Protecting the Royal Idiot

Protecting the Royal Idiot - Chapter 15

So, it's midterm season. AKA open season on kids who don't study.

Fortunately, I'm a hardcore studier. 'Cuz you know, I'm just cool like that. :3

Best of luck to everyone who's got midterms coming up!

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Chapter 15

"Well, I--"

I was about to reply to Ryan, but I heard something whizz past my ear. I gasped and buried my face into Ryan's sportsjacket as he protected my head with his arms. I heard a dull thud on the ground, so I peeked out at the grass. I pulled away from Ryan and crawled off the edge of the fountain. I moved toward whatever it was that almost smacked me in the side of the head. I picked it up and examined it closely, sitting on my knees in the grass.

"It's... It's a rock," I said, turning it over in my hands. It was a pretty big rock, considering it was meant to hit someone. I mean, the only rocks I ever throw at people are tiny. Not big chunks that fell off a mountain during an avalanche.

"Hey Ryan," I said loudly. But Ryan was already kneeling next to me, staring at the rock just as hard as I was. I looked at the note tied to the rock.

"'Watch out for falling rocks'," Ryan read. I frowned. "Ominous. Is this supposed to be a threat?"

"I dunno," Ryan answered, looking as confused as I felt.

"Should we tell someone?"

"Would be best."

We got up onto our feet and ran back to the castle, the mysterious rock in my vest pocket. I was still in my uniform, so I made a quick mental note to change as soon as possible.

"Where are your parents?" I asked as we skidded into the main hall. Ryan looked around and shrugged.

"Either their dormitory, or out somewhere," he said. I scowled.

"That's what you get for living in such a giant house," I muttered sourly. I pulled the rock out of my pocket, and fortunately, I spotted Mr. BTM passing by. I followed my first instinct: I threw the rock at him to get his attention. I gasped, realizing what I did. Ryan was dying of laughter. Mr. BTM spun around to glare at me. He picked up the rock and clutched it so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"What is this," Mr. BTM said through clenched teeth. His voice was low, dangerous, and forced.

"A threat?" I said. It came out as more of a question, because 'watch out for falling rocks' is quite the interesting message. I mean, c'mon. What kind of threat is that? Mr. BTM looked alarmed and overturned the rock. He found the note and read it.

"This could mean a number of things," Mr. BTM started. "It could mean being bombarded by rocks in the near future. It could also be metaphoric for a squad of assassins called 'Falling Rocks'. Or, this could mean that--" I cut him off and gave him a sarcastic look. "Really? Assassins?"

"It's not impossible," Ryan said suddenly. I whipped around to stare at him. My eyes widened, noting the serious expression on his face. "So... Have there been assassinations in the past?"

"Of course," Mr. BTM said. "Nearly every king of England has been assassinated. The only three that weren't were the first, second, and third kings. The rest were shot dead like birds," he finished. I stared at him, my eyes still wide as saucers.

"There's gotta be some explanation, right? Have these killers ever been caught?"

"Assassins," Ryan corrected me. I shot a look at him.

"Every one," Mr. BTM said. I frowned. Something's going on in the UK.

"Have any of them said if they belong to some sort of... company?" I asked, not sure I used the right word. Mr. BTM thought for a moment.

"No, they've all had bombs strapped to their bodies. Of course, the bombs were disarmed before any explosions occurred, and the assassins were thrown in jail for life," he said. I shot Ryan a look of alarm. He looked equally as surprised.

"Wait, so that could mean my father is next?" he asked shakily.

"And what about the queens?" I asked.

"That's why we're here, and Alan of course," Mr. BTM said, gesturing at himself and me. "And the queens have never been assassinated, but most of them get so spooked that they give up their position to the next in line," he said, answering my question. I frowned.

"I would hate to be next in line," I muttered.

"I am next in line," Ryan breathed.

~~~

"We've got to bring down this league of assassins," I said. "Did I use the right term this time?" Alan shrugged. Then he put on his serious face.

"Definitely," he said, "we can't risk letting anything happen while we're here. It'll make us look bad." Even though I could totally tell he was jokingly being self-centered, I said, "This is serious stuff, Alan. I mean, this is our job right now. And besides, we can't stand by while someone gets shot."

"So how can this be done?" Mr. BTM said.

"Well, I don't know. We're not exactly the dream team of military bravehearts. At least not with me," I said, murmuring the last sentence disappointedly. It was true. All I had was a good shot with a pistol, but who knows what'll happen out there?

"Don't take yourself down," Ryan's voice came from behind me. I jumped and fell backwards, but he steadied me, chuckling. "Can I talk to you?" My eyebrows furrowed together, but I nodded. I excused myself from our military plotting and followed Ryan out to the hall.

"What's up?" I asked curiously.

"You're cute," Ryan said. I immediately felt warmth spread across my face, so I pretended to wipe something out of my eyes.

"How am I supposed to respond to that?" I said.

"Maybe... 'Yes'," Ryan said, cracking a half-smile. No way. No way, no way, no way.

"Is that the way you Brits ask out girls on dates?" I said, raising an eyebrow and smirking. Oh yeah, score one for Jenna! Even though Ryan's hot and princely and all that jazz, I can't let myself fall for him. We're in the middle of some serious business.

"Well no, if you don't like it..."

"It's fine," I blurted out. Woah, where did that come from? I smacked my hand over my mouth. Now it was Ryan's turn to raise an eyebrow, accompanied by the familiar smirk.

"I mean, uhh, I don't, wait no, I..." I stammered and sighed heplessly. I just shook my head.

"Jenna, wanna go out sometime?"

I looked up. Ryan looked so hopeful, so anticipant, and oh-so handsome. I just stepped closer to him and said quietly, "I don't like you like that. Plus, it's not a good time. I mean, we're plotting to bring down a whole assassin league in there." It's true. I know I was acting nervous, but that doesn't mean I like Ryan. Sure, he's cute, whatever. Sometimes he makes me laugh, too, but that doesn't mean anything.

At least I hope I'm being honest with myself, because I don't know what I'll do if I really liked him.

"Then I can wait," Ryan said softly.

I heard a twinge of disappointment in his voice.

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Hope you liked it~!