Page 78 of Royal Lies

If I were the king and looked down at a boy who hoped to take my crown, I too would think he was ill-informed, but I was not.

Gripping my fist against my side, I started to speak but was quickly cut off. "Actually according to tradition, he doesn't need to be blood-linked. Any normal citizen could issue a challenge. Besides, he is your kin, is he not? The resemblance is truly uncanny. Same nose, some eyes, the pride sure is identical." Lucarious smiled, his lecherous grin on full display.

Wait, wasn't he asleep?

How?

Turning, I noticed a smile vial in the grasp of my little sister's hands. She wouldn't, but why? Why disobey Fly-Fletcher's orders? She'd never done that before. Suddenly something vial was blooming in my stomach. But this wasn't the time for it. Still, I don't have a good feeling about this. I'll have to inform Fletcher of this little situation with our dear little sister. For now,I'll act accordingly, since he is here to help. Before I returned my gaze toward the king again my eyes caught Snow’s, her emotions masked into an impervious shield of nonchalance. The only sign she gave away of her worry about the consequences her actions might have caused was the minuscule tightening of her fist around the vial.

Fletcher was not going to like this, and neither did I but that was for another day to worry about. If I didn't complete the ‘favor’ Fletcher had ‘requested’ I too would be staring down the pointy end of a needle.

"What's the matter, Father, too scared? I thought you'd be braver, perhaps the years have chipped away at your courage? Is that why you plan to ally our court with that of the Summer Queen? We all know of how our streets crawl with shadows and treacherous beasts from beyond these walls, walls that we had only ever used as a symbol of our power, our wealth until recently. But look at us now, hiding behind them like they could do anything. Once it was a symbol of our strength, now it has turned into nothing but a sheet we use to cover ourselves. Tell me, Father, are we not Wolves? Are we not the hunters like our ancestors before us?” The princess bellowed seemingly in favor of my announcement.

“I have performed a blood test not long ago on my brother, the Bastard Prince of this kingdom, and it is true, heismy half-brother, therefore, hedoeshave our king's blood, my father's blood running through his veins. The one who turnedourcourt into prey being hunted, the one who let the streets fill with disease and vermin, the one who used our court's wealth and prosperity for his own greed. I, Princess Snow Haukea Steffina Nyrial Olyph Willice Mermaid Wolf, hereby second the motion that the Bastard Prince, Eli Scalivander Lusivous Gillian Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, is more suited to the crown than my Father." My little sister proclaimed her voice roaring across the room.

I was shocked to see that she supported me, I thought she hated me. That and at how much power she could show as her eyes glowed the bright iceberg blue she had in common with Fletcher.

The whispers started once more echoing in my ears all around me.

"His son, I didn't know the king had another son, "One noble said.

"He must be mixed. He has to be, I mean just look at that hair, there is no way he's a purebred." Another whispered.

"Who does he think he is challenging the king like that?" A fae spoke from the back, I'll have to deal with that one.

"Look at his power, it might as well exceed the king's current magic." I like that comment.

"Do you think the king planned this? I mean with the rebellion." What was he saying?

"He might be with the rebellion."

"Was their diplomacy just a way of getting into our court?"

"Then how did they lie? There must be some truth to it.”

"Do you think he's going to kill the king?"

"What’s going to happen to the court if he does?"

"Will the king even accept the challenge?"

"He has to, it's custom."

"How bold for a bastard.”

"Why does the princess support him?"

"She's just as easily swayed as snow, of course she would."

"We need to stand by the king."

"No, we need to side with the princess. "

"But, she's allied with a bastard."

"Who cares he has royal blood."

On and on they went. But amongst all those who were uncertain and shocked, whispers came the voices of supporteven I didn't know I had among the nobles. I mean sure they were mainly for my sister but still a win is a win.

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