Desires of the Crown

29 - The Shock of Surprises

Passing the guards by the gate, I smiled brightly. Who knew walking past guards would ever be a novelty? "My Lady," they bowed their heads to me as I walked past them only making me smile brighter.

Today has been a good day so far. Like every other morning I woke to a chill as Jonathan opened the glass doors, I was made to take breakfast - delicious fruits and porridge - in the hall with Jonathan, Prince Dillon and his wife Ashiar. It was my first time talking to Prince Dillon and I found him reminding me of my brother Arthur. It wasn't their appearance, as Arthur was tall and built like an immovable tree and Dillon was of average height and average build, but after a quick conversation I saw that it was his mind that reminded me of my brother. No matter their physical differences, their best weapons were their minds and they held wisdom far beyond their years.

I was on my way to the library when a guard stopped me. He lacked the light armour of shadow knights, instead wearing a full chest plate of black iron with the blue griffin painted in the middle. "My Lady Miss," he bowed. "The King wishes to see you in the throne room."

I nodded my thanks and quickly adjusted my direction headed for the throne room.

A guard standing by the door nodded in my direction and pulled it opened so I didn't have to. I smiled at him and walked into the room seeing Jonathan seated in his chair looking more bored than I had ever seen him. His fingers drummed along the arm of his throne as if itching to pick something up while the crown - made of black iron - rested on the corner of the chair and not on his head. A man stood in front of him talking at the King but I doubted he was listening. As I stepped into the room Jonathan's head lifted slightly as I caught his attention and the man in the middle of the room turned his head to look at the interruption.

My whole being froze.

Someone could have been screaming my name in my ear and I still would have heard nothing but distant murmurs. My heart felt like it had stopped and my stomach felt as if it had taken a punch. I was cold. So cold.

I saw the shock and recognition in his eyes that was quickly followed by confusion.

"Little Miss?" Jonathan stood and started walking towards me. Coming to my side his hand wrapped around the small of my back and he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Thank god what took you so long?"

Pulling back he faced the man.

I swallowed and quickly shook my head praying that Jonathan didn't see me. Please don't, I mouthed to the man.

He nodded, his eyes focused on me before he turned to the king.

"Forgive me Lord Ryenn." Jonathan began. "It appears I'm needed elsewhere." Jonathan grabbed my arm and started dragging me out of the room and my eyes far away from my uncle.

I felt sick.

As soon as the door closed, Jonathan let out a deep sigh. "Oh thank the gods, I don't think I could have sat there a moment longer and pretended to listen."

I was still in shock.

"What took you so long, I sent a guard after you a good while ago."

"Sorry," my voice was weak and my attention wavered. "Who was that?"

I already knew the answer to my own question but I didn't dare let him know that.

He rolled his eyes. "A waist of time."

"Oh?"

His eyes glanced down and he stopped walking. "You've been outside."

I followed his gaze down to find mud colouring the bottom of my hem. "Oh, yes. I kind of got a little carried away walking in and out of the main gate every chance I got."