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The night after the royal banquet was tense. His father wasn't speaking to him, and although Ben knew his mother supported him in everything, he felt the worst thing that could have happened had happened. He wasn't even king yet, and he had yelled at the actual king, at his father, about how the system he had built was flawed, so stupid and irresponsible. Dinner was silent; no one spoke, and guilt gnawed at him. In the middle of the meal, Adam spoke without even looking up from his plate.
—Due to the consequences of the Royal Banquet —Adam began, his tone sending chills down Ben's spine— along with other kings and queens, we decided that you will no longer be king.
—What? —Ben hadn't expected that. He wasn't sure what he expected, but he certainly hadn't expected his future coronation to be taken away.
—Your birthday celebration will be changed. It will no longer be a coronation and will only be your coming-of-age ceremony, like Audrey's a few months ago.
Ben couldn't believe it. Although he was anxious and never quite understood the idea of being king while his father was still alive, the fact that he was being stripped of that title for a mistake that wasn't even his fault was incomprehensible. Ben turned incredulously to his mother, who was still eating but calmly observing her family.
—Mom? —His voice sounded much more sensitive than he expected, and he didn't like that at all.
—This time I agree with your father, sweetie —the moment Belle said those words, she noticed her son's face fall and he looked completely saddened by the news, so she decided to explain herself a little better— I believe in your project 100%, but I never liked the idea of you being king at 16. It's too many responsibilities, and you're exposing yourself too much
—Are they going to cancel the project? —Ben asked after a few seconds of silence, feeling utterly disappointed and realizing how he had ruined any chance of forgiving the children of the Isle.
—No —Bella spoke firmly— we talked about it, and no, the project will continue, but it will be more closely controlled and monitored by your father.
Ben couldn't take it anymore. He angrily slammed his napkin on the table and got up to go to his room. There, he changed into pajamas, tidied his books, and threw himself onto his bed, disappointed, sad, and angry about everything he had heard. So he decided to grab his phone and chat with Hellie, since he could complain to her without consequences, even though technically she would be working for him. Ben fell asleep while talking to her, wondering how he would explain to the rest of his friends that he would no longer be king without dying of shame or rage.