MINISTORY: The Royal Trials

Chapter 2

Caspian and Malcolm sulked out of the office and towards the grand marble staircase of the castle.

“Why do you always do that?” Mal asked.

“Do what?” Cas wondered.

“Take all the blame.”

“It’s just easier.” Caspian shrugged.

“How is it easier?” Malcolm asked as they climbed the steps.

“Mom expects more from you.” Cas replied casually.

“You sell yourself short, Cas.” Malcolm sighed.

Before the two made it their separate bedrooms, a blob of curly brown hair came running down the hallway.

“Ally, what are you doing?” Mal grumbled, dodging out of the way of their 6-year-old sister.

Caspian laughed and swept his sister off the floor, swinging her through the air. Alice’s giggles filled the hallway as she clung to her brother.

“What are you doing?” Caspian asked in a much more playful tone.

“Avoiding all the people downstairs.” Alice said with a pout, “Mommy made me wear my puffy dress.”

Alice looked down at her pink tulle dress that was wider than she was tall. Caspian laughed at her,

“That’s because Mommy wanted you to look pretty for our guests. Mal and I are going to put on our pretty clothes, too.” Caspian said,

“Really?” Alice perked up.

“Really. Wait here and I’ll take you downstairs once I’m all ready, okay?” Cas said and Ally nodded enthusiastically.

Malcolm had already left the hallway, retreating into his bedroom. He loved his little sister, but he didn’t have nearly the patience for her that Cas did.

Caspian sat Ally down and went to his room to quickly change into a royal suit. It was ridiculous, he thought, the colors of these royal suits. The one that was chosen from him to wear today was a deep plum purple color with gold, satin trim and handkerchief. He smoothed down his hair and checked himself out in the mirror one last time before heading back out to snatch up his sister.

His two best friends, Jett Black and Cole Valentine, met him at the bottom of the steps. They were just in black suits with different colored ties. Jett was overly protective of his friend, a serious and diplomatic guy, he thought Caspian deserved to be the king over Malcolm. Cole, the son of the legacy family member, Marleigh Valentine, and grandson to Jared and April Valentine, was the wild child. He was just like his mother, who had him when she was only 16. Cole liked to have a good time, he brought a sense of humor into Cas’s life.

Cole grinned when he saw Ally, ruffling up her curls and earning a high pitched shriek.

“Ally, shhh.” Malcolm snapped.

“What’s got Mally in such a bad mood?” Cole whispered loudly to Caspian.

Malcolm just rolled his eyes at his brother’s i***t friend and sulked away.

“He’s probably afraid he’ll meet his mate today.” Cas chuckled.

Honestly, they were all afraid of that. By now, Cas, Cole, and Jett were all 18 and Malcolm was 20, well past the time of meeting his mate. Cas thought that the Moon Goddess was waiting until one of them became king to show them their mates. Ally might’ve only been six, but she already knew with great certainty that she had no interest in becoming the next Queen. Thus, the job rested with either one of her brothers and would be decided with a Trial.

The princes had no idea when that Trial would be.

“Let’s go.” Jett grunted, nodding his head towards the ballroom.

Cas sat Ally down and took her hand, guiding her towards the party. The footmen announced their arrival and then the boys began skirting the outside of the ballroom. They were heading towards the buffet table with Ally clinging to Cas and Cole’s sides. Jett was leading the pack and Malcolm was already mingling with the crowd.

“I swear, he’s such a try hard.” Cole mumbled, looking towards Malcolm who was schmoozing some officials in the corner of the room.

“He’s going to be the next king, he’s supposed to be trying hard.” Cas sighed.

Jett shot Caspian an irritated look.

“Stop saying that.” He said,

Caspian just shrugged and then grabbed two plates, one for him and one for his sister. Cole picked Ally up so she could see the options and Caspian loaded up her plate. Once they all had towering plates of food, they walked over to the table set up for the royals and took their seats.