The Prince and His Maid

2: The new maid

*Finn*

I have been summende by the King to come to the castle immediately after we made port. It might seem like a rather unusual thing for a pirate, but Well I am not your everyday pirate to be honest. First of all I am best friends with the crown prince, and we have been that ever since we were just big kids and I happened to save his life.

The King accepts my little .. business, as long as I stay away from his ships and goods. And if I once in a while do small favours, in service of my King and country. Usually it pays well and I like to keep the peace, so I do it.

"My king". I make the customary knee fall. My hat in my hand and my head bowed. I do know how to act around royalty when needed.

"Finley, get up with you". He say smiling and I raise he pad my shoulder in a kind of fatherly way. "I hope your travels were fruitful".

I chuckle. "They certainly were. But you summoned me ? What can I do for my country this time ?"

"I need something precious picked up and delivered here safely. It is located in Eshal, that is why I am asking you instead of sending one of my own ships". The King confide in me.

"Treasure ? Spices ?" I ask, I like to know what I will be dealing with. The waters from here to Eshal are rough and dangerous, and he is right, my smaller slim ship is much better suited than the huge ones of the royal navy.

The King smiles, shaking his head. "A princess.. a bride for Arion. He has finally given in and is to be married as soon as you can get her here".

"I can set sail in two days, then it will be 7 maybe 8 weeks, depending on the weather". I have made the journey a couple of times.

"Get to it then and there will be a generous payment when the princess is delivered safely". He say, waving me off in traditional manner.

When I get out from the throne room Arion is waiting outside and we give each other a quick hug. "So your father finally got his way, you gave in to the whole marriage thing ?"

"Well, give in and give in.. I don't really feel I was left with a choice. They made a list of eligible princesses and I was told to pick one right there and then". He rolls his eyes looking annoyed.

Arion has aspirations of finding true love, something not many men will understand. I do get him though. Unfortunately for him, that is not how life and marriage works for a prince.

I pad his shoulder softly. "I hope that she is at least amiable and easy to live with. This is your time to get.. done what you need to do, to have the last amorous adventures and naughty fun. In about 2 months I will be back with your bride".

"If she is too bad.. Maybe you could.. you know trip her, discretely push her overboard and call it an unfortunately accident ?" His request makes me bark out a laugh.

"Let me see what I can do mate.. but wouldn't they just make you chose one of the other options then ?" I ask raising one eyebrow. I am extremely happy that no one is forcing me to marry.

He sigh rather theatrically and roll his eyes. "No actually I feel really sorry for the poor girl. I mean she has to leave everything she knows and come here to marry me".

"Hey, give yourself some credit. Any woman should be happy to marry you. I can't see were she would find someone better". I tell him honestly. Any woman really should be more than happy to marry him, not because he is a prince, but because he is a great guy.

"Thanks Finn". He say as we walk out into the courtyard. He pulls me into another hug. "Safe travels then and I guess I see you when you get back with my wife to be".

"See you". I say swinging myself in the saddle, giving him a wink. "Behave my price, Do not do anything I wouldn't do".

He laughs and give me a wave, as I ride of towards me ship, I need to get it checked through and ready for the journey.

*Naria*

"Here girl, take this to the small dining hall". I find myself getting a big dish of food showed into my hands. I try to balance it, as I walk as quick as I can with the extra weight.

I have just started working at the castle as a maid after I turned 18 a few days ago. My father is a baker in a small village below the castle and I am lucky to have gotten this job.

But the damn plate is so big and heavy and I am not yet used to this, so as I am about to put it down on the long table, I can feel it starts to slip, making me gasp slightly. I just know I am going to drop it and lose my job. And what if I spill the food on so done important, like the King or Crown prince ? I could get thrown into jail for contempt.

"Whoopsi there". Someone reaches in and catches the plate at the last second. A soft warm voice sounding right beside my ear. "Here, let me give you a hand with that darling".

