Re-loved

CHAPTER TEN: A MESS

I attempted to remain awake throughout the night as the Prince had commanded. However, Sleep persistently found its way back to me. My mind keeps replaying the events that transpired the previous night.

From the looks of it, it appears I have transitioned from a dungeon to enter a hellish realm. But who could have foreseen that such a notion would lead me to my target, which I must now steal from?

After this ordeal, I am uncertain about the kind of life I am meant to lead. Must the strong inevitably trample upon the weak? I must be strong, for Nina's sake.

"Rise, Young Man," the royal attendant said, kicking me to rouse me from my slumber.

I promptly stood up and looked around for the prince.

"Where is His Highness?" I inquired.

"Out for training. Take this to cover your body, so that I may escort you to your quarters," he replied.

"Oh, very well." I followed him to my new quarters. It is far more spacious and superior to the previous one.

"Once you are ready, come and meet me downstairs, and I will give you a tour," he said.

"Yes, sir."

"It's Sir Gregory," he corrected me.

I took a lengthy shower in an effort to calm myself. I realized I had not brought any clothes, so I borrowed those I spotted in the wardrobe, even though they appeared slightly tight.

I hastily departed, not wanting to keep Sir Gregory waiting.

This is where the prince dines," Gregory stated.

"Is the prince not meant to take his meals with His Majesty?" I inquired with a touch of curiosity.

"Just know that the prince eats alone. Have you not heard?" Gregory emphasized.

"Yes, Sir Gregory."

"Now, let us head to the stables," he continued.

"Sta...stables, where the horses are kept," I managed to utter.

"Yes, the stables."

I harbored unpleasant memories of the stables, and I truly did not wish to go there.

"Sir Gregory, His Highness is summoning you," one of the maids called out.

"Where is he?" Gregory asked.

"In the armory," the maid replied.

"Come with me, Theo," he said, and we both began making our way to see the prince.

I did not believe I was ready to face the prince after the events of the previous night.

The journey to the armory was not an easy one, as it was situated some distance from the palace. I used this opportunity to study the nooks and crannies of the palace, should I need to make a hasty exit.

As we arrived, I witnessed the prince engaged in a heated discussion with another individual, whom I presumed to be his stepbrother, Prince Cynfael.

"Sir Gregory, who is the prince conversing with?" I inquired.

"That is the prince's stepbrother, Prince Cynfael," Gregory replied.

I had heard rumors of the animosity between the brothers, as palace gossip often travels far.

As Cynfael took his leave, I quickly bowed my head.

"I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?" Cynfael asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," I replied.

"What is your name?" he inquired.

"Theo, Your Highness," I responded.

"He is Prince Liam's new servant," Sir Gregory quickly interjected.

Cynfael simply looked at me, then at Liam, and departed.

"Gregory, let us go. I am famished after all this training," Liam said.

"Your...Highness," I quickly bowed and spoke.

"Let him be the one to attend to my personal needs. At least let him be responsible for his actions," Liam said, visibly angered.

"Yes, Your Highness," Gregory acknowledged.

"Follow me Theo" Gregory ordered.

I followed him to the kitchen to get the prince's meal as it has already been fixed by the maids. They were surprised to learn that I am the princes new servant. A man to be precise.

"His highness breakfast, lunch and dinner is to be given to this young man Theo to serve to him" Gregory told them.

From the looks on their faces, I could guess they did not like what they heard.

"Sir Gregory, what will Mariah be doing then? She has always been serving the prince" one of the maid asked.

"Well, tell her to get something else to do" Gregory replied.

They all started gossiping among each other, I could already sense it's gonna be difficult to survive with them.

"Theo, pick the food and let's go".

After taking the food, we went straight to the dinning chamber.

I entered alone as Sir Gregory stood outside with the guards.

"Do I need to beg you to serve me?"Prince Liam shouted.

I rushed off to the table and dropped the prince's meal.

"Open it" he ordered.

"Yes, your highness".

I stood by the side as I watched him eat. I used that opportunity to stare at the room. it had different designs and coutures to it.

"Get me a wine in the cupboard over there" he asked.

I walked towards the end of the cupboard to take the wine. Only for the wine to fall as I opened the cupboard.

I knew I was in trouble already. So I tried packing the shards of the broken bottle not until the prince stood up and kick me in the shin. A familiar pain kicked in.

"Useless fellow, Just to bring the wine to the table for me has now become a problem for you right" he shouted.

"You can't do anything right!!!."

I went on my knees with the pain I was feeling.

"I am sorry your highness, I think the wine bottle was placed too high so it fell once I opened the cupboard" I stammered to say.

"So you are saying I am wrong? Do you know how much a bottle of this costs? Even the rags you wear can't buy it back." he said.

I was pained with the insult I just received.

"I am sorry your highness" I tried to prevent the tears from falling off.

"Gregory!!" he shouted.

"Yes your highness" Gregory answered as he entered the room.

"Let him clean the yard for the rest of the day, then later he should be in my room" he ordered.

"Yes your highness." Gregory replied.

He looked at me with spite and then kept on murmuring on how useless I am as he left.

"Stand up and let one of the maids clean up this place" Gregory said.

But it wasn't my fault I kept on saying to comfort myself. it wasn't my fault.