Prince Ezra
"You must be patient with the public Ezra," Cloud smiled at me once we were seated by our own dining table. "They see him in you and everyone wishes they could see him again. You should feel honored that they relate you to him. I think it's everyone's keepsake when they see you. Including myself."
I looked down to my now empty wineglass and felt my cheeks heat up. Cloud was never one to reprimand. I wouldn't even call it reprimanding; it was just gentle advice that you knew you had to listen too. No one wanted to make him upset.
He was just one of those people you never wanted to see frown and even though it went against everything in you. You'd fix yourself to make sure that you never received that look again from him. It could haunt you.
"I understand," I sighed then looked up at him and gently smiled when I saw the look of adoration on his face. He had taken me as his little brother and guided me through the works of being a royal. We were learning together but I always felt like he knew so much more.
"It's just- I just wish they would see me for who I am and what I've accomplished. Adonis left a big shadow for all of us to try to step out."
"He only casts greater goals for you to try to achieve. He would have loved to be here with you. Every step of the way. All the meetings and great peace talks you have delivered. It's unfortunate but you do the job I can never do as a King. I'm not cut out for the ugly side of the monarchy," he teased, "I think some see you as the King himself."
And the pressure sometimes could be unbearable. Everyone looked at me to figure out new military tactics when something didn't go to plan for one of the countries we were providing aid for. They looked at me when politicians were flexing their big guns and needed someone to calm both ends before they caused an economic collapse in their respective counties.
Cloud never was good at those talks. Cloud was great with economics and ensuring Kommos ran smoothly. He was terrified of weapons and his boots had never touched military soil unless it was an exhibition within the country.
The security they had all put for him was far too high for him to be anywhere close to a gun. I had made sure of that. It was easier to sacrifice myself than for Kommos to lose another King. I didn't think the country could handle that.
It wasn't easy for me to decide to enlist in the army but I did it. It was my birth right and all the men in our family had done it before me. I didn't want to be any different. I believed it took any weakness out of my body and cast it aside.
"Thank you Cloud," I slightly bowed. "I'll try to be more patient."
"Remember," he made sure to smile extra hard for the dramatic effect, "emotions later. The country first."
"Emotions later. The country first," I nodded in agreeing.
Thea cast me a small glance before she took a long sip of her wine. I knew she had a thousand and one opinions on what Cloud and I had just discussed but she knew better than to question the King. Being alone with her sometimes could make you feel like you were going crazy if you got her on a topic.
The ceremony started shortly after and it took a lot of me to pretend like I was interested as the prime minister gave a speech about being a good humanitarian and noble peace or whatever else he had been rambling on for hours.
Award after award was handed out until the part I believed we were all dreading came to be.
"And without a doubt this entire event wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for King Adonis of the Nomikos family of Kommos, who had selflessly started this organization with his own two hands. Travelling to weather, economic or war disaster areas to provide aid. The footprint he left behind has stayed with us forever and will continue to for generations to come," he proudly spoke as everyone in the room kept deadly quiet.
The silent yet loud reminder that Adonis wasn't here himself to collect his own award.
Cloud stood next to the podium, a small smile on his face as the prime minister handed him an intricate golden winged trophy. I hated he had to be up there and pretend he was completely fine with this. However no matter how much I offered to collect the trophy on his behalf he refused. It was his duty. I couldn't argue with that.
"Thank you so much for this award. I know my husband would have given up everything to be here to receive this award. On behalf of the monarchy we are all truthfully grateful. In my first encounters with my husband we would spend hours talking about how we wanted to change the world for the better.
"That we wanted the world to be a different place when we left it behind. Even if he is unable to continue his work, the royal family will always go forward with the values and commitment to the environment that he laid out for us. This award is not only dedicated to him but to all countries that contributed to his legacy. To all of us who choose to lead.
"Thank you so much," he smiled and only towards the end did his voice wobble slightly. Despite Cloud being the best at masking his emotions, his blue eyes always showed his vulnerability. That being that he missed husband more than he could breathe.
We all stood up to give him a standing ovation as he slightly bowed before being escorted off the stage.