New Maid

Prince Raphael, finally done with Frenzel checked his watch and saw no more excuse to remain there. Alas, the meeting with the king was inevitable.

"I'll be off then." He said when the last of the boxes had been stacked in the shelf. "Oh, and I nearly forgot to ask. What's all the weapons for? Is your father perhaps, planning on a new invasion?"

Frenzel shrugged. "Dunno. Shouldn't you be...I don't know, asking yours?"

Raphael gave him a warning glance and Frenzel threw his hands in the air and turned around.

"I'm afraid I don't ask questions pal."

Raphael nodded. "I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find a decent spear among them anyway."

"The weapons," Frenzel turned back slowly. "Are not, for you!"

"Whatever..." The Prince laughed.

"Oh, you were just kidding." Frenzel nodded looking relieved.

Raphael faced him, all traces of laughter gone. "Was I?" He rolled his eyes. "You're forgetting something. I get what I want, the way I like it." He added casually as he walked away.

He didn't feel like he was going to get what he wanted when he entered the throne room. And it definitely wasn't going to be the way he liked it. He bowed to the king who gave a short nod and offered him a seat.

"Raphael," The king began in a tone that was difficult to discern. His voice was clear and wielded great authority. Yet somehow, strong but not commanding. His eyebrows raised slightly as he spoke.

The prince went through a series of topics that they were most likely to debate on today. Maybe it would be the ancient times, or the future, or wars, or perhaps 'state matters' like it was yesterday, and the day before, and the....

"Raphael, concentrate!" The king said a bit more firmly, interrupting his train of thoughts.

"Yes Father." Prince Raphael shifted uncomfortably.

"How's your training going?"

"Per usual..." The Prince replied reclining on his throne. "As a matter of fact, Lionel's son had just treated me to another round of defeat. And that just about sums it."

The king gave a small smile. He marvelled at his straight forward son that said just what was in his mind, without a second thought to his choice of words.

"Let's go for a walk." He said getting up. "I've got a lot to tell you."

The Prince raised an eyebrow. Usually, this was equivalent to;

"From now on, you have to stand tall and take on some of your responsibilities as prince, and heir to the kingdom and no, being fourteen is not an excuse."

"I suppose it doesn't involve when I get to ride a car or perhaps, pointers on how to win a lovely game of chess?" Raphael said standing up.

The king took a sharp glance at him that warned him to keep shut.

Some hours later, Raphael walked through the stables alone. He had his mind on a lot of things. As predicted, the king had given him a nice bit of bad news. And no, their conversation had not involved a game of chess. He was to join the army in their trainings and sit for hours in the court room, watching cases being judged and basically being bored. His father also made him promise to pay more attention to state matters and endure a one hour's sermon from the king's advisor without uttering any rude remark. For Raphael, that was the worst part because he and Dr. Robertson never got along.

It was turning out to be a bad day. The least he could do was take a ride around the city. But of course, he was dressed casual. Best not to attract attention. He stopped at his horse Rhoda and gave a dry smile.

"I'm afraid not you today Rhody." He said moving on to the next stable.

The white stallion neighed in complaint as though to say; you just walked past me!

"Aww, c'mon! Don't look at me like that. You're far too conspicuous. It's not my fault!"

Rhoda jerked her head looking dissatisfied. He led out a ginger coloured horse, avoiding her scornful gaze that seemed to accuse him saying, "you traded me with that nameless fawn... because of my colour??? Talk about discrimination!"

Raphael successfully bribed Rhoda with some apples and leapt on the new horse. He was ready to bolt off in a cloud of dust when he sighted someone who he knew wasn't supposed to be here, having a bad day or not.

Dressed in riding breeches, black hair fallen over her shoulders, fists clenched in a pair of knuckle dusters, eyebrows arched and lips set in a slight scowl which was a serious understatement of her angry deposition. Princess Sapphire marched on, combat boots digging into the soil with such force that nature would have yelped in pain, and yet with such killing intent as though wishing that a certain somebody was beneath to be stamped upon real time.

He led the horse to a stop in front of her.

"Princesses are not supposed to show emotions you know, And they say I'm not living up to standards."

She glared up at him. He shook his head and jumped down his horse. "Heavens help me, now I'm supposed to calm her down?" He thought. Although, he tipped his hat for the person who had done this. You just had to admire a job well done... maybe that was not the way to put it.

"Who was it?" He asked making sure that he was beyond punching shot.

"In all my life, I've never been more puzzled. Never sensed that someone was so wrong, so out of place! And let's not get started on that fighter friend of yours!" She began, fists clenched that Raphael must have choose the right motive keeping away.

"You still haven't told me who." He said carefully.

"Come then." Princess Sapphire said.

The prince sighed. He asked for a tell not show. Why did things have to be so difficult? He glanced longingly at the horse, very much aware of her gaze on him.

"Alright." He said finally, his curiosity getting the better of him.

She led him out of the stables and pointed to the ash colored building at the far side of the villa.

"That's where the servants stay you know."

"Okay, so...."

"And you also know that father had a whole new set of servants employed. We know nothing about these ones. All the servants we are familiar with are back in the main palace." She said.

Prince Raphael shook his head. "And how could that bother someone? If you're missing one of servant friends back in the palace... well, you could just call for them right?"

She glared at him. "That's not what I'm talking about!" Honestly, did he think so lowly of her? "There's something off about them. At least about one of them." She continued moving forward, stopping at the bronze statue of a horse that was beside the fountain. Raphael stepped in line beside her looking interested.

"I don't trust her." She said finally. "I think she has some hidden agenda. And everytime she comes to my room, she can't do her job without taking a good look around. It's almost like she intends to find something or the other. I see her sneaky look," She spat. "The way she moves like she knows she's not supposed to be here. And then her physique, her deposition shows that she has some experience in fighting and yet she moves with her head a little too low." Sapphire turned to him. "Clearly she thinks she fools me!"

"Er, Princess...."

"Today I couldn't stand her any longer. I asked her what it was that she wanted. Why, for instance was she staying a little too close to the walls like she would very much like to clean them too." Sapphire continued looking livid. "And of course, she was evasive. Not like I expected her to admit whatever she was concealing anyway...."

"Sis," Raphael put a hand on her shoulder looking deeply concerned. "Have you been...." He paused as though searching for the right vocabulary that wouldn't earn him a punch or two.

"Have you been, idle lately?" He said cautiously.

"Idle?" She frowned shaking his hand off. Then she stared into the distance. "Well my tutor and governess did deny me access to my laptop for the week." She mused.

"I wonder why." Prince Raphael muttered sarcastically. Then he instinctively tilted to avoid a punch.

"You don't believe me right." She said.

"It does sound a little far fetched. I mean, for goodness sake, why? Maybe...you should try getting yourself busy. Perhaps you could come down to the training room. There would be lots of people to spar. You could pour out your frustrations there." He suggested.

"I'm taking Rhoda." She said suddenly.

"Uh-huh...." Why the sudden change of topic? The prince thought.

Sapphire marched past him back towards the stables whistling for the horse. Raphael sighed. Perhaps he should follow her just in case.