Chapter Text
Prince Ludwig's POV
“10, 9, 8,-“
Breathe Ludwig. You’ve been on camera your entire life.
“7, 6, 5,-“
“I just hope ‘His Royal Highness’ doesn’t screw this up”
“4, 3, 2, -“
“Hello everyone and welcome to tonight’s special edition of the Weekly Report” The booming voice and attractive face of Adel Fischer became broadcast to the entire world. “Tonight, as you already know, we will crown our very own, Prince Gilbert Beilshmidt!” A cry went up from the live audience, cheering on Adel’s performance.
Adel turned and his eyes instantly landed on me. “Ah! Prince Ludwig!” Oh no. “Can we get your thoughts on your brother’s coronation tonight?” I turn my lips up at the sudden inquiry, though I am in no way amused at the question. I force an answer out through the lump in my throat, “Gilbert will be a fine king. I have all my faith that he will be listed among the greatest kings of all time.”
Adel laughed, making a little brother joke, and moved on, asking this question and that until finally, the moment had arrived. Gilbert stood at the front of the studio, as every official read through their scripted coronation lines. I could tell that by every passing second he got more anxious. Eventually, Gilbert busted under the pressure. “STOP!” multiple gasps went up from the audience meanwhile I shook my head and sighed. I knew it. Gilbert turned to face the royal family, or more specifically, our grandfather and I. “Grandfather, I am truly sorry but I cannot take the title of king. Ludwig is much better suited to the job than I will ever be. I am sorry to all of our subjects for who have always looked to the royal family for support. I hereby denounce myself as heir to the throne of New Germania.”
I froze in my seat, feeling every pair of eyes in the world settle on me as Gilbert walked across the stage to sit next to me. “Sorry Bruder.” He whispered as he sat down. I knew that if I made any move to be in any way angry with him, it would automatically make me look like the bad guy. My anger would simply need to be contained for a few more minutes.
After getting over his initial shock, Adel continued. “What a surprising turn of events has happened here tonight. It seems to me as if Prince Ludwig has become the heir to the throne. Tune in next week to see what our new heir has to say. Goodnight from New Germania!”
“Aaaand Cut!”
After waving goodbye to the live audience, we went backstage. “What the Hell, Gilbert?” My grandfather and I yelled as soon as we got into the privacy of the curtains. Gilbert looked as if he had tears in his eyes as he looked between the two of us. “I’m sorry grandfather. But you and I both know Ludwig has always done better with his studies and with all of the foreign relations. I simply am not meant to be heir.”
“Well you could have at least warned me!” I screamed at him again. “Here I am, having to pick up the pieces of what you’ve broken, just as I’ve done since I was born.”
Gilbert simply cast his eyes down, causing his silver hair to reflect the bright stage lights being brought from the stage.
“Are you not going to give me an explanation?” My anger was simply boiling over at this point, and there was no stopping me. “Why do you have to be so selfish Gil? Now I have a week to come up with something to tell our people before we start having riots. Have fun with your egotistical lifestyle.”
I stormed off to my room, not bothering to nod diplomatically at all of the palace workers. Once in my room, I force all of the butlers out, wanting to be alone for tonight. I run a cold shower and let the ice cold water run over me, cooling down my body, but not my anger.
After toweling off, I get dressed and walk to my bed, praying to whatever god or deity would listen that everything would turn out okay. I don’t need too much backlash from this. Eventually I drifted into a restless sleep, filled with nightmares of controversy I couldn’t talk my way out of.
~
Two big name newspapers slapped down in front of me, narrowly missing the sausage and eggs I was having for breakfast. I looked up to see the same was happening to Gilbert across the table. “New Germania Losing Hold on Its People” one said in bold face letters, the other read, “New Germania: A Dying Monarchy” Guess God wasn’t on my side in this one. I run my hands down my face, too sick to even spare a glance at Gilbert.
“Do you see what happens Gilbert.” My grandfather started. “Now your brother is going to have to figure out how to get this under control in less than a week.” Grandfather continued to rant at gilbert as I looked down at my breakfast, which now seemed unappetizing.
“I-I think I have an idea.” I spoke softly, my words barely louder than a whisper. “Do you remember when you taught us about the old tradition of the heir to the throne having a ‘selection’ before he was to be crowned king? We could have eighteen different people come from around the world and televise the process. We could have forms made and mailed out after I make my speech Tuesday. Anyone between the ages of 15-26 is allowed to enter. It could change the way people look at us. Fifteen different people from around the world get to experience life as a royal, and one lucky winner gets to be royal forever. I think it’s a win-win for all of us.” I finish.
