What was the difference between a king and a prince?
For Chris, there was no difference. His position had not changed, and his days were as busy as ever.
Still, saying there was no difference was not entirely true.
At least now, Chris had a wife of his own, and the way others addressed him had changed from Your Highness to Your Majesty.
And then? Aside from those changes, was there anything else?
Chris thought not.
Living in the palace, unable to leave easily, he began to feel bored. Everything was terribly monotonous.
So much so that Chris actually began to envy the players.
He envied how they could run around wherever they liked, accept quests and complete them without a care, as though life were one grand adventure that never ended.
Their world had no heavy crowns, no gates they could not push open, only endless possibilities and the next new sight.
Chris sat before a broad desk piled with parchment scrolls and seals, his fingertips tracing the cool desktop unconsciously.
Outside the window lay the Royal Gardens, meticulously trimmed by the gardeners even in autumn. Farther away were the rooftops of the Capital. He knew that beyond them lay forests, rivers, towns, and villages he had only ever seen in reports and on maps... places those players were freely roaming.
"Your Majesty, this is the last border tax proposal requiring your approval today."
The new attendant officer's voice was low and respectful, breaking the study's silence and Chris's reverie at just the right moment. The officer bowed and presented the document with impeccable decorum.
Chris took the heavy scroll, his gaze passing over that familiar address... To His Esteemed Majesty Chris.
He picked up the heavy King's Seal, dipped it in the specially formulated Silver Ink, and stamped