ROYALS: CHAPTER TWO

"You guys are going to get me a new front door," I said as I rubbed sleep off my eyes.

I immediately went downstairs as soon as I heard the front door break down. I was downstairs just in time to see Rose striding into my living room followed by a group of dhampirs. I didn't even disconnect from Rose's phone call. Rose ended it for me.

"Maybe," said Rose as she settled into a single chair across the room. She looked the same as always but perhaps a little tired; weariness showed on her dark brown eyes.

"Oh, it wasn't a request. You are, or else I won't leave this house," I said defiantly while stretching lazily on my couch.

"You have a team of dhampirs inside your house and outside surveying it," said Rose, raising one of her eyebrows. "What could you do to resist us?"

I glanced around the room and took in the dhampirs, most of them I recognized from my time in the Academy. Castile is present, Belikov is surprisingly absent. This apparently isn't much of import, then, if only one of Lissa's guardians is present. Or maybe it is of import if one of them had to stay by Lissa's side.

"Spirit user, remember?"

"Well, if your spirit magic can take us down, then it can fix your front door," said Rose coyly.

I was surprised at the Rose's easy demeanor. Our conversations were usually awkward and strained. "How I miss your witty remarks. No one can best me here," I sighed dramatically. "Or maybe there is one," Sage. Fierce, Sage.

Just like Rose. No, no, not like her at all. Sage was fierce yes, but she was disguised in a weak camouflage. It was easy to underestimate her, also the most dangerous mistake one could make.

It was Rose's turn to be surprised. She wasn't sure if I was advancing on her or if I was just being my good old self. I could tell that she decided on the latter. She cleared her throat, "Getting back on track, you need to come with us. Lissa wants you as her new adviser."

"What happened to her previous one?" I asked. He has been itching to know what this is all about.

"He's dead."

Now it's my turn to be confused. "Isn't there anyone else who can take over?"

"She asked for you specifically."

"What is she thinking?" I ask, now frustrated. "I can't even make good decisions for myself. How can I advise for the good of a kingdom?"

Rose shrugged, also stunted by Lissa's way of thinking. "I guess we just have to trust our queen's judgment." Rose smirked, "Don't you trust her?"

"I do of course, but what about Jill?"

"What about her?"

"We're bonded, we can't be separated. I'm guessing this isn't a one-day stay at court."

Rose sighed, "She's staying here. We can't endanger her. We're hoping to resolve this problem as soon as you get to court."

I mull things over. Rose stood up and crossed to the doorway, seeming impatient to leave. "Adrian, you have no choice. We're just wasting time."

"Don't I need to pack up?" I asked, wanting to buy more time.

Rose glared at him. She was right of course, he practically lived at court his whole life.

"What about my front door?"

"Adrian." Rose rolled her eyes at him, clearly exasperated.

"Fine, let me make a call,"

Rose frowned, "Make it fast." She let the other guardians go past her but made no move to leave.

I dialed Sydney. She answered on the fifth ring.

"What did you do?" she asked, not even sounding sleepy from being woken up in the middle of the night.

"Sorry for waking you up, sweetheart. I'm going to be gone today," I looked at Rose in askance. Rose shrugged. "And probably for the rest of the week. I'm going to be gone indefinitely, to be accurate."

Rose had turned around to survey his driveway, where, I now noticed, three black Sedans were parked. She began tapping her foot impatiently.

"I'm ordered to go back to court. I'll explain everything later. Take care, okay? Don't stress too much about homework. I love you."

"Fine," I heard her sigh at the other end. "Call me when you arrive at court. I demand an explanation. You take care, too."

Sydney disconnected.

"Alright, let's go," I said as I walk past Rose.

"I hope you're not dating a high schooler."

I smirked. "Nah, I'm dating a college girl."

"Thank god, you've arrived," said Lissa, hurriedly crossing the length of the throne room to hug me. She looked regal, a princess grown into a queen. Her simple dress seeming elegant on her frame, her jade green eyes stood out sharply, exhausted but still beautiful.

I returned her hug fondly, "At your service, my queen. So what's going on?"

Lissa held me at arms' length, bracing herself as if to deliver bad news. "You are to be the court's Royal Adviser from now on."

"Yes, Rose told me that," I smiled languidly, taking a huge responsibility in stride while simultaneously finding it ironic that I'm actually handed responsibility, and a big one at that. "I'm not sure I'll be of much help to you, though."

Lissa looked at him with guilt and somewhat pity. "Oh, you're not going to help me. You're going to help Nathan."