1/2 hour after the explosion - The palace

No way no way no way no way(prince)

The prince got really pale and started to panic, he couldn't process how that monsters he called family may be dead. Even worst, he of all people was responsible for something so serious like ruling the kingdom. It made absolutely no sense

He even started to have a small panic attack. Who wouldn't start to panic if you were relaxing in your room when someone suddenly shown up and say, "hey, you are the king now, don't screw up"

It was like on of those nightmares where you are suddenly making a speech and it turned out you were naked.

Luckily, after some breathing exercises and auto suggestions he learned from years and years of dealing with the royalty annoying stuff(speeches, events, concerts, etc)he calmed down

But even though he calmed down, he still needed to see what to do next. He had multiple options like go and ask around too see what happened, or go and hide in case it was an invasion or something like that, but he chose to go to the explosion site and confirm what the maid said. Maybe he should have been more worried about his well-being, but he wasn't in a right state of mind to think clearly

So he went to the stables to get a horse. In his way came across many people confuse or in panic, but even when they gave him a confused look and tried to say something, he keep going at full speed and as soon as he got to the stables, he mounted his horse and went at fast as he could without stopping for anything or anyone.

He got out of the palace easy enough, taking advantage that everyone was in panic thanks to the news and went directly to the temple. The distance from the palace to the temple wasn't far, so getting there wouldn't be too hard

Sadly, when he got close the explosion sight, he could see a sea of people around what used to be the holy temple of the sun-god, confirming his worst nightmare. He almost fell off his horse when he saw nothing in the place where it should have been the temple.

Still, he refused to believe that those monsters were be dead. It was more unbelievable that those guys were dead than the explosion itself

So after dismounting, he went to the soldiers guarding the site and showing his royal ring

" I am prince Julian, let me pass"(prince)

Of course this brought confusion to the soldiers but even though they were in shock for a moment, they still moved to the side when they realized who he was. Meanwhile, a lot of whispers could be heard from behind but the prince ignore them

" you two with me"(prince)

Said the prince while pointing at some soldiers and started to go up the stairs that reached the holy temple

2 hours after the explosion - Near a big hole in the ground

After a LONG set of stairs, the prince finally reached the top and watched a big hole on the ground, confirming his worst fears. The worst part was that this temple had protections for invasions, meaning that the explosion was big enough to break them.

"you, tell me everything that happen since you started your post until I came"(prince

"yes sir, I started my shift at the bottom of the stairs.We were ordered to stop anyone unrelated to pass. The high priest and priestess were already waiting in the temple to give his blessing like every year when the royal family arrived in their carriage. Everything proceeded normally until half an hour later when the explosion happened. A purple light blind us all with an explosion sound and when we got to our senses, the temple was gone. Our captain went up the stairs to see what happen. when he returned, he was as white as a sheet and told us to stay in place while he went to the palace to tell what happened"(guard)

......... f-ck(prince)

The prince nodded at the report and started to think. This was an attempt to destroy the royal family for reasons yet unknown, it could be an invasion, a coup from the nobles or populace, or even an attempt from someone in his family to get rid of the competition

For now, all he could do was return to the palace and prepare for whatever happened next

"excuse me, prince..."(guard)

"yes?"(prince)

"why are you blue??"(prince)

With the shock, the prince forgot about his alchemy accident......

2 hours after the explosion - Running away

After becoming purple(mix of red and blue), thanks to the embarrassment, the prince tried to cover his face and return to the palace as fast as he could and hope people forget about his blue face

When he was reaching the palace another crowd of people was gathering around the gate and demanded some answer to the guards

"look, its prince Julian"(random citizen a)

sh-t(prince)

"prince, what happen to the royal family"(random citizen b,c,d,e,f)

"please tell me the angel is ok, please!!!!!"(creepy guy a,b,c)

"prince, why are you blue??"(curious citizen a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,,k,l,m,n......)

and here goes all my hope of going unnoticed and forgotten(prince)

Luckily, the prince has been properly educated in the ancient art of talking a lot and saying nothing(noble survival guide 101)

"People please calm down, right now we aren't sure what happen but as soon as we know, we will tell the public"(prince)

The prince went through the crowd repeating this line over and over while ignoring all questions(especially the blue one) until he reached the gate and asked the guards to let him pass

3 hours after the explosion - The palace

When he reached the palace, the prince was ready to go to his room and bury under the bed until it was all over, or at least he wanted until a servant stopped him

"please sir, come this way"(servant)

"why?"(prince)

"please"(servant)

If it was anybody else, he would probably say "screw you" and go to his room and start screaming like a 10 years old, sadly this guy was the head butler of the palace and one of the most trusted personal there. Reluctantly, the prince follows the servant into a room and inside he found the general, archmage and grand duke of the kingdom

Great, the representative of the army, magic and noble factions(prince)

"prince Julian, it's great that you could join us"(the duke)

"what's going on?"(prince)

"As you know, the royal family was in the temple when the explosion happened, and since none of them show up yet, they are either missing, kidnaped or dead"(archmage)

Of course, the prince realizing where this conversation was going, making him turn a little pale but chose to play dumb(he had years of experience)

"yes, I went to the temple to confirm, so?"(prince)

"Son, we are at war with an unknown enemy, and we need you to start giving orders and take control of this chaos"(general)

"but... I am the failure, everyone knows it, you can't expect me to just go and rule the kingdom just like that"(prince)

"of course of course, that's why we will help you in every way we can, right?"(the duke)

"right"(general)

"right"(archmage)

Righttttt, and you get a puppet king in the process(prince)

" -sight- so what now?"(prince)

"First we must put the army on high alert and increase the security in all the important locations"(general)

"and then?"(prince)

"we should investigate the temple and see what happened"(archmage)

"ok, anything else?" (prince)

"We should tell the nobles and the public to stay call and until further notice, you are in charge"

the prince really didn't like the last one but....

"Ok, I leave it to the three of you, I am sure you are the best qualified for it, and if you don't mind I want to be alone for a while"(prince)

"yes of course"(the three answer with a smile)

After they left, the prince chose to go to his room before anything else happens but the same servant from before stopped him again

not you again!!!!!(prince)

"sir, your little niece just arrived, and wants to know what happen to his father"(servant)

noooooooooooooooo(prince)