The Royal Scandal *Book Two*

The Big Reveal S2 E6

A/N
So here it is. The second upload!! Wooo!!! If I remembered to upload it straight away, well done me. If not... thanks for reminding me.

My prediction of facing our father's wrath was immediately proven right. Within half an hour of defying our father's new tax, Arthur and I were summoned to the Great Hall.

"Here we go," I muttered to Arthur as we walked in.

"Prepare your last words," Arthur replied.

I smirked slightly at his response before I thought of something.

"I regret nothing. Oh, also, I think that you are a Fopdoodle," I smiled to myself as we reached the middle of the room.

"Fopdoodle?" Arthur repeated.

"Merlin taught me it," I replied. "It means dumbass."

Arthur accidently snorted out a laugh just as father and Catrina sat in their thrones, making the two of them glare at us.

"I gave you both a direct order," father began his lecture, making me subtly roll my eyes.

"The people can't afford to pay the tax," I told them.

"Don't tell me you're naïve enough to take their word?" Catrina challenged, making me narrow my eyes at her.

"We have their loyalty, their goodwill. Do not forsake that by making undemands," Arthur warned them.

"Is it so unreasonable for a king to expect his subjects to obey him?" Catrina countered.

"They'll starve," Arthur reminded them.

"Nonsense," father said, standing up and taking a couple of paces towards us. "You've grown too soft. I can't say that I'm surprised about you, Chelsea, but Arthur... I thought you knew the true duties of a king. Remember these are your subjects, not your friends."

"And why can't they be both?" I challenged.

"Because we rule the people, not the other way around," father retorted.

"I think you're wrong," Arthur said quietly, but it was loud enough that father heard. My eyes widened slightly, and I had to contain my smirk at how much Arthur had been defying father lately.

"I beg your pardon," father said, stepping closer to us, as Catrina looked at us in rage.

"I said you're wrong," Arthur spoke up, louder this time, looking father's ever closer figure in the eyes. "Without the people, there is no Camelot. We are as much their servant as they are ours."

"You allow him to address you in this manner?" Catrina asked father, walking up to us.

"No, I do not," father responded, glaring deep into Arthur's soul. "It will not be tolerated. You will take your men and your sister down into the town and go to every house collecting the payments I demand!"

"I will not," Arthur spoke up, and this time I didn't even bother covering up the pride I had for him.

"Get out of my sight," father spat.

Arthur and I turned and left the room and when we were far enough away from the great hall, I pulled Arthur into a tight hug.

"What you just did in there, it was amazing!" I exclaimed.

"He hates me," Arthur muttered, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Join the club," I replied, and Arthur pulled away, raising an eyebrow at me. "Oh, don't worry. He'll get over it."