Niccolo's Young Prince

Chapter IV: The Dinner

“Piero!” his father barked

The young prince looked at his father across the table and felt goosebumps rise all over his body. He always had a fear when it came to his father, a great fear.

“Yes, your highness?”

“Your uncle tells me your military training was successful,” he said as his knife sliced the meat on his plate, “ I am glad you are taking your role as heir seriously these days,”

A shy smile crept to the young prince’s lips, “ I will work even harder, Father.”

“I know you will and I have to thank Niccolo for shaping you into the heir I want.”

Niccolo looked up from his plate and looked at the young prince before answering the King, “ I do not deserve your thanks, your highness, it’s all the Prince’s efforts, “ he said with a smile.

The young prince was grateful for the vote of confidence from Niccolo, he was always in need of reminding that he could be all his father wanted and more. The King’s eyebrows lifted at Niccolo’s comment. He always thought he would have had to choose a commoner heir as his son was not willing.

“If you say so just make sure you teach him everything”

The dinner table went back to being noisy. Niccolo snuck a hand to the young prince’s back and gave him an encouraging back tap. The warmth comforted the young prince even more. His grateful heart filled with love for his teacher for standing up to him.

A watchful eye was watching them, amused no one else noticed the engagement. She was always found it curious how close the scholar and his student were. How marvelous, she thought. She was probably the only person in the palace grounds who knew the relationship was more than just teachings or friendship. She wondered if the King found out would he be enraged or disappointed. He would probably have their heads. She giggled to herself with those thoughts, her giggle drew in the attention of Niccolo taking his hand off the young prince’s back and clearing his throat focusing on his meal.

The dinner came to an end and the nobles retired to their rooms.

Niccolo decided to escort the young prince to his bedroom. As they walked the silent halls, lost in their thoughts they did not notice a shadow watching their every step. A shadow that has constantly been on their trail.

As the shadow trailed them avoiding the lit corridors and just sticking to the darkness. Unaware of the shadow, the couple arrived at the young prince's room, the guards opened the door and the young prince entered the room.

"Unfortunately I have to leave you here, my prince, I must retire early as I have a long lecture tomorrow"

"How unfortunate, we won't have a night study. Very well, sleep well Niccolo"

"Sleep well as well, My Prince"

Having said that Niccolo bowed and turned to walk to him bedroom which was at the far end of the corridor. The Young Prince proceeded to undress and slipped into his bed a big smile on his face. His mind replayed the praise the King has showered him. It felt good to be complimented by his father, his longing was for nothing. He turned and turned beaming with joy. He whispered wished to the gods that his father will always be this loving towards him.