Page 4 of Royally Scr*wed

The television in the corner of my office plays the HFC coverage of the ‘They Royal Wedding’ while I sit at my desk and sip on a glass of gin and tonic.

I should be there right now, sitting in the front row next to my wife, Queen Lily Beth. But I can’t.

Because I made a deal with the devil a long time ago.

As the camera pans to the happy couple, I see the smiles on their faces and for a brief moment I almost believe that Jude may very well be in love with Princess Willow’s former lady in waiting.

I thought that when I gave Jude the news that I wanted to retire and he would need to marry, that he would fight me on the idea – a fight that I anticipated would endure for much longer than just a few short weeks. I thought I would be able to wear him down and play matchmaker, therefore fulfilling that promise I made with a man that has the potential to bring this entire country to its knees.

It was a promise that my own son, Julius Jr., was supposed to help me fulfill. Instead, he too married for love. Though Julius Jr.’s choice in spouses was much more in line with tradition and social class. His wife Poppy was a well-know and well-liked debutante. Her parents own mineral rights across the world. Their marriage made a great merger for Herefirth, though it wasn’t therightmerger.

I tried to stop this wedding. I underestimated Charlotte’s strength which led to me finding myself unable to break her. To give her no choice but to walk away from my grandson. Instead, she held steady and even fought back when necessary.

They both have left me with only two options to truly end this once and for all.

The first option sits in front of me simply waiting for my signature, then I’ll seek Parliament’s approval. Removing Charlotte’s right to Queen Consort should be a piece of cake given her background.

That’s a title fitting someone much more refined.

Then, I’ll just need to show her that all Rexford men have a hard time saying no to a pretty woman – especially one that is prettier than their spouse.

“I thought we had a deal.” The office door bursts open and slams back against the wall, disturbing my peace. And the devil himself stomps right on in like he owns the place.

“I told you I was working on it,” I bark back, refusing to tolerate his disrespect no matter how pissed off and disgruntled he is.

“That’s funny because there’s a wedding happening as we speak.” He points to the tele and scowls.

“One that I have not supported nor given my blessing. I’m not there, am I?”

People like us marry for status. For money. For power. And if you’re lucky enough you fall in love with your chosen suitor. Like me and Lily Beth. Our marriage may have been arranged by our families but over the years, we’ve come to love each other fiercely.

Jude should have listened to me in the first place. I have no doubt he could have found happiness with the prospect I had chosen for him.

“He’s still getting married! And to that…that piece of trash! That was not part of our agreement,” my associate swipes his hand across the mini bar, shattering glass decanters and wasting several thousands of dollars’ worth of the worlds the finest liquors.

I don’t even flinch. I’ve come to expect this sort of behavior from the wild card standing in front of me.

“It would serve you well to remember who you’re speaking to. I am the Goddamn King! I’m the one in charge here.”

To that he gives an evil laugh. “Oh, Your Majesty. But we all know who is really in charge. Don’t we? No worries. I’ve handled it. Turns out I’m not the only one who doesn’t want your precious orphan grandson to become king.”

“Oh bullshit! We both know you don’t have the balls to do anything. I agreed to this deal because I believed it was best for the people of Herefirth, nothing more. I’ll see to it that it’s handled by my damn self.”

“Like how you handled things with your son, too, right? I was a fool for trusting you a second time.” The asshole takes a swipe at things on my desk. “I guess I didn’t make myself clear when I took care of that inconvenience back then.”

Rage boils in my blood. “How dare you speak about my dead son and his wife in that manor! Their death was nothing more than a tragic accident and you know it.”

“Ha. You don’t really believe that do you?” he continues laughing and pulls a gun from behind his back. “What are the odds, Julius? Hm. Really? Youreallybelieve that the village they were staying in just so happened to come under attack. And that they just so happened to hit a roadside bomb while security tried to get them out of the village?”

“You son of a bitch! You didn’t!”

There’s no way. Hundreds of people lost their lives that day and never once did anyone suspect foul play.

“Did I? I don’t recall saying I did,” he smirks. “It’s all part of my plan,Dad.”

Bastard.If he’s telling the truth then it’s quite possible that I’m at least partially responsible for my own son’s death.

“And what exactly do you plan on doing now? Shoot me? Do you really think that will get you what you want?” There is no fear left. It’s not the first time during my reign that I’ve had a gun pointed at my head.

---