Leander

“It would be best to seek the advice of others before deciding whether or not to make such an important decision,” Clyde is telling the half-wit now. He looks completely out of his element.

Though I must admit, he doesn't look as awful as I thought he would now he’s cleaned up a bit. The suit doesn't fit him as well as it would have fit me, and his shoulders need straightening back so he fills it, but it’s not terrible.

“I consider myself an expert on princes, seeing as I was one until last night!” I snap at Clyde.

He raises an eyebrow.

“You weren't a very good Prince.”

I can’t believe he dares to talk to me like that. I will have him fired for saying something so-

Oh, right, I can't. He's not my bodyguard anymore.

“I think it's a good idea,” the librarian pipes up.

I glance at him. He's chewing his lip, fiddling with his glasses behind his ear as he thinks. A nervous habit. One he needs to learn to hide.

“Your Highness, I must ask that you-”

“No,” Bram interrupts. Yes, his name is Bram isn’t it? Awful, such a common name. Certainly not one that belongs to a Prince of Svaltova.

“I think it's best that Leander advises me. He was prepared for this role, and he’ll be taking it over again when we smooth all this mess out," Bram continues before dropping his hands to his sides and meeting my eyes hesitantly.

He offers his hand.

I don't waste any time shaking on it, even if both of our palms are wet with sweat. His own is shaking though, trembling against mine.

Is he so nervous and afraid for the future?

I can see that Clyde is unhappy about it, but honestly, what can he do at this point? He has probably already guessed the game that my uncle and I are playing. Get close to the throne, get on side, and manipulate everything so that we eventually get our way.

Poor Clyde, ever the patriot but always cleaning up Median messes.

I'm hoping it won't come to an all-out coup d’état. I doubt my uncle would have the funds for it, nor would we have the allies to reinforce our position. Probably. I don’t know if I’m honest. Statesmanship and diplomacy were things I only ever learned the basics of.

For now, I’m close to the future King, and that's the most important thing.

“What is His Highness’ schedule for the day?" I ask, realising that I’ve held Bram’s hand a little too long while shaking it and letting it drop.

"There's going to be photos. And a press conference," Bram answers me instead of Clyde. I'm surprised. I would have never answered a question that was not directly addressed to me.

Nor memorised my schedule. Isn't that what the servants are for?

“I should attend both,” I say. There is no way that I am sitting out of a press conference about my own abdication.

“That was the plan all along, Mr. Mediean. There has been an official story prepared on the reasons for your abdication that you must sell to the press after all.”

Clyde withdraws an envelope from his pocket with my name written across the front of it. I tear it open to see that it is a list of the day’s events.

Bram is silent, gnawing on his bottom lip again. I hold back any biting comment for now. If I am to earn his trust, I at least must hold back most of my acidic self.

“And just what is the official line?” I ask, trying to keep my tone as light as possible.

It's a shame that Clyde knows me so well. He is looking at me now the same way that a diver eyes a shark outside a shark cage. He's pretty sure I can’t get in, but I’ve still got him wary.

“That you are overcome with grief for your father, and that you feel unable to perform the duties of King for personal reasons related to marriage," Clyde says.

I swallow the indignation.

“’Personal reasons related to marriage’? And what might those be?” I ask.

Bram is starting to look alarmed, but he's still staying silent. He could command us quiet in an instant, but he doesn't. Why? Does he not realise the power at the tip of his tongue? Well, it'll be easier for me this way.

“It is up to you to decide what you reveal or don't reveal," Clyde continues, glancing at his watch. "Though the easiest one would to be to admit that you have no intention of producing an heir.”

I understand the reference. I know what he is trying to get at, and he knows that it will be the end of both mine and my uncle's scheme if it gets out.

Though I suppose it would help my mother's.

“I don't think we have to say anything that personal, do we?” Bram finally speaks up into the silence. “Prince Leander's reasons can remain his own.”

“Mr. Mediean, Your Highness,” Clyde gently corrects him.

I seethe, even as I'm grateful.

“Yes, my reasons will remain my own,” I snap at Clyde.

He shrugs at me. The insolence! Then he gestures to the door.

"Your Highness, it's unfortunately time to leave. I can arrange for breakfast to be brought to the Prince's Office where the photoshoot is about to commence," he says.

Bram shakily takes a few steps towards the door, before he turns back and looks at me.

"You'll help me, right?" he asks, his voice small.

I smile.

“Of course, Your Highness.”

***

Author’s Note

Hi everyone! KR here. So this is the last free chapter and after this you’ll need ink to read the rest. You can buy ink from Tapas or get it for free by watching ads and surveys! I want to thank all of you who can support me with your hard-earned ink. When I woke up at the crack of dawn on the 1st November 2018 to upload the first chapter, I never dreamed that this story would one day go Premium.

Writing The Accidental Prince has truly been a learning experience for me, and through your support, I can continue to learn and grow as an author and keep providing content that you guys love. Every drop counts towards my dream of being able to write as a career. I upload almost everything I write onto Tapas because the community here (you guys!) has been so amazing. Thank you all for all your support of this story from it’s humble beginnings in November ’18 until now <3