Thief of Princes (Kid Blink x Reader)

thirty

𝔄𝔣𝔱𝔢𝔯 ten grueling minutes of inane conversation, dotted with Zane's strange manner of what you thought he thought was perfect flirting and the prince's growing terseness, another knock sounded on the door. 

"Master Zane's presence is required by his father, who wishes to know why he is not preforming his required duties and is instead loafing about with his Highness the Crown Prince," A voice piped through the heavy wood. 

Blink smirked. "Sounds like you're supposed to be doing something." 

Zane glared, standing up and marching to the door. Opening it, he saw nobody; the messenger had wisely hightailed it out of there upon completion of the message. 

"I'll see you at the ball, then, I suppose." Zane said over his shoulder, pausing when Blind Diamond started. "Oh, didn't you know?" He said smugly. "There's to be a ball tomorrow, for the return of Your Highness... and the Princess, as well." He turned and left, leaving the door open behind him. 

You immediately scooted off of Blink's lap. 

"Was it that bad?" He laughed, standing and going to shut the door. 

You blushed but sat down firmly on the settee. "Yes. And what's this about a ball?" 

"It's near protocol; each time I return from a voyage, or the King does, there's always a ball to 'welcome our return'. Honestly I believe it's an excuse for the King to attempt to win over his courtiers. They've been occurring more frequently, as has the unrest." 

"Are they unpleased with his rule?" This was the first you'd heard of any such thing. 

"Have you met the man?" 

"Well, yes, but..." The prospect of a civil war now, of all times, was too much to deal with. "To what extremes has it reached?" 

Blind Diamond flopped into the chair across from you. "Currently, there are three main factions. The largest is still loyal to the King-- or at least as loyal as they get when their palms are crossed with silver. Second largest is a group who wants the King removed from power and replaced. The third, not very large but definitely still present, are extremists-- they're fighting for either no more monarchy or a completely new one. Of course, it's still all underground. Except those still 'loyal', who have nothing to hide."

"Who do the second group want to replace the King with?" You said, thinking back on his words. 

He looked up at you with a grave expression. "Me." 

 This set off a whirlwind of thoughts. Was he part of the rebel group? Did the other countries know of them? How was this going to affect... everything? 

"Have they approached you yet?" You asked finally, trying to get an idea of how much he was involved. 

"Yes." His answer was short and concise. He paused for a second, before continuing. "I'm going to trust you, Princess, but I need you to promise me something-- everything I've told you and everything I'm going to tell you doesn't leave this room." 

You nodded. Who would you tell, anyway? Certainly not his father. "I promise." 

Blind Diamond took a deep breath and started to explain. "Two years ago one of my tutors approached me and revealed the existence of the group. They call themselves the Violet Hand, and originally they were similar to the third group-- complete overthrow. Then the man who was my tutor took the job in order to spy out the palace. He said I'd make a decent king, if I can brag." He smirked a bit at you. "But mainly he said he saw I wasn't like my father, and that it would be easier to look like an accident if only one member of the royal family was... you know. And that most of the nobles would support me and my 'legacy.'"

You sat in shock as he continued to talk. 

"They've been gathering information for years now, waiting for the right time-- and to see if a coupe would even be necessary." 

"So... is it?" You asked softly.

"The upcoming war leads them to believe so." Blind Diamond said heavily. "And I think your arrival will make things worse."

And then, a familiar sound; a knock on the door.