The Royal Curse

Twenty Eight - Leather-Bound

Kace Holland

The palace hasn't had this many people storming around in years. The last time this many people were short tempered in one area was when Nicholyn ordered over a hundred people killed. I supposed my father's killing was, in some ways, an equivalent to this, though I didn't particularly bother myself with thinking about it in another way.

"Prince Kace, stop walking," Mallor spoke from behind me. "Quit walking."

I nearly bumped into another media personnel had it not been for Fred's interception. "Can't. There's an awful lot of people outside my palace."

"It's unsafe. You could easily be assassinated—"

"Oh, I'd love to see someone try. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time a hoard of people nearly trample me." The infamous night a year ago along a hiking trail triumphed any possible setback. If anything I was grateful they weren't a crowd of people that are attempting to capitalize on my divorce from Odaya. "Now, either you ready my carriage, or I'll take your horse, Mallor. Either way I'm going to the plaza."

"King Lius just died," Mallor reminded me, the annoyance in his voice evident. Did I particularly care? Well, seeing as he and Princess Senna put up quite a charade, he should be grateful from my calm demeanor toward him. "People are outraged."

"Which is why I must speak to my people," I said, avoiding more staff people. "Are you coming or not?"

"You're not going."

"Try me." I sent him a grin over my shoulder, kicking a door shut before he could step through. When I continued forward, I bumped into a short, wretched thing. "Scram, you."

"You're Prince Kace!" she pipped, nearly jumping up and down on my boots. "I can't believe I finally bumped into you."

"Great day for you, isn't it? Now please step aside—" I tried to sidestep around the young girl, but she grabbed my arm. "I will rid you of an arm if you—"

"I've been working in the palace for ages, Prince Kace. Your work in economics is amazing." She smiled so broadly I nearly saw her teeth. One would think it would be easy for me to walk around this thing as she was slightly more than half my height, but she constantly kept up with my pace. "Prince Kace, may I join you wherever you're planning to go? I would really love to talk to you about some ideas I have."

"You're... what? Hardly sixteen?" I mumbled, dodging a guard that looked ready to pounce on me.

"I swear I have good ideas!" she shouted behind me.

"I only use my advisors for ideas, girl. Now go away before I get my guards to arrest you." The silence was beautiful. I lost her. The little thing finally stopped pestering me—

"Your guards are looking for you, Prince Kace. I doubt you'll be able to call for them without them shackling you in this place." The gremlin was right, damn her. I spun back and met her ridiculous grin again. "Perhaps I can distract them for you."

"I don't need your help, child."

"Is that your royal guard Mallor?"

I launched myself behind a marble column, grabbing the girl's arm as I hid. "I can literally kill you," I whispered, peering around the corner to avoid a furious-looking Mallor. "Shut it."