Update! I'm sorry I haven't updated recently but I've been absorbed in writing the wedding chapter(s) for my first story, Surprises, and I had two graduations to go to for my siblings. So, yeah, very, very busy. But to make up for it, I have a little treat for you guys. I think you're really gonna enjoy it! Enjoy!

Chapter Ten: Prince

Parker sat in his lessons, bored, as usual, trying not to listen to anything his tutor was telling him, by warning that his father gave him of them trying to force King Jared's ideas into his head. Instead, he daydreamed about what it would be like when his father finally freed him and took over the crown.

"Parker?" a voice said. "Parker Booth!" Parker snapped his head upwards.

"Yes, sir?" Parker said to his tutor innocently.

The tutor, sir Andrew Hacker, sighed. "How are you ever goingto be a fit king if you don't listen?"

Parker scowled. "Who says I even want to be king?" he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Why wouldn't you?" Hacker asked. "It's a very noble position."

"Oh, yeah, very noble." Parker said, sarcastically, "That's why I'm here against my will, and why my friend's Dad died at the hands of our king! Because of his nobility!"

Hacker glared at him and bared his teeth, bringing his arm up to strike the boy. "Why you little-! How dare you disrespect your king!" He was about to strike when a voice came from behind him.

"Andrew!" Rebecca said from the doorway, rushing in to help her son. "Don't you dare lay a hand on him! He's the future of this country!"

Rebecca threw her arms around Parker, who struggled in her grasp. "Mom!" he cried. "Lemme go!" He slipped through her fingers and ran out of the class with Rebecca calling after him.

Hacker snickered. "Future of our country? Ha! I'll be glad if I'm dead by then."

Rebecca glared at him. "Oh, I'll be sure of that."

Parker ran down the halls, trying to find any escape he could, but it seemed everywhere he went, one of the guards or one of his nannies was on the lookout for him. He finally got fed up and decided to visit the dungeons, where he had his best conversations with Hank, the old prison guard.

Parker peaked his head into the prison, to see Hank cleaning blood off his sword.

"Pops?" Parker said, tentatively.

The old man looked up at him and smiled. "Parker, my boy! How are you?"

Parker smiled warily and looked pointedly at the knife in Hank's hands.

"Don't worry, kid. It's nothing. Just one of those damn rodents again. I'm getting fed up with them already!" Hank assured him.

Parker giggled. "Don't kill the rats, Pops! They're poor, innocent, little creatures."

Hank gave him a sad smile. "You know its not my fault, Parks. Anything that tries to escape these cells..."

"...has to die. I know." Parker said, remembering the curse. "But how are the rats prisoners?"

"They're not, but they tried to escape, so I have to kill them." He said, sadly.

"But I try to escape all the time. Does that mean you have to kill me, too?" Parker asked, already knowing the answer.

"No, Shrimp, I don't and you know that. You have royal blood which counteracts the curse."

Parker climbed into Hank's lap. "I don't want royal blood if it means I'm the heir to him." He pointed to the painting of King Jared that was hanging on the wall.

"I know, son," Hank whispered. "I know. But, think on the bright side. Maybe, one day, your father will regain the crown, and you'll be his heir."

Parker smiled slightly. "You really think so?" Parker asked.

Hank nodded. "I'm sure of it."

Parker's smile widened, then he noticed something moving in the cell.

"Pops?" he whispered. "Who's in there?"

The person groaned, and Parker gasped. "Oh no!"

Cliffhanger! Hehehehe! Cliffhangers are fun, huh? There'll be more soon. I promise! Please REVIEW!