To Wear The Crown

19

"CHARLIE!!!" A mouse-like squeal waking the sleeping male whose name was called. Charlie knew it was going to happen, but he wasn't prepared to cover his ears and prevent the ringing echoing in his head. "Charlie, you're home!" Oliver squeals as he jumps on top of Charlie's chest.

"M-Morning, Oliver." Charlie tries to greet the young and energetic boy as he slowly crushes his ribs. Charlie pats Oliver's back to gently show he wants the younger to climb down.

Oliver's stands by the bed, looking at Charlie with big puppy eyes. "When did you get home, Charlie? How long you staying for?" Under Oliver's arm is a red stuffed dragon teddy that Charlie gifted on his sixth birthday. The dragon is slightly worn as the what-use-to-be bright red fur has become more burgundy from being dragged around wherever Oliver goes. There is also a small rip on the seam of the tail, from when a dog tried to steal the teddy.

"I came home very late last night while you were fast asleep." Charlie reaches out and strokes Oliver's hair. "And I'm sorry I can't stay for long today Oli. I need to go back to the castle. I have to work." Charlie's heart aches as he watches Oliver look down, trying to hide his frown. "I'll come back early before you go to bed- maybe even when you're having dinner, but that might not be for a few days though."

Oliver hums as he squishes the dragon tighter between his arm and chest. "At least I got to see you today." He smiles, trying to sound cheerful.

"Yeah." Charlie says with a sigh as he swings his legs over the edge of the bed and stands up. "Let's go downstairs to see mum and dad, huh?" Charlie sticks out his hand for Oliver to grab. Ignoring the pain from possibly bruised ribs, Charlie walks like nothing is wrong, in hope to not worry Oli.

"Oh, when did you get home Charlie?" Charlie's mum looks at him in shock not expecting him to be standing in the kitchen doorway. She could hear Oliver squealing about something, but couldn't make out the words.

"It was late. I had some business to do down here— in the lower town— so I thought I'd spend the night rather than walk all the way back to the castle." Charlie lets go of Oliver's hand, letting him walk over to the kitchen table. "I'm really sorry, but I have to go straight away."

"Can't you stay for breakfast. You're dad and Victoria will be down any minute now." Mrs Spring knows the busy life of walking in the castle, so she understands how much Charlie must have to run around to complete errands and help the prince.

When the queen died, she took on the role of looking after prince Nickolas, until halfway through her pregnancy with Charlie she left to give birth. When Charlie was two, Mrs Spring went back to look after the prince. Then when Charlie was six, he started going to the castle. Four years later, Mrs Spring left for good to give birth to Oliver. Now living as a housewife, she spends her day looking after Oliver and the house. The family earns a generous amount with Charlie and his dad working, along with the money the king was sending monthly for Mrs Spring retirement — he even made sure that the Spring's continued getting the money after his passing,

"I can stay for a minute, but not for breakfast. I really need to get back as quickly as I can." Charlie doesn't want to accidentally upset his mum by saying he's actually having breakfast at the Henderson's house.