The Princess's Manservant

CHAPTER TWELVE - Loose Threads

Two dogs...

What does a woman want with two dogs? He wondered.

No, the better question is who gave those animals to her.

He kept asking himself as he recalled the chase, a flash of the princess's smile slipping into his mind.

"What a nice smile she has," he commented, leaning against the wall as his gaze lingered on the floor.

"Alex."

A familiar voice called out to him from behind. Alex turned, and to his surprise it was the gardener, walking toward him with leaves in his hair and on his shoulder.

"I finally caught up," he sighed, placing a hand on Alex's shoulder.

"Good day, sir," Alex said, bowing slightly.

Was he in the garden?

Alex wondered.

"A good day it is—but for you, not so much." They began to walk through the halls. "Sorry about the dogs. They have high energy, usually around this time."

"So you were in the garden." Alex's gaze dropped, his annoyance on the verge of spilling over.

The gardener laughed. "Please don't look at me like that. I don't like those dogs either—they don't listen to anyone apart from the princess. You see, she's had them since they were pups."

"I see."

This man keeps acting like a weird blabbermouth. But at the same time, it was odd that I wasn't able to detect him while I was running about. Alex wondered for a while.

"Were you able to finish your work in the garden?" Alex asked.

"Not entirely. When I heard the dogs, I hid in the bushes. However, I did hear the princess tell you to take a day off. Maybe I should allow those dogs to bite me once in a while," he joked.

"Yes... it was a bit odd. I never thought she was capable of compassion." Alex's mind drifted to when he saw her sneaking ointment out of the palace walls.

"So what are you going to do with your free time?" the gardener inquired.

Alex hummed in thought. Our bags are still in the inn, he realized, counting the days that had already been paid. It's almost up.

"What?" the gardener asked.

"Nothing." Alex looked around. "Can you help me to the exit? I still haven't gotten my way around the palace."

"Of course. Just follow me."

The gardener led him until they reached the main palace entrance. "You sure you don't want me tagging along?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Alex insisted. "Maybe next time."

With his coat in hand, Alex left. Thankfully, the princess had taken away his neck bond and instead given him a different band on his hand.

Once out of the gate, Alex followed the straight path through the town square. Even though he was slightly lost due to route changes, he still remembered the name of the inn, which he used to ask passersby for directions.

Alex found the inn, greeted the receptionist with a short chat, then headed to his room.

"Obinna," he muttered.

Obinna turned abruptly and let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank the Lord for His grace—His Highness is alive," he exaggerated.

Alex walked up to him with a smile, and they hugged as though they had been away for months.

"It is good to see you, my friend," Alex said, pulling back. "You look well."

"And you look tired."

Alex laughed. "You could say that."

They both sat on the bed near them.

"So what brings you back to the inn?" Obinna asked.

"Our luggage." Their gazes turned to the nearby bags. "But it seems you had the same idea as well."

"Indeed," Alex replied. Then silence followed.

"What happened?" Obinna hesitated before asking.

Alex sighed. "That is a rather long story."

He leaned in and whispered all that had happened.

Obinna burst out laughing—so loudly that some of the other guests became curious. "That explains the... tear on your trousers."

"Enough with your jest," Alex warned, leaning closer. "I am still your prince."

"Of course, of course. I apologize for my tardiness," Obinna said quickly, composing himself. "So you're a..."

"A bond, bound to the princess who is my lead," Alex finished.

"That's an interesting ceremony." Obinna hummed, finger to his chin. "That would explain why it was private—and somewhat secretive."

"What?"

"Look at it this way," Obinna leaned closer, whispering. "The bond system is very complex. It's institutionalized for something, but we don't yet know what or why."

"That is true." Alex frowned, then something flashed in his mind. "The book," he muttered, relief seeping into his voice.

"The green handbook," he continued. "The one on the desk in my quarters at the palace. I didn't see the need to read it until now."

"Okay then, bring it."

"I can't. My movement has been restricted since I joined the palace. I'm to be at the princess's side at all times." Alex hesitated. "Is it the same with you?"

"No."

"What?"

"It's unfortunate for you, but I joined the academy."

"As what?"

"A dibia in training."

"What? You and medicine?" Alex stopped himself, then glanced toward the window, noticing the dimming light. He stood. "We can't continue discussing like this. It's best that you come looking for me instead."

They gathered their bags and coats, returned the keys, and paid the receptionist.

Obinna headed toward the academy quarters.

Alex returned to the palace.

When they would meet again—they did not know.