PROLOGUE- The new King of Dubai

"Please have a seat," King Noha said while sitting in a white couch when Princess Lorainne and Neil came to his office.

"What's going on?" Princess asked curiously, and she walked towards their parents first.

"We have something to tell you," said Queen Kristine calmly from her husband's left side.

"I don't like what I am thinking," Neil whispered to himself, and he approached his parents, sitting on one couch together with his elder sister and in front of their parents.

"What is this about?" Princess asked again, feeling uneasy in her seat because she can sense that something is up.

Noha and Kristine looked at each other first as if they agreed on one thing and then, they turned their heads again towards their children.

"Well, I called you two here because I want to tell you both that we are retiring. Me and your Mom from the throne. We have decided to pass the throne to you, Neil, since your elder sister doesn't want to, and you are next to the throne. But don't worry, we will guide you all the way if you need any help," King Noha calmly and directly announced to their two children.

"I thought you only get to pass the throne when you turn 65? But you two are only 50s," said Princess with surprise, as she knows very well the rules of their country.

"I already changed that, and I noted that the King and Queen can pass their throne to the next successor whenever they wish to retire," King Noha replied, answering his daughter.

"So, can I pass the throne too to the next successor?" Neil pointed out quickly in a serious face.

The three of them turned their heads at Neil because they were shocked by what he said that they did not expect.

"N-no, you can't. W-we also noted—“ Queen Kristine contradicted immediately and thought of something to counter her son who outsmarted them— “that the next successor has to render 45 years before passing it to the next successor. Right, honey?” And she turned to her husband and raised her eyebrows at him to give him a signal.

"Y-yeah. Absolutely. Your mother is right," answered King Noha who immediately got what his wife wanted to convey to him, and then, he turned to Neil so that it was not obvious that they made it up just now so that he could not refuse.

"45 years? Really?” said Neil who doesn't believe his parents because he can tell that they just made it up.

"Yes. Mr. Charles already put it in our strict rules as I ordered," King Noha quickly responded and looked at Mr. Charles who was on his right side and just standing.

Mr. Charles was surprised when his name was called, but before he answered he first looked at King Noha who was giving him signals that he immediately got so, he nodded. "Yes. Yes, I did, your Majesty. I already put it in,” he said seriously and then he turned to Neil. "Do you want me to get the book, your highness?" he asked him without hesitation to let him know that he was not joking, even though he was just riding King Noha's command on the spot.

"No need. I believe in you, Mr. Charles," Neil dismissed quickly because he knows that Mr. Charles doesn't lie.

“So with that, Neil, you are the new King. The passing of the throne will happen next week so, I want you to clear your schedule until next month because you need to pay a visit to every nation within our jurisdiction," King Noha reminded the new King he appointed.

"What if I decline to be a King?" Neil asked next, not taking his eyes off his father.

"You can't, my son. The crown cannot be passed on to others unless the entire first royal blood died in a tragic event. The crown must remain to the first royal blood," explained King Noha to let his son know that he had no other choice but to accept the crown or title as the next ruler of Dubai.

"What can I say more? I guess I don't have a choice," Neil responded with a shrug, as if he were forced to be the next ruler of Dubai.

"Then, it's settled. You, Neil, are the next King of Dubai. Prepare yourself on Sunday and we will be having a big ceremony. Mr. Charles, please call the President and the General as we will be having an important meeting," announced King Noha and ordered Mr. Charles who was next to him.

"Yes, your Majesty," replied Mr. Charles, and he left the office.

"Congratulations to you then, my little brother," Princess smiled at her brother, and forcefully took his right hand to express her gratitude towards the new King of Dubai.

"Don't even start, or I will terminate you in this palace," said Neil angrily, because she should be the next successor and not him, but because she declined he was forced to be the King.

But Princess just stuck out her tongue to tease him more.

— — —

The day of the coronation finally came, many people were in front of the palace to witness the passing of the crown to the next successor that is still unknown to them. Also, the other countries are waiting for the announcement that they hope will change the world for the better.

"As you can see, there are plenty of people here now in front of the palace to witness the passing of the crown to the new King or Queen. And as you all know, King Noha and Queen Kristine only have two children, and they are Princess Lorainne and Prince Neil. Who do you think will be the next ruler of Dubai? Stay tuned here, and we will bring you the latest news about the coronation," the news reporter told in front of the camera.

The big bell in the palace rings when the clock strikes 12 and that is the signal to start the ceremony.

"Good afternoon to all of you, I am pleased that you are all here to witness the coronation of the next ruler of our beloved country, Dubai. Say no less, I am delighted to serve this country, but I am afraid I can no longer be your King. Let's not waste time anymore. May I present to all of you, your new King, King Neil Gabriel Jang Rashid-Al," announced King Noha and he turned behind him to give way to the new King of Dubai which is his second child, Prince Neil.

Hearing his name, Neil stepped forward and faced all the people as he was the newly elected King of Dubai.

“Long live, King Neil of Dubai! Long live, King Neil of Dubai!” Everybody cheered, and they all raised the flag of Dubai that was on their hands to welcome the new King of their country.

The General at the side in an army suit raised his right hand to silence everyone and the crowd became quiet, while all the cameras were focused on Neil's face to wait for his speech.

"Thank you, everyone, for welcoming me as your new King of Dubai. I am hoping that everyone will cooperate with me. I will say no more as I know action speaks louder than words," Neil spoke seriously, and he bowed his head to give respect to everyone who welcomed him.

“Long live, King Neil of Dubai!” the crowd cheered again while waving the flag of Dubai that they were holding.

***