Rin
"Queen Evermore is going to be in the Royal parade today? She doesn't typically leave the Palace anymore. Not that I blame her." Uncle's excitement was evident even as he tried to sound sympathetic.
Uncle gets excited whenever someone mentions the Queen. I don't understand why. The Queen is beautiful, but I think Prince Jay is much better. Looks aren't everything. Last week, Prince Jay won his first blue ribbon in a show jumping event. He's really cool! I wish I could ride a horse.
I don't understand how anyone can say bad things about him. Just because Prince Kista is missing, it doesn't mean people should be rude to Prince Jay. It's not his fault. It has been two years since Prince Kista was kidnapped, but people still seem to blame Prince Jay for it. I really don't get adults. I'm the same age Prince Jay was when Prince Kista was taken. It doesn't make sense. What could a 7-year-old Prince Jay have done?
"Rin! Rin! Let's go! We're going to be late! We don't want to miss the queen," Uncle yelled as he ran towards the main road.
The main road was blocked off every time a royal parade was held. Usually, the parades were held to celebrate something big, like a new monarch or a wedding. This time, however, it's a parade to welcome the new Royal Commander. I don't know anything about that guy, but I can't wait to see Prince Jay on his horse.
"Uncle, don't walk so fast. Auntie can't keep up because she's carrying Parker." I yell out as I run back to help Auntie carry her bag.
Parker is my little cousin. He turns four this December.
"Your uncle always forgets which woman he married when the queen is involved. Luckily, his brother raised quite the young gentleman to help me when my husband was lacking." Auntie chuckled as she smiled at me.
The barricade was finally in sight. Thankfully, we found an opening near the front, which means we'll have a great view. Uncle waves us over, unable to hide his excitement. He's more impatient than I am.
Now, all we have to do is wait.
The parade starts with the flag ceremony. It's the most boring part if you ask me. It's just a bunch of guys walking with flags.
Up next, there's a Royal Army march—soldiers lined up, all dressed in their formal uniforms and holding their ceremonial rifles. I get that it's a big tradition, but honestly, I'd never wear something that just doesn't look good, no matter how much you'd beg me.
Then, they have the heads of the royal council. They're escorted in fancy old cars with no roofs. Some of the cars are cool, so I don't mind that.
Then we have the main reason for the parade. The float with the new Royal Commander and his family. He looks scary. I wouldn't want to be his kid.
"Honey! Look! It's the Royal float. There she is!! It's the queen!" Uncle yells as he repeatedly pats Auntie on the arm.
"Yes, dear. I can see the queen. There's no need to yell." Auntie rolls her eyes with a soft chuckle.
I can't help but laugh. I know Uncle loves Auntie, so it's amusing to see him behave this way and for her to understand it. I hope one day I can find a love like that; they look so happy together. During moments like these, I miss Mom and Dad the most. I wish we could all be here together.
The royal float has the King and Queen sitting on their thrones. It's decorated with flowers and black-iron accents, and stands well above the crowd.
Black iron always looks so good. I wish I had a sword made of black iron.
Finally, the moment has arrived when I can see the person I have been waiting for—the Crown Prince, Jay.
"Whoa! Look! His horse is white! So cool!!! Uncle look! He has a sword made of black iron!" I lean over the barricade to get a closer look.
As I look over the barricade to my left, I see a small rubber ball rolling in the road towards the prince's horse.
Oh no! I hope it doesn't get under the horse.
As I feared, the ball rolled to the horse's feet, and a little boy dashed past the barricade after it.
"Troy, no! Come back!" his mother yells after him.
He doesn't hear her. The boy continues toward the horse without showing any sign of stopping.
He's going to spook the horse, and the prince might get thrown off. The little boy could get hurt, too. I have to do something.
Without thinking, I dash past the barricade and run as fast as I can towards the little boy.
Argh, I'm almost there… just a little more. I reach out my arms and take a leap of faith.
"Gotcha!" I yell as I pick up the little boy who is clinging to his stupid ball.
However, I was just a little too late. We managed to scare the horse, and he started bucking.
Ah! The prince could get hurt. I have to do something, quick!
