Episode 4

...cHaPtEr OnE ePiSoDe FoUr ...

"Your Highness" Barm called out "are you really not going to eat anything this morning" Barm said with a bit of worry. "Oh right" Alexander said completely forgetting. "Where are the tea and scones?" Alexander said as he walked over seeing two maids just coming with the tea and scones. "Your Highness" the two maids said with a curtsy and setting down the refreshments "do you need anything else your Highness?" one maid said. Alexander gave a slight nod while picking up a scone "No, nothing else" he said before walking away to eat and start his lessons.

"Finally" the maid named Lista said quietly while scoffing, "I don't know why we have to serve a spoiled brat like him even after what he did" the maid said annoyed. "Quiet before they hear" the other maid named Vala stopped her, "there's no proof that it was really his highness fault, it's his mother's fault at the least, did you see her at his tenth birthday party?" Vala said voice dripping in disdain. "That's right" Lista said in agreement "she said his seventh birthday in her speech, but everyone knew it was his tenth, no Offense but doesn't the queen know her own child's birthday and age" Lista added, "honestly if someone did poison the king it had to be her, and she's covering it up, I feel bad for his highness he's only ten but acts eighteen and has the queen for a mother" Vala added remembering her loving home before she came to the palace.

"Yea" Lista said softly changing her mind about prince Alexander, "you know I did see him at his birthday banquet... Having a long conversation with you know? The young maid Elora. Couldn't hear anything though, but probably nothing" Lista said changing the subject.

"Maybe he just wanted more sweets you know he has a sweet tooth" Vala added on. "Actually I think Elora would be a good match for his highness" Vala said still thinking in a small trans. "She's a maid" Lista said simply "No, not like that" Vala corrected her "but it's coming up" Vala added "what's coming up?" Lista inquiries. "Alright you two that's enough of your gossip his highness is riding peacefully so just get back to your jobs ok" Barm chimed in giving them a warning since gossip always leads to rumors.

Lista and Vala stopped talking and stood there knowing the trouble their mouth could get them into. Barm kept track of the time and already had the stables door open for Steedles. "Barm" Alexander said coming back into stables the step stool and dismounting Steedles carefully while Barm took the saddle off and gently led Steedles back to her stall. "Take good care of her" Alexander said walking over to the pump and washing his hands off then shook them to dry before picking up more scones "they've gotten cold" Alexander said disappointed but still eating them so not to waste them.

"Don't worry your Highness I'll take good care of Steedles, and excellent riding as always your Highness" Barm said closing the stall door and locking it "well I'm off a prince never rests" Alexander said and with that Alexander left back into the palace halls going to his study as Lista and Vala followed behind him quietly. "Have lunch brought to my study" Alexander said going into his study "yes your Highness" Lista and Vala said heading off to the kitchen.

"I'll handle his Highness lunch" Vala said with a calculating look as if she was planning something bad. "Oh ok then" Lista said accepting without suspicion and causally leaving to finish her work. Vala started fixing the prince's food and saw Elora washing the dish. "Elora" Vala said looking at her "yes Ms. Vala?" Elora replied politely.

"His highness ordered his lunch be brought to his chambers, could you take it to him for me?"

"Oh yes Ms. Vala" Elora said washing her hands clean and drying them off with a towel, "is this it, right here" Elora asked. "Yes that's it" Vala said with a thankful smile "thank you, Elora don't worry about the dishes I'll handle it" Vala added going over to the dishes as Elora put the food on a trolley and rolled it to the study down the long halls, when she finally reached the doors she knocked softly. "Your Highness..." Elora asked not wanting to disturb but was cut off "come in" Alexander said, so Elora opened the doors and pushed his food in. "Your lunch is ready your Highness" Elora said informally, but it was something he could already see, so she simply laid out the dishes on the side table as she took small glances at him working and her cheeks reddening remembering last night when he caught her from falling. "What's wrong?" Alexander asked turning to her fully then starting to eat "n… Nothing your Highness... is there anything else you need" Elora said quickly with a big gulped in her throat that she couldn't swallow not understanding what this feeling was. Alexander glanced at her expression feeling a little satisfied that she wasn't like the others "grind ink for me" Alexander said in a soft command "w… What? But I've never done that before" Elora said not understanding what the prince was thinking, Alexander finished eating and wiped his hands clean then looked at her "I'll teach you" Alexander replied.

Alexander words shocked Elora "he's the prince" she thought "so why would he teach me to grind his ink" she zoned out until his voice snapped her back in. "Elora" Alexander said more firmly "come here, pick up the ink stick and inkwell" he said making her tense up a little but went over and did what he said "now what your Highness" Elora asked looking at the ink. "Just make a circular formation going clockwise until the ink is grinded down" he said as he watched feeling at ease with her around.

"Like this your Highness" Elora asked while showing him and going slow "yes just like that" Alexander replied turning back to his work reviewing scrolls of imperial matters. "Your Highness" Elora asked as she felt curious to ask "you should train for swordsmanship" Elora said it anyway Alexander looked at her still comprehending her boldness "I do practice swordsmanship Elora" Alexander said feeling the need to entertain this "why do you suggest?" Alexander added. "oh.. right just something I think you'll be good at" Elora replied realizing she let her big mouth run off again so this time she stayed quiet while he worked.

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