Beyond the EU: DORA and NIS 2 Directive's Global Impact
Once Upon A Kingdom: Chapter 3
1. ONCE UPON A
KINGDOM
A Build A Royal Kingdom
Challenge
2. The wealth of Hyperia was growing every day, its
people were happy and content…for the most part. If
you were a Peasant then all you had to look forward
to was being able to survive throughout the night.
The kingdom had four highly influential families that
were under the king, those four families had near
total control over everything that was created in the
kingdom. Lord Kasumi had a powerful position in
Politics, and with him being so close to landing the
mayoral position, he decreed that anyone who wished
to set up a shop had to first ask him. Many felt that
power should belong to the king, but their king was
more engrossed in his growing family and often
dismissed their concerns. It was that attitude that
made him fall out of favour with the masses…
3. Lord Diamos: I see. So you’re hoping I can help you…Mr.?
Robin: Robin Hood.
Lord Diamos: Mr. Hood.
Robin: You seem to actually care about the peasants, a noble that cares is few and
far in between. Most of us feel that Lord Kasumi is taking his position in Politics
too far, he is not the king, but he sure acts as such.
4. Lord Diamos: And you speak for the Peasants?
Robin: Someone has to. I came here with my wife to settle and was immediately
drawn to the plight of this kingdom’s people, those who were not born into
wealth and power. We want to make Hyperia a better place.
Lord Diamos: Admirable, I like the fact that you had the guts to tell someone
about it, I happen to be close to the king and I am sure he will listen to me.
Robin: And we are most grateful Lord Starr.
5. Lord Diamos: Just out of curiosity, are you the same Robin Hood who steals from
the rich and gives to the poor?
Robin: Only the rich who deserve to be stolen from; and you good sir are not one
of them, rest assured.
Lord Diamos: I see. Though you do know that this kingdom does have a Prince
John, however he is only a baby at the moment.
Robin: We have heard that queen delivered two more sons for the king.
6. Like many of his class, Robin Hood learned that it was better to have your own food
supplies growing on your property, as there was no other way to survive. The rich could
afford to have their food imported, the poor had to be the ones who grew it. At the
moment, seeds were not heavily taxed, so planting a small garden could be done for those
who had little or no money to their names.
7. And with his beautiful wife Maid Marian expecting, Robin knew how important it was to
maintain a healthy garden. He did worry for her well-being when he had to go off to
work, his boss Christopher Columbus was a very demanding and required that all his
underlings arrive for work as scheduled. Crime was not something Robin enjoyed, as
sometimes it meant hurting the people he had sworn to protect. But he also enjoyed the fact
that it gave Lord Kasumi something to worry about, he was convinced that he was this
kingdom’s Sheriff of Nottingham.
8. Maid Marian tended to the trees while Robin worked, she did her part to ensure their small
fruit crop would be bountiful and plump come harvest time. Fruits were just as important as
vegetables, they were known to prevent a lot of problems according to the blood-letters and
mages.
9. She enjoyed cooking with their own vegetables, it was a favourite past time of Marian’s
that her nanny had taught her when she was young.
10. Marian was overjoyed when it came time to give birth, she had longed to be a mother and
now that she had been blessed with a strong, healthy son she felt completed. Baby John
would do his father proud when he grew into a handsome young man.
11. However, the mages failed to mention that
using too much bug poison on the trees would
result in nature getting back at you. Her once
golden hair was now replaced with cool, green
leaves as were her skin and clothing.
Currently, the kingdom had no wizard or
witch to go to for a cure so Marian was
unfortunately stuck this way for good.
12. Nights became difficult for Marian, with no sun to keep her healthy, she feared that one of
these nights she would surely perish, leaving her son motherless. Luckily for her, her
wonderful husband Robin had managed to procure a most peculiar device through his
dealings with the underworld of crime, it was called a “Sun Lamp”. An enchanted device
that harnessed the power of sun to shine throughout the night.
