It's early the next morning when a maid knocks on the door to Patrick's chambers. The tired prince barely awakens long enough to pull his blanket over his head and mumble a senseless response. "Your highness the King requests your presence at breakfast" The maid called out worried about upsetting him. It didn't matter. The Prince was soundly asleep again. Bill stood up straight from where he had been leaning against the wall. He was exhausted and wished that the prince has brought another guard a long so that they could work in shifts. He entered into the prince's room and walked to the bed whisking the blankets off of him. "Prince if you don't awaken I'll let Ryan into your bed." William warned.
"Billy... No... Sleepy time" Patrick mumbled as he tried to pull the blanket from the guard's strong grip.
"King Godefry is requesting your presence. You do not want to anger your new father-in-law do you?"
"Billlyyyyyy" Patrick whined pressing his face into the pillow and trying to wish away the troublesome man.
"As you wish" William said, his voice laced with annoyance. He quickly strode out of the prince's room and made his way to Ryan's room down the hall. He put his hand on the sleeping man's shoulder and shook him from his sleep. "Lord Ross your assistance is required."
"No" Ryan mumbled.
"I need you to wake the prince up. The king wants him to join them for breakfast."
"I guess I can..." Ryan says sitting up and rubbing his eyes. William is thankful that Ryan would do anything for Patrick. Ryan rolls out of his bed and then pulls on a clean shirt before he heads to Patrick's room. He lets himself in and closes the door before making his way to the bed and climbing in next to the sleeping prince. "Patrick" He sings his name.
"Go away" Patrick grumbles as he shoots Ryan a glare that has very little effect.
"But it's time to wake up" He says in the nicest voice he can muster. Patrick pushes his face away. "No" Ryan wraps his arms around the prince and cuddles close to him. "Don't you want to impress your bride?" He asks.
"Can I do that when it's not early?"
"She'll be disappointed if she doesn't see you at breakfast" Ryan tells him. He presses his face against Patrick's neck and kisses the sensitive skin. Patrick's cheeks flush pink and he moves from Ryan's embrace. "I'm up, I'm up. You can go tell the evil that sent you his evil plan worked."
"I shall" Ryan says with a triumphant grin. He gets out of the bed and turns towards the door. A thought crosses his mind and he looks back at the prince. "No going back to sleep or I'll kiss you" He warns. "Okay, okay goodness" The prince says as he goes to the en suite and ready's the bath. Ryan walks to the door and peeks out informing William and the Maid that Patrick is awake and getting ready for breakfast. When they're both satisfied he closes the door and goes to Patrick's luggage to choose his outfit for the day. Patrick gets undressed and gets in the bath. It feels good to bath in the warm water after weeks on the ship being unable to bathe.
Ryan enters the bathroom and lays out the clothing he chose on a counter. "Are you excited?" He asks. Patrick looks at him curiously. "For?" he asks.
"To see Sarah, silly" He teases. Patrick blushes and looks at the water. "Oh, of course I am. She smelled really good yesterday. I probably reeked of salt water" He allows himself to sink further into the water. Ryan scans his eyes over the bottles of bath oils that are set out on the counter. He selects one and goes to the bath pouring it in. Patrick mixes it in as best he can. Ryan seats himself on the edge of the tub and picks up some soap beginning to wash the prince's hair. "Well you'll have to work extra hard to impress her today. Of course just being yourself will make her fall in love with you"
Patrick closes his eyes and let's himself enjoy the feel of the other man's long fingers massaging his scalp. 'I hope...' He thinks nervously. Ryan pours some water over his head to rinse out his hair. Patrick sits up suddenly and looks at his friend. "What if I do something stupid?" He asks his voice laced with worry. Ryan smiles softly at him. "She won't be able to resist that cute baby face of yours and will find it endearing"
"You think so?"
"I do. None of the girls in Fenia can resist you"
"But we're in Sonia" Patrick cries out his panic rising. Ryan just laughs. "And the same is still true. Did you not see the way the girls in town looked at you yesterday?"
"I wasn't paying attention" Patrick admits embarrassed. "Get me a towel will you" He asks hoping to distract Ryan. Ryan obliges him and brings over a towel holding it up for him. "All of the girls and some boys swoon when they see you."
