Surviving His Royal Highnass, Prince Ashton

Chapter One: Depression

Evelyn's POV

The sound of the horse's hooves against the dirt path mimicked my ramming heart as it threatened to break free from my chest. Blood rushed through my ears, struggling to keep up with my thoughts. My lips tingled from the tooth powder that I failed to rinse out before embarking on this short journey to the castle. The tears streaming down my cheeks and nostrils only intensified the burn.

As I rode through the village, the people dressed in black only confirmed reality, a reality I stubbornly refused to confront.

King Gavin passed away and, as any loyal subjects should, they mourned his death.

I desperately hoped that the messenger was wrong, that my mother fell onto her knees in grief for no reason, that my father had shed tears over misinformation.

"The King passed away while on his goodwill tour in the neighboring kingdom of Canterbury. It was not a natural death. We fear that there may have been foul play." The cloaked herald claimed.

Why, I saw the man just this past week for dinner! He promised to take me hunting instead of his son, who was rumored to have an aim poorer than his attitude. Such an excursion would forever remain a dream. If I had known that would be the last time I saw him, I wouldn't have left so many things unsaid. I had so many ideas that often fell on deaf ears, but he was willing to entertain my thoughts out of good will if nothing else.

I remember as a child, he would take me into his arms and lift me up to the sky while his own children flanked either of his shoulders. During balls, he would always save a dance for me. When I complained about how only the boys received fencing lessons, he opened the class up to girls- although hardly any of them joined, but that's another issue. When he ordered the finest of silks from merchants, yards of fabric would always be sent to my house so that Adele and I could have matching dresses for the season.

He was as much a part of my life and my formative years as my own parents were. 

King Gavin was truly the uncle that I never had. I refused to let him go. Not like this.

And what about dear Adele? My sister by soul, which I considered stronger than blood. How was she handling all of this? I couldn't begin to conceive her pain, considering how close they were. As much as I despised her brother, Ashton, I couldn't help but empathize with him as well. As the only male heir, he must now assume the throne as king and, although he is of age, he is still quite young – especially mentally. A far cry from his father.

Then my thoughts shifted to Queen Clarissa, or as I affectionately call her, Aunt Claire. She is far too young to be a widow. She doesn't deserve this. None of them do.

The kingdom doesn't deserve to have one of its most honorable monarchs stolen from it. 

Not like this.

My thoughts came to a sudden halt as I sped through the castle's gates. The guards threw frantic protests at me as they chased my path, none of which I heeded. I swung myself off the horse, struggled with the landing, and ran through the doors. I managed to orient myself against the vast corridor and sought the help of a maidservant.

"Where is the princess?" I demanded in a tone that sounded a bit menacing.

She looked alarmed but replied all the same, "In the third corridor, the room at the very end." She pointed.

"You there, stop her!" A guard yelled as he reached the doors.

Once again, the girl looked distressed and hesitated to make a move. I took this to my advantage and ran. They trailed behind, but I couldn't care less. Under any other circumstances, I would have been amused by their attempts to detain a duke's daughter. I burst through the room that the maid directed me to, revealing a very startled Adele and a rather stoic Ashton. Above them, on the wall, I noticed that a candle had been lit in front of the King's tapestry.