NOT ROYALE ENOUGH [18+]

45

CHRIS

"You summoned me, Father."

Those were the first words I spoke as I pushed open the doors to his meeting room. Inside, two grey-haired men—likely around his age—dressed in stiff, expensive suits, were mid-conversation with him.

Their laughter faded instantly when they saw me standing there, my expression far from warm.

“You have no respect,” Father said, his tone sharp, his face etched with disapproval. “Or has the crown made you so proud that you’ve forgotten how to properly greet your elders… and your king?”

My jaw tightened at the jab. I bit the inside of my cheek, holding back the words I wanted to say.

He knew I never wanted the crown. Not then. Not now. So where was this venom coming from?

“I apolog—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” he snapped, rising from his chair with an air of authority that weighed heavy in the room. “Go back outside. Knock. Then come in and greet your king as is customary. Am I understood?”

Was he serious?

I stared at him for a moment, heart pounding with quiet anger, then gave a tight, silent bow. Without another word, I turned on my heel, shut the door behind me, knocked—two deliberate taps that echoed like thunder in the tense hallway—and opened it again.

“You summoned me… Your Highness,” I added through clenched teeth.

A slow, smug smile tugged at his lips. It made my skin crawl.

"Much better," he said, turning to the other men. “We’ll continue this later. I need a moment with my son.”

A slow, satisfied grin tugged at his lips, and I couldn't believe his blood was running through my veins.

It made my skin crawl.

What was he trying to prove to these men? Why was he trying to show power or that he still had control over me even though I was crowned king?

"Much better," he said, turning to the other men. “We’ll continue this later. I need a moment with my son.”

The men stood, bowed respectfully, and left the room in silence. I did the same out of formality, not respect.

"Sit," he said, nodding toward one of the empty chairs.

I sat, hands resting stiffly on my thighs, waiting. He’d cut my trip short, dragged me here without explanation, and I was about to find out why.

Not that my thoughts had been clear since I left.

I hadn't even had time to process what Sarah said.

She wanted out of the contract.

She didn’t want me.

No matter how many times I turned it over in my head, I couldn’t figure out what had pushed her to that decision. To ask what made her make that decision without even giving me a valid reason.

No explanation, no warning—just an ending. And I left her there. Alone. When she desperately needed me the most.

Father demanded my presence, and I left her.

My precious Sarah.

And it hurt.

It still fucking hurt.

"You really think I wouldn't find out?" Father's voice cut through my thoughts, low and menacing. His eyes locked on mine, intense even from across the room.