The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)

My plan to skip the whole thing was torn apart when she requested that we all stand behind her during the live broadcast.

A minute before it starts, Grey pins my brooch to my navy blue dress.

We all changed our clothes when we go to the palace. But Keri suggested we change it back to show the public that we haven't had a moment's rest since we were whisked away safely.

"Big smiles." Grey steps back. "Come on."

I nod and follow him to a room on the ground floor of the palace. It used to be a war planning room and is locked up for most of the year.

The floors were redone not long ago and are now shiny and light brown. The dark purple curtains are covering the windows and the big table in the middle has been pushed aside for a podium.

As soon as Grey and I walk through the back door, we're ambushed by a dozen cameras. No one asks any questions, they just take pictures.

We stand beside Kat and Lilian a few feet behind the podium.

A minute later, the Queen and Sebastian walk into multiple flashes.

She takes the royal blue podium and Sebastian stands at her left.

Keri and Dent are behind the journalists. Keri nods and my Aunt starts talking with a grave expression on her face.

"Citizens of Aldean, our nation is officially under attack." She starts. "Today, at the annual Military Commemoration Ceremony, several of our leaders, our military officers, and their families were attacked. The death toll stands at 37 and the injured is 258."

I force my face to remain neutral. I know there were about 2400 people there today.

"Among the dead were Liege Caper, a house representative from Dolma, his two children, and retired officer, Commander Darbyson."

I squeeze my fists so hard, my nails dig into my flesh.

"A full list will be posted to the State Website later tonight." She glances at Seb. "The Infante and I have been working closely with the military and several politicians on an agenda for the Rypper attacks. It was supposed to be implemented at the new year, but I think we can all agree this is as good a time as any."

Seb hands her an open document and she begins reading. "First of all, the state will be implementing a national curfew. Until further notice, movements will be restricted after 9 pm.

Secondly, citizens are encouraged to join our military and police forces across the seven states. Now more than ever, you are needed in the fight for our great attention. For our children." She turns back and gives Kat, Grey, and me curt nods. "Security at the boarding schools will be increased. Day students of all ages will be going to school and coming back in a single bus operated by the school. Only students and faculty will be permitted at any of our institutions.

"It is easy to spot a Rypper. Insurgents, on the other hand, are not as simple. We are asking citizens to report to the authorities any rule breaks, suspicious gatherings, or abnormal behaviors."

Seb nods his head. "This is not a witch hunt. We are simply asking citizens to be cautious and to do their share in protecting our country."

My aunt closes her book and places her hands on the podium. "Thank you for listening. You will be receiving more information in due time from your state and local leaders. Till then, stay safe, and remain brave."

A few of the journalists clap as the live broadcast ends.

The journalist all begin shouting questions. My Aunt and Seb just thank them for coming as royal guards escort them out of the room.

When they're all gone and it's just the family, and Keri and Dent left, my aunt exhales.

"Social media first." She demands.

Dent brings a metal chair with red cushions from the corner of the room to the side of the podium. My Aunt sits on that and he goes to fetch more.

"Cass." Kat points at the corner.

I follow her and she collapses on one of the dozens of chairs.

"I think that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

I sit beside her. "Nice to know I wasn't the only one who had trouble getting through that."

Kat sighs. "She's not heartless you know." She doesn't move. "My mother. She seems that way. She wants us to think she is. But she's not."

I nod. "She was worried about you today. When you didn't come with Grey and me."

Kat closes her eyes for a second. "Someone has to be strong. Things are really shitty right now." She looks at me. "They weren't always like this. For a long time, things were peaceful with the Ryppers. We even thought we were done with them. My dad had them secured in Mallone. But I don't know what happened."

"I feel like it's my fault," I admit. "Like they hate me. They hate my existence. So they're punishing the continent."

Kat's laugh is soft. "Someone thinks highly of themselves."

"I don't."

"You should. Think highly of yourself, I mean. You shouldn't think this is your fault." She sighs again. "This is long before you, me, our parents. This has been going on for a long time. And I don't know when it will end." She plays with her bracelet. "We might still be dealing with this when we're running the government."

I laugh the awkward tension away. "Possibly."

"Cass, Katya," Seb calls from the middle of the big room.

"We've been discovered." Kat gets up.

We pick up chairs and sit with the rest of the family in the middle.

"The number one trending topic is Rypper. The number two is Insurgents. The next is the new Protocols. And there's the Queen and the Infante." Dent sighs. "People don't think the new rules are ridiculous. Most seem ready to follow them."

"That's good." Aunt Freya sits up in her chair. "We can't have them disobeying the laws."

"And have you decided when you will be telling them the penance for breaking them?" Keri asks.

Aunt Freya shakes her head. "We're posting the full document in half an hour. They can read it there."

"Of course." Keri makes a note on her tablet. "Governors have reached out asking for when they can schedule calls. And the General wants to talk to you as soon as possible." Keri is violently scrolling on her tablet. "Also, the guests at today's events are still recuperating. When will the victims be visited and the state funerals held?" She finally pauses. "Or will that fall under the new Restricted Gatherings Protocols?"

"Also, should we tell your Administrative Assistant to cancel all your meetings tomorrow and make way for all your new scheduled calls?" Dent asks.

"That reminds me." This is Keri. "Your next Press conference is in a week. Do you think one is necessary every week, maybe bi-weekly? Once a month?"

Dent chips in. "The public might get restless if it's once a month. Also, the Prime Minister of Ferona suggested the nations move their meeting to tomorrow to discuss the recent attacks."

"Keri, Dent." My aunt's voice is very soft. "Can you do me a favour?"

They stand straighter. "Of course, Your Majesty," Keri says.

"Anything." Dent nods.

In the same quiet voice, she says, "can you shut the fuck up for five minutes?"

Kat covers her mouth with her hands. I don't think she's ever heard her mother curse.

Lilian gets out of her chair. "We'll be spending the night here." She gestures for the three of us to stand up. "Let's get some dinner."

Seb gets up as well. "Lilian, can you arrange the visits to the injured and the deceased families with Keri? Lilian and I will sort out the rest."

"Of course." Lilian gives him a hard nod and herds the rest of us to the top floor.

We eat dinner in silence and retire to our rooms for the night.

My bedroom here is clean and has a nice scent. I wonder if someone's been staying here while I was gone.

I take a shower, change out of my clothes and select a book from the shelf.

There's a knock on my door. I don't ask who it is. "Come in."

Grey walks in. "Reading." He observes me by the bay window. "Is that what you do when all your electronics have been confiscated?"

"What else is there to do?" I place the book on my lap.

"You can talk to your family."

I look away slightly. "Thank you. For today. I couldn't have gotten through the field without you."

"And?" He's still by the door.

"And nothing. Unless you have something you want to say to me."

He rolls his eyes. "I'm sorry," he says with no sincerity.

"Just get out."

"Fine. I'm sorry for the stuff I said over breakfast. And I'm sorry I'm pushing you away. And I'm sorry for what I said to your mum and dad."

I frown. "You mean Seb?"

He folds his arms across his chest. "No, I mean your dad. I'm sorry for picking a fight. Can we just put it behind us and makeup? We're going back to school soon and won't be around each other so much. I want us to go back knowing we can count on each other."

"Of course we can count on each other," I say. "You're my brother. And we have enough drama from everything else in our lives."

He runs his hands through his hair. "Yeah. Thanks, Cass."

"No problem."

He closes my door and I'm left with my book.

I soon climb into bed and try to push images of Leah Darbyson's cheerful face out of my head.