(please pardon minor spelling and grammar issues. I didn't want to keep you waiting)

James sat in the throne room alone looking at the wall. The place, which was usually hustle and bustle of people was very quiet. His father was traveling down to the Papal States to visit with the Pope and ask him for help with a recent conflict that many in the kingdom feared was coming soon. His elder brother was out fighting in war trying to help an ally from their enemies who wanted to take their kingdom.

Prince James V was a pretty normal guy. He was very friendly and very outgoing, he was known as the kingdom's peacekeeper because ever since he was little, he had been the main speaker for peace in his town. He decided to opt out with visiting the Pope because he didn't want to go with a father with jingoistic policies. His brother was also unable to ascend to the throne because he married someone who had no royal blood. So James being the next in line, sat on the throne a lot to pass time.

While sitting on the throne, an advisor named Peter came into speak probably wanting to speak to him.

"Hello Peter, what is it" James asked his friend and close advisor.

Peter then coughs silently and then says, "Your Grace, I've just heard from the Navy that they spotted a ship coming our way, they don't know if it's friend or foe because it didn't have a flag, but they want to ask you or your father what they should do. So what should they do?"

Smiling, James thinks about his jingoistic father who would've called for destroying the ship. James then says, "I want to go out and personally greet them. They might be friend, but if they're pirate or some other criminals my guards will be ready to arrest them. I will not kill them until they stand trial if they're criminal."

After that, James walks to a carriage and rides down to the pier in silence while Peter delivered the message to the Naval commander in the castle.

When he reached the pier, the prince lined up the soldiers and navy men in military lines and then he stood in front of them all to welcome the visitors. But what James didn't know was that he'd get to know these visitors really well when they ledt with their hostage...