Crowns ~ Smosh

Seven

The princes and princesses were jolted awake by the slamming of someone's fists against their doors. They groggily dressed themselves, and filed into the dining room for breakfast. Steaming oatmeal was placed in front of them, and painfully slowly the children began to eat it, each dozing off occasionally. 

"Good morning," Duke Raub said as he entered the dining area and set his eyes upon the half asleep royals. 

"Good morning," The young royals groaned, some of them not even bothering to lift their heads from where it rested on the table. 

"Oh, wide awake, I see," Duke Raub noted.

"We're fine, thank you," David said quickly. Beside him Joshua stifled a yawn.

"Someone was up way past their bedtime. Sunny, wake them up," Duke Raub snapped. Sunny walked over to a nearby chair, lifting it into the air and slamming it down onto the ground. The children startled with a gasp. 

"That's better," Duke Bereta said as he looked around the room. "So what were you doing last night?" He asked, beginning to stroll around the table. It would have seemed like a relaxed action if it were not for his eyes. He was staring daggers at each of the children, trying to get them to crack under pressure. 

"A visitor for the dukes," A servant said as he opened the door, stopping the silent interrogation.

"Yes?" Duke Raub answered as Duke Bereta made his way over to his partner. 

"A Mr. Risner is here."

"Oh, yes, yes," Duke Ruab said, turning towards the door. "I was expecting him." And both of the dukes left the room to meet the mysterious visitor. 

"They're in a hurry," Matthew noted, taking another bite of his food.

"And the king requests his children visit him in his quarters," The servant added. The effect was immediate, happy murmurs flooded the room and each of the children hurried to their feet, practically running out of the room in order to see their father.

"Dad?" David asked, peeking his head into the room where his father resided. 

"Well, look who's here," King Ian said as he motioned them in. "The wild bunch." 

"Are you sick?" Mari asked worriedly.

"No, just tired. I didn't feel up for activity this morning," The king explained with a faint smile. Mari felt like there was something else that was wrong, but she didn't have time to ask any more questions as Noah pushed forward excitedly.

"Dad!" He cried out. "You won't believe what happened last night!" 

"Last night?" The king groaned. "Don't remind me. We were supposed to celebrate your birthday and I fell asleep! Inexcusable. Is it too late to give you your present?" 

"No!" Noah giggled, and happily tore into the wrapped box that his father handed him. The paper drifted to the floor, forgotten as Noah removed the top of the box, eager to see what his father had gotten him. 

"Ooohh," Noah gasped as he revealed the stuff cow residing there. He had remembered begging for one earlier in the year after learning about them and expressing how much he loved them. "Thank you, Dad!" Noah said, throwing his arms around his father's neck. 

"Am I forgiven?" King Ian asked, returning his youngest son's hug.

"Yes!" Noah said, smiling widely as he pulled away from his father, examining the stuffed cow.

~*~

Sunny approached Duke Raub cautiously. In his hands he held dancing shoes, obviously belonging to one of the princesses. He had found them while digging through some of the trunks in the princesses' room like Duke Bereta had ordered him to do. 

"I've found these," Sunny said timidly, holding out his prize to the duke. The duke pulled his arm away from the King's throne and took the shoes, turning them over in his hands as he examined them.

"The princesses' dancing shoes?" He questioned, until he saw the sole of the shoe. "Worn through... The spoiled brats have been out dancing! Do you know what this means?" 

"I am afraid not, Your Grace," Sunny replied in almost a monotone voice, as if he were used to answering these questions.

"Princes! They're out dancing with princes! And the princes have most likely found their own brats to court... Do you know what that means?" 

"I am afraid not, Your Grace," Sunny sounded almost bored this time.

"Of course you don't," The duke scoffed. "Marriage is what it means. If any of those brats get married, my plans are ruined!" 

"We have a problem," Duke Bereta announced as he too entered the throne room. Duke Raub's face hardened as he too heard the distant singing. 

"What are they up to?" Duke Raub growled, and stormed forward, dragging Sunny behind him. Duke Bereta came voluntarily, almost as angry as his partner. 

"Come in, Cousin," King Ian said as the two dukes knocked at the door. 

"Oh!" Duke Bereta feigned surprise at the sight of the the king's children. "So much commotion. I thought you were unwell." 

"I am," The King responded. "But I love when they sing for me."

"Look how pale you are, dear cousin!" Duke Raub exclaimed, and almost as if that phrase was his cue, Duke Bereta entered the bedroom, pushing a cart with tea resting atop it. 

"That is enough for now," Duke Bereta was saying. "Out, out, please. Please, out."

"But Dad..." Olivia said, looking around at her siblings for some sort of support.

"The Duke is right, I'm not feeling so well," King Ian reasoned.

"Perhaps you should call for the doctor," Mari suggested, and the King nodded. Nobody seemed to notice Duke Bereta drop the teaspoon he was using to prepare the tea. With a sharp look from Duke Raub he recovered, and resumed stirring the tea as if nothing happened. 

"Good idea, Mari." King Ian nodded his head, and signalled for the servant standing outside the door to do just that. 

"Some tea will help, dear cousin," Duke Raub said, taking the prepared cup of tea from Duke Bereta and handing it to the king, who took it gratefully. While he was sipping quietly on the tea, Duke Bereta ushered the last of the children out of the bedroom, closing the door rather roughly behind them. 

~*~

The doctor prescribed medication, and Duke Raub took it from it, speaking of how it was his duty to care for the king. The doctor thought nothing of this and handed the bottle of the medication to the duke, telling him the proper dosage. Duke Raub nodded along, acting as he was listening intently to everything the doctor was telling him. 

Duke Bereta ushered the doctor out of the castle, thanking him so much for his time and explaining how grateful they were for him coming. While Duke Bereta was walking with the doctor out, Duke Raub unstoppered the bottle for the medication and poured it into the potted plant next to him, disposing quietly of the bottle.

Once the doctor was gone, the two dukes exchanged a look and went on their separate ways.