AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is a mess I never wanted to be a part of. It’s difficult not to hunch over and puke my guts out following the sight I just walked in on.
Get yourself together, Vivienne. Caesar always pulls this crap. This isn’t anything new. It is, however, a new low. Even for him.
“Please, Caesar,” I hear Imelda whisper.
Against my better judgment, I steal a glance. Imelda clings onto Caesar’s shirt while he zips up his pants.
“When will I see you again?” she whines. I have to roll my eyes.
“I don’t know!” Caesar snaps before pointing at the door. “Leave!”
Imelda opens her mouth to reply, but she ultimately decides against it. She glares my way before storming out of the bathroom. I’m focused on my breathing patterns. My wristwatch tells me my heart rate is out of this world and that I should keep an eye on it.
“Vivienne,” he says, stepping out of the cubicle. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Please, with all due respect, save the explanation for another day.”
Yikes. I didn’t mean to let my frustration with him actually come out, especially with the blow I’m about to deliver. His eyes widen at my tone, but there’s no time for pleasantries or apologies.
“You’re needed back at the palace, Prince Caesar. King Francis has suffered a stroke.”
“What!” Caesar raises a hand to his mouth. “But… how? How did this happen? He was fine this morning!”
“I don’t know the details. But we need to return to the palace immediately. I assume your brother is already en route.”
Alexhas his shit together, I want to add but don’t.
“Yeah. Okay.” Caesar nods. His Adam’s apple bobs with his swallow. “Let’s go. Did it take you a while to find me? I’m so sorry.”
“Let’s get going,” I reply softly, gesturing for him to take the lead.
There’s a vulnerability in the way he’s holding himself right now that cuts through my anger for just a moment. His trademark swagger is reduced to a sad shuffle at the prospect of becoming an orphan.
It makes me want to wrap my arms around him and tell him it will be okay, even though I have no idea if that’s true.
And then my anger rises in my throat again thinking about the position he’s put me in. I’m not in the mood to speak about what happened. The day has turned to shit, and I don’t have the energy to confront him about how disrespectful he was when his dad might be on his deathbed.
I just hope he realizes how badly he’s fucked up.
3
CAESAR
My body moves on its own as I rush into the palace and head straight for my father’s quarters. Ever since Vivienne let me know about his stroke, my mind doesn’t have space for any competing thoughts.
I’m glad that she was the one to tell me. Something about her presence always calms me and brings me back down to Earth, even when I know I make her crazy sometimes. If I’d gotten the news from anyone else, I might have really lost my shit.
The lack of information is driving me mad. My entire world has been rocked to the core. What’s going to happen if my father dies?
Apart from the heartbreak of losing my dad, there are the practical questions. Is Christian going to be the next king? Will I still have my position at all? What’s next if he doesn’t make it?
“Father,” I manage. My hand lingers on the door, grimacing once I see the state he’s in. “May I come in?”
“Please.” He beckons me in with a hand, a silent order I obey immediately.
Closing the door behind me, I hurry to his side and drop down to my knees. I enclose his weak right hand with both of mine.
“Where is everyone?” I whisper. “Alex and Christian. Have they been here to see you yet?”
