Chapter XIV Royal Secret

Chapter 14 Royal Secret

Jason

"Your highness!" A strange man wearing a strange fishing hat was now separating Jason from Trent. He was taking pictures, of Trent, and he wasn't alone. Two men and one women soon joined in after him. Jason wasn't aware of the audience they gained with their fellow classmates. Jason spotted Caitlin and Nicklaus in the not too far away, with a very confused looking Jasper behind them.

"Your highness, how long have you been attending this public school?" The man with the fishing hat.

"How different is it compared to the other schools you've attended?" The other man.

Jason was having hard time discerning who was who as they fired question after question. All while taking picture after picture despite the fact that Trent had his face covered in his hands, appearing to shake. Jason meant to comfort him when one of the photographer's turned and noticed Jason.

"Hey it's that Saint Laurent kid!" Now Jason was having a hard time seeing.

"Prince Caleb, are you aware Prince Augustus your older brother has stepped down from inheriting the crown?" Between the pictures being taken of Trent and himself, Jason had no idea who the man in the black coat was referring to.

Jason gulped before saying, "What? I don't have a brother. My name is not Caleb." What else is there I don't know about? The queen never mentioned anything of the sort. Who am I? Then adding, "Do I?"

Jason couldn't help but replay yesterday's conversation in his head, but came to the conclusion that there wasn't any mention of having a different name, and a long lost brother. Should he be thrilled or shocked? Why didn't this Augustus ever introduce himself? Why hide in a castle like a coward? There were times when he could have helped out.

But didn't the queen say he was the last? The last Saint Laurent? Jason had no idea what was going on or why these strange people with strange accents had taken a sudden interest in him.

"What? You didn't know you were graced with the presence of Prince Caleb?" It was the woman, Jason could tell and he wasn't getting as many pictures taken anymore. She fired another question before Jason could answer. "Were you both in a lovers spat?"

The pictures started up again, that Jason couldn't think. He knew his face turned red, because with Trent, what were they to each other again?

Jason did manage to catch sight of a man dressed in black, as he materialized out of nowhere to yank Trent—No Caleb, Prince Caleb, back by his shoulders to lead him away. A devastated looking Mr. Bateman, who could have been the king for all Jason knew, was jogging behind the mysterious man in black. Now Jason felt deceived. He knew he needed to think though the matter before jumping to conclusions, but he couldn't help it as a tear cascaded down the right side of his face. He knew it would give the photographer's something to talk about, put a spin of their own twisted stories.

It wasn't long when a local news van came to a screeching halt near the flagpole, making it impossible for a school bus to pull in.

"Are you aware that you are now in line to become Sweden's next crowned royal Prince?" Again with the cameras before Jason could think of an answer.

At that moment Jason could almost relate to how Trent, no Caleb, felt. Jason was starting to feel that creeping sensation of fear up his spine. He balled his hands into fists fighting the powerful urge to keep a straight face. He wanted to run, but where?

Jason wasn't sure who, but a pair of vice like arms had grabbed him from behind. His first instinct was to fight. His arms started to flail and that gave the photographer's more to talk about. A familiar voice shouted over the never ending questions and pictures. "It's me, don't worry."

He should have noticed the arms were too thin to be anyone else's, once he turned around, Nicklaus was right there with them. Caitlin was the one who still had her arms wrapped around Jason's torso but not as vice like anymore. Jasper too no doubt was standing nearby.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Jasper whispered, hopefully too low, but a camera crew was already starting to set up nearby. More news vans were starting to pull up and school busses were starting to honk. Some freshmen were already being pulled to the side for interviews. It was all quickly turning into a nightmare!

Because I didn't believe it. Now I'm not so sure anymore.

Jason didn't get the chance to say anything before suddenly the photographer's had a new direction to go. The one and only Queen of Sweden was now walking up to the school. She wore a pair of purple sunglasses with a purple scarf over a white, light jacket. Her white heels clicked against the pavement as she walked with a purpose.

For whatever reason, Jason didn't find this as a good sign. He could feel the woman's eyes on him and it wasn't liberating.

"Who's that?" He heard Caitlin ask.

"Oh is that?" From someone else.

"That's the queen!"

"Oh my god! Really?"

"That's the queen herself! She's gracing us with her presence!"

Several chimes of laughter followed but the queen didn't show an inkling that she heard anything.

Jason felt himself hoisted up and over Jasper's shoulder. In that small moment of solitude, now that spotlight was no longer on him, he didn't fight it. He figured that was what he needed, so they could make a break for it. Jason really didn't want to face the queen or anyone else for that matter. When Jasper was about to do what Jason knew he would, that brought the photographer's attention back his way.

