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[Irene]: …I hope you understand the gravity of why we’ve called this meeting, Percival.
[Percival]: Yes, Mummy. You’ve made it quite clear. Multiple times.
[Irene]: I am being serious. This isn't just about your future; the Crown and the Government are working together here to ensure the stability of Yorkmont. This is for the benefit of the people there as much as it is for you.
[Jhulia]: Sir, the plan is for Her Majesty to issue Letters Patent officially designating the region of Yorkmont as a Principality.
[Percival]: Right. So I’m to be the Prince of Yorkmont. We’re finally doing it, then?
[Irene]: Eventually. We’ve agreed to wait until your studies at St. Arthur’s are less demanding. The formal title won't be yours until your twenty-first birthday. We want to give you time to grow into the role.
[Percival]: Good. I’m in no rush.
[Irene]: On that same birthday, you will be created Duke of Rothschild. You’ll also take on the subsidiary titles of Earl of Redford and Baron Fairridge.
[Percival]: I assume there’s a catch. A "heavy burden" to go with all those names?
[Irene]: It comes with duty, yes. But it also comes with significant privileges.
[Percival]: Privileges? Like what?
[Jhulia]: The Dukedom of Rothschild comes with its own private estate and income, Sir. The Duchy generates its own revenue, which means you will be financially independent. You would no longer rely on a yearly allowance from the Sovereign.
[Percival]: Financial independence? So… it’s my own money? To manage as I see fit?
[Irene]: Within reason, yes. It also comes with a private residence. Your father and I are giving you an estate as a gift for your twenty-first.
[Percival]: Right. Well. That’s… more than I expected. Is there anything else?
[Jhulia]: There is the matter of the transition period. While we wait for your formal Investiture as Prince—which will be a full State occasion—you won't just be sitting idle. You will be expected in Yorkmont several times a week.
[Percival]: Excuse me?
[Jhulia]: You’ll be conducting public engagements. Some joint, some solo, and some supervised.
[Percival]: Wait—I thought the work started after I got the title? When my studies are less demanding?
[Irene]: It’s called preparation, Percival. I won't have the future Prince of Yorkmont walking into that region without knowing exactly what is expected of him. You need to be equipped for this.
[Percival]: So I’m just supposed to juggle my academics and a full schedule of public engagements? At the same time?
[Irene]: Your twin sister managed to balance her duties and her academics quite successfully. I don't see why you can't do the same.
[Thraia]: So? How was the "interrogation" with the horsemen of the apocalypse?
[Percival]: Fine, I guess. It went about as expected.
[Thraia]: Come on. I know you. You wouldn't be walking like that if it was just "fine." What did they say?
[Percival]: They’re making me Prince of Yorkmont on our twenty-first. It’s official.
[Thraia]: I heard. If it makes you feel any better, I’m being officially created Princess Royal on the same day. We’ll be sharing the spotlight, as usual.
[Percival]: Well, there’s a bit more to it. Along with the Yorkmont title, I’m being created Duke of Rothschild. And that one comes with… let's call it a very nice privilege.
[Thraia]: Like what?
[Percival]: An estate, for one. A birthday present from Mummy and Pa.
[Thraia]: Well, I should hope so. I’d be offended if they didn’t give us something for the big two-one.
[Percival]: No, Thraia. It’s the Duchy. It generates its own income. My private income.
[Thraia]: Well, well. Look at you. Someone’s finally becoming financially independent.
[Percival]: Exactly! Finally, I’ll have some room to breathe. I can actually do what I want without asking for a signature on every expense report.
[Thraia]: Look, Sibal, we need to be realistic here. This isn't just about your bank account. The situation you’re walking into is dangerous. You have to cooperate with them on this.
[Percival]: Oh, please. Not you, too. I’ve had enough lectures for one day.
[Thraia]: Yes, me too. Because Yorkmont is a mess, Percival. As the future King, your only real job is to keep this country together. Yorkmont is your test. It's your training ground.
[Percival]: I’m not going to be King tomorrow, Thraia. I have time.
[Thraia]: Percival. Listen to me.
[Thraia]: One wrong move in Yorkmont and we could push them out for good. If they leave the union, the consequences for the rest of the country will be devastating.
[Thraia]: Our family is already standing on thin ice. If we lose Yorkmont because you decided you "couldn't care less," the public will blame us. Not the Prime Minister. Us. We could lose the support of the people for an entire generation.
[Percival]: You're being dramatic.
[Thraia]: Am I? Is that what you want for your kids? For your grandkids? If we fail now, by the time they’re supposed to take over, the people will have revolted. They’ll throw us out. The Crown and the Government aren't giving you a title, Percival—they’re giving you a job. They need you to pull that region back before the whole thing collapses.