"Liar" Patrick says as he stands up and steps out of the tub. Ryan wraps the towel around his waist then uses another to dry him off. "I am not" He insists. Patrick closes his eyes, a light blush painting his cheeks. "I suppose" He murmurs. "It is the truth. All the girls want a piece of the prince." He insists as he dries Patrick's hair. Patrick lets out a small laugh.
"I'm afraid there's a small supply and demand problem."
"Well Sarah is a very lucky Lady. She will see how amazing you are." Patrick eyes his friend suspiciously. "What are you buttering me up for hmm?"
"I'm not up to anything this time" He says putting his hands on Patrick's shoulders. "You doubt yourself. You are the greatest man I've ever known. You need to be confident" Patrick stares at Ryan the blush on his cheeks becoming more obvious. "Really?" He asks.
"Yes really. You are my precious friend" Ryan says with a smile, "You should feel lucky"
"Careful, if your head gets any bigger you won't be able to wear any hats" Patrick teases with a roll of his eyes. Ryan's looks shocked. "That would be a tragedy!" He exclaims. Patrick walks to the counter and begins to get dressed, he can feel his friend's eyes on him but he says nothing about it. "Wouldn't it?" He asks instead. "It would. I look good in hats."
"There goes another hat size" Patrick says. Ryan lets out a laugh and leans on the counter. "That's okay. I just got this great hat that was to big" Patrick smiles and finishes the last buttons on his shirt before turning to his friend. "How do I look?" He asks. Ryan steps closer to the prince and fixes a small piece of hair that stuck up. "Amazing" He says softly.
"Thank you, I should go to breakfast. I'll see you later. Don't get in trouble" Patrick teases before heading for the door. "Remember just be yourself" Ryan calls after him. "Got it" Patrick adjusts the crown on his head and nods in satisfaction before leaving Ryan alone in the room.
Patrick follows the maid through the large castle, taking in the detailed murals painted on the walls. They depict beautiful scenes from the country's history, hundreds of years of the country all painted with brilliant colors. The maid stops at the entrance of the dining room and curtsies. "Here you are your highness" She says before hurrying off. Patrick enters the room where the meal has already begun. "Good marrow everyone. I apologize for the wait" He announces. Sarah raises her eyes from her plate for a moment and smiles at him; he meets her gaze with a smile of his own.
"How nice of you to join us" Louis grumbles. Clearly Patrick is going to have try harder to impress him. "Louis" Queen Amelia warns him. "It's alright, I have trouble waking in the morning" 'Mostly because I'm up all night making sure no one kills me in my sleep' "I don't sleep well at night these days"
"Well let us hope that you can soon put that behind you." King Godefry spoke up. Patrick smiles at him. "I am sure I will with such a stunning woman to brighten the castle." Sarah's cheeks flush red at the mention of her. "You flatter me" she says softly.
"I speak the truth" He tells her "I am very lucky"
"Amelia has planned an extravagant ball for this evening. Do you have a suit to wear?" Godefry asks.
"Surprisingly I do. Ryan made me pack for every possible event."
"Wonderful. The guests will begin to arrive at seven. Until then I have arranged for lessons for you. My country has some traditions that I would like you to be aware of. It is my wish that my daughter continue these traditions even though she is no longer living here."
"Sounds good to me your majesty" Patrick tells him with a nod. Obviously he can't say no, the engagement has not been formally announced and the king could still take back his approval. "The tutor will meet you in the library at noon."
"Noon, I can remember that" Patrick says as he eyes the plate of unfamiliar foods that a maid has just set in front of him. "Thank you. It smells delicious" He says as raises his fork to his mouth trying a bite. "And it tastes even more delicious."
"It's my favorite" Sarah says quietly. Patrick looks at her then shifts his gaze to her Mother. "Do you think it would be possible for me to get the recipe?"
"Sarah's maid will have it I am sure" She responds. Patrick nods and continues to eat the food. "Of course Sarah will be bringing her own staff" She adds after a thought. Patrick hadn't thought about that, 'I guess I do have to get rid of some of the people tainted by my father. How much extra room is there on Dean's ship? We may have to charter a second'.
