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March 20, 2019

The Address

"I regret to inform you that our dear Prince Day, has been pronounced. . ." My father paused in the middle of the speech, trying not to choke. "Dead." The entire room was silent. No one spoke, except for him. "With this announcement, my wife, daughter, and I will be taking a while to regroup. Please consider this, our kingdom is at a loss. Please send prayers and thoughts in this time of grief. Thank you, have a good night."

The cameras turned off, and everyone quickly scattered, leaving me and my parents alone. My mother didn't seem sad, but her face was stone cold.

My father was just as stormy as usual. Bustling about, but he just paced back and forth.

"Please don't pace, my love, you'll ruin the carpet." My mother's words, causing him to stop and do as told. He sat by her side, grabbing her hand. I wished he'd been this nice to me.

"Father?" I said, trying to make some conversation. He grunted, acknowledging me. "How long will the castle be closed?"

He paused. Thinking about his decisions. "I don't know. But it'll be as long as we need to come up with a plan for this dang war. And these rebels."

He went off on a tangent once more. And I could only think about Day. Yes, he abused me. He was manipulative because one day he was gonna get the crown. So, who could've killed him? It wasn't an act of suicide, he loved his life too much. What has happened?

I decided it was best for me to leave my parents. They didn't usually talk to me in the kindest way, but I survived. Maybe I could go down to the kitchen? That would help me maybe. See Lincoln. He always cheers me up.

When I went down there, he wasn't in his usual spot. So I dug a little more around the kitchen, and he was nowhere to be found.

"Excuse me," I asked the head chef.

"Your Highness." He bowed, "What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Lin—Sam, by any chance?"

He looked unsettled by the question. "He's not here ma'am. Sorry." He turned away.

I found it peculiar. So I exited the kitchen, still confused, and quietly went to my room. My maids were cleaning things when I entered the door, but they quickly scurried off when I entered.

I was left alone to my thoughts. Or so I thought. Then I found a letter. A letter was addressed to me in the most simple handwriting.

When I opened it, I couldn't believe what I was reading. My heart raced as I got up from my room and raced down the stairs again. No, no, no, it can't be true.

I walked out in the garden, hidden behind a bush was, "Day?!"