Michael

Looking out Rae's window while rocking Henry, I see Caroline ushering people into the castle. "Well that is rather odd." I whisper, setting Henry down in his crib. "Daddy had better go check that out, yeah?"

I exit Rae's chambers. "Nobody goes in or out of this room other than me and the Queen. Understood?" I ask.

The glance at each other. "We don't take orders from you." One speaks.

"Actually, as personal guard to the Queen, that makes me your boss. Nobody in or out. Do I make myself clear? Nobody. Especially not the nurse."

They sigh and share another look between them. "Yes."

I grab my sword from my belt and prepare myself for what may be to come. "And if you happen to see the Queen, tell her Caroline has possibly gone rogue. She will understand."

I take off down the hallway. Where is Rae if she is not with Caroline?

I sneak down to the area where I saw Caroline letting people inside. I need to figure out what she is up to.

"I know!" She shouts. "I know it is sooner than we planned. The situation just kept evolving. I had perfect timing. I had to!"

I peer around the corner. I see her with seven men. Possibly more. What is she doing with them?

"You could have at least given time to warn us!" One man speaks his distaste.

Warn them about what?

"Like I said, there was no time. Things evolved rapidly." She retorts.

What is she talking about? What evolved?

"Will Michael at least be by your side when you take the throne? Did anything go as planned?" Another man scoffs.

What. The. Hell?

"That plan has also fallen through. He professed his love to another shortly before all of this happened." She replies.

All of this? All of what? What is going on?

"Where is she now? The Queen?" Another man speaks.

"She's not going to be an issue. Come on. I will take you to Prince Henry so we can execute the next step. He is all that stands in our way now."

Shit. Fuck. Fuck!

I slip out of the room before any of them are able to move. Sliding into the passageways beneath the castle, I race in secrecy to Rae's chambers. I grab my son before they are able to harm him but I am running out of time. I hear them with the guards outside. They are trying to get in.

I have no time.

I slip back into the passageways, sealing the entrance before entering the darkness and safety of the tunnels.

No one will find us here. We are safe.

Wait. We can not stay here. No food. No water. No contact with the outside world.

But more importantly, Rae is still out there. She is in danger and she needs my help.

If I don't get back out there, I will have no chance at warning others and making it out of here alive.

I descend into the tunnels, thinking of all the paths in my head as I go. Rae used to sneak down here with me all the time to keep our meetings secret. I know these passageways like the back of my hands... almost.

I exit the passageways once I see it is safe to show myself. No one is around. I count the doors to the servants chambers carefully. Stopping at one, I knock rapidly, praying it is the right door.

Calum opens the door. I see two faces behind him. It is poker night. They are all here.

"Michael!" He smiles. "Long time no-" I push inside and shut the door behind me. "See?"

"Uh, is that the prince? Are you holding the prince?" Ashton asks, standing from his seat.

"I need you guys to take him."

"What the fuck man? Did you kidnap him?" Luke asks.

"Please. We don't have a lot of time. The castle has been breached by people trying to take the throne. I need him to be safe at all costs. The Queen is missing. I have no other choice. Take him. Leave the castle. Go to the stables and ask for Ramon. Tell him you got his flower delivery. It is code. He will escort you to somewhere safe. He will know when to return. Go. Please." I share my getaway plan with Rae. We were supposed to use that code to escape to our new lives together once she could figure a way out to leave.

Things are different now.

"You are trusting us with a baby?!" Calum shouts as I hand Henry to him.

"You guys were here for me when I was at my lowest. I'd trust you with my life. But for now, I am trusting you with my son's."

"Wait? Woah? What?"

"No time! Go!" I pull them into the passageways with me. "Straight on down. Go. Hurry. Please!"

*
Things are really getting heated now! What do you think will happen next?

Will Caroline and her group successfully overthrow the crown or will Michael somehow save the day?

Don't forget to vote and comment!!