"Oh Thank you so much sire". My cheeks flush as I feel the relief wash through me. He helps me put down the plate.

I turn my head to thank my saviour again, without thinking my eyes run over him. He is wearing brown leather pants and a loose fitted white shirt, that is open at the neck, showing of some dark chest hair. He is very tall and his chest is wide.

My eyes reach his face, oh he is very handsome, with dark tousled hair and warm dark eyes, pulling me in. His smile is dazzling. Then I suddenly realise who it is and I blush for real. "Oh you royal highness, I am so sorry".

"It's nothing to be sorry about my dear. Breathe okay ? No worries". He say softly as I keep my eyes lowered to the floor as costume bids me to.

I mean of course I knew he is handsome, the prince. Everyone talks about it and I have seen him a couple of times from afar. But here, up close, smiling at me, he is absolutely breathtaking.

His voice is warm, soft and a bit deep. "You must be new here, I haven't seen you before".

"Yes, your highness". I give a small curtsy. "I only just started 3 days ago and I am very grateful for the job". I feel my heart flutter nervously just from being this close to him. He is like a force of nature.

Even though I keep my eyes down and isn't looking at his face, I can still see that he is smiling, it's like he lights up the whole room. "Well I am happy to hear that you are thriving. Welcome to the castle then.. I don't think I got the fair maidens name ?"

"Naria, my name is Naria your highness". I curtsy again, all flustered that I am now the center of attention. Luckily there is only the prince and a couple of his friends in the room.

"Naria dear, please look at my face". His voice is still low and soft, but it has an authoritative edge to it, a royal tone and I can't help but do as I am told. I lift my head slowly until our eyes meet. "Thank you darling. I prefer people to look at me when I am talking to them, no matter who they are".

I just nod, finding myself unable to speak right now and he sends me a warm smile. "Well, I hope you will continue to be happy here".

I give him yet another small curtsy and hurries back down to the kitchen, to see if there is more for me to do.

*Arion*

I sit back down and start tucking into my food. One of the guys, Phipp, nudge me with his elbow. "That one is a real pretty little thing. I wouldn't mind bending her over the table and have my dirty way with her".

"Oh.. Yeah I can imagine that". Phipp happens to be married, to some poor wisp of a woman, but that isn't holding him back. To put it blandly he is f*****g anything willing with a pulse and a hole, probably some not so willing too. "Because you are a disgusting excuse for a man when it comes to women".

Honestly I never liked Phipp much, he hangs around because of his family, another downside to the whole being a prince and politics thing.

He rolls his eyes at me. "Yeah yeah Arion.. you are always so damn innocent and proper, right ? Don't come her telling me that you haven't had your share of fun with the chambermaids, or are you telling me that you are a virgin ?

"I have never claimed to be. But I have standards and a big difference between you and me are the fact that you are a married man and a father.. I am still single, at least for a bit yet". Honestly a lot of men should think about their behaviour towards women.

He just chuckles, as always he don't seem to get that I am serious. "Yeah, but have you seen the lizard I am married to ? God I hope for you that your wife is both prettier and more interesting in the sack".

"Seriously, you really are a huge jerk.. I..". I stop talking and ignore Phipp as Naria walks back in with a new plate, managing on her own this time. I do not want to finish that conversation in front of a lady.

Instead I watch her discreetly, as she puts down the plate and then turn to walk out the room. Her hips are staying gently with each step. Phipp is right about one thing though, she is a pretty little thing, no.. that's not good enough, more like stunningly beautiful.

"I think I should start coming by more often, she looks like a real screamer". He laughs crudely and wink at me. "Imagine her like 'oh Phipp, oh Phipp, give me your big fat..".

I slam my hand down on that table, making everyone jump slightly. "Stop it right now. I don't want to hear your disgusting fantasies. And believe me, you are keeping your filthy paws of that poor girl".

He hang his head, at least he knows not to argue with me. The lunch is continued in silence. No a woman like her deserves so much more than being used by a jerk like that.