The Royal Decision (Book 1 of The Royal Series)

Chapter 6

A Vow of Hatred

Daniel’s POV

My head hurt as I remembered what happened the day before. I remembered that I went to the royal ball to look at Tyreus and danced with a girl. As soon as I got here, I drank quite much and fell asleep on the chair itself.

I smirked when I remembered that girl. She had got some guts to stand up against a duke. Normally, even the king refrained from crossing a duke for the impact would be too great. Seriously, nobles these days were nothing other than rich people flaunting their riches and use their authorities for bad things. I shook my head in disgust when I thought of them.

The door opened and my friend/servant, Luke asked me “I see that you have woken up, master. Should I bring your breakfast here?”

“Ah do so. I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday.”

 “I thought you had your food in the palace yesterday, master.”

I shook my head and told him to stop with that master and all. He had been my childhood friend and as a Prince, getting a true and loyal friend was very hard. When we first got here, I told him not to address me as my lord for our friendship surpassed that but I didn’t think that he would come out and call me master. That was certainly something. Whilst I waited for Luke, my mind drifted to 10 years ago, when I met him.

I decided to sneak out of the castle since I was fed up of my ethics lessons. The way Mr. Lanson, my tutor kept on reminding me that I should… I shouldn’t… I must… I must not… this is not allowed and that bla bla bla. Sometimes, I wished to be a commoner.

I went to the stable and rode on my black horse, Knight. Luckily, all the servants were still sleeping and so I silently went to the gate, a passage to the city. The guards didn’t dare to question me as I shot them with my hard glare. This would be my last resort but it proved to be the fastest way out.

It was early in the morning. The sky was colored by streaks of yellow sunlight as I rode while admiring the view. I passed houses and bakeries. Some of the early waking people greeted me as I rode pass them. Suddenly, I heard a thud and directed my gaze towards the source of the sound.

There, near the forest, I saw a golden haired boy standing and looking at his surroundings. His clothes were torn here and there. His body was full of scratches and wounds. I got off from Knight and approached him. Before I could do anything, his trembling legs gave away and he fainted on the floor.

People had woken up because of the commotion and were circling him. I could not see how circling a fainted boy would help so I told them to back off as I held him. I tried to support him to my horse but it did not work well seeing that he could not walk. Finally, a man older than me offered his help and shelter. I smiled gratefully and asked him to lead us to his house. I thought of going with him but seeing two guards riding towards me, I asked that man to take care of him. Before leaving, I glanced to the boy once more and promised to myself that I would visit him later on.

As soon as I got back to the castle, I went to my father’s study. It must be something important that he told someone just to get me back from the city. Normally, he preferred me to know more about the situation outside.

“I had been searching for you. How was your trip to the city?” my father said as I entered his study.

“It was fine father. May I know why you looked for me so early in the morning?”

“Since you skipped breakfast and left the castle without my consent, I need to seek you out.”

I was suppressing a blush as I remembered that I forgot to eat my breakfast before leaving and I usually eat breakfast with my parents. My father smirked at my half embarrassed face. I decided to distract him for a while but he beat me to it.

“A messenger just informed me that King Lawrence had fallen. He was overthrown in an army coup. The leader, now the king is Tyreus. He was rumored to be the ex-lieutenant of his army.”

“What? Does a lieutenant have such influence in his kingdom?”

“He may have if the ruler is a tyrant and he raised the spirit of the people. I must go now for an urgent meeting.” He said before leaving.

I nodded and left the throne room and decided to pay a visit to that boy. This time, I got the permission from my mother already so I expect that no one would be searching for me. When I got there, I was greeted by that man and the awaken boy. I observed that boy as he ate. He had a rare golden hair and unusual eye color. Suddenly, I remembered what my tutor once said. Some royalties had striking golden hair.

Slowly, I looked at him trying to find the characteristic of royalty. It was clearly shown when he ate. He stopped eating and eyed me with suspicion which faded quickly. I asked him my doubt and he just laughed it off. He said that eating with grace doesn’t mean that he is a royalty.

I decided to keep him around me in order to protect him if my suspicions were proved right. He agreed to my proposal and became my servant. Before I took him to the castle, I asked him to dye his golden hair as it was too eye catching. My father was suspicious at first but I managed to convince him. Since then he had been my wonderful black haired companion, Luke.

Finally, my long awaited breakfast had come and it was my favorite, pancakes with maple syrup.

Luke’s POV

I laughed when I saw Vincent greedily chomped on the pancakes and literally drained the water I prepared. He snorted when he saw me laughing at him.

“So did you enjoy yesterday’s party and how was King Tyreus acting?” I found myself nearly spat out that king’s name.

He raised his eyebrow when he detected my unusual tone and out of nothing, he banged his other hand using his fist. “Damn! I forgot to keep my eye on him. Now my father would be displeased,” he said.

There were times when he cursed but it was only when he was emotionally unstable. I figured that something happened yesterday but I decided to ask him later. Instead, I gave him information about what I had found.

“King Tyreus is going for fox hunting today in Wilhem forest. I heard that he will be going at noon with the Duke of Hastings and his sister as well as the princess.”

He smirked and said, “Should we join them? I would be very happy to meet this prin-king once again.”

I was surprised when he was going to say princess. Would he be stupid enough to forget his mission and fall in love with a princess? I decided that something really did happen the day before most probably about his first encounter with the princess.

“Very well, let’s go now Luke.” he said

As we were leaving, I promised myself, “King Tyreus if I have the chance, I will make sure that you will breathe your last today.”