Page 3 of Royally Scr*wed

“Again, I ask, was he alone at the time of the attack or was he entertaining a guest? Was this a member of the staff? Has everyone been accounted for? We can compare it to those confirmed present at the wedding and see who is missing now or who would have had a time window to do such a thing. Did the king have any appointments in his diary today?”

Sebastian shakes his head. “His schedule was clear today, to my knowledge. We’re already working on the attendees list and interviewing every member of the staff.”

I run my hands over my face and blow out a frustrated breath. “Do we know exactly how bad the king was injured?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know exactly. There was a lot of blood. The house doctor is the one who said he needed to come here.”

“Jude,” my grandmother wraps her arm around mine for support.

“I know Nan. I know.”

This is not good. Not at all. Being hurt enough that they needed the full resources of the hospital isn’t promising.

I cannot even begin to fathom what my grandmother is feeling right now.

“I’m afraid this is a matter of national security now,” I quickly wrack my brain for what exactly the protocol would be in this situation. “I need every member of security brought in for questioning, immediately. Sebastian, I’m sorry, but that also includes you.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Goddamnit, why isn’t Ozzy here right now to help me work through this!

“Nigel, please escort Sebastian to confinement then report back here, immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Nigel nods and escorts a willing Sebastian out of the room.

With that out of the way, I turn to my grandmother hoping she’ll have some insight. “Nan, I’m going to need to call up members of the Royal Guard until more permanent replacements can be made. A matter such as this calls for cleaning house as it’s clear there has been a major breech in security.”

“I agree. Go. Make the call.”

I guide my grandmother to the sofa where Willow is rocking in Charlie’s arms like a small child. My sister looks so childlike and vulnerable right now. And then there’s Charlie, being the rock I always knew she would be.

Nan sits next to Willow and reaches for her hand while we wait, and I head for the corner of the room to begin making a long list of phone calls to get appropriate security in place while I pace the floor and go over everything in my head.

Not only do I need to make sure security is in place, I’ll need to make a statement. The people of Herefirth need to hear from me. They need to know what’s going on and that everything is under control – even if it isn’t.

Within the hour and at my command my press secretary joins us at the hospital and helps me prepare my statement. The small press room on the first floor of the hospital is set up and ready with one lone member of the Press Association and a camera that will broadcast this special report across the nation.

With Charlie by my side and Nigel standing guard, I take a seat behind the desk made to mimic my grandfather’s. At Ruby’s cue, the camera rolls and I begin to speak.

“The great people of Herefirth, it is I, Prince Julius, coming to you this afternoon to let you know that my grandfather, your king, is currently in the hospital and fighting for his life. Doctors are acting swiftly and with great care and precision to address his immediate needs.

Additionally, as many of you probably know by now, a lone gunman entered St. Paul’s Cathedral this afternoon as my bride, and I made our way back down the aisle and opened fire. At this time, the shooter’s intended target and motive is unclear. The shooter was killed at the scene by members of the royal guard with assistance from our private detail, including my own trusted bodyguard and friend, Oscar MacBain. Oscar was also injured in the attack and is currently in surgery.

The Queen and Princess Willow were unharmed and are here with us at my grandfather’s side.

Right now, we would like to ask the people of Herefirth and those watching from other nations to pray for the king and the members of our family, our staff, and our guests who were injured or laid witness to today’s events.

I also want to take this time to assure each and every one of you that members of the royal guard along with our defense leaders and local authorities are working tirelessly to get to the bottom of this. Wewillfind out who is behind this, and they will be dealt with swiftly.

Any further updates will be brought to you via the Press Association and my press secretary.” I conclude my speech and the camera shuts off.

I know the reporter will have a dozen questions, but I won’t be sticking around to answer them. Instead, I take Charlie’s hand and together we exit the press room, eager to return to my family’s side.

CHAPTER 2

JULIUS, SR.

Earlier…

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