The Prince in Distress

Chapter Three

The headquarters were absolutely divine. The colors and decorations were lovely. I finally realized how beautiful they were when the King told us to get our place cards at the entrance table. It really is amazing to see the level of elegance in this Kingdom, even in the headquarters. I finally took my seat after admiring the area for a while. When I sat down I met four fellow knights. Thyra, Xenia, Calum, and Ezra. They were all so kind and fun to be around. When ordering food I decided to have coffin bay oysters alongside a glass of wine. I have to admit, everything was taken into consideration in these headquarters. What held my wine was a golden goblet laced with many different gems. While we were eating, I began conversing with Thyra, Xenia, Calum and Ezra. We all had a great time and were cracking many jokes. When I looked elsewhere, I saw Atlas walking around tables smiling and greeting the guests. Atlas may be the prince or whatever but even if I get selected as knight, that doesn't necessarily mean I have to care about him as a person. When he came to our table my mood immediately shifted. He was still smiling. How silly. Then again he has to keep his public image and cool in front of the other guests. He soon began to walk away. "Valencia, why did you do that?"Thyra exclaimed. "That is the prince! You could've been kicked out immediately." " I know Thyra." I replied. "I would like to be selected as his protector, I just don't like Atlas himself. ", Valencia stated. "Why would you want to be the protector of someone you don't like Valencia?" Calum interrupted. "Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?" Valencia chuckled. She began, "I'm very aware of how ridiculous this sounds, nevertheless I would like to be chosen as Atlas's protector to look good in the public eye and prove my worthiness. I may not like him, however if I am selected I shall not appear as a fool." "What if you don't get selected?" Ezra asked. "This won't look good for your "public image. I know you don't like Prince Atlas for whatever reason but, you should at least try to treat him with respect considering that he is the future Crown Prince and future King." "You're right Ezra", Valencia said. After our long conversation our server offered dessert. There were many different choices of sweets but, what stood out to me was a slice lagkage. In the past I did some research on it, and I've wanted to try it for a while. When my lagkage was served it was exquisitely presented. Not to mention the taste was heavenly. I would say that by far this is the best cake I've had. Sometimes this Kingdom really outdoes itself. That really does bring a smile to my face. I ordered another slice of lagkage to have for myself when I return home. Slowly people began to finish their desserts and when the King and Atlas finally finished eating the King would start to speak again. The King walked to the front with his goblet in his hand. He took a sip. He then began. "Knights, you have three chances to prove your worthiness on becoming the protector of my so–." The King collapsed to the floor. The smile that was once on Atlas's face disappeared. There was immediate panic in the crowd. "Father!" "Father!" Atlas yelled.The servants rushed to check on the King. It appeared that Atlas went to check his father's pulse. As soon as he checked his father's pulse I could see the look of sorrow in Atlas's eyes. It was very horrifyingly painful to watch. The room was deathly silent as the King's lifeless body was taken out of the headquarters. Atlas just soundlessly left the headquarters. One of the servants had asked all the Knights to please leave. As I walked home with my cake finely packaged I thought about what just happened. I couldn't believe the King was dead. I knew that crime was rising, but why would someone want to kill the King? Why wasn't the King properly protected? This Kingdom was supposed to be safe. I had so many questions. How would we move past this? What would the Kingdom do now to ensure that we were protected?