13. Little John grew up to have his father’s hair and his mother’s delicate skin. Robin was so
proud of his son.
“Little” John Hood
Gemini
2/10/8/4/3
14. Maid Marian loved Little John, but longed
for another child, her fear about not being
able to bear Robin anymore children kept
her from trying, however she soon learned
that her new condition allowed her to
produce “spore”, which she assumed was
how these plant people reproduced. She tried
it and she spawned a male child whom she
named Aaron. He was a toddler when he
was spawned, so Little John would have a
brother to play with after all.
15. Both her boys had a chance to share a
birthday, she wondered what Aaron would look
like as a child. But when he grew into adulthood
instead, she wasn’t sure that he and Little John
would remain as close as they were as toddlers.
Aaron Hood K/FA
Taurus
6/3/6/4/6
LTW: Be Hand of Poseidon
16. Aaron was eager to learn, he had a lot of skills to learn and since he was now an adult, he
could help out around the home and with his little brother. As far as he was
concerned, Robin was his father and he wanted to make his father proud as his oldest son.
******
17. At Hyperion Castle…
King Henry: Something troubles you my love, pray tell?
Queen Celia: *sigh* Our son is coming of age to marry my lord, it feels as if only
yesterday he was but a tiny babe.
King Henry: I know; I feel the same but you will soon have another baby to hold
the midwife tells me you are do quite soon. Does that not please you?
18. Queen Celia: Of course, I am thrilled. But Derek is our first born, what kind of
woman is worthy for him? She will be the next queen, how do we know she will
bear him many sons?
King Henry: I have already taken care of that my love; negotiations with Lord
Diamos for his eldest daughter Violet are completed, Derek will marry her. She is
of good breeding and will be a great queen for our son.
19. Celia did not have time to comment, for the first pains of labour struck. The midwife was
correct in saying she would be due soon, Henry did not expect it this soon though, but he
was pleased nevertheless.
20.
21. Queen Celia had birthed twin boys, the king had four sons now! Prince Nicholas and
Prince John were welcomed gratefully by their parents. However, it was soon determined
that the queen should not bear another child. It broke her heart to learn that she had reached
the end of her child-bearing years, King Henry had no desire for more either. He had four
sons, that was more than enough for him.
22. His oldest sons, Prince Derek and Prince Xander, were ready to enter marrying age.
Henry had planned Derek’s queen already and that left him free to work out one for
Xander now as well as a husband for Serena, his only daughter.
23. Prince Derek took an immediate liking to his younger brothers, which pleased his father.
That level of responsibility would bode well for his son’s future as a king and a father.
Prince Derek Rothgate FA/PO
Aquarius
7/7/5/7/8
LTW: Graduate 3 Kids
24. Like his twin, Prince Xander found that caring for his brother was quite rewarding. Though
his thought process was more geared to making Hyperia prosperous, he still felt the
connection.
Prince Xander Rothgate FO/R
Aries
7/10/7/3/8
LTW: Earn $100 000
25. Prince Derek: Which one is that?
Prince Xander: John…I think…
Prince Derek: Were we that hard to tell apart?
Prince Xander: Father said so, but mother said she would always know who was
who.
26. Derek and Xander were thrilled to take over training their little brothers in their skills and Henry was
glad to allow them to.
Prince John (lighter hair)
Taurus
6/8/7/8/5
Prince Nicholas (darker hair)
Libra
5/8/1/9/9
27. Princess Serena would have liked to have a little sister to play with instead of four
brothers, as the only girl she knew that once Nicholas and John were older, that their father
would begin their training as he had for Derek and Xander. She would end up being lonely
again. Learning sewing and needlepoint bored her, she wanted to learn how to use a sword
and ride a horse just like her brothers. But according to her mother, such things were not
“lady-like” and she would never get to learn how to do them.
28. Derek: Father says he has chosen my bride already, I can’t believe he would do that;
marry me off to some strange girl. I’m his heir!! I should choose who I want to
marry!!
