The Soot Princess [Hiatus]

19-The game

I would like some helpful food for thoughts. I really like it when you guys say 'I love this book so much!' but unfortunately, it isn't very helpful. I would love your opinions and I want to know what I can do better.

@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@

Charles Dean Eingall

All the groups left, half of the kids sleep walking to their vehicles. The donors left about at the same time or shortly after.

I watched the servants clean up, making sure they do it correctly.

"S'cuse me my prince, may I speak?" one of the help asked.

"You already are, but go on," I said.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you like the girl you were dancing with earlier."

"And I probably won't see her ever again." I got up and went to leave. I do like her and Eevon's cold yet delicate composure sets her apart. I can tell she's tough, but has suffered enough.

"Sir, sir, please I didn't mean to offend you!"

I sighed, then remembered a prince doesn't sigh, "You didn't, you merely stated the truth." I left.

I don't care really, if they put everything away correctly, only mom does, as long as it's gone and out of sight, I don't care.

The halls are silent as I make my way up to my room. It was almost creepy tonight. Normally, I have my brothers with me. If other people lived here, they would wake up with the whooping and hollering of my siblings.

I got ready for bed, once I was in my room. I was too tired to call for my butler to help me undress. I just threw the cloths on the ground and went to sleep.

Someone will pick them up...

I woke up to bright morning sunlight streaming through my window. I glanced at my clock and groaned. I'm glad my teachers aren't seeing me today, wait! They aren't seeing me ever! I gonna have to go to school with regular kids!

It's too early in the morning to think! It's only 9:30. I pull a pillow out and slap it over my eyes to shut off the light. It doesn't work.

I ended up getting up after a few minutes. I ordered breakfast up to my room and logged on to my computer.

............

I smell bacon! A servant rolled in a cart. I saw a breakfast sandwich sitting on a plate with bacon on the side after the silver and gold cover was removed. I took a bite into it and find it's eggs benedict. I felt the light fluffy biscuit and the heavy eggs and ham lie on my tongue. The cooks almost have the sauce right.

I tipped my attention back to my computer screen. I got on the Internet and scrolled through the news section. No breaking news, nothing exciting or uplifting to start my day. I clicked on the games section and I started playing.

I play pong, soccer, and I am ending a round of gilet, when I got a call to come to the dinning room for lunch. All this time, I had been in my pajamas!

I called for my butler and he got me dressed and downstairs before I can blink. He is amazing.

I quickly sat down at the table. For some reason, I'm always the last person to be notified for everything, including meals, it's awkward at best.

"Charles, why are you always so late?" the king asked.

"I didn't know about it until someone paged me," I stated. "If people would tell me about these things sooner, I wouldn't be so late!"

"Calm down son, I was just asking a question."

"And I was just answering," I wanted to say, but I bit my tongue.

The food arrives breaking up the heated conversation. I hate it when all the attention is on me. I forked my food and shove it in my mouth. My mother gave me a look and went into a lecture on my manners. I shruged her off and zoned out.

"Charles Dean Eingall! Are you paying attention to a word I'm saying?" the queen yelled at me.

"No ma' am," I said and wish instantly I had lied.

"I am done with you and your attutide, today!" the king yelled. "Get up! If you want to act like you are a five year old, you will be treated like one!"

HE yanked me out of my chair by the ear, yes the ear, and pulled me into the hall. My dad talks to a guards stationed by the door. I don't catch what he said, but the guard hurries off to do what ever task the king has told him to do.

"Now Charles, you remember when you were small, we used to play a game called The Whipping Boy."

"Yeah, it involved an old technique for punishing royalty, and where certain decisions made you win or lose depending. It was a board game if I recall," I say.

"Yes... we will be playing it now, except it will involve real people."

"What?! You can't do that!" I yelled. The game is basically all luck.

"Yes, I can, I am the king. The person will be the same age as you and will be some kid from some local orphanage. They will go to school with you, they will live here at the palace, and they will hate you. For every misdeed you do the person will get to do your punishment and you will watch. Do you get it?" he asks.

"Yes, and it's a cruel game to play."

"It's not a game now. It will begin in an hour. Lets go back and enjoy our lunch..."

"No! I won't do that to someone!"

"They won't have to taste the whip if you behave. My decision is final, I've already sent someone to get your whipping boy."

I was baffled by the turn of events. I definitely should have lied back there.

We walked back in and the table resumed as if nothing happened, even though something happened. I don't touch my food for the rest of the meal. I suddenly, no longer have the appetite for the aromatic meal in front of me.

By the time the meal ends, the hour has pasted, the guard is back, and my whipping boy is here. The king, me, the 'whipping boy', and the guard all meet in my fathers study. Only the whipping boy, is not a boy. The girl is not just a girl, but Eevon.

........Hmmm...............

This is where you can find more information on the games mentioned above.

Pong- http://www.ponggame.org/

Soccer- http://www.qasoccer.org/doclib/BasicsforParents1.htm

Gilet- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilet_%28card_game%29