Page 50 of Royal Lies

I mean a girl doesn't have to have boobs to be a girl.

"I'm not saying you're not pretty, you are. You wouldn't be my other half if you weren't."

There or not he didn't need to point it out.

I frowned again. "Fuck you. I am pretty, even if I wasn't your other half, asshole." I spat back because let's be real, that was not a compliment to me at all. If anything it was so he could boast about how prettyhewas. Cause I was so hot, maybe not in the chest department but I was pretty in the face department, and lower area of my body. The chest well could use some work, but it wasn't as if I had nothing. I had something, a little, ok maybe not much. I mean,Flynn likes it.I frowned Flynn? The prince, how would I know he liked it? Odd. Why the hell would I care? I smiled as I felt the small pricks of needles jabbing into my skull. The dumbs were going to start beating again anytime now. Why am I having these headaches? Do all fae experience this when they start to remember their past?

Eli rolled his eyes, “Come now, I didn't change your clothes for nothing. Go outside, see the property, get acquainted with it and its servants. And please for lords sake don't do such atrocious things like yesterday." Obviously, he meant to stake out my surroundings and gather any dirty deeds down on the king and hopefully turn his servants against him. And grab myself some more meat. Sure he didn't say that but he meant it. Ya, I'm gonna have a nice saucy steak, again. One can never have too much meat. I'm gonna smear all that sauce on my face. Ya, that sounds good. I nodded to myself confirming my actions for the day.

"Also don't go into the kitchen if you're going to do what I think you're going to do. I don't need to wipe their minds of your face covered in sauce. Just because they're servants doesn't mean you shouldn't mind their presence. They're just as much responsible for spreading rumors and gossip as nobles are."

Eli was staring at me, a warning hidden in his gaze. Ok, was this man reading my thoughts or something? I frowned, scowling at him crossing my arms, "Hmf, you're no fun. Party pooper."

"But, that's not the point, you're not seeing the king in that right?" Casting my eyes up and down his outfit I cocked a brow. I mean even I knew that was a total no, not to go see the king.

Eli scoffed, waving his hands towards the window, “I do recall that the little prince has a schedule for a dueling lesson today. I was hoping to join him." I guess I wasn't going to be the only one scouting stuff out today.Was he going to spy on the prince himself? Wait, how did he know the prince's schedule for today?

"I did my round yesterday after the meeting, unlike a certain some fae I know." He reprimanded me as if reading my thoughts, again. Damn, how does he keep doing that? Hmm, maybe it has something to do with us being besties foreverzies. Wait a minute can't he just tell me what rumor and gossip went around?

"No, I won't tell you what rumors are circulating. First-hand experience is always better than a third-hand account. Besides, there are bound to be some new rumors for today." With one last fiddling of his cuff and a sharp eagle-eyed warning thrown at me, he sighed. “I just wish you would listen to me for once.” It was so silent I almost missed his little muttering before Eli walked out and closed the door to my room.

I frowned, biting the lower corners of my lips. What he said wasn't wrong, yet, for some reason why do I feel like he's keeping me from something or someone? Again, with this feeling why? Shouldn't I trust Eli?

"Follow him."A voice whispered in my head. Again with these disembodied voices, I might be mad, like the crazy type of mad. Maybe the constant banging drums in my head is causing me to go insane. Shit, should I tell-no, no-this voice is right. Maybe- maybe I should just follow him if only to prove that Eli wasn't hiding something from me. Besides, I don't like his magic, it's cold.

Chapter 16

Eli

She might have thought I didn't know. Perhaps she figured she hid her magic well from me. It was like the entire hallway leading to her room was covered in searing hot heat. The wallpaper not to mention the ice that was not supposed to melt dripped from the foundation of the castle. It took me a whole hour to clean up that memory from the servants' minds as well as to freeze everything back again. This was so like her to lose her control just because she was angry over something. Honestly, what in the lords is she angry about now? I'd been losing my mind pondering if I should have let her come eat breakfast with the king today. If not for court etiquette I would have been happier keeping her locked in her room. A room of which I had to fix this morning. Lords it was in such a disarray I was glad I had informed the maids thatIwould be the only one tending to her room since we came.

