Free Beauty and the Beast (Not Quite the Fairy Tale #3) by May Sage Page B

government is perfectly capable of functioning without a guy wearing a crown, right?” she pushed, and he could have sung a hallelujah.
    That was exactly his fucking point: he hadn’t been anything but a symbol – a pretty symbol. The instant he’d turned into what he now was, he’d stopped being the Prince of Jereena.
    “Wrong,” she replied when he nodded. “Whatever you royalists say to justify your selfish Prince, he wasn’t a symbol. He wasn’t useless. He was the reason why the system functioned. People didn’t dare step out of line, because there was the threat of a King and a Prince who could have sent their asses to jail, regardless of their rank or fortune. Aiden Archer represented justice; now, he’s the reason why there is none.”
    He froze, taken aback by her vehemence as well as her words.
    Someone had told him something similar, a lifetime ago.
     
    “Why was he angry, Mama?”
    “Because your Daddy had to punish him, little Prince. That man was very cruel towards those he should have helped; it’s the job of Princes and Kings to ensure no one harms their subjects.”
    “It’s my job, too?”
     
    It had been. Actually, it was .
    Shit.
    “Do you often step out of your domain, Beast? I’m not talking about your Nest; I mean, outside of Uppertown. Have you been to the nearest neighborhood?”
    He hadn’t. Aiden rarely left the Nest in any case, but when he did, it was to go and see his contacts; then, he came back.
    “It used to be nice, I was told. Now, everywhere but that little piece of land you rich folk claim has gone to ruin.” 
    Shit. She was right. They were all right.
    Why wasn’t his father doing anything, dammit!
    “Has anything happened to you?”
    The blazing amber eyes evaded his as she shrugged and he knew. Someone had harmed her , and had lived to tell the tale.
    Because he, her Prince, had let it happen. Oh, she hadn’t formulated the accusation out right, but he heard it nonetheless.
    It was unjust to assume that every ill act which had occurred over the last decade could have been prevented by him, however, the fact that he hadn’t done anything about it was enough to make him feel like something out of Adler’s rear end.
    “Tell me,” he growled.
    He needed facts, and above all, he needed a name. Whoever harmed her would deal with him now.
    “Let go of my wrist. It hurts.”
    Aiden immediately released the arm he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
    “Never mind what happened to me; I’m one person. His inaction affects everyone. The taxes have been raised, the welfare has all but disappeared; stealing bread has sent starving children to jail, while murder and rape doesn’t get checked, as long as the criminals can pay their way out of it. Let me tell you one thing, Beast: if your Prince ever returns, watch his back. There are thousands who would gladly throw daggers at it.”
    Her included, by the sound of it; and for the first time in ten years, he saw that he deserved it.
    But what choice did he have? How was he supposed to explain what he’d become?
    Finally, making up his mind, he opened his mouth and asked.
    “Show me.”

 
    Chapter Eight
    the Decision
     
     
    A iden recalled why he didn’t venture out further than his territory within the first five minutes.
    It hadn’t been too bad in Uppertown, but as soon as they left the clean, clear streets, for the dark, stuffy, soiled neighborhood Sibelle had not exaggerated about, it started.
    What was it with people? Didn’t they see how fucking rude it was to stare and point at someone like that?
    “Look, Mummy!” he heard, from a little boy. “Belle and the Beast!”
    That’s when he noticed that they weren’t actually pointing to him.
    No, their attention was directed towards Sibelle; or Belle, as they called her.
    He read concern in their features, saw it in their eyes.
    “How come everyone knows you?”
    She chuckled, before pulling her hood on her head; yeah – as if that was going to