based upon the chapters “Fatal Mistake” and “Would-Be King”

from the novel The Accidental Prince by KR Williams

Odin, Shiva, and Isis gathered to read a pair of chapters from a novel. Shiva complained, “I cannot empathize with this story. I never make accidents.”

Isis probed, “Do you make happy little mistakes?”

Shiva told her, “No, I make chaotic destruction. That is why I'm called Lord Shiva the Destroyer.” He spread his tiny dragon wings out to their full little length and hissed out smoke for emphasis.

Odin said, “I am genuinely curious to know how an accident is not chaotic destruction.”

“Your Highness,” the Archbishop greets me, bowing and kissing my hand. “I am sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Archbishop,” I say, because to remain silent would seem strange. “Let's get on with it then.”

Isis pondered, “What's the difference between an archbishop and a bishop, I wonder.”

Shiva said, “An archbishop is the archenemy of a regular bishop, right?”

Odin said, “To the bishmobile, Cardinal!”

“Perhaps a moment to go over-” the Archbishop begins but I shake my head.

“No, let's just get this over,” I interrupt. I don't want to spend a moment longer in this sombre room, surrounded by my father's things.

Odin said, “His father's things are way too kinky for him.”

Shiva added, “Just the netore mangas.”

Isis said, “Ew.”

“Very well,” the Archbishop says. He gestured to the scruffy young man, who quickly moved forward, opening the book to a page somewhere near the back and holding it open for the Archbishop to read from.

Shiva said, “He said rolls and dooties. Somebody is toilet papering the palace tonight.”

This is ridiculous. “No, I was intending on giving the throne to him,” I say, rolling my eyes and gesturing to the scruffy boy beside the Archbishop.

It is in the sudden paling of the Archbishop's face that I know I have made a terrible mistake.

Odin said, “With great power comes great sarcasm, Leander.”

“And so Prince Leander has abdicated the throne, nominating his successor… er… What's your name?” the Archbishop asks the scruffy boy.

Isis said, “Scruffy Boy is a perfectly good name.”

My heart is hammering in my mouth. This must be sick joke.

The scruffy boy looked just as shocked as I do.

“B-Bram Petter, Your Worship,” he replies, his voice soft and hushed.

Isis complimented, “So polite.”

Shiva said, “Way to seize that throne, Bram!”

“Wait a minute what are-” I begin, but it doesn't seem to matter what I say.

“-Nomiated his successor, Bram Petter to claim the throne for his own. Long Live the King!”

Isis quipped, “All hail King Scruffy of Clan Boi!”

To be continued in the next exciting episode...