News of King Richard's death spread quickly throughout the kingdom. Most were mourning the loss of their great king. He had been the best they had in years. But others weren't so torn up. Some felt that King Richard had been a lousy king. They were secretly elated that their great leader had died.

News of Kendall being the suspected murderer also flew around. Many were both disappointed and disgusted at the young prince. They believed that he should be executed. Guards had taken up to combing through the kingdom, searching desperately to find him.

The queen had ordered that the guards stop their search for Kendall. But they all argued that Kendall had fled the castle. They thought that, along with the cloth found in his room, were enough to prove that Kendall was responsible for his father's death.

"You really think he did it, don't you?" Phillip asked Arthur. The older guard turned to the other, eyebrows raised.

"And you don't?" He asked snarkily. Phillip shifted uncomfortably.

"I just…God, I don't even know. Kendall doesn't seem like he would do that. He and his father had a great relationship. I don't think he killed him." He explained.

Arthur shook his head.

"Just because it looked like he and his father got along doesn't mean he didn't kill him. Have you forgotten that the cloth was found in his room? Anyone is capable of murder." Arthur said. Phillip looked at him doubtfully.

"Even a ten year old child?" He asked. Arthur stiffened.

"Yes," He said slowly. "Even a ten year old child."

"That jerk!" Logan growled, kicking a rock as hard as he could. How could Kendall do this to him? How could he just leave without saying a single word?

Sure, Logan had heard about Kendall being the suspected murderer. But he didn't believe them. Kendall was his best friend. He wouldn't kill his own father.

Logan frowned, looking over his shoulder. Two girls stood behind him in simple dresses, snickering.

"What's so funny?" He demanded. One of the girls smirked.

"Look Amelia, the murderer's friend is talking to us. I bet he knows where Prince Kendall is."

Logan's frown deepened when he caught the girl's mocking tone as she talked about Kendall.

"You should have more respect. When he comes back, Kendall will be the new king." Logan said. This time, the other girl, who Logan assumed was Amelia, smirked.

"No king of ours will be a murderer." Logan's face flushed in anger. He opened his mouth to retort, but the two girls were already walking away.

Logan turned back around, kicking harshly at the rocks. They skittered away, clanking into each other as they went. Logan felt tears form in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around himself.

"I won't ever forgive you, Kendall." He said lowly. "I won't ever forgive you for leaving."

"What do we do with him?" Carlos asked, looking expectantly at James. The brunette only shook his head before getting up from his kneeling position.

"Leave him." He said. Carlos stared at him, jaw dropping in shock.

"We can't just leave him!" He said, crossing his arms. James shook his head again.

"Carlos, he's not our kid. His parents are probably looking for him. Just…leave him outside." James said. Carlos narrowed his eyes.

"He's not a dog, James. I don't care if he's not my child. I'm not going to just leave him out here." He said firmly. James groaned before sliding his hand down his face.

"Fine, whatever." He mumbled, heading back inside the house. Carlos smiled and gently lifted the sleeping boy into his arms. He brushed some of the child's blonde hair away from his face.

"I don't know what happened to you, but you're safe now. I promise." He murmured.

. . .

When Kendall woke up, he was in a room he didn't recognize. The bed was small, covered with blue sheets. The walls were white. A small desk, a lamp, and a dresser were across from him.

Kendall forced himself to sit up, groaning as he did. His legs hurt, and he feel a faint throbbing in his cheek from where he had gotten nicked by the rocks. He looked about the room again.

Suddenly, he remembered his father. His breath caught, and tears welled in his eyes. He forced them away, refusing to cry. But a hot tear rolled down his cheek. He pulled his aching knees to his chest and rested his head into it, silent sobs shaking his small form.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Kendall lifted his head when he heard the gentle voice. He peered at the man.

"Who are you? What am I doing here?" He asked. The man smiled softly.

"I'm Carlos. I live here with my husband James. You collapsed onto our porch a few hours ago." Carlos said softly, walking into the room.

"I'm Kendall." Kendall said quietly. He regretted it instantly. Surely, Carlos had heard about him. He would think he was a murderer, just like a majority of the kingdom did.

"Isn't that a girl's name?" Kendall looked past Carlos to see a taller man, who he assumed was James. He scowled.

"James," Carlos hissed, swatting at James' arm.

"It's not a girl's name." Kendall insisted, still scowling. James only shrugged. Kendall wanted to dislike him, but then he remembered he was in the man's house. He kept his growing annoyance towards the brunette to himself.

"So, what happened to you?" James asked. Kendall didn't want to talk to him, but not answering would be rude.

"I ran away from home." Kendall said. He heard a small gasp, probably from Carlos.

"Why?" Carlos asked, shocked. Kendall shook his head.

"I'm not welcome there anymore." He said. He couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. He looked at the two men in the doorway. They both looked pretty surprised.

"Wow. What did you do kid?" James said. Carlos gave his husband a warning look, but James ignored it.

Kendall gnawed at his bottom lip. He didn't want to tell them. They would be disgusted and kick him out instantly.

"I messed up…really bad." Kendall said. Tears began to form in his eyes again. He didn't even notice them until they fell.

"Oh, Kendall." Carlos said. In the next second, Carlos' arms were around him. Kendall squeezed his eyes shut and pretended that it was his father hugging him. His fisted Carlos' shirt in his hands.

James stood awkwardly in the doorway. He rubbed his neck before clearing his throat.

"I'll go get some tissues." He muttered, more to himself than to Carlos or Kendall. He left quickly.

"I'm sure whatever you did wasn't that bad." Carlos said. Kendall shook his head.

"N-no, it was bad. I-I'm a m-…" Kendall cut himself off. Carlos sensed that there was something Kendall wasn't saying. He wanted to know, but he saw that Kendall obviously wasn't ready to talk to him about it.

"It's going to be okay." He said softly.

Kendall held onto Carlos tighter, hoping he was right.