Loving a Prince Charming - By Danielle Monsch Page 0,6
idiot, nor was he one of those reprehensible creatures who did not assume the mantle of their responsibilities and instead wasted their people’s money and trust on selfish pleasures and pursuits.
Seth was the future king, and it was his right and his duty to make sure he cared for his kingdom in all ways and at all times. This careless attitude his father treated him with, especially concerning such vital questions, prevented him from fulfilling his duty.
And he would not let that happen.
“I’m afraid it is my concern, sir. We are talking about my future wife and the queen of this land. This is not an area where we can afford to be thoughtless.”
He not only had the king’s full attention now, but his father rose from his seat so they were eye-to-eye, the large desk keeping them separated – at least for the time being. “You forget yourself. I am the ruler of this land, and I will make the decisions regarding my subjects, of which you are one.”
“Then why have an heir at all, if you find me so untrustworthy that you cannot be bothered to tell me how my own marriage will proceed? Since you are king, why not just proclaim yourself immortal and you won’t have me as a problem anymore.”
They were both breathing hard as they stared the other down. Through his haze a constant tugging on his arm brought him back to awareness. Kira.
From the doorway, a man was loudly clearing his throat, the sound completing what Kira had started, bringing him back to awareness. His father’s royal advisor stood there, waiting for an audience.
“My son was just leaving,” his father said, eyes never leaving Seth’s face. “Weren’t you?”
“Of course, Your Majesty. Thank you for the enlightening discussion.” He turned on his heel.
“Seth,” his father called. Seth didn’t turn back but cocked his head to show he was listening. His father continued. “Because of safety concerns, I must insist that you stay within the walls of the city through the duration of your birthday celebration. I insist on this, and all the guards have been given this instruction.”
Without another word, Seth left the room. He didn’t speak until he and Kira were clear of the palace, out on the grass and well on their way towards the stables. Only then did the diatribe start. “I’m a prisoner in my own kingdom? The highhandedness! He just gave me a blanket order!” A thought zoomed through his mind and he turned and grabbed Kira by the shoulders. “You didn’t know about that order, did you? Is that why you began babysitting me?”
Kira arched her eyebrow at him and blinked her eyes twice in a slow and steady rhythm. Her thin lips flattened, and the words You’re an idiot practically wrote themselves across her face. He took in a deep breath and released her shoulders to jam his hand through his hair.
“Yes, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I should never have said that. The man drives me insane.”
“You’re forgiven, but do it again and I will deck you.” Kira’s face softened with compassion, and she reached up to rub the nape of his neck. “He’s under a lot of stress. He’ll realize how unfair he’s being and he’ll apologize. Until then, we’ll figure out something. We always do.”
He leaned his head forward so she could reach easier. “What does he mean, safety concerns? I’ve never heard him expressing such thoughts before.”
“We need to ask my dad. He’ll be under orders not to tell us, of course, but when has that ever stopped him before?” Her other hand came up to join the first and she added more power to the massage on his neck. “How can your neck be so filled with knots? This isn’t healthy.”
“It’s where I carry my stress,” he shot back, and though his eyes were closed, he as good as saw the smirk form on her lips and heard the thought What stress? cross her mind. “I am a very important person, you understand. My life is nothing but stress.”
“Oh indeed. Learning to dance for a ball? Epic in its torture.”
“It is when you must dance with Lady Tremeil.” He opened his eyes as he raised his head a fraction.
Seth’s face was inches from hers, so close the brown ring shading the green of her irises was visible. He could count each individual eyelash and eyebrow hair, both darker than the hair on her head, a touch of brown added to the true