Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97577 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Gale, you can’t hide from it in here.” I knew he didn’t want to find out the truth. I had been there. But the world always had a way of letting it be known.
He exhaled once before moving, following me out.
Another sign that things were horribly wrong? They just left the car outside the airport.
When we walked inside, they did not give it a second thought, directing us to a section of security by Ersovian Airways.
Another sign something was wrong? A few people behind the counter had their heads down, and some were crying. Gale noticed, too, but before he or I could question anything, we were ushered through the airport again. This time, right through the TSA. No one stopped us; there was no time to. I was sure if they wanted, they could have thrown us onto a plane automatically.
The group around us began to grow from Iskandar and Wolfgang to airport security, to some other men in black. Soon, I couldn’t even see where we were headed. And all the while, no one let us know what was happening.
It felt like hours had gone by before they stopped and allowed us into some private lounge. No one else but a few men—older men, gray-haired, bad-news type of men—were standing inside all waiting. Upon seeing Gale, they stood taller.
“My father? The King...” Gale asked gently. “He is dead?”
They all looked around at each other, and when a man replied, Gale’s head rose, and his face bunched up in confusion. The man spoke and shook his head. God, I would give anything to know what was being said. When he spoke, there was only one word I understood.
“Arthur.”
Gale let go of my hand, shouting something I did not understand.
Chapter 26
“On November 28 at 5:37 a.m. CET, Prince Arthur Fitzwilliam Percival Henry was pronounced dead on the scene at Queen Amasova Airport in Monelrene from injuries he sustained when his aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, about sixty meters—two hundred feet—from the runway. He survived the initial impact—”
“Stop talking!” This was some sort of mistake. They were wrong. Did they hear what they were saying? How could it be Arthur? “I spoke to my brother just last night! What are you saying? How dare you even joke about this?”
The man took a step closer to me, bowing his head with his hand over his heart. “Adelaar.”
“I said, stop talking! How dare you call me that! There is only one Adelaar, and his name is Prince Arthur, and he is not dead! Iskandar give me my phone!” I demanded, stretching out my hand, but he stood there like he was dumb, deaf, and blind. “I said, give me my fucking phone! I will call him myself! And we will both laugh at how ridiculous you all are! Give me the phone! I said, give me the phone!”
Walking up to Iskandar, I searched in his jacket. My hands shook, or was it my legs or my head? I did not know. I just needed the phone. Grabbing it off him, I dialed. However, there was no line. How could there be no line? The Adelaar always had a line. If it was busy, you would be told.
“Something is wrong with his phone, but believe me, the moment I get a hold of him...” I laughed because this was all crazy. I spoke to him last night. He and I were talking. He was lecturing me as always. Had a full day even gone by?
“Your Highness.”
I looked up to the strange man I did not know who was clearly lying to me. He held out a phone for me. “The Queen—”
I snatched it from him immediately. “Mother! Mother, what is going on? Is this some sort of sick joke? Are you all getting me back? It is not funny. Tell Arthur to get on the phone right now.”
She was silent.
“Mother! This is not true. And I do not want to yell at you, so get Arthur on the line. Please.”
“G-Gale.” A sob broke through.
I shook my head. “No. We are talking about Arthur. I do not care what anyone has told you. It’s Arthur, the health nut, the take a walk twice a day, flosses after every meal, Arthur. He’s not dying any time soon. He’s going to live to be a hundred and twelve. So, for the third time, please put him on the phone, Mother. Please. Please put him on the phone.”
She exhaled once before speaking.
“Gale, you are now the Adelaar. You are the crown prince of a nation, you need...” She fought back a sob. “You need to take a moment and gather yourself. Remember what I told you before you left. We are all looking for someone to save us, but no one will come because we are the people who must do the saving. That is what the monarchy, the crown does—we press on. So the country can, too. I will see you when you return. Be safe. I love you.”