The Second Generation: Journey to the Golden Kingdom

Chapter Eight

I Have a Mental Breakdown, and Then Robot Lady Tries to Kill Me

Alternate Title: Just Another Day in My Life

The cold water calms the shaking. It refreshes my face, clearing the sweat that had accumulated through the panic. I stare directly into the drain, focusing on the water that slowly drips from the tip of my nose. It's all I can do to keep my breakfast down. Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. That's what Val tells me to do. She's kind of like a therapist except she's not very good at it. I'd never tell her that to her face, though. It'd hurt her feelings. Besides, she's the best I can get.

I hate it here.

I grab a towel and press it into my face. The warm cotton seeps into my skin and for the first time in two years, I feel somewhat at peace. Seriously, I could fall asleep standing here like this. I don't, simply because I think that would be a very bad idea, but instead I reluctantly place the towel back onto the sink and face my reflection in the mirror. The redness caused by the warmth of the towel is the most color that my face has shown since moving here. My freckles have faded long ago, for they couldn't survive the cloudiness that is persistent in the beautifully gloomy kingdom of Valon.

Even my hair has changed. It no longer matches the golden color of my father's and has instead begun to darken into an ashy dull mix of blonde and brunette. And the dark circles under my eyes are especially prominent this morning.

Is this what marriage does to men? What am I thinking? I'm not even married. I am merely engaged, if this even counts as that. And it is already taking a toll on my appearance. It's one thing for June to threaten my life. But it is entirely unacceptable to let this girl demolish any chances of me finding a real girlfriend once I am free from this place!

I am only eighteen after all. That means there is still hope. If I leave now, that is. Has it really only been two years? Honestly, it sometimes feels like I am in an infinite time-loop.

What was I thinking? Why did I think that this was the solution? I could've just stepped down from my royal title years ago if I knew that I was just going to turn out to be a defect. What good am I doing as the Prince anyway? Why did I think that I should be the one protecting the entire world when I have no powers, no strength, no anything.

And now, this "alliance" is useless. She's still planning something. The worst part is I knew that this would happen! I've just been a distraction, but I didn't prevent anything. If anything, I've made everything worse.

And now it's too late. The Queen is coming and June's plan succeeded. Ugh, the thought makes me want to throw up. I don't know what to do.

Actually, I can stop this. Let's think this through, Chase. Use your brain, the only reason you've survived this long.

Statistically speaking, the chances of Renée being completely ignorant to June's motives are slim. Even if she was during their initial conversation, she must have spoken to someone else during the coronation.

And I know for a fact that she would have spoken to my parents. Renée is practically a daughter to them! If a daughter is someone with whom you casually go no-contact for eighteen years.

That isn't entirely their fault though. Novaria has had a strange regent for many years... a suspicious amount of years. A woman who is strangely concerned about the Queen's safety. But she hasn't started any wars, so I guess she is good to stay in power.

So yes, of course my parents would have spoken to her. And my name would have been brought up because they are my parents and they love and miss me so much that they must talk about me constantly.