Chapter 4 - I'm still young.
1389 Words
“How old do you think she is?” He asked as both of them stared at the sleeping form of the woman.
“I would hazard a guess, around your age, my lord. She’s young.” The doctor answered.
“Have you tended to all her wounds?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“You’re dismissed, then.”
The doctor bowed before exiting through the door. The prince frowned as he ran his gaze from her head to toe. The bandage on her head made him frown deeper. Which bastard dared to hit a woman?
“My lord, dinner has been prepared.” A servant came to inform him.
“Be sure to set aside a plate for my companion.”
“Your companion, sire?” The servant was puzzled.
The prince pointed at the bed. “This person.”
The servant was quick to react, “Yes, sire. I will send up a plate to this room.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
Before dinner, he talked to the doctor and asked if he had mentioned the stranger’s gender to anyone. The doctor looked puzzled, but answered in the negative.
“Keep it a secret. Let people think she’s a boy.” He ordered without a hint of embarrassment and without revealing his motive. No one can tell what the prince was thinking that night.
Many people admire him, but at the same time, many people are afraid of him.
As the heir to the throne and the sole prince in the kingdom, he was bound to be respected. His father, the King, is a good ruler. Despite his display of being merciless and brutal at times, his subjects understand that those were necessary for the benefit of the kingdom and its people. He had been a beast on the battlefield in times of war in the past.
The prince lived in a time of peace and hasn’t witnessed the brutality of enemies. His father does have enemies and there have been a number of attempts to his life and that of his heir. It was required from him to be a knight and learn how to fight.
At his age, his father has started preparing him to be a leader. The King has emphasized the importance of alliance with neighboring kingdoms and the various means to achieve that. As the prince lies on his bed that night, he grimaced as he was reminded of his previous conversation with his father. The King spoke of marriage. Not his own, but that of his son.
“I’m still young.” He replied in shock.
“It won’t be long until you’re of age to get married.”
“More than six years away.” He retorted. His father got married at that age.
“Even so, you should start thinking about it. There are candidates. It is a decision that would affect you for the rest of your life. It would require you to make a wise choice.”
He understood his father’s statement, but at that point he isn’t really interested. He looked uncomfortable as his father continued and started talking about how he should analyze a candidate by considering the numerous advantages and disadvantages. He hadn't mentioned anything about having feelings. But Vince knew his parents loved each other.
Right now, his concerns focus on becoming the best knight and be more educated in the affairs of the kingdom. To him, his rank among the knights is not acceptable. They are tasked to protect him, but he also had to prove himself capable of becoming their future king. Some of the older knights still see him as a boy. They taunt him in a joking way, but it still rubs him off the wrong way. He wants to be respected, not because he is the prince, but because of his own strengths and merits.
Early the next morning, he visited the stranger’s room as soon as he woke up. He had to speak with her. He’s allowed to have a number of companions but he hadn’t had any before. Most of the boys his age at the palace and the town it was situated in are afraid to offend him. The position is high among the palace staff but no one dared to accept it. It only has a few requirements. You have to be a subject of the kingdom and pledge your lifetime’s allegiance to the throne, regardless of who’s sitting on it. As for their gender… there was no specification on that regard, but it is expected to be the same gender as the royal. Having a companion of the opposite gender is frowned upon and bound to be a subject of rumors and speculations.
Naya awoke to the feeling of being watched, but she barely moved when she felt the ache across her body. She groaned in pain as she opened her eyes. Her gaze was drawn immediately by the young man standing on the end of her bed.
Her mind instantly recalled what happened to her and she wondered what happened afterwards. Where is she? Ignoring the pain, she sat up on the bed to face the stranger. He has good features with a properly-built body. He’s tall. His eyes trained on her made her conscious but she returned his gaze.
“What’s your name?” It was his first question.
She hesitated. Very few people have asked her for a name. “Nate.” She replied using the boy’s name she sometimes uses.
His raised eyebrow made her frown. She looked down to see the clothes she’s wearing. Gone is her cloak and the few layers she used to have.
“Why do you pretend to be a boy?”
She hesitated again. Never before has anyone doubted her.
“I… don’t.”
His mocking expression made her explain herself.
“People assume I was.”
“But you don’t correct them.” He’s right about it.
“It is much easier to travel alone as a boy. People tell me to go back home when they see a girl. They tell me to stay out of the woods. A girl is a much easier target. A boy is not.”
Her agitated expression was very obvious to the prince.
“Did you help me? I meant to thank you.” Naya bowed herself but grimaced as she feels more pain. She suddenly looked around.
“Where are my things? My sword?”
The prince watched as she tried to search the room with her eyes.
“There’s nothing on you when we found you.” He explained and he witnessed the way her expression turned grim and sad. It’s as if she lost something valuable. Well, a good sword is expensive.
“No sword? No purse? No coins?” She looked at him and he nodded. She exhaled loudly and he could feel her frustration.
“Are you from this kingdom?”
Naya nodded, not bothering to speak. The loss of the sword is a huge blow on her. Her expression hardened as she thought of finding those rascals who beat her.
“What work do you do?”
The question interests Naya.
“I’m knowledgeable on flora. I harvest fruits from the woods and the forests as I travel. I sell them. I know a bit about carpentry as well.” Skills her father taught her.
“You’re a traveler?”
“Yes.”
“Have you considered getting a permanent job?”
His question made her consider. For the first time. The reason she chose traveling is so people won’t ask about her. She can also immediately flee without arousing suspicion. Slowly, she shook her head to answer.
“I have one to offer you and I hope you will take it.”
The way she looked at him afterwards is unsettling. She was judging him and he put up his guard. She raised an eyebrow herself.
“You will pay me?”
“Yes.” His expression was tight as he replied.
“How old are you?” She frowned, not understanding how someone like him would offer her work.
A knock on the door interrupted them. A servant bowed before speaking.
“Breakfast is ready, my prince.”
“Leave us. We’re still talking. Bring everyone to the hall.”
Naya was momentarily shocked before understanding dawned on her.
“Yes, my lord.”
Damn. She’s speaking with their prince? She should kneel down and beg. She would if her body wasn’t hurting.
The moment the door closed, Naya bowed to him. As low as her painful body permitted. She was just about to speak when he beat her to it.
“Sit up.” His irritated voice was what she heard.
“I apologize, my prince. I had no idea.” Her heartbeat accelerated. One should never offend nobles, even more so with royalties.
“I said, sit up.”
She obeyed, but her gaze trailed downwards. She couldn’t look at him now.
- Writer
