Julian Pierce stood motionless in front of the mirror, his mind still swirling with thoughts about this new world. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed outside the door, pulling him out of his reverie. Leo Grant gently opened the door and entered, bowing as he reported:

"Your Highness, the King and Queen are here to see you; they are right outside."

As the door slowly opened, Julian saw his father and mother step in. Their benevolent beauty and regal aura seemed to illuminate the entire room. Julian stood up, quickly recalling scenes from historical dramas, and bowed solemnly.

"Father, Mother, your son greets you," Julian, now in the role of Ethan Caelan, said, trying to keep his voice steady but unable to hide his nervousness.

The Queen smiled and approached Ethan.

"My dear Ethan, there’s no need for such formalities. You’ve just recovered; let me have a good look at you." As she spoke, the Queen gently guided Ethan back to his bed to rest.

The King nodded, his gaze stern yet filled with concern.

"Ethan, rest assured I have ordered an investigation into the accident. Someone clearly intended to harm you."

Julian, in Ethan's body, managed to muster a smile.

"Father, Mother, I am fine. It was just a minor injury."

The Queen tenderly held Ethan’s hand, her voice filled with love:

"Ethan, rest and recover. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll have the royal kitchen prepare some nourishing dishes for you."

Julian, feeling the warmth and love from Ethan's parents, was reminded of his own family. He remembered the times his mother cared for him when he was ill and the loving but strict guidance of his father. His heart ached with longing and affection, having not visited his parents for a long time.

As Ethan was lost in his emotions, the King gently placed a hand on his shoulder, his eyes solemn but filled with worry and concern.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ethan," the King said gravely, "You must recover quickly. The country needs you..."

Ethan looked up at his father, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He nodded, absorbing each word as they sank deep into his soul.

"Father, I understand. I will do my best to recover and help you with the affairs of the state," Ethan replied, his voice full of determination.

The King nodded, his eyes stern but filled with care. He began to lecture, his voice deep and authoritative.

"Ethan, ruling the country is not just about governance but also about sacrifice for the people and the royal family. Governance must be based on the principles of benevolence and righteousness. A good king knows how to listen to the people, when to be firm, and when to be gentle."

The Queen, sitting nearby, listened to every word, nodding slightly. She looked at Ethan with gentle eyes, as if trying to impart strength to him.

The King continued, "You must remember, the hearts of the people are the foundation of the nation. If the people are at peace, the nation will prosper. If the people are not at peace, the nation will fall into chaos. Therefore, you must always prioritize the welfare of the people, listen to and understand their sufferings."

Ethan listened attentively, feeling a profound respect for his father. Julian also realized that in any world, being a king demanded more virtues, sacrifices, and wisdom than he had ever imagined.

"Father, I will remember your teachings. I will learn and strive to become a good prince, contributing to the prosperity of the country," Ethan said, his voice resolute.

The King looked at Ethan with worried but meaningful eyes.

"Ethan, news from the battlefield has been troubling. Our troops at the border have been defeated repeatedly. We are forced to cede three cities to stop the fighting, but to end this war, I must agree to form an alliance with Helios. Besides annual tributes, they also demand a prince of Aria to be sent to Helios as a hostage."

Ethan felt his heart race, sensing something ominous.

"Father, have you decided who it will be?"

The King looked at Ethan, his eyes filled with love and concern.

"Ethan, you know I have no other choice. Crown Prince Nathaniel will succeed the throne, your second brother Alexander is defending the border, and your third brother Sebastian is sharing the governance with me. All of them bear heavy responsibilities and cannot leave their positions."

The King paused, his eyes distant and heavy with worry.

"You are still young and have been frail since childhood, unable to take on the burdens of governance. But you are a prince with many talents and virtues, only you are suitable to be a hostage to bring peace to Aria. A king sometimes has to make the most painful decisions. What father would want to send his child to the enemy? But for the survival of the nation, for the sake of thousands of lives, I have no choice but to choose you".