Bab 39: Chapter 39

~Talfen, the capital of Coldshore~

~Inner Court, The Royal Palace~

"Are you alright?" Prince Cederic asked, concern in his voice.

Reqiel brushed his robes after being put on his feet, looking up at Cederic in surprise - maybe the Crown Prince didn't entirely hate him after all.

"I'm alright, brother, you don't have to be so worried about me," Aethel said softly, her cheeks coloring up.

Reqiel's hopes were instantly dashed to the ground like the thief that had tried to abduct him, he should have known better. Not to mention, Aethel had single-handedly taken down two of their assailants and she still looked very put together. While Reqiel hadn't even been able to best a single assailant yet his robes were in a disarray and his hair was everywhere.

The Royal guard that had rescued him bowed and proceeded to walk off when Cederic stopped him, "You there! Are you assigned to the inner court?" He demanded, walking over.

With Cederic standing next to the Royal guard, Reqiel realized just how tall he was, he was dressed in pale gray robes which made his tan complexion and abysmally dark hair stand out.

He turned to Aethel with an apologetic look in his eyes, "I'm sorry for my inability to protect you…" He started to say.

Aethel cut him off with a hug, tears glistening in her eyes, "Oh, I'm so glad you're unhurt," She leaned back to say, holding both of his hands. "I should be the one apologizing for making you do so much strenuous exercise," She marched right on, helping him smoothen his hair.

Reqiel was speechless, just who did Aethel see him as? Did she see him as a sickly fawn who would die just from walking a short distance? Well, she wouldn't be exactly wrong but it still hurt.

"I'm just fine," He said sheepishly, trying to lighten the air, "I managed to save your present."

This made Aethel brighten up, her gaze straying over to where Cederic was having a conversation with the Royal guard.

Reqiel trailed after her, listening in on their conversation as well.

"You say you're a mere guard in training on patrol?" Cederic repeated, sounding even more impressed.

Just then, a couple of higher-ranking guards hurried over with panicked expressions, dropping to one knee in front of Cederic.

"Pardon us, Your Highness!" They said loudly, "It was all our fault that the lovely Princess and her lady friend…"

"Erm, Prince?" Reqiel interrupted them with a cleared throat, pushing his hair back. Maybe he should have let Sarell tie up his hair, after all, the voluminous pale gold locks were causing a lot of misidentification.

His interruption made the guards stumble over their words, all of them turning their attention to him, including the guard that had saved him.

Aethel stepped in front of him protectively, "Prince Reqiel was nearly stolen right under your noses, what do you have to say to this?"

This only made the silence stretch on, the higher-ranking guards feeling like their lives were flashing before their eyes. The famed Princess Aethel never spoke to anyone other than the rest of her family, the fact that she deigned to address them made their thinking faculties grind to a halt.

Cederic scowled at this, stepping in between his sister and the guards, he didn't approve of them interacting with her in this manner. "Speak! What's your offense?" He demanded, startling them back into action.

The trio had their heads held low, "We were merely holding a little surprise test for the guards in training, we didn't expect that the hired goons would dare to attack Her Highness and… and Prince Reqiel?" The spokesperson said carefully like he didn't believe it himself.

Cederic hmphed and slashed a hand, "You'll of course be punished for this slight, however, I'll have this exceptional guard be promoted for his quick thinking." He decided, "Have Captain Gautier see me about that."

The guards looked amongst themselves at this with disbelief on their faces but they couldn't protest against the Crown Prince's decision. "As Your Highness wishes." They bowed, quickly making themselves scarce.

The dark-haired guard that had saved Reqiel followed as well, dragging the unconscious assailant with him as he did.

Cederic turned to face his sister to find her staring glassily at the guard in training, she was probably frightened about what had happened, he should have done a better job of protecting her…

He glanced at Reqiel who was also looking in the direction of the retreating guards - especially as the Prince who his lovely sister was so taken in by couldn't even protect himself, much more someone else, much like he predicted.

The Prince from the North's gauzy robe was falling off a shoulder, his hair pushed over a shoulder on one side - how garish it was for a male to pay so much attention to something like his hair…

His thoughts faded away as he paid more attention to his face, the way the fading sun reflected in his eyes which were like the night sky, and the redness of his cheeks from exertion. Mayhaps, he was sickly after all because there was no other reason to explain his silky smooth pale skin.

"I'll escort you for the rest of your walk," Cederic broke the silence, tipping his head forward respectfully to his sister.

Reqiel was tempted to turn him down, he didn't think he was up for more walking. Spending his entire life being carried around meant that even a slow walk was incredibly taxing for him, so as much as he hated to, he needed to return to his palace.

And bless Aethel because his lovely friend knew exactly what he needed, "How nice of you, Cederic, although you don't have to go out of your way because our walk will end here today."

Cederic frowned, "Is it because you're frightened of being attacked again? I'll be with you this time so there'll be no fear of that."

Reqiel grimaced, he doubted that Aethel could be frightened by anything considering how quickly and effortlessly she had brought down her two assailants.

He saw that Aethel was about to say something considerate on his behalf and he should probably have let her explain to her brother that they had to cut their walk short because he was about to pass out from exertion, but his pride reared its head and he interrupted instead.

"Indeed, we should keep walking, you have yet to show me Queen Myla's gardens." He forced out, regretting his words even as they left his lips. But he wasn't going to let Cederic keep looking down on him, he was perfectly capable of doing common things just like everyone else.

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