The Royals

The Great Man Down

Yesterday, Sofia kind of broke up with Jasper because she told him thay she saw him leaving her mother's room. Right now, The royal family, except for Simom, was in the tunnels. "Where's our father?'' Liam asked.

''A short while ago, his majesty the king was found by royal guards just outside the gates of the palace. He'd been attacked'' Ted informed them.

''What kind of attack?'' Helena asked.

''He was stabbed. Several times'' Ted answered.

''By who?'' Sofia asked.

''His assailant is as yet undetermined. We've initiated emergency protocol and both the M15 and M16 are being notified'' Ted told us.

''Where's the king now?'' Cyrus asked.

''In surgery'' Ted replied.

''But he's going to be okay? He'll live?'' Len asked, her voice breaking.

''It's too soon to tell. He's lost a lot of blood'' Ted said and the door began to rattle.

''That's Marcus'' Jasper walked over to the door, opened it and Marcus and Ophelia entered.

''Absolutely not!'' Ted yelled. ''Ophelia should not be here".

''She's safe here'' Marcus said.

''You're out of line, Marcus'' Ted hissed.

''With all due respect, sir, she's the prince regent's girlfriend. This plan was instituted by you. I'm simply following orders, sir'' Marcus told Ted.

''What does it matter if Liam's slut of the hour is here or not? How much longer until news of the king?'' Cyrus questioned.

''I want to see him'' Sofia said.

''Nobody leaves this room until we're absolutely certain that the palace is secure'' Ted warned.

''I need to see him. I need to" Sofia sighed.

"I'm sorry princess Sofia, you can't" Ted said.

***

They've been in the tunnels for hours. ''What are they saying? Do you have an update?'' Len asked.

''The king is in surgery-''

''Yes, the king is in surgery because he's been stabbed, I understand, you said that'' Len cut Ted off. ''But when was he stabbed, how, why?'' Len questioned.

''And why weren't you with him?'' Helena asked Ted.

''The king was stabbed twice with a large knife. Once in the lower abdomen, and a second time in the chest near his heart. The doctor's are amazed he's still alive'' Ted said. Sofia looked at Cyrus who covered his ears, ran to the corner and vomit. ''We're reviewing security footage of our own and every security camera within a two mile radius of the palace''.

''Why only 2 miles?'' Sofia asked.

''It's not likely that he could have travelled very far, given how much blood he'd lost and the severity of his injuries. As to my whereabouts, his majesty and I had an understanding that I would look the other way for his occasional walks. It is an understanding I deeply regret''.

''No shit. You've proven quite adept at getting people killed, Pryce'' Cyrus hissed.

''It's not his fault. It's mine'' Liam started to blame himself.

''It's not anyone's fault'' Ophelia said.

''I think it is. And I think it starts with your father's inability to do his job'' Helena told Ophelia.