Drumming his fingers on the bedside table, he waited. And waited. And waited. Something which this male should not be made to do for such a menial task. With a huff, seeing no point in getting up just yet, the blond slumped back into bed, his cerulean eyes shutting to block out the light. Perhaps he could get a few more minutes of sleep...

Of course, just as he was making himself comfy underneath the sheets did a rap at the door reach his ears. His servant. It came again with the male debating on whether or not to ignore it. However, since the increasingly agitating knocking persisted there was no choice except to answer.

"Come in..." He called, still half asleep, speech slurred ever so slightly. Eyes remaining closed, the creek of the door reaching his ears. Then the soft click of it being shut once again. And then silence... 'I wonder if I could pretend to be sick... then I wouldn't have to-'

"Your Royal Highness... Your clothes..." Came the a voice, interrupting the tired teen's thought process. Stubbornly and quite childishly he rolled over on his side, grabbing the nearest pillow and covering his head with it, a few strands of his fair hair peeking out from under the soft material. "My Prince... You cannot stay in bed all day..." Nothing. "My Prince..." The same pillow is found hurtling through the air, smacking the unsuspecting servant across the face. Rolling over once more, this time with nothing solid to meet him, the Prince hit the floor on the far side of the bed with a THUD, a groan emerging from the spot moments later.

"Fine... I'm up now... Happy?" Standing up, the morning light struck off his almost bare form, highlighting his creamy, smooth complexion. Having interrupted the servant's attempt to speak, he waved his hand nonchalantly, before pointing at the bed. "Leave them there." With a hasty nod, the clothing was placed upon the sheets. "You're dismissed." With that, the servant hastily bowed and then hurried out, leaving his liege in peace. 'Finally...' Feeling around on the nightstand now, he picked up his glasses, placing them atop his nose, the room immediately sharpened before him.

It was messy right now... Books lay here and there in the room, half finished and open. The drapes were hastily tucked to one side, awkwards folds creasing the dark fabric. The light illuminate the thin layer of dust that seemed to cover most surfaces - the cabinets, the table tops and even the floor, the spots cleared being the shape of feet. The area was quite spacious, even with a table, set of chair, dressers and a nightstand. In fact, the room even looked slightly empty, even with the many objects placed haphazardly around. Empty yet not the tidiest either.

'Father's going to make someone clean it out soon...' Stripping down of his nightwear, leaving it strewn on the bed, Alfred began to dress himself in one of the many sets of his day clothes. Elaborate stitching embossed the deep blue fabric of his top layers of clothing, with threads of gold and silver creating swirling patterns along the material. It was quite magisterial and the Prince had never worn anything different, However, his thoughts were not on the vestments that complimented his form but rather on his earlier thought. If there was one thing the blond hated, it was having people in his room. For him, everything was exactly as it should be and to have it moved was a great annoyance. Nevertheless, appearances must be kept up so it was tolerated, even if only barely.

Fitted with the last of his garb, including a band of metal that served as his crown resting among his fair locks, the Prince strode from his room. No doubt he had delayed in beginning the day's dreary tasks of listening to people his father would not as part of his so called 'learning', made mandatory for their heir to the throne. Learning to run the kingdom for when he would ascend the throne. It seemed dull. Boring. Sitting around all day with nothing to do except have his ears talked off by characterless commoners and stodgy nobles left the teen jaded and at his wits end about what to do on the matter.

As usual, the walk to the throne room did not suffice as time enough to gather one's thoughts, most of the Prince's left hanging and fragmentary. After a rap on the wood to announce his arrival, Alfred entered the chamber, bowing shallowly but with much tact and poise to the King who sat upon his throne.

"Father."

"Rise, my boy." Doing so, Alfred approached the ruler who had led this nation with a sovereignty that none questioned. Even the passing of the late Queen did not leave the leader fazed for long - it was what his wife would have wanted to continue with his life and so he did. When Alfred was close enough, the King stood, placing a hand upon his son's head.

"You wished to speak with me?" Polite were the Prince's word. Almost too polite. And detached. Although a bright, talkative fellow, Alfred found he couldn't relate to the man, despite the blood bond. Really, he didn't relate to anyone in this grand place - the servants were always too busy for him, the royals either too pompous or too busy or just plain antisocial.

"Yes, your tutor-" Alfred made a face, the frown unbefitting of his looks. However, it was ignored. "-has told me that you are not motivated in your studies." It was true - the dull work that consisted of 'studies' were almost as bad as the long meetings he had to endure. "Until I hear otherwise, I am not allowing you to practice any of your hobbies."

"But Father...-!"

"Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir..." This meant no horseback riding. No archery. No fighting practice. Nothing that actually served as fun for the teen.

"Good. I'm glad we had this talk, Alfred. You may go now." With a wave of his hand, the King sent his son off to go to his tutor, who most likely had already prepared copious amounts of work. Not like a complaint could be made. Not like anything could be done about it. If nothing else, the King was stubborn in his ways and would not budge on the matter. So leaving in a huff, the Prince strutted down the corridor, his steps quick as he sped on his way.

Lost in thought as he was, Alfred did not notice the person ahead until he had run into the other male. While the blue eyed male kept his balance, the servant had been carrying a large stack of books, much much more than should have been at once, and tumbled over, scattering the parchments everywhere. Emerald eyes wide in shock, they only grew as the male looked up from the floor. Immediately dropping his gaze, his body dropping as well into a kowtow, the servant's blood ran cold.

"M-my apologies, Your Royal Highness. I d-did not see you coming. Please forgive my carelessness." Came the accented voice, muffled with his face turned to the ground as it was. However, Alfred was not paying attention to that as he straightened himself up, eyes running over the figure bowing below him. Having caught a glimpse of the brilliant virescent eyes that belong to the blond servant, he could not match a name nor memory to the face.

"...I do not recognize you..." Unfortunately for Al, he had a bad habit of speaking his thought aloud. That being said, while it was a good thing at times the trait tended to get the teen in trouble.

"I am new here and have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person before, My Prince..." All though trying to keep a neutral voice, even the Prince could hear the fear seeping into his voice. One misstep by any servant could get you punished or worse. The cold of the tiled floor did not help to ease his anxiety.

'...He's afraid...' But then again, what servant wouldn't be.' Silence dragged on before Alfred broke the silence once again. After all, the servant would not speak unless spoken to, as he was told. "...What's your name."

"Arthur Kirkland, Your Royal Highness."

"Well then, please do be more careful next time, Mr. Kirkland. Carry on." He spoke as he walked past, committing the name to memory. Hearing the other sitting up and beginning to collect papers once his back was towards the male, a small smirk played at the heir's lips.'He's not broken yet... He may have been scared but not for himself. That look... Finally someone interesting.'

Leaving the servant to his duties, he continued on to his own but with more of an uplifted attitude. Perhaps today wouldn't be so bad after all.