Royal

“How is my latest girl to your tasting prince? I hope you understand why I was so reluctant to let her go.” King Henry spoke with a smirk. I had been back two days when it was announced we were to be holding a gentleman’s night, which consisted of poker and alcohol. It was something that was done occasionally where all the kingdoms royal men gathered, something that united us all. I’d only found out this morning that tonight was taking place and had I known I would have excused Elizabeth from all duties today and tonight, the last thing I wanted was her anywhere near this low life creep. I knew he was trying to test me, my jaw clenched and my fists balled I just ignored the question. He was either stupid or wilfully testing my patience but my ignorance did not stop him, “My noble staff and I found her very accommodating when it came to our needs.” He smirked more as he earnt himself a rumble of laughter from his guests. I glanced over at Gerard who shook his head slightly as my knuckles got white.
“I need some air.” I spat out standing up and walking straight out of the entertaining quarters and out of the door. Lighting up a cigarette I took a long drag as I leaned against the cool wall of the palace as I thought about Elizabeth. The worried look on her face when I told her that King Henry would be visiting, she tried to hide the fear that came with his name but I could see straight into her eyes that she was terrified. I told her the best I could do was keep her in the kitchen quarters where she wouldn’t have to interact with anyone who came, not even me until they were gone. Deciding I wanted to check on her I walked around the stoned path that circled the palace walls until I reached the door that led straight into the kitchen. I’d gone through this door many times when I was a child, usually trying to sneak some extra food that was being prepared and talk to some of the maids that I looked at as a mother. Being the son of a king and queen may sound amazing but it was lonely in every sense. Other child got to play with their parents, mine were always working. The closest I got to affection from adults was when the maids would care for me.

I walked through the door expecting to see her but instead I didn’t, the kitchen was empty, the stove still flickering away but no sign of anybody. Frowning I walked up the staircase that led to the main hall as I listened intently for any sound. I heard mumbling faintly that sounded a distance away as I quickened my pace up the stairs. It kept going silent every few seconds but then the mumbling would start again, I was stood in the middle of the hall when the loudest of sounds came out directing me in the direction it was coming from. Quickly rushing up the stairs that headed to Gerard and I’s rooms, the sounds got louder and louder. “Get off me.” I heard her choke out as though she was struggling to talk, “don’t do this.” She carried on as I heard skin on skin contact.
“You worthless whore. How dare you touch a Kingsman.” Again skin on skin contact that was louder and more forceful. She cried out and I quickly rounded the corner to see her pinned up against the wall by her throat, one of King Henry’s men undoing his belt as she tried her hardest to fight him off, her bright red cheek causing my blood to boil. “I have an order to fulfil. Have my fun, rob the palace and kill you and hide your body. Poor Prince Frank having his newest maid steal his family heirlooms.” He mocked her as he forced his lips on hers roughly, blood pouring from her lip when he pulled away.
“You’re getting nothing of the prince’s.” She snarled out as she spat the blood in his face.
“But I’m about too.” He laughed as throw his belt to the floor and that was it, I grabbed the nearest thing to me and ran down the corridor smacking him across the head with the metal bust. He quickly fell to the floor, Elizabeth falling down with him as I stared down at his motionless body. She looked up, her breath rushing back to her as she panted, tears rolling down her face.
“Sir.” She breathed out as I held my hand out to help her up as she shook her head taking the apron off from around her waist and placing it under his head. “He’s dead.” She whispered looking up at me as my own shock kicked in. I’m a prince and I’ve killed somebody.
“Oh god what am I going to do?” I fell to my knees at the side of him. I looked over at Elizabeth who looked around.


“Listen to me. Listen,” she whispered as she leaned over stroking my cheek causing me to look at her. “We need to move his body. Someone could come up at any moment. Ok?” She held both of my cheeks in her hands softly, her thumb stroking as I nodded. “The laundry room ok?” She nodded as she stood up pulling me up with her. We carried him down to the laundry room, tipping him in one of the carts as she wrapped a sheet around him soaking up the blood. “Your shirt it’s stained, take it off ok?” She asked as I just stared at her. “Frank please.” She cried a little as my brain kicked into action and I started undoing the buttons quickly, throwing it in the same cart as she grabbed a cloth cleaning up the visible spots off me. “Here’s what we are going to do. I’m going to take some valuables and hide them with him ok? You go downstairs carry on playing when you hear me shout run out ok?” She whispered buttoning up the buttons on my new shirt she had grabbed.
“Are you ok?” I snapped back to reality, he had just nearly raped her and here she was concerned about me.
“I’ll be ok but I need you to focus ok?” She whispered looking up at me slightly frantic. “You need to come out when I shout ok? Act shocked.” She whispered. “It’s going to be ok.”

I went back downstairs trying to act normal as I left Elizabeth alone with the body of the man I just killed. I was waiting for her shout for what seemed like forever. “I raise you my maids back.” King Henry spoke as he challenged Gerard cockily, like they were some piece of furniture. Before Gerard could respond we heard her scream.
“Stop! Help!” She screamed as next we heard thudding coming from the stairs as metal clanked together. “Oh my god!” We heard next as we all looked at each other rushing out. There he was on the floor, on his back with blood pouring from his head, around him was some of our valuables as Elizabeth came into view at the top of the stairs panting. She quickly ran down the stairs to him as all the maids came out of their areas and King Henry pushed his way forward.
“What have you done you little bitch?” He spat out at her marching towards her as I stood in the way, her tears running freely.
“You do not speak to our staff like that King Henry.” Gerard spat out, also standing in front of Elizabeth.
“What happened Lily?” I asked turned to face her after shooting him a warning glare.
“I was on the second floor of the ballroom sir cleaning when I saw him taking items and putting them in his bag. I shouted for him to stop and he ran out. I ran to the balcony.” She paused to point to the top floor balcony, “And he was running down the stairs where he slipped at fell.” She let out a soft cry.
“You pushed him.” King Henry spat out as she flinched shaking her head. “He was a good man he would not steal.”
“Then why is our stuff surrounding him?” Gerard shouted out at him, putting him back into his place.
“Ivy, take Lily to your room. Mary take her some hot coffee please.” He took charge as Ivy quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
“I’ll call the cops.” Gerard nodded to me as I ushered everyone back into the games room.

Notes