"John? It's time to wake up sweetie." Julia cooed to her snoozing, teenaged son.

"Huh?.. Already? Mum the sun isn't even up yet, let me sleep in some more.." John groaned.

"Well we can't have you miss your first big meeting?"

"Big.. Meeting? What are you talking about Mum?"

"Oh haven't you heard? Your father wants to pass the throne down to you before he passes away."

"I'm.. I'll be king? Mum I don't know anything about ruling an entire kingdom! This is just all too sudden.."

"I know Johnny, but don't be nervous, this meeting will help you figure out what you need to do before you become king."

"Well.. If you insist.."

Shooting up out of bed, John quickly got out his best outfit to impress his father, Alfred and ran down to the meeting room. On his way down, he and Julia were still talking about the future to come.

"You really think that one meeting is all it takes to become king? I mean, Dad was always out there ruling and never once said anything about me taking over."

"I know it's quite a bit of a shock to hear the news right after your seventeenth birthday, but not to fear, Alfred will make sure you learn and understand everything you need to know."

Heading into the dining hall, John was relieved to see his childhood friends Paul and Ringo sitting at the table. "At least I know some people here.. What's up with all the old geezers though.."

Sitting in between his two friends, John overheard Paul chatting with King Alfred about the food shortages. "I'm telling you, someone's out there is stealing everything from the kitchens!"

"Come on now Paul, no peasant would be dumb enough to steal from us, he would be jailed on the spot!"

"Yeah well what if he or she's a really cunning peasant that can steal anything without getting caught?"

"For now enough with the talk on food, we need to discuss more important matters. My son taking my place for instance."

Feeling beads of sweat drip down his face, John slowly faced Alfred and asked if he would be able to teach him everything he needs to know about being king.

"Absolutely everything son. Don't need to get all sweaty, you're making the table wet."

"I can't help it Dad.. I'm really nervous about being the ruler of all of England.."

"Don't be, it's a simple task you're all worked up on. Now all you've got to do is make decisions on what should go on in our land."

"Th-that's all?"

"Yes that is all. Such as, what would you do about the taxes everyone pays?"

"I.. Umm."

"C'mon now boy! Don't lose it on me now."

John was sweating harder than ever now. Alfred's demands to have him answer instantly didn't help either. "I.. I got to go!"

Dashing out of the dining hall, John ran all the way back up to his room and shut the door tight.

"I can't believe him. What sort of King would just break down in the middle of a meeting?" Alfred grunted.

"You put too much pressure on him." Ringo responded. "He couldn't take you constantly yelling at him and he thought everything was all too sudden. You should have been more patient. I'd better go see how he's doing."

"Typical, you and him were together for a year now. Always doting over him."

Ignoring Alfred's remark, Ringo ran upstairs and saw Julia cradling her son in her arms, comforting him. "Don't cry sweetie. I'm sure Alfred didn't mean to frighten you."

"He hates me Mum.. He kept pressuring me and I couldn't take it anymore.. There's no way I can be king with me being such a crybaby like this.."

Feeling sorry for poor John, Ringo slowly stepped into the room and approached the pair.

"Oh Richard, we didn't see you there."

"Hi Queen Julia, I was wondering if I could help cheer up John."

"Oh please do, my poor little boy needs lots of support."

Crouching down to John's level, Ringo wrapped his arms around the poor prince and hugged him tight. "Please don't cry Johnny, I hate to see you so upset." Ringo cooed into his ear.

"I.. I can't help it! I'm an unfit ruler.."

"I don't think you are. I think Alfred's just an old looney."

"Wh.. What?"

"He was trying to force an answer out of you and didn't give you any time to think of an answer. He needs to be more patient with you." Ringo replied, kissing John's forehead. "He waited until the last minute to tell you about how to be a king and he didn't even do a good job explaining."

"He didn't.. Was this how he was taught?"

"Who knows? All that matters is that you'll be taught well from now on. No surprise tests or anything like that."

"Oh.. Thank you Richie.."

Smiling at his boyfriend, Ringo kissed him and kept him in his arms. "Don't worry, Paul and I will be your new advisors and we'll be there for you all the time."

"Oh thank you.. How can I ever repay you?"

"Don't have to, having you in my arms is all the payment I need."

Meanwhile back downstairs, Paul was busy searching for the food thief. "This trap is pure genius! As soon as that guy lays one finger on the cake he'll be all tied up! Aha! I heard someone get caught right now!"

Dashing to the kitchen, Paul saw a scrawny young boy with dark brown hair and fangs hanging upside down from the rope trap Paul set up. "So you're the guy who keeps stealing all our food!"

"I can't help it.. I need to eat, King Alfred keeps taking our harvests for himself.." The boy responded.

"He.. He told me that's how you pay the taxes he gives out."

"Taxes. I call it robbery! Without our harvests we can't use our wheat to make bread or eat the vegetables we grow. I could have died of starvation if I didn't take back the food that was ours to begin with."

"Oh.. Well in that case, I can sneak some food out to you and your loved ones. Name's Paul by the way."

"My name is George. My family and I would be incredibly grateful for you to send us food! We can finally have a proper meal."

Awing at the young peasant, Paul let him down and hugged him. "I can assure you that once the new king takes over, everyone will have enough food to eat."

"That's something to look foreword to. I love to eat and having all this food staying with us is absolute bliss to me!"

"Well.. I could make you in charge of the food."

"You can? Oh that's like a dream! Being near so much food at all times and taste testing everything I see!"

"Y'know.. You're kinda cute little guy."

"Aww.. And you're very kind." George replied with a toothy grin, showing off his small fangs. "I can't wait for the new king to take the throne, so I can work here."

After more days of training for being king and advice from Paul and Ringo, John was ready to be crowned. "I'm ready now everyone.. I can take Dad's place and be the new king." He declared.

Heading up to the throne, John knelt down and Alfred placed his old crown upon John's head. "You have taught my son well." He told Paul and Ringo.

"Aw it was nothing really. We were patient with him and we helped him overcome his weaknesses, Ringo was a big help with his smooches and hugs for John."

"Aw Paul, did you have to bring that up?" Ringo responded, blushing.

"Hey you're his lover boy. I wouldn't be surprised if John made you his queen."

"Can I dad?"

"...."

"Just joking, but hey if we ever find out that Ringo's the prince of some other kingdom then I will marry him on the spot! Now how about we go and have a celebrational feast!"

"And speaking of feasts, I need to go and see someone."

Dashing into the food storage room, Paul walked right up to George and kissed him. "How's your new job as minster of food?"

"Oh it's the best job I could ever have! So much succulent food which I get to taste test before sending it out to everyone! And best of all I get to send some of this to my family so they can have something filling to eat."

"That is good to know, hey how about you and I go and meet your family later today? We can tell them about us and your new job."

"Oh yeah! They'd be over the moon with the news! Their youngest son is working for royalty and is a couple with an advisor!"