LUCIEN
The palace was eerily quiet as I walked through the halls. Not physically quiet—no, everyone went about their day as normal. It was the kind of quiet that made your gut clench and twist in anxiousness and anticipation of what happens next. The calm before the storm.
After the King's announcement yesterday, I immediately strengthened protection around my mother. Knowing the King's wives and their sons, if they couldn't get to me, they would try to get to my mother.
Before she ate anything, I made sure it was tasted by someone first. And any maid entering her room was thoroughly searched before gaining entrance. And I restricted how much she left her room. However, if she were to go outside for whatever reason, at least four guards must accompany her.
"Lucien, you're doing too much," she complained.
"No, mother. I'm not. The world isn't always roses and sunshine"
My mother had no idea how cruel the world could be. She was pampered as the only daughter of her father. And after marrying my father, the other wives didn't see her as much of a threat which was why they never tried to do anything to her.
But as I grew up, I realized that didn't apply to me. Growing up, my brothers always beat and bullied me any chance they got. They made sure I knew my place as the youngest and lowest of them all.
'Oh, how the tables have turned,' I laughed to myself.
No doubt they would try to kill me. It was the only way the position of the crown prince could be passed to another person.
The palace still buzzed with news about the out-of-this-world announcement the king made yesterday. Anywhere I went, the maids looked at me a little longer before whispering to the person beside her.
I made my way to my mother's room to have breakfast with her. On opening the door, I was welcomed by her sour expression.
"Good morning, mother," I greeted with a smile.
"What's so good about the morning," her scowl deepened.
"Everything, actually"
Her eyes narrowed as I sat in front of her at the table.
"Breakfast is here, your highnesses," a guard outside announced before opening the door. The maid served the food on the table and tasted it just like I had ordered.
"How's Liora?" mother asked as she was about to leave.
"Yes?" the maid seemed startled.
"How's Liora's eye? Has she met the doctor again?"
"Oh. The swell has reduced but she hasn't gone to see the doctor, yet"
"And why's that?"
"She keeps putting it off, saying she'll go later"
I could hear the mild annoyance in her voice. She was probably someone who cared about her.
Mother nodded slowly.
"When you see Liora, tell her to go see the doctor. That it's an order from me"
"Yes, princess," the maid said with a bow. "Thank you"
After she left, mother's expression turned thoughtful.
"Something about her calls to me," she said.
And though she hadn't specified who, I knew she was talking about Liora. Because she also seemed to snatch my attention without much effort on her part.