The Princess's Servant

106. The Grand Plan

As the last reverberations of the slamming doors rang out, the three Wardian royals shared a glance. They were now alone in a room with hundreds of people, and yet the only audible sound was that of Queen Arabell fretting while her husband consort tried to console her. Otherwise, silence.

Thomas tore his eyes from his father long enough to give a glance and a nod to the captain of his guard. "Everybody out," he commanded. "Through the side doors." And the soldiers began to shuffle the now-muttering crowd through the back of the throne room — so as not to disturb whatever activities Sybil and Morrigan were engaged in. And moments later, though they had just been awash in a slew of guests, the Father, Son, and Heir were now alone.

Eldest brother turned to youngest. "That includes you," he said, a hardness in his gaze.

At first, Holden opened his mouth to protest. But then, as he thought about it for a beat, two, he realized that this wasn't exclusion Thomas was ordering, it was protection. Protection from the man who'd tried to hurt Holden. Protection from the man who'd succeeded in hurting their mother. Thomas was trying to shield him from it. The young prince didn't want to leave, but considering the sort of lethal trouble the girls might be getting into... Holden took a step towards the door.

A jolt as a hand gripped the back of his tunic. Holden stopped. Turned to his farther. Yanked the cloth away.

Warrick's gaze never left Holden's. "This conversation concerns you."

"Then catch me up later. Either Sybil is killing Morrigan, Morrigan's killing her, or they're both killing each other. I don't have time for one of your long-winded monologues."

"I will keep it short. And... lest you worry over your monstrous wife, know that your sister is under strict instruction to not kill her."

Anger struck up in Holden like a lit candle at the mention of Sybil, but Thomas sensed the shift and spoke before any more harsh words could be exchanged.

"Is Morrigan truly our sister? In spirit and in blood?"

"She is," said Warrick.

"How is that possible?"

"I would explain, but I've already promised to be brief. Suffice to say she was the first of you, where Holden was the last."

"Ah," said Thomas. "First born, but female. I'm surprised you let her live."

"Enough about Morrigan. I came here not to speak of her past, but of mine."

Holden squeezed his fingers in his palm.

"Nine years ago, I made a mistake. A grave one. I... am here to correct it." Warrick turned to squarely face the elder prince. "Thomas. You were but a boy when I left you to the throne. I never should've saddled such a youth with so great a task. I am here now to relieve you. Hand me the crown, that I may take its weight from you."

For a moment, both boys stared in silence. Holden could not believe what he was hearing, while Thomas...

Thomas looked on, unamused and unperturbed. "Your apology is a thinly disguised grab for power — I don't know what I expected. I don't know why I thought nine years of solitude would change you an inch."

"It has changed me — I see now my error! I know I should have raised you better! I know I should have brought you up the way your mother brought up Holden! I forced you to mature far too early. And for your resultant misery... I accept full blame. But now is the time to undo the pain I've caused. Now, I must reset the clock and allow you a second chance at boyhood. I must take the throne back from you, as I should have done a long time ago."