is ready." Say one of the aides.

"Okay dad, Xavier, I'm leaving."

Ashton with his two personal aides departed from the palace hall. They went to the military headquarters of the royal air force for 4 years of training. It is traditional for male members of the royal family to attend military academies, usually when they are 16 or 17 years old. King Arthur took up military education in the air force. His late grandfather became the command of the royal navy.

Although military education is a tradition, the Kingdom of Zinnia does not prohibit members of the royal family to get education in other fields. This is done so that the successors have the widest possible knowledge. Like Prince Ashton who while undergoing military basic education which began at the age of 14, he also studied health science in the royal school since the age of 12 years. Unlike the younger brother who is more inclined towards liberal arts and royal law.

Being highly educated and having good manners are important to the successors to the throne. So it is natural for them to get a variety of education from an early age.

Ashton's absence from the palace was felt by Xavier. The vast palace of Cassania felt empty for him. He could not casually get out of the palace walls or just invite his father to play. His father was too busy with state duties and outgoing service. Only her servant and her caretaker aunt would be her friends at this time.

Until one day Xavier thought to ask his father to attend formal school outside the palace walls. During this time he only received education from his teachers in the palace only. It was hard for him to socialize.

One night when his father was done with his work, Xavier came to his room.

"Dad, are you inside?" Xavier said as he knocked on his father's bedroom door

"Come in, son."

Then Xavier opened the door to his father's room with his tiny hand. Even though it was late at night, it was seen that King Arthur was still struggling with endless piles of papers on his desk.

"Dad not slept?"

"Not yet, there are still documents that I have to read. Why aren't you sleeping?"

"There's something I want to say, yeah."

"What's wrong? Don't you usually come to my dad's room this late?"

"I want formal school yeah."

"Formal school? You mean at Helling Rose royal school?"

"Well, where else is it."

"Didn't you like your teacher? I can find another one if I have to."

"It's not so well, I also want to go to a formal school like Brother Ashton. Study with friends in class, not just with teachers in the palace library yeah."

"Is that so? Are there any subject areas you enjoy right now?"

"I'm interested in the liberal arts and royal legal system well."

"really? That's not a common field the royal family likes."

"But I like it a lot. Can I go to school there? Can't you???" Whine Xavier to his father.

The king laughed at the whining of his youngest son.

"Of course I can. As long as you have to study hard and be careful there."

"Of course well, I'll study hard!"

"Dad will call them in the morning, now go back to your room, it's late you have to sleep."

"Well yeah, Xavier loves you!" Xavier exclaimed as he kissed the father's cheek and ran towards his room.

Helling Rose Royal School is a private school established by the royal party decades ago, this school is fully developed by the government. The purpose of this was for the members of the kingdom. Not much can come here if it is not a member of the royal family, it is not a matter of entrance fees, but an entrance test that is very difficult even for the level of primary education. In addition, there is also an assessment of attitude and manners. Even so, not many royal members attend school here. They preferred to use private tutors and study within the palace walls. As a result, the school is filled more by the children of nobles and children of state officials, most of them will end up being employees in government agencies.

The next morning, King Arthur personally contacted the school about his son going to school there. It is an honor for the school to educate the heir to the throne.

"Elthon, get Xavier here"

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Elthon went to the palace library, Prince Xavier's favorite place to spend the day. He saw Prince Xavier reading a book seriously on one of the chairs.

"Sincerely, Your Majesty" said Elthon.

"Oh Uncle Elthon! What's the matter until you're so far away?"

"The king's majesty asked His Majesty to meet him in his private study."

"Oh really?"

"Yes... Your Majesty." Elthon did not finish answering yet, Xavier had already dashed out of his chair.

"YOUR MAJESTY CAN'T RUN!" elthon shouted while chasing after the young prince.

It didn't take long, Xavier had arrived at the father's private study.

"Dad called?"

"You're here apparently. Dad called the school, and he said you could start school next week."

"Could ya?" Xavier asked with sparkling eyes, he was really impatient with life at his new school.

"Right, I'll have the servants prepare the things you need later."

"Asik!!! Dad is great! I love you dad!"