THE BLOOD ROYALS Book 2: Long Live The Queen!

Chapter Twenty Four: The Would Be King

Carperia.
Outside the Capitol Hospital
Prince Relian's POV
Things have moved fast since I got to Carperia. My family is distraught. I haven't seen my father. I don't want to see him like that. That's not the man I saw at the base the day I dismissed Stephen. That was the last time I saw him.

I folded the speech written for me by the Royal Speech Writer. I tucked it into the side pocket of my black cargo pants. I'm not dressed to give a speech. A v neck sweater and cargo pants don't qualify for the proper attire for a prince to give a speech in. They brought a change of clothes to the hospital but I declined. I pushed my hair back and used a band to hold it together.

These people looking at me don't want to see elegance. They don't need to see someone well put together. If Chea Niva is to share in our pain, if they are to understand and empathize then it can be done through the pretenses of glamour.

I got off the podium surprising most of the reporters as they backed away holding their cameras and microphones and recorders up. Barlowe got closer as well as the Royal Guard. I understand his predicament. I'm the next one in line for the throne. It was a debate to even stand out here to speak. My grandmother and mother were against it. They wanted the Royal Spokesman to do it. But that's impersonal.

"I want everyone to be able to hear and see me. So let's sit or crouch low. Whatever your bones allow." They laughed and slowly did as each one found comfortable. I looked back at the podium for a second. "That felt like I'm looking over you. I think this is more personal, right?"

"Right." Most of them agreed. "I wish we would be having this interview at a better time. I wish I had something better to day to all you of you. To all the concerned subjects of CN... Chea Niva. I am looking at all of you and I am wondering how to break the news to you. Before your minds go on overdrive, no. The king is not dead." I raised my voice to emphasize the latter sentence. I pressed my palms together trying to make eye contact with every reporter as well as the cameras. "The king has suffered a stroke. He is in recovery and we hope for the best outcome. I want to take this opportunity to assure the kingdom that the king is strong. He always has been. At this dark moment we want to think of him as the man who stood outside this very hospital few years ago eating a slice of pizza after buying the whole hospital the same. I was twelve years old. He refused to go in there and he was unveiling a new wing."

Their laughter helped me to ease my heart rate. I'm trying to humanize the royal family. These people look at us like gods. We are not gods. We simply have the privilege of rulership and it comes with responsibility.

"He does not like hospitals. I believe you can imagine the drama he will out the nurses abd doctors through. They will be thrilled when he is discharged." They laughed again. "It's going to be okay. Let's remember him in our thoughts and wish him well through his recovery. It's going to be okay. Thank you for your time."

I walked back to the hospital.

"That was a very personal speech Your Highness. Well out together." Barlowe commended me.

"I hate speeches." I cringed.

"You nailed it your highness. General Bowie is asking if you can spare the day tomorrow. He would like to show you something."

"What?"

"He didn't say."

"Tomorrow..." I paused at the elevators. "I'm not sure what tomorrow will look like."

"He said if you say that I should tell you that he's already in Carperia."

That is so like Bowie to show up first and then ask for an appointment so that I can't say no. "Let him know it's a date."