MESSING WITH THE CROWN

CHAPTER 2- THE HAT PRINCE

Tick tock!

Tick tock!

Tick tock!

...goes the hand of the ancient reminder that never fails to notify me of just how fast the day starts and ends so rapidly inside the enormous walls of the Ancient yet modern palace of the Wamona Kingdom for ages unknown and ages to come since my arrival about a week ago.

At half past eight in the morning.

I was frigidly seated at my temporary office desk signing some treaty documents of sorts, a spillover of the work from yesterday which I couldn't sort through before I got tired and had to call it a day at 11 pm.

To say my back hurts and my arms ache would be an understatement but I understand, this role and mantle have now fallen on me and I have to shoulder them.

And I just don't mean mere roles.

I meant roles of controlling both the affairs of the Kingdom of Wamona and the royal family which most of the time can be a handful.

Honestly.

I stretched a little before finally focusing back on the papers and documents before me that needed royal seals and signatories.

I swear, they could have had Aunt Caroline handle this process, or my mother but it seems they all were pinning for me to become this heavy laden with work as if overseeing external affairs in the shelter of America hadn't been enough.

My haven, from whence I had run to free myself a little of the guilt and pain I felt due to the sad events of the past that had befallen the royal family.

All because of me.

But I have left that in the past, or so I believe and now here I am, back where I belong.

And back to the roles, I have been avoiding since the position of heir to the throne automatically bounced on me.

All I wanted was time to come to terms with it, but...

Unfortunately for me, my father, King David Armstrong III, now late, made it possible earlier than I wanted and I didn't have a choice but to be back in Wamona in years.

I blinked back a yawn and squeezed my eyes to focus but it became harder to do with the constant clanking of that ancient antique.

The door swung open, and in came the head butler, Ms Ana Lancet followed by an attendant whose appearance seemed somewhat fidgety and shy as she trailed behind the old, confident woman in awkward strides towards the adjoining room.

Once they were there, they both paid their respects to me from the distance according to the Kingdom's tradition.

I respond in a tired tone but bold enough to command respect as I continued working. From the corner of my eyes, I could see the young attendant following the silent but descriptive orders of the hard, poised old lady.

A slow frown crept to my forehead as I watched for a moment the young lady attendant whose name I caught to be Makayla fidget and follow Ms Lancet's silent instructions. I could tell she was new and scared judging by her composure.

She looked modestly scared and that alone is getting to me. If she flops just a bit, she would be fired in an instant. But the lady succeeded.

Much to my dismay.

She was then dismissed and I was left alone with Butler Lancet, a woman I have known since the moment I opened my eyes for the first time in the world.

I stopped what I was doing and joined her in the adjoining room just linked by a wide open space.

I brushed my palm over my face as the programmed click-clack sound of the old antique got louder and mixed at every turn with the deep, husky voice of the head of royal attendees who now addressed me.

Being the second oldest soul living in the palace every day for more than forty years of her entire life, she was quite familiar with the customs and would not listen to me even if I offered her a seat so I just took a position as she continued announcing what was served for early breakfast.

She was, as usual, spot on and flawless in her delivery just as I grew up to know her. But what do I expect?

Being in charge of the palace's daily upkeep for that long should sure be a walk in the park now and a show of professionalism. One thing you should know is that, despite being well close to seventy years, Ms Lancet can still make a run for an emergency protocol if there is a need for one.

Yes, she is very old but agile in her physique.

Before I used to trouble her so much but now the woman wouldn't spare a smile at one of my silly jokes or pranks. Why?

Just because I'm all grown up and apparently, the King to be.

I took a bite off each of the meals presented and felt my insides come alive, but nothing would beat a hot glass of water mixed with honey like I always have.

It does the magic of reawakening for me.

"Much better," I said and placed the empty tumbler back in the tray then wiped my lips of any crumbs or droplets of water with the paper towel. "I'm good to go. You can have the rest thrown away Ms Lancet, but I must say those were very delicious."

"Good to know they pleased your buds," she said and I smiled because I meant it so you don't think I am a spoilt brat.

However, the truth is, I am not much of an eater and these days, the past events have made it even harder for me to swallow much.

I hardly have the appetite.

"Is Secretary Conrad here yet?" I asked

"He just checked in at the gate and will be waiting on you at the royal lounge," she replied. "Any messages for him while he waits?"

I looked at her, "I'll meet him now so we can be on our way to this elaborate show of prudence and delight at the Royal Court."

Uh! I sounded bored out of my mind already at the thought of having to choose a bride through this process.

"I am afraid not your royal highness," she said. "Queen Imperial has asked for an audience with you before your meeting with the Royal Court."

"Pray to tell me Ms Lancet, is it on this Queen matter?"

"I am afraid I have no answer to your question," she bows, "if I may take your leave now."

I sighed and nod. "You can, you definitely can," with that, Butler Lancet left me to my worries.