"I'm not sure I need all of my staff. I am sure that Prince Patrick has a fine staff. However... I would feel terrible leaving Penny behind." She says. Patrick has a feeling that she's been looking for a way to bring that into the conversation for a while. "Penny?" King Godefry asks, clearly trying to remember who that is. "It would be her Parents decision" He adds. A smile lights up Sarah's face at the prospect of having her friend with her. "I am going to ask them" She says resolutely.
"I'll be more than happy to accommodate her. There are plenty of rooms in the palace" Patrick's words make Sarah even happier. "Don't fidget darling" Amelia chides her daughter. "If you've finished eating you may go find her. Do not forget our appointment.
Sarah rises from her chair. "Do not fret mother I will not." She says before hurrying out of the dining room. Patrick finishes eating shortly after she leaves and excuses himself to go check on his companions. He goes to Jordan's room first to see how he is doing. When he enters the room he is confused by the sight before him.
Jordan is lying on the bed with Ryan sitting beside him and folding paper into crowns, at least twenty are already burying the small boy. "Do I even want to know?" Patrick asks cautiously. He often fails to understand Ryan's reasoning on many things. "Help me" Jordan begs from beneath his blanket of crowns. "He wanted to be a prince" Ryan says as he finishes yet another crown and puts it on top of the pile. "I asked the maid for paper and she brought me many more than I needed." Patrick can do nothing but shake his head.
"I have lessons at noon. I'm going to try and get some more sleep. You... Don't suffocate Jordan with the crowns" Patrick tells his friends. Ryan pretends to consider it. "Be good" Patrick warns before leaving the room.
It only takes a few more minutes for Ryan to get bored of his game so he begins to toss the crowns aside in an attempt to find Jordan. "There's a little boy in here somewhere" He says.
"I died." Jordan says dryly. Ryan finds his head and grins down at him. "Maybe I'll have to kiss him back to life." He teases. To his surprise Jordan responds with a simple "Maybe" Ryan pushes the last of the crowns onto the floor and starts to give the younger man numerous kisses. Jordan begins to laugh and tries to get free, which only causes Ryan to hold him tighter and continue to kiss all over his face. "Nooo too many kisses!" Jordan yells. Ryan presses one last kiss to his forehead, "There's no such thing as to many kisses" He states matter-of-factly before releasing Jordan.
Jordan leaps out of bed with a shout of "Too many" before fleeing the room. Ryan chases after him with a mischievous grin. Noticing his pursuer Jordan runs quickly to William and hides behind the guard. "Billy, help me!" He begs drawing out the words. "It's not in my job description." William says with a shrug of his shoulders. "Please" Jordan begs again. "Perhaps I would be more willing if you weren't a tattle tale." Is all William has to say.
"I won't tell anymore I promise"
"Fine" William says he catches Ryan and tosses him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and holds his legs to keep him from kicking.
"Unhand me you brute" Ryan orders. William just shakes his head and watches Jordan as he catches his breath. "I'm telling Patrick on both of you" Ryan pouts. Jordan just sticks his tongue out at him. Ryan wiggles in an attempt to get free from his captor. "Come on Billy there's going to a ball. I want to take Jordy into town and get new outfits."
"Can you be nice to Jordan?" Bill asks.
"I was being nice"
"Too nice" Jordan clarifies.
"Alright, alright be less nice"
"Fine, fine just unhand me" William drops him back onto the ground. Ryan composes himself then takes ahold of Jordan's hand. "Come along Jordan it's shopping time. I am going to buy you a new hat." Ryan says heading towards the exit. "Not made out of paper?" Jordan asks with a shudder. "Not made out of paper. I'll buy you a coronet if you are good" Jordan's jaw drops in excitement. "Really?! You promise?" He asks. Ryan nods at the younger man. "You are so cute I cannot resist spoiling you." Jordan cheers and hugs Ryan tightly. "Let's go! We've no time to lose!" He yells as he pulls Ryan out of the castle. William shakes his head at their retreating forms and returns to his watch.