Xander: Well what do you expect? Grandfather chose mother for father, it is just
how things are done when you’re a prince.
Derek: When I’m king, I’m never going to do that to my sons. I’ll let them choose
who they want to be with.
29. Xander: I doubt father will let you do that, you won’t be king until he passes on so
expect him to still run your life for a lot longer yet.
Derek: It is not fair!! Why should I be stuck with some strange girl that I don’t
even know for the rest of my life?
Xander: You’re not the only one; he’s going to do that to me as well. I will admit, I
am not thrilled at the prospect either brother.
30. Derek: Perhaps we could make father understand our reluctance, maybe he might
reconsider.
Xander: It is worth a try at least. Whenever you are ready brother, I will follow
your lead.
Derek: Thank you, it means a lot to have your support.
Xander: You’re the future king, and my brother. Why wouldn’t I?
31. Xander: As long as you don’t kick me out of the castle and send me to some gods forsaken
part of the kingdom of course.
Derek: *grins* I don’t know about that…
Xander: I sincerely hope you’re not serious…
Derek: Of course not!! Where is your sense of humour brother?
Xander: I have not got one, or if I do it is buried so deep I cannot find it.
******
32. Over at Starr Estate…
Lord Diamos waited as his two oldest prepared to enter teen hood. He was thinking about
how he technically “sold” his daughter Violet to the king for Prince Derek. It bothered him
greatly to arrange his child’s marriage to a complete stranger, what if Derek was mean to
her? What if he hurt his baby girl? Ani-Mei won’t let him intervene with the “story” as she
put it, but it went against every instinct he had as the former God of Peace.
33. But he smiled; his little girl looked a little worried when she saw his expression, but
brightened right up when he began to smile and blow the party horn for her. It was her
special day after all, he shouldn’t ruin it with his sombre moods and expressions.
34. Tyler Starr FA/R
Pisces
7/6/9/3/7
LTW: Be Captain Hero
Violet Starr FA/PO
Aries
7/6/4/3/5
LTW: Have 6 Grandkids
35. The day after his twins’ birthdays, Lord Diamos had finally set up a Military base for the
kingdom. As Hyperia’s General, it was his job to maintain security and order in Hyperia
until a police force could be established. He oversaw the training of the Townie peasants
personally; though Goopy was a true headache to train. It was also part of his plan to help
Robin Hood out, if he had an army trained then his rival Lord Kasumi would have to think
twice about implying that he was the one who they had to answer to.
36. It would be a long journey for sure…but he would stick it out and pass the care of the base
along to Tyler when he was ready.
37. Back home at Starr Estate, Violet, whom would be starting private school the next day, was
enjoying spending time with a new friend of hers. She knew full well that he was Prince
Xander, and that the envious looks of the other girls she got when he paid her attention
made her feel special. He truly was a Prince Charming, and she felt her heart quicken when
he paid attention to her.
38. Prince Xander: Come on Violet, the idea is to slap my hands before I slap yours.
Violet: But…you’re a prince, I don’t think I should be so bold as to hit you.
Prince Xander: I already told you, here it’s just Xander, that’s all I want to be called
by you.
Violet: *blushes furiously* I don’t think…can I call you by your first name?
39. Prince Xander: Ha-ha!! Too slow!!
Violet: You’re just too good at this…
Prince Xander: If didn’t know better Violet, I would say you’re letting me win.
Violet: Oh…am I that obvious?
Prince Xander: Yes. At least try to win? Please?
40. Prince Xander: Besides, you’re far too beautiful to make such a sad face Violet
Starr. Smile for me?
Violet: I—I…
41. Prince Xander silenced her objection with a kiss. Xander knew that if he had to marry
someone and spend the rest of his life with her, he wanted that someone to be Violet. There
was just something about her that drew him to her, she was beautiful, smart, and just the
right amount of grace and charm. Knowing he chose her himself also helped affirm his
feelings. As soon as he got back to the castle, he would ask his father if he could marry
Violet.
******