Royal Rebellion {on hold}

Chapter 1

"Stand up straight, please, your royal highness. It's your big day." My manservant ordered as he straightened the lapels of my blue tailcoat. Matched with the navy pants and the ruffled white blouse, Earl had said I looked quite good. The blue complimented my deep blue eyes while the gold trimming the edges of the coat and sleeves brought out the gold bits in my hair and eyes. At least that was what he had said.

"Leave it be, Earl," I grumbled as he reached for the messy brown blonde bangs on my face. "You know they'll never keep off my face." Earl dropped his hand but he protested.

"Must you be so mellow? It's your sixteenth birthday today."

I dropped my gaze to my polished, expensive brown boots.

"I know," I whispered. "Happy five years of being my secret friend." I smiled sadly at Earl. All my servant friends were executed once mother passed. Father had said they were a nuisance and bad influence. Earl had been my new manservant and had helped me out of the spiraling depression of so many deaths, so close together of people I loved. We'd kept our friendship a secret or Earl would be reassigned or worse, killed.

Without thinking, I stepped forward and hugged him tight. Earl gave a sound of protest but he wrapped his arms around me too.

He was like the caring big brother that Darrel never was. All Darrel cared about was himself and his role of Crown Prince. It disgusted me a little the way he followed father around like a dog, lapping up the insults and the few half-compliments.

"Happy sixteenth, Julian." I sent Earl a crooked smile as we pulled apart.

"Let's get this over with," I grumbled, turning back.

Earl chuckled as he stepped back in front of me reaching for my clothes to rearrange them to perfection.

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"Deep breaths," I muttered to myself under my breath.

As I gazed into the room of snakes who posed as Lords and ladies, a faint feeling of nausea churned my stomach. I can't do this.

"I can't do this," I muttered, turning around and starting to head back to my room. Earl stopped me, grabbing my arm.

"Your highness, please." His eyes sent a hidden message, one he could not say aloud in front of the guard.

Your father will hear of this.

I shuddered at the thought and quickly turned back around. Just a few hours and I could plead weariness and return to my rooms.

Squaring my shoulders, I plastered on a fake smile and nodded to the herald.

"His royal highness, Prince Julian!"

Immediately, all chatter stopped and the members of the court all bowed collectively as I walked into the room from the curtain behind the thrones.

It was so boring, even though it was my birthday celebration. Eventually, when they all stopped wishing me happy birthday, I sat down at a small table with Earl. I was mingling with what father and Darrel would call the peasant folk despite their expensive three piece suits and silk gowns.

Earl set a small fluke of champagne in front of me and I picked it up, sipping as I watched the people around the room. Of course, everyone flocked around father even though it was my birthday. I actually didn't mind. That way, people weren't crowding me.

"Earl, this is so boring. How long has it been?" I asked anxiously. Earl chuckled.

"Patience, my Prince," Earl replied. Just before I could object, a loud commotion began in the center of the room.