King Elijah

30

Chapter 30 | Victor 

It's been a little over a week since the Thanksgiving dinner at Elijah's father's house. That also makes it a little over a week since I overheard Elijah and his father arguing over what life Elijah gets to live; and who he gets to love.

Love.

It's such a powerful word tied to an even more powerful emotion and feeling.

Since that night their conversation has not stopped replaying in my head. Victor's words echo in my mind, hinting at something just slightly out of my reach. What did he mean by 'not one of us' and 'duty to the country'?

I lay down sprawled on my bed as these thoughts race through my head. Shifting higher up my bed I grab my laptop, opening up safari.

As if my fingers were controlled by some phantom I start to type in "Elijah Peral" without a second thought.

What's the possible worst that I could find by looking up his name? I know Elijah, there's nothing that would make me change what I think about him and his kind heart and soul. Even if he is connected with some Mafia or wanted by the FBI or secretly a celebrity, or an alien or —

What am I doing? Am I so scared of what could be that I cant click one simple button? I know Elijah, he's my Elijah.

My finger lingers over the enter button, hesitant for a tenth of a second before I do it. The results load after what feels like a lifetime.

A couple of Facebook page links, wiki pages on actors with a similar name, and random photos. Huh.

I click on the search bar and refine my search. Elijah and Victor Peral.

This time the results load a bit quicker as my heart starts to race faster.

Air that was once so freely flowing through my lungs suddenly gets caught in my chest, my lips slightly parted, my body frozen as the headlines stare back at me.

Prince Elijah. The Next King of Perland and What You Need To Know.

Who Is Next In Line For King Victor Peral's Throne?

King Victor Peral of Perland announces Son Prince Victor the Third as Next In Line for Throne.

My fingers move without a second thought to scroll down the page. This time the main focus being gossip sites.

Player-boy Prince Elijah Next In Line For Throne.

Where Is Prince Elijah Now? Track The Next Kings Trail of Kicked Out Schools.

Prince Elijah Rejects "Victor" Family Name at Ball.

Who Is the Mysterious Prince Elijah? What You Should Know About The Young Prince.

I decide to click on the last article, what should I know about him? I'm nervous about what I might read. What if he's not the same Elijah I know. Can I even trust these gossip sights? I can't help but feel as though I'm betraying him by reading these but my curiosity gets the best of me as I read the bold text throughout the article.

1. He's next in line for the Throne of Perland.

2. He hasn't lived in his home country since the death of his mother.

3. He's been kicked out of 8 different boarding schools since the age of 10.

4. Most of what the public knows about him comes from his numerous female companions.