Royal Disaster

Chapter 4: Change of Plans

Emrose

"Okay, you need to tell them that I found you in the woods crying for help and you had nowhere to go so I had no choice but to take you with me. Alright?" I stopped and briefed the man before allowing him to enter my house.

"What? Why would I say that? Why not tell them the truth that you were in my way and caused my injury?" He answered, confused.

"Because! I don't know. I don't want them to have thoughts of anything. I just.. I don't know." I pondered for a bit as to why I didn't want my family to know the truth, but I felt that it's best this way.

"Alright. Just get me to a bed or something." He groaned again. He wouldn't admit it, but I know he was in excruciating pain because of his arm. I managed to smile a bit. A man who eats ego for breakfast. Huh.

"Mother? father? Elchard?" I called out once I stepped inside the house.

"Goodness!" Mother shrieked. "Who is this man Emrose?!"

"Mother, I can explain. I found this man on the woods. He's injured." I assisted the man on the chair and turned around.

"Good day to you madam. I'm sorry for causing such trouble.." He curtsied. What? He can do that? He can actually not be rude?

"What is your name, son?" Mother asked him. Wow, what a good question. I've never even thought of asking his name before bringing him into my home. Way to go, Emrose.

"My name is..." before he could finish, Elchard came in and so did father.

"Who the hell is this?" Elchard was obviously surprised who the new man was.

"This is..." I paused and turned back to face the man, "what did you say your name was again?"

"My name is Alas. I came from the palace..." He answered.

"You're a palace guard? Why have you come here? What do you want from us?" Elchard's tone of voice was upsetting the visitor. A crease on his forehead was evident.

"I come in peace. I did not know my horse would flee and dump me here in the woods. I'm grateful your wife found me." He was referring to me. Wait, what?

"Uh no no no, he's not my uhm.. husband or whatever it is you're thinking. He's my brother. Elchard is my brother." I clarified.

"Oh, then why is he so upset that you're holding me?" He smirked and motioned towards my tight grip on his arm. I didn't even realize I was holding him until this very moment.

"Get this no-mannered man out of this house immediately!" Elchard bawled.

"NO! He stays! Can't you see brother? He's injured. He needs to rest." I argued with my brother.

"He's gonna kill us all here, Rose!" Elchard took a step closer, voice raising.

"Oh, Rose is your name? What a lovely name." Alas said, and before I could even stop what was happening, Alas was on the floor punched by my brother.

"Elchard! What the hell are you doing!" I yelled at my brother while helping Alas get up.

"That's enough!" Father howled. Everyone turned to look at him. He was old, yes. But father's features always scared anyone who made him angry. Big chest, bigger arms and six-foot tall father. Elchard and Alas were as big, but shorter.

"Why have you really come here boy? We are farmers, yes. But we are not stupid farmers. A fine young  man like you can't just be riding out here for no reason at all. Don't make us fools." Father's voice grew deeper and this time I was scared. All I ever wanted was to help Alas as I knew I was the reason why he was injured.

I was about to speak up and tell them what really happened, when Alas suddenly spoke, "I ran away from home."

 What? A man running away from home? What a joke. But he continued, "They have arranged for me a marriage I never wanted. I did not want to marry yet, and even more so, I don't know who I'm going to marry. I objected, but they didn't listen. I fought against my better judgement and rode north, towards the Scottish border."

Father sighed and relieved maybe? I don't know what from. "So you're not here as a spy?

"Ofcourse not, Sir. Why would I be?" Alas asked father, confused.

"The civil war has long been over boy, but the people who started it are still very much alive. Ain't no chance I'm putting my family in danger with you around. But I trust you're a gentleman and you are true to your words." Father then turned to mother then to Elchard, "If he say he's not a spy, then he's not a spy. We shall help him so he could be on his way tomorrow morning."

A smile spread over my face. "Thank you father!"

"You are not to go near my sister. Do you understand?" Elchard said to Alas, giving him a warning look.

"As you wish, Sir." Alas said, but smirked. They clearly aren't fond of each other. Good thing Alas doesn't let himself get bullied by my brother's taunting comments.

Mother called me to help her prepare a warm water for Alas, and some porridge. After, I assisted Alas to my room.

"Rose, he's staying at my room." Elchard called out, and motioned for me to take Alas to his room. I followed his gesture and was relieved he didn't have to stay at mine. I did not want him to be around so close to me or my things.

Elchard was waiting right outside his door. Going near him, Alas suddenly muttered, "You sure love your sister way too much, don't you?"

"She is my only sister. Maybe you have no family to love as much as I do mine, so you would never understand." This time, it was Elchard who smirked at Alas, the latter grew quiet. Clearly surprised of my brother's comment. "Rose, after you tend to him step outside of the room. He can heal by himself, I'm sure of that." Elchard then retreated to the kitchen to help mother.

After my brother left, and Alas comfortably on his bed, I decided to leave and return to my room. I started to get up. "You know, your brother was right." Alas spoke to me as I was nearing the door. "I don't have a family I can love as much as he loves his." I turned around and suddenly felt a pang of pain for him. "My mother died when I was 2 weeks old. Infection from giving birth to me, they said. My father, well. He's always been.. He's been favorable to me. But I never really felt he loved me as his son."

"That is quite a sad story to tell." I said softly, still standing near the door.

"Yes, I think so too. But." Alas now back with his smirking, "I know how a brother loves a sister. And I don't think that's how you should look at your sister."

"You mean Elchard?" I asked, and he nodded. "Oh, you are gravely mistaken. He's truly just my brother." I smiled.

"That was obviously not what I saw from his eyes." Alas smiled.

"You see a lot of things. You don't know this family, we are as close as we can be. I grew up here without anyone but them. So perhaps that explains why you thought maliciously of my brother and I." I defended my family from this stranger who thought of something else than brotherly love.

"Perhaps you're right." Alas finally gave up with the topic. "Thank you for taking me in."

"You're welcome." I smiled and I was out of the door before he could initiate yet another conversation with me.

Once I was out, thoughts were running again in my mind. A nobleman in my house. Father allowed him to stay, but Elchard obviously didn't agree to this. I creeped down the kitchen but stopped when I heard mother and Elchard's conversation. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I can't help it.

"Do you now see why we object so much of you taking us to town?" Mother was talking to Elchard. He kept quiet but mother continued, "This man could take away our Emmy from us. A lot of people would do that once we are in town. It's not that I don't want her to marry, but it's too soon. And us staying in town would definitely speed things up."

Elchard still kept quiet, I was waiting for him to argue. We both wanted this, we both wanted to be out of here. But instead, what I heard was a form of betrayal. "You're right mother. We shouldn't leave for town."

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