BRADEN! I WOKE with a start. Now that they knew he was not the real me, what would they do to him? Please let Father be lenient! I silently prayed, If he isn’t, I won’t ever forgive myself. I put him in this position. I’m the one who should get the punishment. I sat up in my bed, feeling around the shabby wooden nightstand for the candle. I felt something, but unfortunately knocked it over. “Darn it!” I chided, standing up hesitantly. The floor was frozen, the chill traveling up my entire body. I shivered, teeth clattering loudly. I knelt, floundering for my candle. It was pitch black. I guessed it was either very early in the morning, or very late at night. My fingers closed around the wax, and I held it above my head to place it on the bed. I heard another thump and groaned. Not again… I finally found the bronze holder, being sure to keep it in my hand as I looked for the candle and the match. My feet were frozen stiff, and my eyes grew heavy. My fingers closed around the candle again. I decided to get a different match. I’d find the other one later. I lit my candle, sighing as I collapsed onto my rickety cot. I stared around my room, eyes droopy, limbs numb. The cot was in the far corner of it, pressed up agains the thin wooden walls. The stone ceiling and floors looked out of place, but only our rooms were walled with wood. The creators of this school were determined to make it as terrible an experience as possible, working here. The walls were dusty, and the table sitting in the corner opposite my bed was too. I sighed. I was still not used to this. I hope Braden’s holding up half as well as I am… I thought, shuddering at the memory I held of the dungeon. “Who’s there?” the guard asked. We didn’t respond, instead, my father opened the door with a loud creek. “Who’s there?” he repeated. That’s when he saw us. “My king, prince.” he bowed. “At ease, Colonel Lambert,” my father replied. I nodded at him, following my father’s footsteps. “We’re seeing the dungeons so you can have a better idea of what you’re putting your future subjects in.” “Fine,” I groaned. My eyes grew wide as the cells came into view. This will be perfect for punishing Master Wahl for making all those malicious comments about me. I thought. The dungeons were dark. Pitch black. No windows. Barely any light. We entered the nearest cell. The door creaked open. Lucky for us, no one was in there, creeping in the dark. The dim candle was shown around the room, pointed at several places. Cobwebs lined the floors and corners, broken pieces of stone sticking out of the walls. A wooden board stuck out of the wall, held up by chains. Straw was scattered over it, making it ever so slightly more comfortable then it would have been. I ran my hands over the wood, and immediately recoiled. It was rough and splintery, feeling as though it had never been sanded down. “Well, that’s enough here,” I said, trying to think of a way to get out of this place. “No, you still need to see the prisoners.” Colonel Lambert said. I groaned. “Lead the way,” I said, composed. The prisoners were all dressed in the same ragged clothing; a loincloth, ripped off of old servant’s uniforms. Strangely, they were all men. I gasped. They all had the same wild look in their eyes, some held by chains attached to huge balls of metal. The food looked stale and hard. I sniggered. Serves them right. I shook my head in despair. Why did I ever ask Braden to spend his possible life for me? I thought. Why did Peter and Kieser find me out and report me to my father? I buried my face in my dusty pillow. I was at least used to that by now. I was a fool for thinking Hana would ever have feelings for anyone other than Peter. Braden was a fool for thinking that too. Hana was a fool for thinking that Peter was anything more than a fool too. I stood again, sticking my head out of the doorway to check the clock on the other side of the hall. It was early. Even for somebody who was usually awake at four in the morning. It was three. I sighed, sinking back onto my bed.