I look around at my family as they sit there stunned. “Ludwig,” my grandfather starts, “are you sure you want to do this? You’re basically giving your chance at love away. I’m sure we can find a different alternative.” I chuckled lightly, though there was no happiness behind it, and shook my head. “No grandfather, I need to do this. If you or anyone else needs me, I will be in my room writing my speech.” With that I speed out of the dining hall, filled with vigor as I rush to my room. Secretly, from the moment we were told the stories of past selections, I had always dreamt of having one of my own. That dream, unfortunately disappeared once I found out I would not be the heir to the throne. Now that the once seemingly impossible dream is happening, I couldn’t be more excited. I rushed into my room, starting on one of the best speeches I will give in my lifetime, bound not to mess anything up.
~
After fourteen consecutive hours used to write my speech, thirty hours used to iron out every detail on the applications, and countless hours of worrying, the next evening report had finally arrived. I stood in front of a podium in my freshly tailored suit, waiting for Adel to announce me. I thought I was ready for this, I really did. Now, I’m not too sure. I hear the call for quiet on set and immediately my heart beats too fast for any normal human.
“Hello everyone!” Adel’s voice fills my ears and I wonder how he can do this week after week with such ease. He goes on to talk about different news events throughout New Germania and the world, throwing a couple jokes in between some of the harder subjects. I’m so focused on watching him, I nearly didn’t notice that he had announced my speech.
“Good evening people of New Germania and the world.” I begin, “As you have most likely heard, I am New Germania’s new upcoming heir to the throne. Instead of just taking the throne like has been the custom in the past few ascensions, I have decided to have a selection to find someone to rule by my side.” I go into details of what a selection entails, and watch as the live audience gets excited. That’s definitely a good sign. Before I can even tell, my speech is almost over. “an application is being sent to every household in the world that has an unmarried male or female occupant between the ages of 15-26. The deadline to mail them back to New Germania palace is two months from today. Eighteen applications will be hand selected by me, live on the evening report. Only one will gain the title of king or queen next to my side. Good Luck, and I hope to see some of you soon.” I finish with a slight smile. I hear the call to cut the cameras and take a deep breath, waving at the live audience before going backstage. This is going to be a long two months.
~
Within the first week of the application process, we already had received half a million applications from all over the world. By the second week, we had two million. The number hasn’t quit growing within the last two months. I made myself stop going into the mail room after the second week, knowing it was only making me on edge to see the applications and not be able to look at them. Instead I worked on making sure all eighteen of the rooms for the applicants were perfect. I made the menu for the first dinner when all of the applicants arrived. I tried not to think about how my life was about to change, whether for the better or for the worse.
Before I was even ready, the day of the selection of applicants had arrived. When we arrived to the stage for the report, eighteen large bronze bowls had been set out, filled to the brim with applications. As I read the name of each applicant drawn, their picture would appear on the citizens’ television screens. I hadn’t even realized that I was zoning out onto the bowls until I heard Adel announce the selection of the applicants. I stood, palms sweaty, heart racing, and walked to the first bowl.
I stuck my hand in, pulled, and opened the first application:
“Roderich Edelstein” I announced.
I walked to the next bowl.
“Alfred F. Jones”
I picked from the next three
“Feliks Łukasiewicz”
“Elizabeta Héderváry”
“Basch Zwingli”
The next nine:
“Tino Väinämöinen”
“Natalia Arlovskaya”
“Wong Yao”
“Antonio Fernandez Carriedo”
“Raivis Galante”
“Feliciano Vargas”
“Francis Bonnefoy”
“Honda Kiku”
“Ivan Braginski”
The last four:
“Arthur Kirkland”
“Eduard von Bock”
“Toris Laurinaitis”
“Berwald Oxenstierna”
I looked at the camera as I finished with the final application. “The selected have one week to get ready to come lice at the palace.” I say, beginning my closing speech. “A representative from the palace will be coming to get the lucky eighteen ready to live at the palace. See you soon.” I waved slightly at the camera before Adel took back over to end the report. As soon as the camera called cut, I was already racing to my room, determined to match each face to each name, and know at least the most basic of facts. The new chapter of my life had only just begun.