As soon as the news that Prince Alexandros accomplished his goal to subdue the rebels that had been threatening the borders, the whole kingdom rejoiced with noises of the achievement.
"Some of the citizens in the city said that the Prince will be able to rise to the succession throne, some of the gossips said that he will be rewarded and become richer than other noble families in Hohenberg." Celine continued rolling the post that is currently trending online as both the city and online community buzzed with the return of the Prince.
"Who started that succession commentary? Are they trying to make the Prince rebel?" Niketas commented, the three of them are in the car and are on their way to the King's Palace where the feast honoring his return will take place.
"Are you guys still not used to the online community?" Oriana commented while her eyes still focused on her tablet reviewing the documents submitted to her.
"What are you reviewing Princess? It's been making you frown for a while, I would rather think that you're the one stressing in the social media instead." Celline switched her attention to what she's doing.
"It's a report that the auditor has submitted for the last quarter." She replied.
"What of it?"
"I want you to tell the head of finance to thoroughly review the ledgers submitted, have the IT department check the documents if it were all legit and the bureau of internal revenue to submit all the documents and receipts of the last quarter." She promptly gave her orders to Marceline who listened attentively, in times that the princess would speak a straight order and instructions means that there is something wrong with the data submitted or things must be taken action fast.
"Seems like the finance department and the bureau will not be able to join the celebration tonight." She knew that both departments would be turned upside down the moment she sent those inquiries. Oriana has always been strict with the rules and policies, so when she sees even just a small discrepancy, a thorough investigation will be run.
"I got all covered in princess." Marceline closed her tablet as soon as she finished the request to all the concerned departments.
"We are now arriving at the King's palace, remember to hold your temper once you get there Marceline." Oriana gave a subtle smile reminding her personal aide.
True to its name, Royal Azure, or the king's palace, a towering testament and grandeur of the Northern Kingdom, adorned by the glistening snow reflecting the kingdom's resilience against the harsh elements. It is a lot different to the Noble Onyx Palace where the second prince was raised by the second concubine.
Meanwhile Princess Oriana who is a direct bloodline of the emperor of La Sangue, was given the Opulent Palace, bearing its name, richly decorated, full of gold, fine fabrics, and precious stones, embodying the magnificence and wealth of royalty.
At first it was rumored that the King is biased towards Oriana that he gave the palace in order to be on good terms with the empire, however, it was dismissed because as soon as the princess arrived, the senate and the whole kingdom were all dazed at the embodiment of royalty she has.
" Of course I will, only when Concubine Selene does not do anything beyond her boundaries."
There was a time, when the King gave her the task to manage the concubine's Noble Onyx palace budget, the whole palace was turned upside down as Oriana is very detailed with each and every purchase of items and renovation in the palace. Concubine Selene, her mother-in-law, has a hard time with the documentation and the request whenever she would like to buy luxuries
Concubine Selene demanded an enormous amount of budget for the palace just for the sake of the tea party with her close friends from the capital. She even demanded the princess to take all preparations and the gifts to be given for the nobles attending.
"Princess, I heard from the steward that you haven't approved of my request for my upcoming tea party?" Concubine Selene randomly visited Oriana at her office during the afternoon when she heard of the news.
"Haven't your steward told you yet of the things he must submit in the finance department to be able to get your budget?". She shifted her gaze to the concubine who just entered, though in her mid-forties she is still a beauty at her prime, one of the reasons why the previous king had fallen to the young daughter of a count back then.
"Why do I have to do all the trouble you are asking me when I have a designated budget allotted for my expenses in my palace?" It was then when Marceline and Oriana noticed the concubine's unreasonable demand.
"The allotted budget of the Onyx palace is settled for the maintenance, supplies and the salary of all your household, any other added expenses can be taken from your monthly allowance lady Selene." Marceline decided to step up and explained it to the concubine who suddenly fumed upon hearing that she needed to take out her own allowance instead for the tea party.
"Who are you to lecture me? Before when my son, the prince, was here, he would never be required when I held tea parties or even out of town!" All her composure suddenly outburst, it was clearly seen as her cheeks turned red in containing her tone and emotions, both women in the room knew that the concubine was the reason for the dry treasury of the second prince.
"I need a detailed list of all the ingredients, supplies and manpower needed for the tea party before I approve of this budget, Mother-in-law." The princess used a more neutral or formal term to call Lady Selene, her tone and context would convey her higher status and potential lack of warmth and more of a business attitude that made her leave the princess office instead.
Since then, Lady Selene had a hard time contemplating on how she would be able to spend her budget without Oriana noticing, but her every attempt would always be seen through as the officials where all been replaced and trained personally by the princess.
"The palace is already at the sight of my princess." The car she was riding is one of the limited edition luxury cars with the eagle emblem of the Kingdom, symbolizing that she is part of the royalty. The guards promptly greeted her even though they cannot see her personally inside.
"I never really get used to seeing the traditional etiquette here in Hohenberg." Oriana, even though a royal, grew in the modern era and was used to freedom during the time she was studying in Amsonia.
"We'll it is part of the lineage that has been preserved by our families as the remaining royalty and nobility." Seconded by Marceline who also witnessed the equality of people and the difference of culture in both countries.
The car now came to a stop before the grand gates of the Royal Azure, Princess Oriana took a deep breath before stepping out of the car as the chauffeur carefully assisted her. The cool breeze caught her hair, her delicate gown flowing, her gaze unwavering then lifting her chin in quiet dignity. Many wandering eyes are drawn to the princess, filled with curiosity and admiration, the most talked about woman in the community and even online, the one who was married into the kingdom and made endless contributions not only in the field of government but also to agriculture, marines and many other developments. In just three years, the Hohenberg flourished and the princess is deeply loved by its people.
"Welcome Princess Oriana, it's been a while." To her surprise she was greeted with the most majestic person in the Kingdom.
" Greetings to Your Majesty Alaric, I have finally seen you again." She greeted with a smile, it was none other than the king of Hohenberg, a young man with good physique that speaks of discipline and power and his well groomed look that enhances his natural ruggedness, if Oriana would compare the royal siblings, she may say that he is far more majestic than her husband.
"I hope you won't blame me for the jobs I have assigned you recently." he slightly probed her.
"Of course not, it is only natural for me to help your majesty in building the nation." One of the main reasons that the King has been in favor of her even though she is the wife of his second brother, he never thought of Oriana as a competition to the throne as her best interest is with the people and the country, a thru trait of a monarch.
"Finally, my younger brother has come back, he should cope up with all the years he's been on the battlefield. I hope you won't broke up with him and think that I just made you work for the kingdom."
Oriana gave a faint laugh, throughout the years that she has been staying in Hohenberg, she already embraced the culture and the kingdom itself.
" Never that I felt it was like that, I have learned to love the kingdom and its people as you have all been treating me well and kindly.
" Well, if that's the case, I am relieved that I won't lose such an important comrade." King Alaric gently escorted her to the place where the honoring of Prince Alexandros will take place. Greeted by the several nobles and high profiled people from politics, business and the entertainment community.
"Prince Alexandros Montclair Vasilis has arrived!"
The crowd's attention turned to the appearance of the man that has been matured by the war, everyone was expectant and wanted to greet the hero of war, not until they noticed an indifferent subject upon his entrance.
A woman clinging to his arms.