Royal Ambitions

Chapter 3: Fools Gold

I watched the prince with care as he inspected yet another apple. How many was he going to buy? Certainly not many more? Luckily my confusion was calmed slightly when he smiled and payed the vendor for the goods. I followed along as the Prince walked through the town. My gaze was rarely rested upon the royal as we moved. Despite a calm composure, my eyes were always at the edge of my visions.

"Oh! Luci! The necklace is stunning. Do you think it would look good on you?"

"On me? I don't know." I looked at necklace.

It was a simple golden chain necklace with a grey gemstone on the center. It was nothing of note but was rather pleasing to the eye, "It would look much better decorating your neck instead"

"I'm buying it."

I rolled my eyes as he payed for the necklace. Off to the side there was a man... or woman? With horns. People don't have horns, at least I didn't think they did. 

"My prince, there is a peculiar.... being... over there."

"Don't worry, she is observing our ways. One of the things my father has allowed me to have a hand in recently is the integration of fog-folk into our kingdom legally!" 

"That is a dangerous endeavor. They are as much beast as they are man."

"But they are still man, right?"

"Yes, my prince"

The fog folk never true to integrate before so why now? Why when the king is about to pass on his title. I suspected the worst, feared that they intend to kill the prince. The prince still needed protecting in the moment so I followed him and went back to being alert, even more cautious.

Now that I noticed there are more fog folk in the town. Some are clearly amphibious while others are spindly and tall. They litter the streets with non-natural sizes and shapes.

I tried to ignore my growing unrest and was managing to do so until I heard a crack of thunder but no lightning. My head and body turned together towards the ear splitting sound. The prince got behind me. A fog folk lay bleeding in the fountain at the center of the square. The water ran red and an old man shuffled the dead ones pockets before shouting.

"Only fools gold! Not worth robbing!"