| Chapter 26 The procession entered the palace gates. Nick followed his mothers carriage to the stables then jumped down off Thomas and handed the reins to Rowland. All the way back he'd been fuming over his uncles lack of tack and respect. He just couldn't wait until tonight to confront him about it. He stormed back to his uncles carriage and caught him as he was getting out. Nick shoved Mason against the carriage, glaring into his eyes, "How dare you act like this!" Mason put his hands up in defense, "My prince, I don't know what you're talking about." "Don't know what I'm talking about? I guess being late to your own brothers funeral is customary?! How dare you show such blatant disrespect to the crown!" Nick fumed. Mason glared at his nephew, "I'll show respect to the crown when it deserves it," he said through clenched teeth. For some reason, Nick felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach. He stared at his uncle in disbelief for a moment, then the anger that had been at the boiling point, overflowed. Nick balled his hand into a fist and nailed Mason across the cheek. Mason stumbled to his knees holding his face, glaring up at Nick with an ice cold stare. Nick moved to hit him again, when someone grabbed him. "Nick, don't man," Brian said. "Your friend is right your highness, the cameras are catching everything," Rowland said, moving Nick away from Mason. Nick was so angry he was trembling. He glanced around quickly, seeing several of the cameras floating above him. He reached up and pulled his crown off, shoving it into Brian's hands, "I never asked for this," he said, then took off at a run towards the palace. Brian looked down at the crown in his hands, then up at Rowland. "What happened?" Ana asked, running towards them. "Nick punched that guy," Brian said, pointing to Mason, who was still holding his face and talking to the queen. "That's his uncle," Ana explained, then looked toward the palace, seeing Nick run inside. "Maybe I should ...." Brian started. "No, let me go," she said, taking off at a brisk walk. "I don't understand what's going on here," Brian said. "Nick was angry at the count for being late, and acting like he did through the procession and funeral. It showed a lack of respect for the king and the royal family," Rowland said. "Oh, but why would he do that? Wasn't the king his brother?" Brian asked. "He was. It goes back many years. The king and his brother didn't get along very well," he said. The queen approached them, "Come, let's go inside," she said, reaching out and taking Nick's crown from Brian. He half smiled at her, then followed her into the palace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ana pushed open the large double doors that led into the library. "Nick? Are you in here?" she called, slowly walking through the rows of book shelves. He didn't answer, but she could feel him. Then she heard a muffled cry. She stepped around a corner seeing Nick sitting in the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest, his head down, softly crying. Just the sight of him pulled at her heart. She walked over and sat down next to him, "Nick?" she said softly. He didn't say anything, he just leaned into her, letting her wrap her arms around him. "I don't think I can do this," he whispered. Ana ran her hand through his hair, "Yes you can." He shook his head, "I'm not ready for this. I don't know what's expected of me, I-I ....." "Shhh, Nick listen to me," Ana interrupted, "You were born to do this. It's in your blood. You can do this. I know right now you're overwhelmed, but it won't always be like this." He took a deep breath and looked up at her, "Yes it will Ana. No matter how long I stay here, I'll always be seen as an outsider. I didn't grow up here, I don't know how I'm suppose to act." "Just be yourself Nick," she said. "What if I don't know who that is?" he asked, looking down at the floor. Ana reached out and took his hand in hers, staring into his lavender eyes, "You're Nick. You're kind and gentle, funny and smart, caring and courageous." Nick laughed, "You make me out to be some kind of hero or something." "You are, don't you see?" she asked, "Who else would do what you've done? You left your life, your world to stay here. You didn't have to, but you chose to. You're keeping this world from war. If that isn't a hero, I don't know what is." Nick shook his head as tears welled up in his eyes, "I'm scared Ana. I've never felt so much pressure in my life. What if I mess up?" "What if you do?" she said, "It wouldn't be the end of the world." He laughed, "It could be. What if I piss off some other planet and they attack us or something?" She smiled at him, reaching up and brushing away a tear from his cheek, "You're worrying about things that may never happen. You will be a great king." "How do you know?" he asked. "Because there's to much of your father in you for you not to be," she answered. "Really?" he asked. She nodded. "I miss him," he whispered, as another tear trailed down his face. Ana pulled him into a hug, "I know, we all do." She held him as he cried, trying her best to comfort him. After a few moments he sat up, using the back of his hand to wipe his face. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, then looked at her, "I guess it's time I start acting like a king huh?" She smiled at him as he stood up, then offered her his hand, helping her up. "You've always acted like a king," she said. He chuckled, "Maybe that's why the guys always said I was spoiled?" "Maybe," she said, as they left the library. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian sat on a couch in what seemed to be a parlor. He felt very out of place as the queen ordered several servants around. Marie squeezed his hand, bringing his attention to her. He smiled, "Sorry." "It's a lot to take in," she said. He nodded, as the queen looked over at him. "Brian, I'm glad to see that you're feeling better," she said. "I am, thank you. I wouldn't be alive if you guys hadn't rescued me," he said. LaDonna nodded, "You are very important to my son. He cares for you like you were family." Brian laughed, "We are kinda. We've all always said we were more like brothers." "I'm glad that Nick had you while he was away from us," she said. Brian watched as the queens expression turned serious. "You do understand that once Nickolas becomes king he cannot go back to Earth," she said. Brian nodded, "I understand. Um, would it be alright if I stayed here? Just for a little while." LaDonna smiled, "I know that Nick would love it if you stayed. He needs his friends around him right now." "Does that mean that when the guys get here, they can stay too?" Brian asked. LaDonna nodded, "They may stay as long as they like." "Thank you," Brian