One thing was for sure. She was losing control. It appears that she can no longer contain her magic. Were it not for me, our secret would be out. If I had allowed her to wander anywhere close to the king or that prince, our plans would have been ruined. Though he claims to be Flynn I have my doubts.

Nevertheless, I shall test him today. I will see for myself if that so-called half-brother of mine truly is who his name claims him to be. For now, I'll need to ensure that Everetta does not interfere with our plans. The crown will be mine. Lords know with her tantrums all would be ruined. Sighing to myself I puffed out a breath of air. What in the realms would she do without me? I smiled, yes, and perhaps she, given her current condition, might also need me to care for her court as well, of course, once we finished getting me back my crown first.

I turned down the hall, a subtle furrow creasing my brow as I caught sight of the light blue-haired figure ahead. It was none other than the ethereal Princess Snow Haukea Steffina Nyrial Olyph Willice Mermaid Wolf. Her angelic aura oozed around her. Anyone looking at her would not doubt that she was nobility at the very least. I would have expected nothing less, she was my sister after all. Our eyes locked across the hall. Her light blue sapphires met my own dashing golden gaze if I do say so myself.

Her words, as empty and void of any emotion as always, cut through the ringing silence of the halls, “You shouldn't keep lying to her."

Was she irritated? Despite the lack of emotion she had plastered on her face I could always tell when she was angry. She was my half-sister. Plus, we were in the royal court, there were countless scrutinizing gazes glued onto every corner and wall in this castle. The gossip of the courtesans was always unrelenting.

An aristocracy with a penny to their name was adeptly schooled in the art of concealing their emotions. Donning masks was like taking a walk in the park for these fae. Whether it be a smile or frown, it was all fake.

My little brother had always loved these games. He was the trickster of the family and adisturbedone at that.

Learning how to play the court's games was as essential as breathing. Whether it be servants or nobility there was no one but family you could trust. Sometimes not even that. Showing even the slightest frown at a banquet might cast you out to be displeased with the party or at the worst, looking down at the host. In which case, depending on your standing in society, you might get executed, outcasted, or uninvited to any future events hosted by the same fae. Countless false rumors and talks have been spread because of such idiotic misunderstandings.

"Andyoushouldn't even be here.” I

Narrowing my gaze on her I tried to figure out how Flynn even allowed her to stay for so long. In my previous existence, Flynn and I had decided to send her into another realm for her safety. Though, it wasn't actually me who convinced her, lords know she would never listen to me for anything. I would go and ask Flynn to convince her once again but the gnawing feeling in my gut tells methatFlynn isn't truly my brother. No, this prince is far too timid. He was like a meek sheep cowering against a mighty wolf. A stark difference from the confidant and charismatic brother I knew. The old Flynn could have effortlessly charmed anyone. Not to mention this Flynn's expressions were always way too easy to read.

I could practically see through his incensed thoughts from across the room when he was anywhere near Everetta. Too desperate, my brother was never desperate. Cruel, creepy, conniving, yes, desperate no. If he wanted something lords know he would do anything to get it. Whether it be by poison, torture, or playing puppet master to someone else's demise, that was the FlynnI know.Thatwas the younger half-brotherIrespected, even feared if just a bit. It's really funny, most people who meet him think he's some little bunny, a puppy when the man was nothing of the sort. A snake lying in wait, yes, that describes the man perfectly.

Today's mission was to first and primarily locate the real Flynn. So I'll have to confirm if that prince is who he claims to be. After all, Idolove my family.

Even if they hate me. A small voice piped up in my mind before I cast it aside. It was talking nonsense, my family loved me. I know they do. They don't always show it but I know deep down they do.

In my experience, one does not simply take the life of another without hiding the body themselves. So in order for this so-called prince to be my half-brother in this life he must have donesomething to the real prince, to my true brother, to take his place. Initially, I believed keeping Everetta away from my dear younger brother was the best idea in this life. I didn't want a repeat of what happened back then. So I kept them away from one another, real or not until I could find out where he was, she is to keep away from Flynn, if that is even his name.

---