Chapter Two “Pinky Promise.”

With Mother gone, Father really has changed. He forced me to work out in the fields and even sell my things in the market. He used money he earned to buy alcoholic beverages.

I had to sell all my things to keep my siblings from starving. This all happened for years after she died. The only things I had left were the clothing on my back and the cloak mother made me.

"You know selling the cloak would give us a good amount of money" Jack said, knowing I was never gonna sell the cloak. "Over my dead body I replied. "Oh but I am so hungry," Little Thomas said. His stomach growled.

"Fine, I will sell the cloak." "Yay! I haven't eaten in weeks" Thomas cheered with joy. I walk out the door and to the market. I never plan to sell this thing, I would rather steal food. I pulled the cloak over me and picked up a basket.

I went past stands picking up all sorts of fruits and vegetables. That was until I bumped into someone. He had broad shoulders with short black hair that was styled to the side. eyes blue with a purple center. They were definitely the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen.

"HEY" I heard the shop owner behind me. He must have seen me steal some of his fruit and veggies. "I'm sorry but gotta run!" I say dashing off but I am picked up by the collar. The Black haired man had picked me up!

He was extremely tall as well as being handsome. "Someone is trying to talk to you" He says as the Shopkeeper catches up. "Thank you sir." He said looking at the person. "Oh my it's you prince Zander!" He said bowing.

"What seems to be the issue?" The prince asked, looking down at the shopkeeper. "That person you have in hand is a little lying thief." "Oh so that's what is going on here. You know stealing is a crime that can be punishable by death." He says, looking at me.

"Sir I am fully aware but when your family is poor, You have no mother, And your father's an alcoholic. You seem to not really care about things that risk your life because you don't have one to begin with."

Both the prince and shopkeeper stay silent for a moment. "Now will you please let me go? I've already sold everything I own and I have two starving brothers at home." The prince seemed to ponder on something for a second. "How much did he steal?" "About five ponns."

The prince pulled two bills out of his pocket and gave it to the shopkeeper. "There, that should be enough." The shopkeeper glanced down at the money and went wide eyed. He scurried back to his shop. "Thank you... I guess...."

"Starting tomorrow you will work at the palace to repay me. You'll be given a place to stay and food. Your brothers will be taken care of. Does that sound fair?" "That's perfect, in fact it is more than I thought you would offer! Also, can you put me down now?"

"Oh Yeah, forgot about that." The prince slowly lowered me to the ground. "See you tomorrow," I said, running down the paved road towards my home.

Zander was not the type to let a theft go like that but that boy could be proven to be of some help. Plus they were around the same age. Zander walked back to the palace like it was just an evening stroll. Well for him it was anyways. "Where were you Zander?" His father asked, walking down the stairs.

"I was out in the village's market. I found a new butler." "Oh?" "He's a young boy but he's, I would say, only a year younger than me. He needed money to provide for his brothers." "I see, Okay then." The king says walking off.

Zander headed to his study. He opened the door to his mess of an office. In the middle of the mess there was his chair, it was a black leather chair. He sat down and thought of the events in the past few hours. "Why did I ever let you go?" He said, closing his eyes.

On my way home I discarded my cloak in a box in our backyard. If my brothers saw me with it they would be very suspicious. I walked in through the front door. I look to my left and there is my father. Passed out on the couch. Beer bottle still in hand.

Jack and Thomas were in the corner reading a book. It was our favorite. "The Prince and his servant." That book brought back the memories of before mother's passing. "I have fresh fruits and veggies" I said loud enough for my brothers to hear.

I put the basket on the table. Thomas opened the basket and low and behold there was apples, - of all shades - oranges, peaches, broccoli, carrots, and plums. "Brother this all looks magnificent!" Thomas said with excitement in his eyes.

"This is really all you could get with a cloak with hand dyed blue wool, and real gold trimming." Jack huffed. "If you want more than go sell some of your things! Me and Thomas have sold everything we own!" I snapped at Jack. "You're such a greedy cunt!" I backhanded my brother in his face.

"Stop having so much pride and be happy with what we have right now." Thomas picked up an apple and took a bite. "Leo, these apples are the absolute best, they're so ripe and juicy!" I smiled, I'm proud to be able to take care of my siblings.

"Well, Thomas, starting tomorrow you will be able to eat nice things like this at least once a week." "What do you mean by that?" Jack raised his brow. "I... I got a job... A job that will take care of you guys. I'll also be making good money and have my own place to stay..."

"Where did you get a job?" "The Castle" I mumbled under my breath. "THE CASTLE!" Both my brothers said in unison. "Yes... Starting tomorrow I will be a butler at the castle, and y'all will be taken care of by oath from the prince himself." "Wait, The prince himself told you that he would take care of us if you worked for him."

"Yes." Thomas hugs me "but brother I don't wanna be away from you." his eyes started tearing up. His mother died when he was four. He's not gonna wanna lose his brother even if it's for his sake.

"Thomas, you have to be brave. I am doing this so you can have nice things in life and not have to ever go another day cold or hungry." "I know... but I don't care, You're my brother I don't want you to go." "There's no place you can go that I will not be right beside you."

Thomas's eyes were red from crying, but this time there were no tears leaking instead he smiled. "Pinky Promise?" Our pinky interlocked. "Pinky Promise." I hugged him. "Now why don't we get ready for bed, We have a big day tomorrow." Thomas had a beam across his face. "Yeah!"

He quickly changed into his pj's and headed to our room. I followed behind. Leaving Jack in the dining room, Still in shock from my back hand. Thomas climbed up in bed and I tucked him in, he turned over and swiftly fell to sleep. I climbed into my own bed and quickly fell into dreamland.