said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go get ready for the ceremony," she said, standing and leaving the room. Marie stood up and pulled him with her, "Come on, we need to get ready too." Brian smiled, thoughts of them getting ready together flashing through his mind. Marie looked at him, arching her eyebrows, "I don't like that look on your face." Brian laughed, blushing, "Sorry." She smiled mischievously at him, then pulled him out of the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick fidgeted with his shirt sleeves. He was no longer dressed as a Celestian prince, but as their king. He wore black boots and black tight pants. What his race had against baggy pants he'd never know. His shirt was white, with ruffled cuffs, and ruffled tie. Over that was a deep purple vest, and around his shoulders was a deep purple cape that went down to the floor. He wore no crown at the moment. His mother looked at him, smiling, "You look fine. Stop fidgeting." "Sorry, I'm nervous," Nick said. LaDonna cupped his cheek, "You're leaving the grief mark on?" He nodded. "It is tradition for the new king to wash his off," she explained. He shook his head, "I can't. I know this is suppose to be a happy occasion, but I'm not happy. I miss him, and I want the whole world to see that." His mother pulled him into a hug, "Then see it they will. I love you Nickolas." "I love you too mom," Nick said. Rowland stepped into the small room, "They are ready your highness." Nick nodded, took a deep breath and grabbed his mothers hand. Together they walked into the throne room. The room was packed with members of the high class, guards, visiting dignitaries. Nick spotted Brian with Ana and Marie standing to one side of the room. Brian gave him a reassuring smile. Nick nodded in his direction, then turned his attention back to the priest standing before him. His mother stood to the side as Nick knelt in front of the priest. "This is a day that will go down in history. A day of sadness and a day of joy. For we say goodbye to a beloved king, and welcome another, just as beloved," the priest said, "Nickolas Carter, known to us as Frederick DeGrafe the fifth, the only son of the late king. You kneel before your people now as a prince, but you will rise before us as a king. Do you swear to rule for the good of the people. Not for your own personal gain, but to rule as a just king?" Nick nodded, "I will let my heart lead me in all matters. I will only rule for the good of the people, not for myself," he said, glaring at his uncle behind the priest. Mason lowered his head, unable to handle Nick's intense stare. The priest took the crown from the queen and placed it on Nick's head, "All bow to your new king!" Nick stood up and looked around the room. Everyone was on their knees, from the lowest servant to the highest of the high class. Even his mother was kneeling. He reached down and took his mothers hand, pulling her up, "All rise," he said. The room stirred as everyone got to their feet. The first thing Brian noticed was how much Nick's eyes were glowing, even more so than when he wore his princes crown. "Wow, how do they do that?" he asked. "It's the stones in the crown," Ana said, "They reflect the light down towards his eyes. See the more light the more our eyes tend to glow." "That's cool," Brian said, moving with the crowd into the dining hall. There was to be a huge celebration, complete with dinner and dancing for all to attend. Nick sat at the head of the room with his mother, as everyone found a seat at the many tables. Several people came over to talk with Brian during the meal. They were all curious, not ever having seen his kind of mark before. Then after Ana and Marie explained it, they were even more astounded. Nick ate silently, glad for once that all the attention wasn't on him. He could tell that Brian was somewhat uncomfortable with all the attention, but he seemed to be dealing with it. After the meal, the servants cleared the tables from the floor, and the musicians started to play. Several couples filled the dance floor. Nick watched as Brian and Marie stepped out to the floor. Marie was trying to teach Brian the dance, and Brian was constantly getting it wrong. Nick laughed when Brian accidentally bumped into Count Dumal and his wife. He looked over to see Ana laughing as well. He wished he could dance with her, but now more than ever he couldn't. He knew what would happen if he did. And he couldn't afford a scandal right off the bat. Their eyes locked for a moment. He spoke to her with his thoughts, and she nodded, letting him know she'd heard him. The queen reached over and took his hand. Nick looked over at her. Her eyes were kind as she shook her head. "I know, it's not allowed," he whispered, "But someone forgot to tell my heart." LaDonna smiled at him, "You are King now Nickolas. I understand what it is to have to hide your feelings, but this cannot come to light. Not yet." He nodded, glancing around the room again. Brian seemed to have gotten the hang of the dance. He and Marie were dancing across the room, smiling and laughing with one another. He watched them for several moments. He knew that look in Brian's eyes. He was smitten. He and Marie seemed to be the perfect couple, both so obviously taken with each other, that nothing else existed in their world. Nick longed for the day that he could be that free with Ana. He loved her, he knew that, and he could tell she felt the same way. But he also knew that as long as he was king, they could never be free to express their true feelings. He rubbed his eyes before the tears had a chance to escape. "Are you tired?" LaDonna asked. Nick nodded, "It's been a long day. I think I'm going to go to bed." "Alright my son, sleep well," his mother said, kissing him on the cheek. Nick smiled at her, "You too. Goodnight." Nick managed to slip out of the party relatively unnoticed. Everyone was having such a good time that no one paid any attention. He slowly walked down the halls toward his room. The events of the day were starting to catch up to him. He sighed, turning and going down a different hall. A few moments later he was standing in the library, searching the shelves. He finally found the book he was looking for, taking it to a table and opening it up. It was the history of their planet, from the very first king, to his father. If there was a way to renounce his throne without the entire planet being plunged into war, it would be in this book. He thumbed through it for a moment, then grabbed it and headed to his room. Once there he sat his crown on the desk and put on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. He opened his balcony doors, and crawled into bed. He pulled the book over and opened it up, starting to read. Chapter 27 |