Threat to the Throne (BxB)

12 | Dodging Death

Prince "Robert's" POV

I never knew that it was possible for a person to experience so many ups and downs in a single day. Yet, here I am - after being on the receiving end of some of the lowest lows, as well as the highest highs, all in one day!

I mean, I moved from being all gloomy because I was dreading what the day had in store for me, and yes it did have moments that I utterly despised, but I also got to see my brother after three long years, and the undeniable highlight of the day - the kiss I shared with the hazel-eyed boy.

So yes, as much as the universe may have given me every reason to hate this day, it has also given me every reason to believe that this is by far the best day of my life. 

I continue walking down the road towards the palace - with a slight pep in my step (believe me, you also would have a pep in your step if you got to kiss someone you like), and a massive smile plastered on my face.

I make sure to drag out this journey for as long as I can, to make this happiness last as long as it could because I know once I get back home, someone will find a way to ruin my day. Whether its some of the guards, the King, my parents, or my nightmare of a wife...

"What the hell?" I wonder out loud, as I see a massive cloud of dust approaching. 

I make the wise decision to move out of the way - because before I could even register, a few cars go flying past me at speeds I never knew cars could travel. Is it even legal to drive that fast in a residential area?

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" I voice my thoughts, slightly shaken - as reality begins to sink in that if I didn't move out of the way, I may have been ran over. Goodness, I may have just dodged death, I think to myself - before continuing with my journey to the palace.

As I near the main gate, I see what has never been a normal occurrence ever since I moved in to the palace. Settlers were standing outside the gates, some looked distressed, others looked utterly confused. What the hell is happening in Quinnston?

"Your Majesty?" one of the guards calls out to me, "Your parents had requested that you see them as soon as you could but we couldn't find you. However, I do think they are still waiting for you."

"Yeah, I'll go see them" I nod. "One thing though, what happened here?"

"Oh," he scratches his neck awkwardly "I do not think that it's my place to say, Your Majesty. Plus, I think the reason why your parents were calling for you is because they wanted to explain all this to you."

"Okay." Well that guy was no help. I mean, what harm would he have done if he just told me what actually happened here? - I think to myself as the other guards open the gates to let me in...

"ROBERT!" someone yells, startling the wits out of me as the last thing I expected as soon as I make it into the yard, was for someone to scream out my name as if they were getting killed. 

"We thought you got kidnapped!" Joshua adds, as he and Sophia run towards me. 

And in all honesty, I feel extremely disappointed that I didn't figure it out by myself that Sophia may have been the voice behind that terrifying scream. Because if I'm being honest - she's the only one that has the balls to scream my name in front of a bunch of settlers and not give a damn about it - well, maybe besides Joshua.

"Why the hell would you think I've been kidnapped? You all saw me get up and leave with Nathaniel" I fill in, unable to hide the smile that made its way to my lips when I think about the hazel-eyed boy once again.

"Ehm-are you feeling well?" Sophia asks, as she presses her palm to my forehead.

"Yeah."

"You were looking a bit flushed" she shakes her head.

"But why were you under the impression that I was kidnapped?" I question, still totally confused by everything that was happening here.

"They broke into the palace" Joshua blurts out.

"What?! How?" I continue to question, as the disbelief begins to settle in. "I've been living here for the past few months, I know that the security is damn near impenetrable!"

"Well I guess it's not if an entire army of men was able to get through" Sophia sasses.

"But, how?"

"According to the guard that was at the gate at the time, these men told them that they were from Hillwood as they had heard of the King stepping down - and they wanted to finalize some of the documents with the King, that is how they gained entry to the Palace" Joshua explains.

"They were allowed into the palace just because they were from Hillwood?"

"Yes Robert!" Sophia fires. "It's clear that you don't know anything about Hillwood because you haven't been taking your Prince duties seriously, but Hillwood is no child's play. It's the highest institution that governs Royal matters - and you should know that when Hillwood knocks, you better open the door if you know what's good for you!"

"Hey, no need to bite his head off" Joshua reprimands.

"Yeah! No need to bite my head off Sophia!" 

"I'm sorry, it's just that...it's just that Claudius works at Hillwood and I get a bit upset when people don't take the institution seriously - because I feel like by extension, those people also don't take my husband seriously..."

"Well, if your Hillwood is involved in breaking and entering then they obviously shouldn't be placed on this pedestal you put them on," I interject. "And you know I take your husband seriously..."

"First, it wasn't breaking and entering..."

"HEY!" Joshua yells, stopping both Sophia and I from continuing with our argument. "Bloody kids, we've got a bigger situation to handle here...like finding out information about your friend" he adds, looking at me. "Yeah, the one you came with" he answers before I could even ask. 

"What do you want Nathaniel for?" I ask hurriedly, immediately feeling like I'm not going to like where this is going to go.

"Well, I don't want anything from him, but your wife," he looks at Sophia for confirmation, and she nods "and our parents think he might be involved in what happened with those criminals today."

"WHAT?!" I shout. "Hell no! Nathaniel wasn't involved in some stupid case of breaking and entering! I was with him all this while for goodness sake..."

"But he may have sent the men..." Sophia tries to explain but I cut her off before she could continue.

"Just because he's poor, he's now the number one suspect in all the burglaries that happen in Quinnston..."

"But it wasn't a burglary" Joshua interrupts, shutting me up momentarily. "It was a planned attack...Kiddo the King has been shot."

**********

And that was the twelfth chapter, and oh my gosh...THE DRAMA!

I really hope you enjoyed this one and please don't forget to vote, comment and share the story with others - Your interaction with the story is greatly appreciate.

See you in the next one!