I push the boy away as far as I can, ready to help the prince. However, the prince managed to calm the horse and steady himself. I looked back and saw the mother holding the now crying kid.
Good, no one got hurt.
"Thank you for helping that little boy. Are you alright? " The prince asked while looking down from atop his horse.
I was in awe. The prince was talking to me! What should I say? I don't know! Just saying anything, Rin!
"I…I'm alright, Your Highness. Thank you!" I bow as I dust myself off.
"That's good. Next time, make sure not to run out into the road. Being a hero can be dangerous," The prince frowns as he turns his attention back to the parade, leaving me behind.
Why did he put it like that? And his face, it almost looked…sad?
I return behind the barricade to where Auntie and Uncle are.
"Rin! Don't ever do that again!" Auntie smacks the back of my head before pulling me into a hug.
"Sorry, Auntie," I rub my head gently, assessing the newly formed bump.
"You'd better smarten up, boy. Your Aunt won't allow another family member to die on her watch. Are you trying to give her a heart attack?" Uncle pinches my cheeks, his eyes showing more sadness than anger.
"I'm sorry, Auntie and Uncle," I whine, as I pull away from Uncle's grasp.
Then, just as I think the nagging had stopped, little Parker reaches out, grabs my hair, and pulls with all his might.
"OW! Parker, not you too! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Parker hangs on tight and giggles even as I try to escape.
Even with all the scolding, I couldn't help but smile. I got to talk to Prince Jay face-to-face. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone like me.
Today was a day I will never forget.
Jay
"Jay, how is it that you can mess up something as simple as riding a horse? You say you won a blue ribbon last week? Ha! Useless. Of course, the son who wasn't kidnapped is a total failure. How many more times are you going to disappoint me? Hmm? Answer me!" Father howled.
My head hurts. I don't know what else I could have done to make him happy. The situation was out of my control. It was, right?
"I'm sorry, Father. I will handle the situation better next time," I bow my head as I try to hide my emotions.
I know if I make eye contact with him right now, it will only make things worse.
"Wolf, please stop yelling at the boy. He did his best. He looked very approachable and understanding. He handled Yin very well and stayed on, even as he kicked violently. What exactly are you expecting him to do in a situation like that? I mean, would you have stayed on a kicking horse that well? I think not. Enough of your foolishness." Mom smiles as she pats my head.
"Ever, I swear every time I discipline the boy, you open your mouth. He isn't the second in line anymore. He needs to be stronger. Kista would have never let the boy get that close to begin with." Father snapped.
Mom picks up a nearby vase and throws it at the wall by Father's head. It shatters, spilling water and flowers everywhere. The look on my father's face sends chills down my spine. Only my mother could do something like that to him.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Kista isn't some almighty being! Stop comparing Jay to him as if he could do no wrong. I love Kista, too. He was a wonderful child, but he could not make the impossible happen!!" Mom snarled as she stepped closer to father.
"I'm going to bed. Goodnight, boys." Mom kissed Dad on the cheek and went into her bedroom.
How does she get away with these outbursts? Lately, she has been having more and more of them, too. I hope she is ok.
"Clean up this mess!" Father noticed the maid nearby as he stared at the broken glass before him.
"Jay, I will deal with you in the morning. Go to bed." He orders, leaving in a huff.
My bedroom was always my haven. No one ever came in here besides the maids. If my parents ever needed me, they would call for me. Kista was always busy, so if I wanted to spend time with him, I went to his room. My room was the only place that was just mine.
However, I always overthink when I'm alone. I lie in bed, thinking about everything that happened during the day. It can be upsetting, but I do find it peaceful to unpack the day's events. Like today, that little boy caused a lot of problems over that stupid ball. His parents need to do a lot better at teaching the kid about safety.
Plus, that other guy wanted to play the hero so bad he didn't even think about what would happen. He was pretty fast, though. It was funny seeing how flustered he was when I talked to him. That was the first time I spoke to someone my age, someone I met outside of the palace. Too bad I won't see him again. He would have been fun to have around, just like it was when my big brother was still here.
I miss you, Kista.
Please come home.