Chapter 2 #2
"Thank you for your warm welcome tonight," I begin, my voice steady despite my nerves.
"On behalf of my father, King Magnus, and the rest of the Royal Family, I would like to emphasize how important this event is to us.
The preservation of Denmark's native species is always a priority, and one we truly believe is vital for our nation. "
The audience applauds, and I continue with the carefully crafted speech the palace writers prepared. I've memorized it so well that I go into autopilot, my mind wandering even as my mouth forms the words. It's not until I'm wrapping up that I hear what I'm actually saying, and my blood runs cold.
"With your continuing support tonight, we can help preserve the arctic seals native environment for generations to come. Thank you." I step back from the podium into deafening silence, before scattered, uncertain applause begins.
The host looks like she's been slapped, but quickly recovers her composure as she returns to the microphone. "Thank you again your Royal Highness, Prince Harald, for that wonderful speech in support of the Black-Browed Albatross," she emphasizes, trying to salvage the situation.
The audience laughs, and I can already feel the headlines forming. My father is going to be livid - he despises any hint of embarrassment to the Royal Family, and I've just provided plenty of fodder for the tabloids. I'll be lucky if he doesn't lock me in the palace for a month after this disaster.
Erik materializes at my side as I leave the stage, efficiently whisking me toward the exit as I mutter hasty goodbyes.
"That...could have gone better," he says diplomatically, his face twisted in sympathy.
That's putting it mildly. It's just one more piece of evidence proving what I've always known: I'm a disappointment as both a son and an heir. Father will make sure I don't forget this particular failure anytime soon.
Denmark National Tribune
September 20, 2024
By Dane Andersen
Crown Prince Gaffe: Prince Harald doesn’t know the difference between a bird and a seal!
Yesterday his Royal Highness Crown Prince Harald attended a charitable fundraiser in Copenhagen to support the protection of the endangered Black-Browed Albatross.
While expressing his family’s strong support for their protection, the Prince failed to recall which animal he was trying to protect and instead referred to Arctic Seals.
After making this embarrassing error, he quickly fled the event.
The Palace issued an official statement, claiming that the Prince felt unwell during the event and made a regrettable error. They insist that he misspoke, and that the Royal Family is very passionate in the preservation of the Black-Browed Albatross.
This public gaffe highlights yet another stumble for the Royal Family as King Magnus attempts to solidify his legacy within the nation.
Prince Harald has often been described as sickly, and has a checkered history with the public since his mother’s death and his assumption of a public role at the age of 12.
Rumors of the Prince’s mental health issues have abounded over the years, and it seems that this event proves that these issues may not be in the past.
Attendees of the event stated that the Prince seemed disengaged and uninterested in the fundraiser. More than one guest overheard him speaking to his secretary, asking when they would be able to leave.
Sigrid Frederiksen, chair of the anti-monarchist league, had this to say.
“This is yet another clear example of why this outdated institution needs to be abolished. Denmark does not need a monarchy, nor do we need an unelected Prince who doesn’t know the difference between a bird and a mammal. The people of Denmark deserve better!”
Karl Larsen, head of the Danish Monarchist Society disagrees. “The Royal Family contributes greatly to the Danish society and culture. We should not be discussing throwing away our heritage over a simple error made by Prince Harald. People make mistakes, and our Royals are simply people too.”
Regardless of the controversy and debate, it’s clear that all may not be well in the halls of Amalienborg. Only time will tell if the Crown Prince is up to the task of leading the country as King Magnus ages and his health deteriorates.
For the Palace’s official statement, turn to page 10...
I sit there as my father roars at me, his face livid with veins bulging in his neck. "Do you understand what you've done?"
I can feel myself shrinking under his glare, his anger making me feel like I'm a little boy all over again, that same scared child who could never measure up.
"Yes," I reply meekly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"No, I don't believe you do. If you did, then you wouldn't be sitting here acting like nothing had happened!"
"How else am I supposed to act? I can't help that I misspoke, and I can't go back and change it," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremor I feel building inside.
"I know that I've put us in a bad light, but it will pass.
The media will find some other spectacle to report on in a day or two, they always do! "
"No Harald, what you've done is shame the Crown by your actions.
We have a standard to uphold, and we must be flawless!
Any improper actions or allegations of incompetence threatens not just your reputation, but the reputation of the Royal Family as a whole.
Royalty is divine, not mundane, and how you acted was worse than mundane," my father lectures, sneering at me with that familiar look of disappointment that I've grown far too accustomed to seeing.
My throat feels tight as I force out the words, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"You're right, it won't," he says, his voice suddenly eerily calm and calculated in a way that sends chills down my spine.
"If it does, I think it might be time I revisit the line of succession.
Perhaps your cousin Oskar would be a more worthy successor than you to take the throne?
At least we don't have to worry about allegations of his mental competence.
He would have the strength and constitution to take over the throne, both things you seem to be lacking. "
I freeze at his threat to disinherit me, my blood running cold.
He's never gone this far before, nor has he ever been this cruel to me.
He's always shown himself to be an uncaring father, especially after my mother died, but I have never seen this side of him.
The calculated cruelty in his eyes makes my stomach turn.
"Father, I don't know how they got wind of my issues. I didn't tell anyone, and you made certain that the doctors and hospitals kept their silence." I can hear my inner panic start to come out in my voice as I say this, my words tumbling out faster than I can control them.
"It doesn't matter how or why, all that matters is that you stop this nonsense immediately. I've had enough of this for today; I'll leave you to reflect on your actions and the harm you've caused this family."
He storms out of the room, the heavy door slamming behind him with a finality that makes me flinch.
I'm left alone with my younger sister, Ella, who looks at me like a bomb has just gone off.
It's silent for a moment as we both try to process what just happened, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife.
"I can't believe he just said that." Ella says, breaking the cold silence first, her voice tight with anger.
"That's our father, he always wins the parent of the year award." I reply, trying to hold my feelings in as I feel myself going teary-eyed, though I can't quite keep the bitterness from my voice.
"Our father is an asshole" Ella cries, jumping up to come and hug me as she sees me begin to lose it. "He's always been an ignorant ass, and tonight just proves it. Don't let him get to you!"
"I try not to, but then things like this happen. I'm not perfect, and I don't think I will ever be able to live up to his unrealistic expectations." My voice cracks on the last word, and I hate how weak I sound.
"You don't need to live up to his expectations! He needs to live up to ours, he just hasn't realized it yet. You are going to be okay, I promise" she says soothingly, her arms tightening around me.
Ella is like a carbon copy of our mother in most ways.
She inherited her calm and warm demeanour, and her blond hair and blue eyes.
She also inherited her fire, making her 5'3" of pure energy and spite that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley.
I think it actually pains my father to see her; the resemblance to my mother is uncanny at times.
She always seems to be able to see what you're thinking and how you're feeling before you even know.
Even though I'm older than her by two years, it feels like she spends more time taking care of me than I do her.
"Thanks Ella. I feel bad for bothering you with this stuff; you've got your own things to deal with as well." I run a hand through my hair, a nervous habit I've never been able to break.
"Don't worry about me, I have things well in hand" she replies, easily dismissing my guilt. "I'll always be here for you. You've also got the other means of coping the doctors suggested the last time you went in."
I shudder at the mention of the doctors.
I'd had a meltdown in public and lost my shit; thankfully Erik had been there to quickly smuggle me away before anyone noticed.
That had ended up with me spending three weeks in a hospital talking to psychologists and therapists, all of whom felt obligated to give me advice and tell me that this was normal.
Maybe it's normal for regular people, but not for any of my father's children.
The memory of those sterile white walls and sympathetic faces still haunts me.