Henry. Just. Henry.

Chapter 11|The Prince Has Returned

Henry trudged to the palace gates, each step a mountain’s worth of climbing. The posted guard was stiff as a nail, stuck his brawny arm out.

“Halt! State your name and business.”

Henry looked up.

Great. Now I have to deal with you?

Walking to the palace from the entrance felt like taking a trip halfway around the world by foot. And the sky scraper buildings connected like a maze scattered the fear of being lost and lonely through his body.

His knees could’ve crumpled under his weight any second, and the pain in his heels might as well be like he trudged through knives.

The noisy and nosy people were no help to his struggle. So many different eyes scrutinized him; eyes of curiosity, eyes tainted with skepticism, eyes flooded with biases, and blatantly staring eyes. Some even stopped him for questioning! Almost made him miss the poisonous sting. Even then, he wasn’t this tired.

Henry yawned, trying to remember his name. “H-Henry… and I’m-“

“He’s here because he’s the second prince and the heir to the throne.”

“Sir Abayomi.” The guard said.

“Good day Finch.” He looked to Henry, slumped and weary. “I can tell you’re tired. You had quite the day.”

Trying to hold back a yawn, Henry blinked away the sleep in his eyes. “However could you tell?”

Even sarcasm couldn’t give him a jolt of energy or eye roll.

“So,” Finch pointed. “This is our Prince Henry?”

“Henry.” Henry corrected. “Call me Henry.”

“Your majesty!” The guard bowed.

“Henry.” He said again.

“This is an absolute honour to meet you.”

“And you’ll meet him again.” Abayomi slapped Finch’s back. “For now, he needs rest.”

The guard stepped aside and they walked through the citadel.

Even the pillars looked expensive, as if he could break a piece and sell it for a fortune. The repetitive twist and curl of the water in the fountain woke him a little and he looked at his reflection.

Ugh. Then scowled. I need sleep, and to clean myself up.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.” Abayomi started as Henry followed him to the massive brown door, golden hinges as big as his two fists.

“So you sent that guy after me?”

“Well, we didn’t send him, he heard the news as we were going to send someone and rushed off on his own.”

“Who was he? And who’s the ‘we’ you’re talking about?”

“Why, he’s talking about us!” The Female Regent of Rion stepped out the door as it creaked open.

“You guys need to stop eavesdropping.” Henry said.

“We don’t do such sneaky things.” The male Regent behind her said. “We merely join the conversation at the perfect time.”

“Yeah. Eavesdropping. And who are these two?” Henry jerked a thumb at the curvaceous woman and fat man while looking to Abayomi.

“I am Zaire Soto.” The woman bowed, her brown curls slipping to the front.

“And I’m Favian Soto.” He tried to bow, but his pot of a stomach stopped him making it more of a crunch.

“They are the Regents of Rion, or the stand-in rulers… but now that you’ve returned, they can go back to their original titles of being Royal Advisors.”