Superheroes were real.

It was all anyone at the coronation banquet could talk about. Four hundred places were laid for the most important guests—foreign kings and queens, prime ministers and presidents, famous business leaders and celebrities. The gate-crashing of the coronation by the Black Dragon was the sole topic of conversation. What was it? Was it gone now? Was it true that the Defender had turned up, saved the king, and killed the creature? Footage of the battle filmed by one of the TV cameras that hadn’t been destroyed was watched and rewatched. The prime minister had already made an emergency statement—she was “determined to get to the bottom of it” and promised to “find out what threat these mysterious figures pose to the nation.”

Alfie had lost his appetite. He didn’t think that going ahead with the banquet was really appropriate after what had happened, but LC had insisted. No one was badly hurt, most of the Abbey had been saved, and the rest would be rebuilt. Besides, the country needed to see their new king going about business as usual in these “unusual times.”

At least in all the fuss, Alfie’s change of heart was already old news. Even his sister seemed to have forgiven him, though Ellie said she still thought he was a total dingbat for rocking up at the last minute like that. She was just glad they’d all gotten out alive. Ellie had even insisted on sitting next to her mother. The Lord Chamberlain did not look happy when he spotted Queen Tamara sitting at the top table—Alfie got the feeling there was no love lost between them.

His mother hadn’t stayed long. However, before she left, she took Alfie aside for a moment.

“Alfie, what you asked me on the phone,” she said. “I do know what you were talking about, but I couldn’t say—you never know who is listening. I have so much to tell you. Come and see me soon, OK, sweetie?”

She kissed Alfie and left before he could ask her what she meant. But he promised himself he would make the trip to her ranch soon and find out.

Alfie had insisted that Hayley be admitted to the banquet, even though she wasn’t on the guest list. He’d found her a seat next to the king of Sweden and another surprise guest … Hayley’s gran. The old woman was in royal heaven. She insisted Hayley take a photograph of every inch of the lavish table, as well as selfies with most of the guests. Herne trotted over and rested his head on the old lady’s lap, receiving a slice of venison for his trouble.

As Alfie passed by, greeting his guests, Hayley jumped up from the table and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Nice work today, Your Maj,” she said.

Brian coughed as he strolled past. “Hands off the king, please, miss, or I might have to lock you up in the Tower.”

Alfie and Hayley giggled and went back to their seats.

The only person still missing was Richard. Alfie wasn’t surprised—his brother could handle almost anything, but the humiliation of being replaced at the last minute must have stung. What if he never forgives me? Alfie was already terrified by what he’d just taken on—the double life, king and Defender. But doing that without his brother to lean on when he needed him? Alfie hated the idea.

The Lord Chamberlain clinked a fork against his glass and brought the room to attention. “Your Majesties and Highnesses, my lords, ladies, and esteemed guests. I am delighted to announce the revival of a custom long forgotten, but one that I believe is rather apt for the occasion. Please be upstanding for … the king’s champion!”

The doors were flung open, and a majestic black stallion cantered in with a clatter of hooves, ridden by a knight in armor. Squeals of surprise and alarm filled the ballroom, but were quickly replaced with laughter and cheers as the knight lifted his visor. It was Prince Richard. Smiling, he unfurled a scroll and declared:

“If any person shall deny our Sovereign Lord Alfred, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to be the right heir to the Imperial Crown of this Realm, here is his champion, who saith that he lieth, and is a false traitor, being ready in person to combat with him, on what day soever he shall be appointed. God save the king!”

The guests roared their approval and took up the chant. Richard dismounted, approached the top table, and knelt in front of his brother. Alfie felt like crying with relief and happiness. But he thought blubbering like a baby probably wasn’t the sort of thing a new king should do, so instead he stepped forward, pulled Richard to his feet, and gave him a hug. “No hard feelings, Richie?”

“Are you kidding? I reckon you saved my life back there. Just try not to leave it so late next time. And I wouldn’t mind my trousers back … Dad would be proud of you today, Alfie.”

The doors to the balcony had been opened, and Alfie could hear more chanting from the thousands gathered outside the palace gates on the Mall.

“We want the king! We want the king!”

He couldn’t believe it. Were they really saying that for him? Richard gave him a friendly nudge and told him he’d better go outside quickly, before they changed their minds. But first, Alfie needed to speak to the Lord Chamberlain. He took the old man aside and whispered to him. “What about Alfred’s crown? Where is it?”

“In a safe place.”

“And the Black Dragon? Professor Lock?”

“He is being taken somewhere he can’t do any harm.”

Satisfied, Alfie turned back to the balcony. But then he stopped, suddenly panicked. “What do I say to them?”

The old man thought for a moment and smiled. “Something from the heart, Majesty.”

Alfie nodded, took a deep breath, and went outside to greet his people.