Read ^ first! --------------------------------------------------------------------- I checked the time on the clock that hung on the end of every hall. Chores completed, I started up the long trek up the one flight of stairs to the fourth story, where us servants slept. I brushed a pile of empty paint buckets on my way up the stairs, trying to avoid knocking them down and making a big ruckus. I sighed, sidling down the stairs to help them pick up the buckets. I ran into a person dressed head to toe in red. Opposed to the usual black of servants, I figured that they were a teacher. “I’m ever so sorry, I—” I stopped as my gaze trailed to his face. My eyes widened. “Vigilius,” “H—hi,” my voice was squeaky. I coughed. “What brings you here, Father?” He gave me a stern look. “You know.” I didn’t. I stayed silent. “I’m thoroughly disappointed in you.” “Like that’s a surprise,” I mumbled, interrupting him. “Let me finish…” I grunted. “You shouldn’t have run away. Thankfully your uncle reported you to me after two idiots,” he spat, “tried to do so, but he turned out to be a worthless servant.” Braden isn’t useless. I wanted to respond. I held my tongue, knowing the comment would only make things worse. “Wait a second…” I said. “My uncle?!” my mind was racing. I didn’t have an uncle! “Yes, the king of Albannak. Do I need to give you the whole story?” I nodded. Father sighed. “He and I were born the same day. I was born an hour earlier, so, therefore, was made the crown prince, and inherited the family name. I was betrothed by means of treaty to the princess of Alinka — your mother — and he was betrothed to the princess of Albannak. We grew up, eventually learning about our fates to become the kings of our two countries. For some reason, my brother declared war on us, and no one has come to our aid.” “Why did he declare war on us, then tip you off as to where I was?” “I don’t know, Vigilius,” he sighed, looking me up and down. “You look a lot like him.” “Who?” “Your uncle.” My face fell. I look like my uncle… My thoughts flickered to the picture I found, and how hasty Kieser had sounded when he wanted it back. My uncle is Kieser. My eyes went wide. No. There was no way I was his nephew. He coughed. “You’re coming with me, young man.” “No…” I said, still phased. I had to tell Hana the truth, and tell her about Kieser being my uncle. “What was that?” he said, allowing for me to change my answer. I stood my ground. “No. I’m not going with you.” “Why is that?” “I have friends here.” I hoped my eyes hadn't given me away. That wasn’t the reason I wanted to stay. It was Hana, and those deep eyes. He smiled. “No, we’ve already had to postpone your wedding for one week, I’m not going to postpone it for a longer time.” He grabbed my collar. What is it with people grabbing my collar? “No.” I grew roots. I wasn’t going anywhere without telling Hana the truth. “No?” “Yes, no. I’m not getting married to that stranger, and I’m not going with you.” “It’s for your country, so stop whimpering.” “I don’t want to do it even if it is for my country. I’ve never even met this girl, and I’m expected to trust her? What if she turns out to be a spy, just waiting for the right moment to pounce?” “It’s by signed treaty. Plus, we cannot afford to be in another war now. The Prichards will understand, and won’t spring a war on us now.” “I’m still not going with you.” He raised his eyebrows. “I can always throw you in the dungeon, don’t forget that.” I raised my own eyebrows. “Yes, I know. I’m not going, I have some…” I flailed for an idea. “Unfinished business I need to attend to.” it wasn’t the whole truth, but it wasn’t an outright lie either. “You mean that peasant girl you were flaunting in public with the other day?” I gulped. “What?” “You needn’t tell lies to me, son. I’ve been keeping my eye on you for a while.” My palms grew sweaty. “How… long?” He thought for a moment, then answered. “It doesn’t matter,” “Let me stay. At least for a few more hours. Then you can do whatever you want with me.” I said, coming up with a solution. “Fine, just promise you won’t tell anyone your true identity. I don’t want you parading your presence here to everyone.” I ran off. ------------------------------------------------------------------- So now, the truth comes out. There is oooone more secret yet tbr... and there might turn out to be more, just haven't decided yet. I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT CHAPTER!!! Then, chapter 41 (I hope, it could be earlier or later depending on how much time I have/how axious I am to get to d2). It'll be SOOOO EXCITING! YOU'LL SEE! YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This took a while to write, I had to rewrite the convo with his dad several times. The dad may still sound a little childish. -OREo WE'RE IN THE HOMESTRETCH!! Soon, you're gonna be looking for a book sorta like mine in a bookstore >:) Jk. That's not gonna happen until I'm an adult.