"Hey! Are you aware of the possibility that the people of Sweden won't be that accepting of having two kings ruling together side by side?"

And there it was, the first rumor.

Jason was grateful that Jasper had Jason's face aimed the other way but now they were aiming their questions at Jasper.

"Are you the potential prince's secret lover?"

Prince's secret lover? I'm not a Prince.

Jason couldn't see Jasper's face, but he could feel him grow tense judging by the way his back muscles went.

"I'm sorry but your future Prince has to go," he almost said the word home but managed to steer clear, "he has a test to study for."

A test? Jason wasn't aware he had one but he was somewhat grateful for the backup anyway. Whatever it took to get him away from this madness!

"You two!" Jason hardly had to guess, they were now gunning for his best friends. "What are you two to the potential future Prince who could become next in line to becoming King of Sweden?"

Now this Jason wished he could see. He didn't have to see Caitlin to know steam was coming out of her ears by now. Nicklaus was bound to say something to her, but it wouldn't be a good idea. Not when you had the media circling like sharks with a whiff of blood.

"Jason!"

Jason patted the center of Jasper's back to be let down. That was his mother calling for him.

"Mom?"

When he was let down, gracefully he might add, he saw his mother fighting against the herd of even more photographer's. He had no idea where they come from but more kept swarming down the street and into the school yard. Questions soon turned on her but Jason wasn't paying any mind. Jason was even more grateful when he felt Nicklaus, Caitlin and Jasper move in to block the paparazzi, from taking photos of what was a simple mother and son hug.

Right now, at this very moment, all Jason wanted was to be a little boy in his mother's arms again. When she hugged him, it was loving and full of warmth. He hugged back hopefully transmitting the same message.

He didn't know when, but Karrishea was now a part of his small yet tight knit circle. Jason might have seen her holding hands with Jasper, but his mom was already talking with her face hovering, level with his. "The queen sends her apologies. She was not aware that her daughter was being followed."

It was a valid excuse, and Jason had enough sense to accept it. That didn't mean he had no trouble keeping up. Sure he was told about being royalty from his dad, but the rest of what was being said made no sense to him. He figured he was just in shock from the sudden turn of events. From a normal day at school loathing his poor decision had now turned into something else. A brother? Trent not Trent but Caleb? The Queen had a daughter? Was there some kind of connection here?

"Now I know you don't want to do this but we're going to have to join the Queen in the principal's office." His mother said this against his ear. The rock in the center of his gut was finally confirmed.

Jason gave a small head shake at first but turned it into a nod. He was going to face this, but alone? With the Queen? What was he supposed to say? He also figured there was another reason why the Queen showed up. It wasn't just about the paparazzi.

"I don't want to," Jason admitted, "but I'll do it."

He wanted to ask if he could bring his friends with him, but as he watched his mother's eyes darken just as they pulled away from each other, that was the reply. Jason tried not to pout but there were suddenly two more men dressed in black at their side.

"Right this way sir." He had a British accent.

"Hello L.A.!" Jason heard a news reporter shout at a camera but his mind suddenly went elsewhere.

Trent, no Caleb, was that a lie too? But then, considered on how quickly everything in this usually peaceful school went to chaos fast, Jason could find at least one valid reason why. Jason was about to find out why, that was for sure.

The men in black led Jason and his mother back towards the school. There was a lot of confused looking teachers and students near the entrance. Jason knew all they wanted, was to go home. That was the usual expectations after a long school day. It was Jason's once upon a time too.

What shocked Jason the most, was the fact that there were a lot people claiming to be close with Jason as he started to pass them by. He almost stopped to correct them but there were more important things to worry about. Starting with facing the Queen and whatever she might have to say. Then to face a potentially new life he never asked for.

As Jason walked, his friends tried to follow and they were allowed to do so up to the principal's door. The men in black shook their heads and he felt four pairs of eyes look his way. Jason tried to smile but all he felt like doing was crying. Caitlin saw it, she took a step forward ignoring the man in black, he had to shield his arm to halt her advance. Not like that would have stopped her.

"I'll be ok," he said and looked at his mom.

"I'm sorry," she said and took a step back, "Baby I wish I could but I can't go with you either."

Jason nodded stiffly without looking at her, or anyone else for that matter. He knew ultimately he was going to have to start facing things alone. He just didn't expect it to happen so soon, and under these circumstances. These new trials. So while the security guard that enjoyed taking his job too seriously (Ben) held the door open for Jason to enter, he even looked sorry for Jason. Like he somehow understood the heavy burden Jason had to carry.

All he had to do was look back out the window nearby and look at the chaos out there on the front lawn. He needed to fix this somehow.

Somehow that gave him strength.

Jason walked through the door with his head held higher. He hadn't felt that way in ages.