Laura McGehee - The Royal Summit

I feel like this is so boring, Prince Trevor groaned while staring moodily out the door of the stretch limo.

For once, I agree with Trevor, Princess Emma said as she firmly clutched a glass of champagne, even though it was nine in the morning.

Its T-Money, Trevor said.

What, like money for t-shirts? Emma asked with sarcastically feigned interest.

No, like T, dash, dollar sign, if youre writing it, but T-Money if youre saying it.

Thats the stupidest thing Ive ever heard, Emma said.

Youre the stupidest thing Ive ever heard, Trevor said with that trademark glint in his eyes that invited Kyle to be in on the joke, and Kyle chuckled. He couldnt help but think that his older brother was hilarious, even while he was probably Chattering absurd claims about the brand new beard grooming practice that he invented last night while also riding a unicycle.

Trevor still showed the remnants of far too many hours spent meandering through the desert on his spiritual odyssey, with his deeply reddened skin crackling with crusty flakes and his overwhelming sense of wisdom. The trip resulted in Trevor losing an inexplicable amount of weight while gaining even more of a tendency to shout his thoughts about his importance as loudly, and as often, as possible. This had become quite unpleasant, especially as the family was in the thick of their cross-country Royal Tour.

Although King Kyle generally found his older brother to be a depth of wisdom and knowledge on topics ranging from the best beard-grooming practices (Constant combing with a tiny beard comb and three tubes of product every four hours, absolutely no exceptions.) to the worst dating practices (Never, EVER look a woman in the eye. If you do, she will consume your soul immediately.), he was starting to question Trevors wild declarations on and off RoyalChatterStream.

@TMONEY: yo i got the answers to the meaning of life and where the sun goes at night and why we all feel sad sometimes but happy other times, info coming soon on my new album MONEY PROGRESSIONS

Trevor was now firmly entrenched in his thirties and still able to pull off the manicured-outdoorsman look that Kyle longed to replicate. Unfortunately, even though Kyle was now King Kyle, he had never been able to grow facial hair. He reached up to his chin and touched the smooth, albeit slightly pimply, skin. Still nothing. They called him The Naked King, partially because he was naked when he was declared the next successor, but also because his face was as naked as the day he was born.

His half-sister Emma drained her glass of champagne and continued to stare at her GlassPhone, which she never seemed to put down, these days.

You better not be talking to Daisy, Donna said, eying the most recent former King suspiciously. Emma reddened and shook her head, causing her loosely frizzled locks of brown hair to flop and nearly hit Trevor in the face.

I swore under Royal Oath that I wouldnt be in contact with her ever again, Emma said quietly. What more do you want?

The Royal Oath was a bond that, if broken, would mean a direct route down to the Royal Stocks for at least sixteen minutes. Kyles very first decree as King had been to pardon his dear half-sister for her infidelities with their Canadian frenemies, contingent upon her Royal Oath. Former King Emma was in a suspiciously bright spirit, considering her many recent pitfalls. She was very recently outed in front of the entire nation on RoyalChatterStream, and then forced to resign as King due to her illicit relationship with a Canadian Princessa public breakup the likes of which the Royalty hadnt experienced since Anna Washington launched her artistic career with an opera about the infidelities of Prince Amir of Qatar. Emma sat with her legs crossed and a glow of barely concealed joy, as evidenced by her sly smile and the light twinkle igniting her dark brown eyes.

Her normally composed exterior, reminiscent of a school librarian dressing up for a job interview at a competing, yet similar school, had fallen more into the realm of a school librarian going out for a nice walk on the weekend and not even caring if she ran into any students. Her hair hung loosely down to her shoulders, frizzy and somewhat untamed, but free. She had even been seen wearing colorful floral shirts and form-fitting pants. It was almost as if she didnt know that RoyalChatterStreamers had been trashing her and her alarmingly rebellious relationship for weeks now. Kyle didnt know what exactly had come over his sister, but he did know that all of the familys recent changes were starting to give him spiritual whiplash.

Thanks to Emmas international scandal, the peasant politicians had transferred power to Kyle, effective immediately. He had assumed office without any training or preparation, and he was doing his absolute best to look like he belonged in purple robes that were far too large for his trim frame and a crown that was so heavy it made his head eternally droop. He now had to act, look, and sound like an adulteven when he was alone. It was quite exhausting.

Im so excited to see another farm, arent you, Trevor? Emma asked, emphasizing his name with a vitriolic energy that sliced through the air.

T-Money, Trevor corrected automatically.

Man, Im just so happy that we have another three weeks on this cross country tour until the Royal Summit, arent you, Trevor? Emma asked.

T-Money, Trevor responded. And I am starting to suspect youre not respecting my wishes.

Oh Trevor, Emma said. What in the world would give you that idea?

I feel sad that youre so depressed about your own pitiful life that you have to take your anger out on me, especially when Im the most successful person in this family, Trevor said.