Damn this Royal Companion thingy.

If I had known it would come down to this, I would have taken one of my many relationships seriously.

It would have saved me the time and energy I will be spending now, listening to all these ladies say almost the same things, in the same manner, acting alike too because all their lives they have been nurtured to be so.

Not to mention going out with them to talk about the same things, politics being at the peak and then eating and drinking away precious royal time trying to see if any of them is Queen material enough.

I know this drill because my late brother had to go through the process but he, sadly, couldn't see it through before his demise.

I had an older brother, yes, and he is dead but that's as far as I will go on that subject matter.

I stood up and put on the suit I had earlier removed to complete my look, wearing the official royal robe which isn't at all a robe but more like a custom-made royal suit.

Just so you know, whatever the royals wear to official gatherings and events are called royal robes and ensembles.

Yeah!

I wore the royal gait too and finished with a hat because I love hats. They just make me happy and confident in myself. I have always been known as the hat prince and I loved that people see me like that.

Although, I am not sure I will be able to keep wearing them once I become King.

I started for the door having slipped my phone into my pants pocket and headed for my grandmother's quarters.

I walked down the long hallway and turned the bend towards my grandmother's chamber where I met two of the numerous royal attendants pushing ahead of them a trolley each.

My nose picked up the aroma of the varied meals they had prepared and I could tell exactly what was in each dish.

Talk of a very strong sense of smell, a smirk played on my lips as I slowed my pace to allow them to go in first but they were quick enough to sense my presence and suddenly stopped to pay respect, adjusting to a side.

"Good morning your royal highness," the young man and lady attendants clasped each one of their hands over the other in greeting as their heads bowed in unison.

I cleared my throat and hollered back a good morning to them as I walked by, pulling along one of the trolleys. "You can get the door," I looked at his name badge, "Noah!"

He did as I said while the other attendant strolled in after me.

Once I was indoors, I saw my grandmother and mother already dressed in royal robes and seated in the wide, elegant living room.

"Mother, I did not get a memo that you will be here," I stopped the trolley at the dining and turned back to join them while the attendants set up the breakfast menu. "Should I be seriously concerned for my life?"

I joked and pecked my mother's cheeks. "Oh don't be silly son," my mother, Queen Talia returned my affectionate greeting with pecks too. "Mother summoned me here for a private breakfast with you before the court's meeting commences."

"I see," I shifted to my grandmother, Queen Imperial and doing the same, "that your majesties are both ready to head the process as per custom."

"Not just for the custom if I am being honest," grandmother responded placing her hands on my back as I leaned in to peck her. "We are doing it for you dear and that's the most crucial thing, my dear."

I pulled away while nodding in understanding.

"Your Majesties," I said again, staring down at them as I pull us away from going too deep into the amazing historical facts of the marriages of past royals. "How are you feeling today grandmother?"

"Much better than yesterday," she smiled a wrinkly, old one my way and I gladly reciprocated it as I took hold of the hand she offered. "I invited my grandson to have this simple meal before we head off to court, I hope you don't mind."

I walked her to the dining where I helped her sit, mother also sorted herself opposite us. "I do not mind although I might have to sit through while you and mother get your stomachs filled. I had my share not quite long ago."

"I was informed that you hardly eat much, so I got them to make your favourite, my favourite. I know you can't say no to pancakes especially if they were made using grandma's recipe."

Yes, grandma and I share a love for pancakes among other things.

I looked at my grandmother then at my mother whose smile is filled with expectations that seem to urge me to eat, then back at my grandmother whose face is a blend of hope and thrill that would instantly go sad if I decided not to.

"Just a bite," I stern and they gladly welcomed it.

Oh! I couldn't resist their pleading faces so I ended up taking more than a bite before we finally head off to the Royal Court with my Secretary too, thirty minutes later.

Now at the royal court, we were seated alongside members of the Royal Court which included me, my mother, my grandmother, Statesmen, and the Royal Companion instructors only.

The meeting commenced at exactly 10 am that which was stipulated because I am a very punctual person and I love it when things are done smoothly and in order.

Truth is, most of the officials are punctual when it comes to matters of the state. Since I began to attend meetings and take up roles, I have only seen a few of them slack off and well, I might have to work on tolerating some habits as time goes by.

Myself, mother and grandmother sat at the head of the round, conference table that shimmered under the glittering lights of the chandeliers bouncing off its golden surface from above.

The Royal Court as you must have thought is the second grandest building in the entire estate that holds in place the Kingdom of Wamona's palace and other royal offices and buildings, especially the palace.

The Palace is the grandest structure in the entire estate and might I add, in the whole of Wamona, unlike The Royal Court which places second only in the palace estate.

Now, the Royal Companions are next to be called in to join the court as per the order in which this exercise is done and the Chief announcer had taken the stage to start prepping and introducing the ladies before they will present themselves in the order they are called.

