Love, unconventionally. By Phoenix Rafael prafael@myprivacy.ca This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-sa/2.5/ca/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA. Disclaimer: If it is illegal to read this where you are, then don't read it. This story is completely fictional. Any similarities to any persons or events, past or present are purely coincidental. This story may contain scenes which involve sexual situations. Author's Note: The rank's used in this article are from the Canadian military, except for the Commander rank on which I made a mistake, so it represents the rank of Lt Col. I haven't gotten any feedback on this story so far. I could use some, please. I have started a Yahoo! Group where it may be easier to provide that feedback. http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/phoenix-writing Chapter Seven The Royal Family The Royal Family is a large institution, but I will try to cover each of the characters involved. Crown Prince Keith – Keith is about 25 like Jason, perhaps a bit older. He has been the Crown Prince since birth. In the Rigellian Empire, becoming the Crown Prince isn't assumed. The Pharaoh must grant that title to whomever he or she wishes. Pharaoh Limesley – His Majesty the Pharaoh, who's first name is Limesley, ascended to the throne at only age 18. He's now 60, having been on the throne for 42 years. His parents died in the Rigellian – Kemptfer war of 98,445, when he was only 5 years old. A Regent, his uncle, held the throne in his place until he was old enough to take his place. The title of Pharaoh goes to whomever is the Crown Prince or Princess when they ascend to the throne, regardless of gender. Queen Liv – Her Majesty the Queen married the Pharaoh when they were both aged 25. Their oldest daughter, Lizley was born 8 years later, followed by Keith, and then their youngest son Massamo. The title of Queen goes to the spouse of the Pharaoh, regardless of their gender. Due to the status of absolute dual monarchy, the Queen and Pharaoh may not divorce. It's in the constitution. Princess Lizley – She was overlooked for being considered to take the throne. Her father had this old fashioned idea that it had to be a boy. Despite that, her and Keith get along really well. She is about 27 – 28 years old, and holds two degrees from Ezbah University, in Rigel Prime's capital city of Ezbah. She is about 5'5” tall, with a slim build.
Prince Massamo – He's about 20 years old, and looks up to his older brother. He decided to forgo a formal post-secondary education, and took up a cabinet position in his father's government. He's the Minister of Social Change, but everyone, even the Chancellor, calls him Prince Massamo. He's about the same height as his brother, 6' tall, and except for age, almost looks the same. Chancellor Adwin – Gendaw Adwin isn't a member of the Royal Family, but he might as well be. He's 55 years old, and a close friend of the Pharaoh. The two grew up together. When Gendaw was 28 there was a constitutional crisis. The Pharaoh dissolved the government to end the crisis, and appointed his best friend to serve as Chancellor. He has been in the role ever since. Adwin never married, and has no children. The Bezner Family. Jason Bezner – He's 25, and in love with Keith. At one time he dated Chris Dowell, but it was only for a month. He's had a few boyfriend's but none can compare to Keith. He joined the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service out of a desire to serve his country, and to use his brains for good. Doris Bezner – She's around 49 years old. She loves her son a lot. She grew up in southern Ontario, to an immigrant family. When she was 16, she met her current husband Eric. The two married at the age of 21. Eric Bezner – Eric is 51 years old. He grew up in the same city as Doris. They met at a school dance, and dated for 5 years before getting married. He loves both his kids, and will do anything for them. Heidi Bezner – Heidi is Jason's younger sister. She is 23, and teaches French and Science at a local high school. She hasn't been at it very long. Cindy Tompia – She is Jason's best friend. Not formally part of the family, but considering she has known Jason a long time, she might as well be. ****** It had been three month's since Keith and Jason last saw each other. In that time, the Rigellian Empire had established an Embassy on Earth. Jason used that opportunity to write to Keith on a regular basis, and of course, Keith wrote back. Both desperately wanted to see each other again. On occasion, when interstellar communications permitted, Keith would call Jason, but Jason couldn't call Keith back. On this day, Keith was in the common living room, moping about. He was supposed to be the Crown Prince, but in the last 2 week's, he had canceled all of his engagements, and just sat around the palace. The Queen came into the living room, noticing her son looking forlorn as he sat on the couch. “What's wrong, Keith?” The Queen asked of her son.
“I miss him, Mom. I'd really like to go back to Earth to see Jason.” Keith said, sighing a little, knowing she was going to say no. That's the answer he got every time he asked, and he asked frequently. It seemed to almost be a daily event. “When is Jason's birthday, son?” The Queen looked to Keith. Keith looked at his Mom with a puzzled look, but replied, “In a few days. His friend Cindy is throwing a surprise party, I got an invitation through the Embassy. Jason sent it, but it was like triple sealed, I guess she didn't want him to read it.” “Well we can't have a surprise party for a nice boy like Jason, with his boyfriend light year's away, now can we?” The Queen asked, smiling a little to Keith. “You mean I can go?!?” Keith asked his mother excitedly. “I arranged for your new flagship, the RSS Aeon, to fly you there this evening. You'll arrive a day before the party.” The Queen replied to her son. Keith stood from the couch, and ran over to his Mom, giving her a big hug. The Queen pulled out a small box, and put it in her son's hand. Keith broke the hug, and opened the box, seeing a platinum ring in it, with a square diamond in the centre. “What is this for, Mom?” “I have a friend I mentioned your predicament to. He works in a jewelery store downtown. He gave this to you, as a gift. I thought you might know what to do with it.” The Queen said as she left the living room. Keith just looked at the ring for a few moments, before closing the box, and heading to his room to pack. ****** Jason sat on Cindy's couch, noticing she was cleaning up her house. Normally Cindy's house was a mess. Clothing everywhere, dirty dishes in the dishwasher and sink, with the counter's desperately needing a cleaning. Jason walked into the kitchen where she was cleaning her sink. “Cindy, why are you doing so much cleaning? I've never seen you clean this much if your own mother was coming over.” Jason replied, smartly. “No reason, Jason. I just decided that I live in a pigsty, and that I need to get organized.” Cindy replied as she kept working on the sink. “You've lived in a pigsty for the last few years, what made you change your mind? Did you get hit in the head by a baseball?” Jason asked, smirking. It was early evening, and Cindy's two daughter's were in the living room watching Dora the
Explorer on TV. Jason loathed that particular TV show. He swore to himself that if he ever got the opportunity, he would have the show canceled, and the creator's taken out back and shot. Cindy just kept on cleaning. She eventually replied with, “No, I just want the place to be clean for my kids. Don't want them learning my bad habits.” Jason just laughed. He doubted that was the real reason, but gave up his inquiry for now. He headed to the front door to put his shoes on. “I'm heading home, Cindy. I'll see you later.” Jason said as he finished putting on his shoes. “Later Jason.” Cindy replied as Jason left the house. He walked to his old Dodge Neon car, and started the short drive home. As he was driving, his thoughts fell on Keith. He hadn't called or anything in the last 2 days, he was wondering what happened to him. ****** Keith was laying in his quarters aboard the RSS Aeon, when the intercom chirped. It was late evening now, and Keith was getting ready to sleep. “Operations to the Crown Prince” came Commander Dowell's voice. “What is it?” Keith replied, tiredly. “We have arrived in Earth orbit, your highness.” Commander Dowell replied over the intercom. “Thank you, I'm getting some sleep. I'll transport down tomorrow night. You were ordered to stay in orbit, correct?” Keith asked. “Yes, your highness” came the reply. “Very good, out.” Keith drifted off to sleep.