The Royal Witch

Chapter 4B - The Stablehand - Adrian

"Where were you, and why did you take so long?"

Soraya knew that voice all her life – that booming voice that did not even make much of an effort.

The dining table had been decked with a special feast: a fat pig's head right in the middle, a basket of fruits, cheese tarts, wafers, and more. Every plate seemed to have a healthy portion of turkey. It looked like they were in the middle of it, in a way. It was like everyone tried a little bit of the turkey but had done so very slowly to wait for her to arrive.

Seated around the table were the Swordsmith royals – and her mother! She was looking beautiful in her deep purple velvet brown gown and diamond-encrusted tiara, but anyone who looked at her could see that she was pale. Her slight rouge did nothing much to hide her tiredness. Her father was standing with both hands pressed on the table. He was watching her with a mix of worry and rage. Prince Killian had the grace to look slightly guilty, but only the princess was aware of that.

"I fell asleep in the maze, father. I am so sorry."

Everyone looked at Soraya's gown, which seemed to confirm what she said. There were grass stains on the hem and even some muddy streaks on some parts of the skirt.

"But what were you doing there? I thought you were with Killian?" asked Queen Drusilla.

"Mother, I was there a few hours ago. I was looking for the princess," Killian said.

"I – I don't know. I just felt a little overwhelmed with everything that was going on," explained Soraya.

The princess did not know how she was able to lie so easily like that.

"Well, there is no time to clean up now. Come, my dear. Sit down with us."

The soft voice came from her mother.

She joined in, feeling a little of the heat of Killian's gaze. Soraya did not feel like she was ready to talk to the prince. It seemed that their relationship had gone up another level after the kiss, well kisses. So, she kept her head bowed most of the evening. King Jurgen and Queen Drusilla seemed to have not noticed anything. Queen Thora, however, looked at her daughter worriedly.

Soraya looked up and saw her mother watching her. She smiled at her mother, who seemed a little better. She turned to her father, who seemed to have aged a little within the mere hours that she had not seen him.

There was something wrong here, but she could not figure out what and why.

"So, how has the courtship been going along?" finally asked King Dante, addressing Prince Killian, who seemed busy with his dinner.

"I can't say, Your Majesty. I myself am smitten with the princess. I believe she knows that, but I do not yet know what her feelings are," after swallowing some meat.

Soraya thanks the prince in her head, grateful for his gallantness. He was a lot kinder than he thought, but he was also more passionate beneath his cool exterior. She felt her cheeks warm at that.

"And what do you say, Soraya? Are we now ready to arrange a marriage?"

Then, he suddenly coughed. He drank some water from his goblet. Then, he went into another coughing fit.

Soraya was saved from answering again as the servants started fussing at her father, helping him get to his rooms. Her mother's lady-in-waiting had also come to assist her so that she could rest.

"My apologies, everyone," she said weakly.

The Swordsmith royals then take their bows at the retiring king and queen. They bowed at Soraya, who curtsied back.

The night ended quickly enough. She could not wait to get into her bath to soak and clean some of the grime. Some of the dirt came from that young stablehand. For some reason, his face flashed in her mind. For someone she had only seen for a few minutes, the vision was very clear and detailed, as if he were there right in front of her.

The princess shook her head vigorously to get rid of the image. She was still tiptoeing around the betrothal issue, and she did not have any real reason to say no. Her parents and the Swordsmith royals got along, and she and Killian were attracted to each other. She knew it in the way her body felt like it was in flames every time she remembered those kisses.

What would her mother think of her if she knew?

***

The following day, the Swordsmith royals took their leave. They had to go back to their kingdom. As usual, they would stay for a couple of days and nights. Then, they had to travel to their domain for about a day. That would mean they would be there for about a week or two. Then, they would either come together or simply send Killian to continue his courtship. Killian would likely be accompanied by guards and one of his courtiers, Alain.

Soraya felt a pang of loneliness when she thought about the next couple of weeks. She was both disappointed and relieved that she no longer had time alone with the prince before he set off.  The princess wondered if the prince would kiss her again when he returned. He did not seem like a rake. Killian looked like he was too serious about his role as a prince to be like that. But what did she know about princes and young men?

At the same time, she was excited for a chance to spend more time with her new friend, Adrian. 

That afternoon after the Swordsmith royals left, she rushed to the maze, eager to see Adrian, the stablehand. This time, she knew just what turns to take. Therefore, she was able to reach her destination in no time.

"Adrian!"

She heard some scuffling from inside. Then, the young man came out of her door, gesturing at her to come over. Soraya was surprised but somehow pleased at the way the stablehand was acting. It was as if they were friends and equals.

"What did you want to tell me?"

Her voice was excited, like a little girl who was about to see her birthday cake for the first time.

"Do you see this?" Adrian was gesturing at some herbs soaking in boiling water and some powdery substances.

"Yes, I do. But I don't know what I am looking at."

"I have been mixing this. This mixture is a protection spell."

"A spell?"

The princess was chilled at the word but somehow also interested – curious. She backed away from the stablehand.

"Don’t be afraid, princess. Again, this is a protection spell.”

“I heard you. Are you a witch – or what do you call a boy witch?”

She was trembling a little this time. She wanted to run, but somehow she had not done so.

“I am a warlock, princess.”

She gasped.

But he was not even finished.

“And you are a witch, a royal witch.”