But before that, there had been deliveries of short speeches and addresses by those who must such as my grandmother who has been the one in charge of the Royal Companion Exercise since the mantle shifted on her after my great grandmother passed on, then my mother spoke too as the King's mother, followed by States men such as the Chief Head of Royal Staff, and some others among those in attendance.

I scanned the room, my eyes gradually settling on each and everyone present before they landed on Mr Cooley whom I had requested his presence against his will by using my late father as bait.

It was that simple.

You might be wondering who Mr Cooley is. Well, he is the Chief Advisor on Royal Affairs. But why did I have to use my father as bait to bring him here? A quick fact is, he was good friends with my father and his most trusted ally in court.

No wonder on his deathbed, my father had specifically told me to seek wisdom from him most of the time before even consulting the opinions of other allies that I would find answers in his words.

And honest to my father's words, the man has proven to be exactly what he was described as and I was hoping to have a chat with him after this exercise is done for the day.

He is diplomatic, disciplined, honest without limit and most importantly, he exudes an aura that makes one want to associate themselves with him.

He was seated at the far end of the table to my left, all calm and collected. But I wonder why he looked quite unsettled to me from here like his mind was someplace else.

Shaking off the thought of him, I looked back at the announcer who was already done addressing the companions and his now calling them to make their first appearance before the Royal Court. A door that connected to the room from the inside was now open, I keyed into the last few names and watch the ladies walk out as their names are called.

Lady Mia Byron

Lady Pamela Edgewood

Lady Henley Covington

Lady Brenda Corrine

and lastly, Lady Anika Cooley.

The announcer stopped after the last name as we all waited for the last lady to make an appearance but it did not happen immediately.

"Lady Anika Cooley, can you please make an appearance before the court at this moment," the announcer called once again but still nothing.

I looked at the group of people in the room and everyone was anticipating and murmuring a little.

Mother looked at the doorway, and so did my grandmother and everyone else. Even I leaned forward to get a clear view of the entrance but found no one coming forth. I was saliently disappointed and I let it show.

I leaned back and the first person my eyes made contact with was Mr Cooley, who was initially looking at me but quickly diverts his eyes to the space below him.

Why does he look embarrassed and disappointed?

"Pardon me for the delay," the announcer started again, calling the attention of everyone as the murmuring died down. "Seems the last candidate isn't making an appearance and we would have to continue the event without Lady Anika Cooley."

I frowned at the mention of that name.

Anika Cooley! It sounded familiar. Why?

Such effrontery to not obey the royal order, worst of all making a group of dignified people who have great things to do with their time seat and waste five minutes waiting for her to make an appearance.

"On behalf of the Royal Companion instructors, I apologize for the nonchalant attitude displayed by Lady An...."

The announcer's words were cut off by a loud, tiny intrusion by a lady who looked greatly dishevelled, clumsy and brazen enough to burst into the room without much caution and have everyone peering at her from their positions in shock.

"I'm so sorry your royal highnesses and dignitaries," the intruder who stood at the doorway said. "I apologize for my rudeness coming in late," she hurriedly matched onto the stage and bumped the announcer to move over and he did. The man looked confused but did as wanted. "Sorry," she pleaded with him, "but not to be rude, let me do you the honour of introducing myself."

By now, everyone seemed shocked and taken aback, even Mr Cooley who looked uninterested before now watches in horror while silent snickers and murmurings bounced around in the room.

Even the companions were snickering amongst themselves with such mocking expressions on their faces.

"I am Anika Cooley," she said. Oh! "Yeah, that's right, the one and only girl child to the Chief Advisor on Royal Affairs."

What? Did I hear that right?

He has a daughter and she is the one.

I looked at him and back to his daughter whom he seems mortified by.

Woah, hold up!

"...and just so you know, it wasn't my will to be here," Ms Cooley was saying when I keyed back into her address, "but I have been summoned by the crown, and thus, I must obey," she sighed into the microphone. "So, here I am, obeying the royal command." She giggled sarcastically and garnered disappointing looks instead. I sat back and gazed curiously at the lady speaking. "Once again Your Royal Majesties, Your Royal Highness and everyone present including my father, please, pardon my insolence. Thanks."

With that, she was done and gleefully stepped down from the stage to join the rest of the companions while missing a step and almost tumbling before her quick recovery, leaving everyone else in awe.

My eyes on their own accord followed her until she took position and stayed on her while she scanned the room for someone, her father, to whom she then sent flying kisses with a smile that screamed mischief.

I looked in her father's direction and saw that he was adequately embarrassed and shocked as he bends his head while shaking his shoulders in disbelief.

The announcer was back on stage and apologizing but I wasn't listening to a word he says as my curiosity shifted to someone else.

The corners of my brows lifted in a deep frown.

I didn't know what to make of my mood right now, but I find her brazen, yet cute and silly at the same time.

Is that even possible?