Royals

Prologue

As father laid in his bed, coughing every so often, we all gathered in the room. Mother, passed years ago right after my youngest brother Nolans birth. Mrs. Randler, the castle health aid said there was complications after his birth and she didn't make it.

I took fathers hand and squeezed lightly to wake him. He glances up and a half smile covers his pale lips. Beads of sweat roll down his face even though it's freezing. I take the tablecloth and wipe his face. His breathing gets heavier and his chest heaves. I hate seeing father this ill. There's a virus in the land and it spread like wildfire, killing hundreds. After father went on his annual hunting trip a week ago he started showing symptoms. Most people died after only a few days, father has clung to life for a week. But he's getting weaker by the hours.

Mrs. Randler sends us out to feed father. I walk down the palace hallway passing guards as they wave and say goodnight. After I put all my brothers and sisters to sleep in there wing, I take my time getting to my own.

" Mrs. Rita!" I yell for my servant as I enter my wing. She comes almost instantly from the south entrance. " Yes princess?"

" Mrs. Rita, how many times have I told you, you don't need to address me as princess. Only around father." We both giggle and I tell her I'd like to bathe before bed. She gathers the supplies and goes to start my bathe. I start to take off all my days jewelry and slip out of my shoes. God I hate having to wear heels daily just to roam the castle.

I pick my nightgown for the night and make my way to the bathroom. Just as I reach the doors I hear all the running feet in the hallways.

Those children, I've just put to bed are already running around playing?

I set my gown down and go to round them back up and place them back in bed. I open my wing door to find the guards all running towards father. My heart sinks. The bell hasn't even been rang yet and I already know.

" Long lived the king" fills the crisp night air. The tears sting the corners of my eyes. The yelling is sure to wake the children so I slip my shoes on and prepare to comfort them. One by one, all their doors start to open; sleepy children rubbing their eyes stumble into the hall.

" Myiah, what's happening?"

I search for the words as I look at them. Unaware of how to tell them were now orphans. I gather Nolan in my arms and Grace falls in at my legs. Peter stands behind me and Micheal begins to cry. We all stand in the center of the hall. Watching the chaos.

Nolan lays his head on my shoulder as we all walk to the throne room. Servants, maids, guards all gather in the room. Yelling and questions fill the air.

" What's going to happen to the princes and princess?" "What about the kingdom the people?" " Were kingless whose going to run the kingdom."

I hand Nolan off to Peter and ring the bell to gather everyone's attention. As the vibrations flow throw the room, all eyes land on me.

I stand speechless. I search the room for answers.

Mrs. Randler and Rita come from the crowd.

I clear my throat before the reach us and begin my speech.

" My fathers death is tragic. But we all knew it was coming and we were ignorant to not have been more prepared. Now as we're all gathered in this room, my younger sibling unaware of tonight's tragedy until now we mustn't let this misfortune stir chaos. For tonight everyone go to there rooms. Forget the castle chores. Take warm bathes and get good night sleep. The castle and villages have a big day ahead of them." My rich accent filled the room with all eyes on me.

Mrs. Randler and Rita nod there heads in agreement. Whispers fill the room.

" Should we listen to the princess?" " She's right."

Maids and servants begin taking off their aprons and heading to their wing. Guards begin marching away. Once the room is cleared I take Nolan from Peters arms and instruct them to follow. As were reach fathers room, I open the doors and place the children in the high bed. Since fathers body is in the infirmary until morning and this is the only bed to fight us all, we'll sleep here for tonight. I stroke Nolan's hair as he sucks his fingers and little whimpers fall from his lips until he drifts to sleep shortly after. One by one they begin to fall asleep.

I thought they were all asleep until Peter broke the silence.
" Fathers dead? The virus got him Myiah. What's going to happen?"

I hesitate to answer. Tears threatened but I swallow back trying to remain calm and strong for them.

" I don't know Peter, but we have to remain strong for the children. They don't quite understand. We have to try to keep it together for the kingdom."

He lays back down and rolls over after mutter a quiet "I know."

I lay there for a while longer thinking about the future now before plunging into sleep.