Royalties

Part 1: Falling

Emrys
Sometime, it is really hard to understand how your life has gotten to where it is. I really didn't understand how I could go from walking home from working overtime to falling from the sky. Was this some kind of shitty dream? Did I pass out from sleep deprivation on my way home? From the feel of the wind brushing past my face, this seemed real enough to me. And usually, if I was having a lucid dream it would feel this way. My lucid dreams were always groggy and numb because I knew it was a dream and not real. This was too real.

By the time I was able to will myself to actually open my eyes, I could clearly see the ground I was headed for. It was pretty enough, but soon to be dashed with my blood and guts when I landed. I guess I could get away with some broken bones, no need to be so morbid. It wouldn't be ideal, but at least I wouldn't be dead. So, I stuck my arms out and tried to orient myself in a way that would cause the least amount of damage to my body. When I looked down once more as I neared the ground, I let out a yelp. I was on a direct path to land on someone.

"Fucking hell," I groaned in pain, or really the lack thereof, as I lifted myself off whoever I landed on. I peered down. A young man not too much older than myself winced and looked at me with concern. His hand that had wrapped itself around my waist tightened as he sat up, keeping me from falling out of his lap.

"Are you alright, miss?" he questioned.

"Just great," I said impatiently. Where the hell even was I? "You okay? Like, sorry for falling on you?" I was grateful he had softened my landing and all, but I didn't know whether to apologize or thank him. I'm sure he didn't mean for this to happen either, so apologizing felt the most natural. The man helped me stand up before answering.

"Yes, I am and I'm sure you didn't mean to fall out of the sky and onto me, did you?" he teased. I could see the look in his eyes said playful teasing, but his demeanor also said that if I did that on purpose I'd suffer the consequences, whatever they may be.

"Unfortunately I don't make a habit of falling from highly dangerous heights on the slight chance that I'll land in some handsome guy's arms," I huffed. "And don't make that face like 'oh my god, what? You think I'm handsome?' you know what you look like and how others see you, so don't even try it on me."

The man simply chuckled and held out his arm as if to escort me somewhere. It's too nice of him to escort me to some jail or dungeon, but I had no other ideas where he'd think I'd go. I literally just fell from the fucking sky out of nowhere. Where would I need to go after that? So, I looked questioningly at his arm. After a few seconds, it seemed he understood why I was confused.

"Would you like to come inside with me? I think a proper chat with you is in order before I decide how to deal with this... peculiar situation," he said.

I sighed but nodded my head. He was my best bet at finding out what had happened to me, and he didn't seem all that dangerous. As I followed, I was able to take a closer look at where I had landed. It looked to be a garden behind a mansion. This damn rich guy just casually taking a stroll in his garden. How posh. The place was huge and a maze to get through. I couldn't help but imagine how tricky it'd be if I were a thief coming in here for the first time. By the time the guy led me to where he wanted to talk, I was all sorts of turned around, granted I wasn't always the best at navigating new places, but this would have been hard to keep track of for an expert.

"So, what is your name if I may ask? My name is Rueben," he said when we finally sat down.

"I'm Emrys. To be blunt, I have no idea where I am nor how I got here. So, where the hell am I?" I asked.

"This is actually my countryside estate, within the kingdom of Lexton, where I am the crown prince."

I couldn't help the burst of laughter that immediately escaped my lips. I cackled away for a minute or so as Rueben patiently waited for me to calm down. I could tell he wasn't joking around, but the situation was too funny and ridiculous and weird not to laugh about.