Keys to the Kingdom Read Online Free Page A

And now wife of mine will be allowed to display such rudeness at my table. Such disrespect will not be tolerated. So go to your room."
    Luna looked down at her plate. "Before I've even finished my breakfast?" she asked. At her side, her sisters watched the events carefully, their pretty eyes narrowing with anger.
    "Yes," he said. "Perhaps missing breakfast will make you more willing to behave properly when the noontime meal is served."
    Luna regarded him for a moment from across the table. And then she picked up her fork and resumed eating as if he'd said nothing at all.
    Ivan clearly had not been expecting her to simply ignore him, and he turned his gaze to Kier, who subtly jerked his head back towards Luna, indicating that the fourth born brother should pursue the matter with no further hesitation.
    Luna, however, paid him no heed, not even when he rose and began to make his way down the long table and up the other side - where he women were seated - towards Luna.
    It just as he rounded the corner that his feel slipped out from under him and he fell - most ungracefully - to the floor. The princesses erupted in laughter as he slowly sat up and peeled the banana skin from the bottom of his shoe while rubbing the back of his head where he'd bumped it.
    Kier was immediately on his feet. "Which one of you did that?" he boomed, his eyes traveling from one beautiful face to the other.
    "Not, I," said Lenora, returning his bold gaze.
    "Nor I," said Fiona. "Perhaps it slipped off Prince Leo's over laden plate. For shame, Leo, causing your brother to slip."
    Leo looked at her dumbly.
    "Well I'm not to blame," said Angelica. "The banana was on the floor when we came in. We were simply smart enough to avoid it." This, of course, was a lie.
    Luna sighed. "Am I really expected to marry the clumsy one?" But even as she asked she couldn't suppress her wicked giggle.
    "It wasn't me," objected Lark. "Bananas are yellow. I hate yellow. It clashes with my ribbons."
    Ivan had clamored to his feet now, and was brushing himself off. His face was red with embarrassment and growing redder as the princesses continued to giggle at him.
    "Stop that!" Kier said. "Stop that immediately! We are the Princes of Randor! We are to be your husbands and masters, and we are not to be trifled with!"
    This only made the girls laugh harder.
    "Oh no," Lenora said. "Who would possibly trifle with such well-heeled loyalty!"
    "That's it," Kier said. "All of you! To your quarters! Now!"
    But the girls just resumed eating, and as their laughter died away the only sound that could be heard was the tinkering of silver on plates.
    Even Kier seemed at a loss for words now as his brothers looked at him for some clue as to what to do next.
    He ran his hand through his hair nervously, trying to decide. He got the obvious feeling that Lenora - like him - was the leader. Should he take her from her chair and spank her bottom as he had done the night before?
    Even as he considered it, he realized that would not be fair. After all, it had been Luna who had ignored a direct order, and he had no proof that she had tossed the banana peel in Ivan's path.
    But something must be done, and quickly, if he and his brothers were not to completely lose face with the women they sought to command.
    "Stop eating," he ordered again. "Stop eating at once and go to your quarters. Now. All of you."
    The women didn't even look up.
    "You!" Kier snapped his fingers towards a servant standing nearby. "Come at once and take everything from the table. Including the princesses' plates."
    "Beg pardon, sir," the man said, staying where he was. "King Elgar gives the commands in this castle. I will only take food from his daughters' mouths on his direct orders."
    "Well then go get him, then!" Kier boomed.
    "My orders are to stay here during breakfast," the servant said, unmoved still. "If you seek the king, then have one of your brothers fetch him."
    "These bananas are delicious, sisters. Try them!" Lenora's