Licht turned the corner and came upon one of the town's most popular squares. The area had a type of old world charm and was a favorite of local and tourists alike. The streets were paved with cobblestones, and a fountain lay in the center of the square. Like many sections of the city, the square was lined with shops and traffic was able to drive around the perimeter, but this area had a particularly large pedestrian area surrounding the fountain and had, therefore, become a popular spot for food carts, street performers, artists and even dancing. On this lovely temperate evening, there were still children running about playing and occasionally climbing into the large fountain to cool off. It was a lively scene and before hiring a carriage and returning to the quiet solitude of the castle, Licht felt he'd like to soak in this atmosphere. He found a bench under a tree that was unoccupied and sat down to take in the sounds, sight and smells. He hadn't been sitting for more than ten minutes when he was approached by Heine.
"Hello Licht," Heine said as he sat in the vacant spot adjacent to the young prince. The prince was quite surprised at the sudden appearance of his tutor.
"Heine?" he asked, "what are you doing in town?"
"I need to pick up a book I ordered from that small shop across the street," Heine explained. Heine reflected for a moment. "Did your father not come to collect you from work? He had mentioned his intention to do so."
"He did, but then remembered he had some pressing business to attend to here in town, so I shall be heading back to the castle separately from my father."
Heine nodded. "If you would like to join me on my errand I should be happy to accompany you on the return trip."
Licht had been enjoying this momentary freedom but he had taken a strong liking to his tutor and did not wish to offend him. He nodded in assent and the two gentleman made their way through the square and across the street to a small book shop.
Once inside Heine excused himself as he needed to locate the shops proprietor which afforded Licht an opportunity to peruse the novels at his leisure. Of course, Licht would not be considered a bookworm. His brother Bruno held that distinction. But he rather enjoyed the occasional novel or book of poetry. He selected a book entitled Don Juan by Lord Byron and became engrossed in the poem such that he failed to notice when a familiar young lady and her mother entered the shop.
Like Heine and his young ward, the mother left her daughter to amuse herself while she sought assistance. Like Licht, the young girl was drawn to the fictional section of the book store. The section was quite large and at first, neither youngster was aware of the other's presence in the store.
Heine, however, was a master observer. He'd heard the chime that went off when the pair had entered the store and thinking perhaps it was an employee returning from a break, he had walked to the front of the store to investigate. Before he'd made it to the store's entrance, he saw someone he had known long ago. She was older now, but her beauty was still as apparent as it had been 20 years earlier. Heine recalled what Licht had said about Viktor having business in town. Heine ducked behind a book shelf away from the woman, and after she had passed, he slipped out the front door carefully avoiding setting off the chimes. He scoured the streets until he found the carriage. His assumption was correct, Viktor was following the woman.
The younger lady continued to search the fiction book shelves for a book she had not yet read. This task was growing more challenging, but after 15 minutes, she found something much more interesting than a new book. She found the waiter from the café. What a puzzle that boy was. She walked up next to him and pretended to look at the books laid out in front of where he was standing. While Licht was once again face to face with the young girl he had met in the café, he remained unaware of his situation as his eyes were averted, soaking in the words of Lord Byron.
It seemed waiting for him to notice her would be an exercise in futility. The girl finally gave in and spoke. "Hello again."
The sweet voice roused Licht from his volume and he immediately looked into the eyes of, what he perceived to be, an angle. He looked behind him wondering if she was addressing someone else. He found they appeared to be alone. A most unseemly situation for two young and unattached members of opposite genders. Yet it was a shop, so perhaps such situations were unavoidable on occasion. Licht set down the book and nodded an acknowledgement to the young lady. He was not normally described as shy. Quite the opposite. But Licht did not trust himself in the presence of this woman.
"You certainly are quite shy for a waiter," the girl said as mirth filled her eyes.
Licht was uncertain what to do. His reserved manner could not be completely attributed to his own attraction. He lived in a society that prescribed certain social rules. It was quite obvious that this lady was a member of the gentry so it was possible they would, at some future date, encounter each other at a royal function. He knew it was imperative outside of work to behave in a manner befitting of his station when interacting with other members of society. Further, it was customary, in such circumstances, to wait to address a lady until after formal introductions were made but he was uncertain that they currently had a common acquaintance and if they did have such an acquaintance, he or she was not currently available to make said introductions. Of course it was also rude to remain silent. Licht natural flirtatious tendencies won out over his years of etiquette training. He gave his most charming smile and said, "I'm not normally shy, but I am also not normally in the presence of such an extraordinary beauty." The girl blushed and Licht asked, "what brings you to this shop. Were you following me?"
The girl blushed further. "No my sister has taken a part time job at this establishment and I've come with my mother to pick her up now that her shift is complete."
"Your sister works?"Licht asked, "isn't that a bit unusual for a daughter of a gentleman?"
"No more unusual than prince that would take a part-time job," she said smiling with a twinkle in her eye. She obviously knew this statement would shock him and she was going to relish his reaction.
Licht stood silently for a few moments. He could not understand how she had known. He was about to ask her when a woman called. "Geneva, where are you? We will be late."
"I must go," she said and before he knew it, she was gone. Licht needed to know how she had figured out who he was. He needed to make sure she would keep his secret. He hurried to the front of the store, but before he had a chance to exit and find her, he was stopped by Heine who appeared to be entering the store. This too puzzled Licht. Hadn't Heine been in the back of the store?
Before having an opportunity to ask any questions, Heine quickly told Licht that something had come up and he would be unable to accompany him to the castle. Without waiting for a reply, Heine left the shop. Before Licht could follow, the shop keeper stopped him. "I have the special order for that young boy you were just speaking to. Will you be paying for it today?"
"Yes, of course," Licht responded and went to the counter to complete the transaction. The young prince now had several mysteries he wished to solve, and he decided it might be best to enlist the help of one of his older brothers.