Page 14 of Royally Scr*wed

“Your Majesty,” he’s head falls when the minute he sees Jude.

I expect Ozzy to say something profound or comfort hisfriend.

Jude never gives him the chance.

“We’ve got things to do,” Jude replies, never breaking his stride toward the elevators. “I need Rexford Palace secured and deep cleaned – see to it that there is no sign of what took place. Queen Lily and Princess Willow’s spaces remain occupied. Charlie and I will take up residence in the south wing. Aldrich is making notifications. I’ll need a press conference set up for this evening in my old study at the palace. Have Ruby meet me there and prepare to have us transported within the hour.”

“As you wish, Sir.”

“Given the turn of events, I think it’s best if we all stick as close together as possible. The Queen and Princess Willow should report back to the castle, as well as Charlie’s parents. Set up Kathie and Ottiline in one of the vacant living quarters near us, with their own detail if we can spare it. Have Kathie and the caseworker organize all of her medical needs with the house physicians. Ottiline is to be taken care of from the palace until further notice. No expense is to be spared. IF for any reason she does need to be treated inpatient – she’s to be brought here along with her team of physicians and I am to be notified immediately.”

“Yes, Sir,” Ozzy nods in agreement.

“Keep Elias on King Julius’ detail. He is not to leave…” Jude’s voice breaks. “Ah,” he chokes up. “Shit…He’s not to leave my grandfather’s side.”

“Understood.”

“I think that’s it for now Ozzy. And you should be resting, delegate these items to Nigel. He can handle things.”

The elevator doors finally open. Only three of us step inside and the doors close behind us.

“Nigel is busy. I’m returning to your service,” Ozzy says, matter- of -factly, standing at attention in the back of the elevator.

“You haven’t been discharged from the hospital yet; Agnes already updated me early this morning.”

“Snitch,” Ozzy mutters and hits the emergency stop button on the elevator. “Are you okay?”

“Are youreallyasking me that right now?”

“Stupid question. I know. Of course you’re not okay,” Ozzy shakes his head, fighting back tears of his own. “How many fucking times do we have to do this in our lifetimes, man?”

I feel like an outsider watching the exchange between these two men who mere minutes ago were behaving like the king hadn’t just been declared dead.

“I’m hoping with your help, this will be the last damn time,” Jude says as he stares up at the ceiling, clearly struggling with his emotions.

“Are you going to punch me if I hug you?” Ozzy asks.

“Only if you don’t turn that God damn emergency button off.”

Jude lets go of my hand and the two men hug it out while the elevator rises to our floor; sure to break up their embrace before those doors re-open.

And the façade slips back into place.

“We’ll be ready to depart within the hour. I’d like to follow my grandfather back to the palace. Make sure his staff is preparing the throne room for his arrival,” Jude says over his shoulder before we step back into our suite.

“I’ve got it under control,” Ozzy replies.

Jude steps into our room, but Ozzy whispers my name and motions for me to wait.

“I know you’re familiar with the drills for these kinds of things. What they don’t train us for is the human side of it. Jude’s going to act like a hard ass and run in business mode, probably for the next two weeks. Eventually, he’ll crack – hell he may even crack sooner, behind the scenes. I’ve been down this road with him before, it’s brutal. He’s older and wiser now so, he may deal with things differently,” he looks down at his shoes then back to me. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, take care of him. And don’t be afraid to find me if you need help. You’re not alone in this. He may be my boss, but we’re a hell of a lot more like brothers then he’d ever let on publicly.”

“T-t-thanks,” I stutter, working hard to maintain my composer.

Ozzy nods and turns to get to work.

I’m not sure what I expect to happen once I walk in the room and the door closes but thanks to Ozzy I’m not completely shocked when Jude goes on pretending like it’s just a regular day and his grandfather didn’t just die leaving him the king.

He moves about the room sorting through a garment bag that’s hanging in the wardrobe and lays a fresh all black suit on the bed. “There is a black dress in there for you. Page Agnes and ask her to come steam it for you. She’ll handle all that,” he monotones before disappearing into the bathroom.

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