Prince Mitya was walking through the gardens alone. Odessa had all but locked herself in the library and made it quite clear that he was not a welcome distraction. He didn't want to push his luck with her. She might actually begin to hate him.
He didn't usually have such trouble with women. Even if they didn't want a more intimate relationship, they'd still at least talk and joke with him. Odessa seemed resent being in even the same room as him. The prince wasn't sure why she continued to stay at the castle - she knew she was free to leave.
"Just shut up!"
Mitya jumped. His younger brother was arguing with the frog on his shoulder. The croaking laughter brought a smile to his face.
"Ilari! You shouldn't yell at a lady. It's very rude," he scolded.
"You can shut up, too!" Ilari snapped, "You should mind your business!"
"I disagree, o' grumpy prince! Your brother seems to be a far better gentleman!"
"Oh, my amphibious maiden, I am both a gentle man and a gentleman. I've tried to teach your groom my ways, but he is far too demure for such subjects. Now he's a sad, moody boy."
"No I'm not!"
"Oh, Prince Mitya, I concur!"
The younger prince grew red in the face and he snapped at the lady frog. Mitya chuckled. His brother hadn't changed much at all over the years.
He reached out and ruffled his brother's hair. Ilari slapped his hand away and stomped off, the frog croaking on his shoulder. Mitya snickered before continuing on his way.
It wasn't long before he reached a set of doors leading outside. Upon opening it, he found the young blonde maid. She was deeply engrossed in her task - sewing a shirt. What fun it would be to mess with her!
"Ah, hard at work at your second task?" He questioned, standing at her shoulder.
"Oh!" She jumped, pricking her finger on her needle. Mitya flinched.
"Sorry, little bird." He knelt down and checked her finger. "Didn't think I'd spook you that much."
"No, no, your highness! I should... have been more aware of my surroundings. Please don't concern yourself with me - see? It's not even bleeding anymore, your highness."
He nodded in agreement before kissing the back of her hand. He chuckled as her face reddened.
"Please, little bird, I feel bad. One should always take responsibility for their actions, and my actions have caused you to hurt your dainty hand." Before she could contradict him, he continued. "Now, is this the shirt my father asked for? I don't know why he wants more shirts - he has plenty already."
"N... No, your highness. This is for chis highness, Prince... Prince Arkadi." Her cheeks went scarlet. "I saw... it needed mending, and... well..."
"Did he want you to fix it for him?" He smirked.
"Well, no - I mean..."
"He's no good with words, little bird. No, that brute's better with an ax and a shield. He's never been good with words."
"He... He's just not the talkative sort! He'll say as much as he needs to to get his thoughts across."
Mitya chuckled. The girl was the timid sort, until it came time to defend his brother it seemed.
"Little bird, little bird, have you been struck by Cupid's bow?"
"Ah!" she gasped, looking him in the eyes for the first time.
Mitya opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, a shiver went down his spine. The cold pierced straight to the core of his being, even before the shadow reached him.
"Prince Arkadi, your highness!" The maid jumped to her feet and did something that was half a bow and half a curtsy.
Her clumsiness was quite cute.
"Mitya." The gravelly voice came, laced with an unspoken threat.
There was a time when that tone would make Mitya nearly piss himself. Now he just made a quick retreat.
"Arkadi, brother! You smell like... like a hard day's work!" He smiled and stepped back. "You should treat yourself to a nice lunch. Perhaps in town? There's a wonderful bakery down there - have you been, little bird?"
She gave a quiet nod.
"We should all go down and see what they have. I hear their pies are divine."
Arkadi furrowed his brow.
"... Or, I could leave you two be and leave. Right now. Immediately."
"Oh, your highness - " The maid spoke up.
"Please, call me Mitya. Or Mitty... I've also been called Womanizing Scoundrel. Whatever you like. Anyway, it's alright. I think Arkadi's already had enough of his little brother. He's never liked being around me for long - says I talk too much."
"You do."
"Oh, your highn-"
"Farewell! I'll see you at dinner!" Not letting either of them get another word in, the prince turned and left.
The rest of the walk was fairly uneventful. He maid some requests for materials from town and eventually returned to the library. He walked through the many rows of books, and finally found the crabby maiden. She frowned at him.
"May I help you, your highness?"
"You've been here for a couple hours now. I thought you'd like coffee and a snack."
"Ah... that would be nice." She returned a book to its place on the shelf. "Thank you."
He smiled. "I sent a servant to town to grab the stuff you need for the shirt. They should be back by dinner."
"Thank you, your highness. May I ask what you've been doing until now?"
"The usual. Blessing my brothers with my time, wandering the halls, avoiding responsibilities."
She slipped her arm through his as he went on and on, obviously dramatizing the events of his morning.
