WELCOME TO ZANDER
Zander, a beautiful place. A place where life is perfect. A kingdom with no flaws, fails or wars. Truly nothing was more wonderful and life was more than perfect. But yet again nothing is ever perfect. Everything great certainly has a little fault behind it which when not look into could cause a great problem. Zander was about to learn this lesson the hard way. King Bernard, the present ruler of Zander, had tried his very best to ensure a smooth and easy ruling for his son and heir to the throne, Andrew. His work was complete, his son was getting married to his lovely fiancee Alesandra in a week's time. Nothing could possibly ruin it. Or so he thought. Zander was being robbed both during the day and night. It seemed like such a small issue at first until it became worse. Taxes were being stolen, rich getting robbed, the poor.... Well Zander was a kingdom of 'no poverty'. Even goods exported and imported out and into the kingdom were being intercepted before the time of their delivery causing a decrease in the foreign exchange statistics of Zander. King Bernard had tried his best to capture the bandit but all to no avail. Until the king got furious.
One day while Queen Mara, wife of Bernard was having a quiet time in the throne room, Bernard came storming in.
"What has gotten my lord so upset today". Mara asked when the king has sat down.
She was honestly worried about her husband. He has been working tirelessly to ensure the thief was caught and today he had stormed in angrily. Something was definitely up and she was not going to stay quiet about it
"Talk to me my lord". She said when the king hadn't answered her.
King Bernard heaved a sigh of dismay
"The thief broke into the royal treasury last week and repeatedly kept on coming but wasn't caught. How is that even possible?" He shouted obviously tired of the whole situation.
"My king you need to calm down....." Queen Mara started only to be cut short by Bernard
"Don't tell me to calm down woman!".
His voice boomed throughout the throne room causing the servants to shudder in fear and Mara to wince in her seat.
Bernard exhaled on seeing his staffs and wife's reaction.
"I'm sorry Mara, I was just so pissed off by the whole thing, I didn't mean it."
"It's okay Bernard. Everything will be fine". Mara said patting her husband's shoulder and offering him a smile.
Just then two guys walked in. One was muscular and tall. He had brownish-black eyes with jet black hair. He had chiseled jaw and easy on the eye and he had a crown on his head. That was Andrew. Prince Andrew, son of King Bernard and heir to the throne of Zander.The other was tall as well, muscular but not as much as Andrew, he was just well built. He had dull green eyes, blonde hair and a round face. He was handsome. That was Diego. Emperor Diego, as he liked to be called. He wasn't an emperor neither did he have blue blood but he was from a family of nobles and Prince Andrew's best friend. They were taking a stroll through the palace hallway when they heard Bernard's voice thundering and they decided to check it out.
"What's wrong father?" Andrew asked seeing his father's demeanor.
Bernard only sighed and looked away. Andrew looked at his mother signalling her to answer by raising a brow. Seeing that her husband was not going to say anything, she turned to Andrew and Diego.
"A thief broke into the royal treasury last night and as it turns out it wasn't the first time it had happened. The guards were to scared about the king's reaction that they didn't say a word about it."
Bernard groaned after Mara had finished speaking. It was obvious that he was trying to control his outburst of words.
"I'm beginning to think those guards are working hand in hand with the thief".
Diego said jokingly earning him a stern look from the king.
'Maybe now isn't the best time for jokes'.
He thought to himself.
Andrew shook his head at Diego's response and his father's reaction. Sighing, he wiped off the grin on his face as he faced his dad.
"Father, I get the fact that this is outrageous..."
"Outrageous is an understatement but go on". Bernard cut in
"But you will have to calm down. We can't have the people hear that you overreacted about the thief breaking into the treasury".
"What happens if they know?" Bernard asked getting impatient.
"They'll think you're taking this personally!" Diego replied
"But it is personal". Bernard snapped back almost immediately "Robbing my kingdom is one thing but breaking into the treasury, that's a whole new level". He added
"Bernard!"
"Father!"
"Listen to yourself!" was all their response.
Bernard exhaled trying not to show that he was taken aback by their response.
"Maybe you're right. I just.... I need..... I haven't..." Sighing once more. "I just need a break from all this".
He finally said having found his tongue.
Seeing her husband's frustration did nothing but break her heart. She turned to the boys and nodded at them. They both understood this gesture. It meant she'll handle him. They slightly bow and left the room.
"I'm sorry Mara". Bernard sighed rubbing his fingers along his temples
"I'm just so frustrated". He completed.
"It's gonna be okay". Mara patted him. "It's gonna be fine". Mara reassured the king trying to coax him.
He has been so stressed out about the whole situation that he sounded so selfish about the treasury break-in. She really wished the bandit could turn himself in but life wasn't as simple as that. She assured the king that things would be okay but....
Would it be?