Chapter 10

A/N: May I just say sorry! I know I haven't updated in forever, and this chapter is slightly subpar, but I vow to you my updates will become more regular again. I could offer you a pile of excuses but I'm sure you don't care, you just want to read my chapter. (In case anyone has forgotten you may want to go back to make sure you remember what happened because this baby is all going to begin to tightly wind before it unravels) 3 to all my reviewers, you are amazing and I am so thankful!

God Bless,

Charlotte

I woke up very early, nervous for the day to start since I wasn't sure what it was exactly that I was supposed to be doing. After laying in the uncomfortable hammock for about an hour I heard bells ring loudly, supposedly like an alarm to wake the hundreds of servants on the grounds. Renira led me outdoors, where she fetched water from a well to fill a wash basin, where we all washed our faces and hands before the start of a busy day.

The youngest member of our bunk, named Kiara, reminded me a lot of my younger brother, and strangely enough, she seemed to form an instant attachment to me. Throughout the whole morning she busied herself in assuring I had everything I needed to be comfortable, and in fact having a child around set my heart at ease, at least more so then I would have felt without any at all.

According to Mora, our duties each day were distributed by the head of servants, named Kurtz. I couldn't imagine having such a job, there must have been so much work involved.

It was a fairly long trek to the palace from our bunk, but we certainly weren't as far back as some, so in that way I could feel thankful. We went in through the servants door, where I met Kurtz himself. He was very old, he must have seen almost 70 years, and had the whitest hair I had ever seen. Obviously doing so much hard work had been good for him.

He greeted everyone with a pleasant smile, and when his eyes made it to me he regarded me knowingly, raising his bushy eyebrow.

"You must be Carys." He said softly. I nodded tentatively, worried that he wouldn't like me, or trust me, since I had no idea what he had been told. However it appeared that King Alaric had been more then generous with his description, as Kurtz smiled warmly and held out his hand for me to shake.

"Yes I am sir, it's a pleasure to meet you." I replied with the best manners I could muster while I clasped his in friendship.

"I've been informed of your situation. You'll be replacing the Prince's chambermaid Renee who has, albeit conveniently, fallen ill this morning. Your position basically requires you entering his room, and waking him with his breakfast. I'll forewarn you, the Prince doesn't like to be roused from his slumber but unfortunately it is quite necessary for him to wake up so that he is able to attend to his daily duties."

I hesitated to say of course he didn't. It really did feel like he was completely different from Oran, who had woken up extra early to help me out with the orphans.

"His breakfast will be ready in the kitchen in about a half an hour. For the time being, get dressed into the uniform we've gotten ready for you in the back there. It may be a touch large for you, I wasn't estimating your size very well I suppose." Kurtz laughed while shoving me off into the direction of a back room where I could change. It appeared that I was just going to be thrust into the thick of things without much training or advice, probably because nobody had time to give me any.

After I had gotten dressed into a simple blue uniform with an apron and bonnet to match I went towards where I had been instructed the kitchen was. I could hear the clanging of pots and pans and smelled something absolutely delicious that made my stomach growl. Unfortunately the servants couldn't eat until after the royalty did, so I would have to cope with my hunger until the Prince had left his room for the morning.

I was told that the Prince's room was impossible to miss, but as I walked down the hall I couldn't tell one doorway apart from another. There had to be hundreds of them lining the passage. How could anyone find where they were supposed to go in this place? It was absolutely ridiculous. Nevertheless I continued walking, hoping desperately to find some sort of sign marking my destination, or at least someone to ask, but the hallways were hopelessly bare.

It was in the corner of my eye that I saw it, and knew immediately why I had been told that Prince Valerian's room was impossible to miss. The doorway was immense – gigantic – inhuman really. I didn't understand why it was even necessary, unless to promote the Prince's already swollen ego.

Knocking on the door, I didn't receive any sort of answer, and so I assumed that he must still be asleep. Joy.

Creeping into the room silently, I realized that if someone really did have an agenda against the Prince, it would be awfully easy for them to sneak in here. I knew I didn't hold much sway for the King, but I still wondered if I had the ability to suggest that there be a little more security. Then again – I was sure the King had already thought of it, and I was probably being watched from more then one angle secretly.

I contemplated for a while about the best method of awaking him. At the orphanage, Oran never had any problems waking up on time, but the man laying in front of me wasn't Oran I had to remind myself, and so I wasn't sure which path to choose. Perhaps shaking him to conscious wasn't the best of ideas, since undoubtedly he would consider it a breach of protocol and I'd be fired before I could reach my goal. Instead, I chose to draw back the heavy velvet curtains, praying that the sun would wake him so I wouldn't have to.

Unfortunately, the curtains were much heavier then I had anticipated, and while I tried to pull them open, I tumbled to the ground with a loud thud.

Well, that certainly woke him up. Prince Valerian shot up from his bed more quickly then a cat pounces on a mouse, yelling all of the while. I admit I was quite startled as well, and shrieked as he pulled out what appeared to be a knife out from underneath his pillow. Frightened, I bowed low to the ground, my head touching the floor.

"Who on earth are you? Where is Renee?" He demanded.

"She's sick Your Highness, so I'm her replacement." I muttered. I heard him sheath his knife, and thought it safe to get up. As soon as he saw my face he seemed shocked.

"Little Sparrow? Last I saw you were at the parade making a scene. Why are you here? Are you following me?" He asked, almost sounding concerned himself. I hesitated to say that I was.

"No Your Highness, I assure you it is merely a coincidence. The incident at the parade convinced Matron she no longer needed me around if I was going to cause such trouble." I answered, and it was virtually the truth.

"I see." He answered. How kind of him to apologize for his behaviour, but I guess that would have been asking too much.

"I brought your breakfast; it's on the tray there. Would you like to eat it at the table, or in bed Your Highness?" I questioned, using a monotone voice so that my distaste for him wouldn't be evident by my speech. The Prince pondered for a moment, like where he wanted to eat was the most difficult decision he would make all day – it probably would be. Or perhaps it would be a toss up between that and what to wear, but even his clothing was probably chosen for him by some servant or another depending on his activities for the day.

"On the table." He finally answered gruffly.

"You could say please." I grumbled back, which in retrospect probably wasn't the wisest thing I could have done.

"I could, but considering I am the Prince, and as my servant it is your job to see to my needs I am not overly concerned if I forget my manners. In case you haven't noticed I am in a bad mood." He answered like it was some sort of excuse for the way that he was acting.

"When are you in a good mood? I'm sorry for being blunt Your Highness but you could be a bit more respectful to your servants. After all, it is servants who cook your meals, make your bed and ensure your life runs smoothly. Get on their bad sides and you could be in for it." I reasoned, pouring tea for him.

"I suppose you're right, though I don't think you've taken into account the fact that I control who lives and stays in this place. The world is much harsher outside these walls for one such as you."

"And how would you know? You've probably never taken a step outside of your perfect little world in here to notice all of the wonderful things that your kingdom has to offer. Instead, you sit in here and mope because you have to marry somebody you don't like." I yelled, and instantly realized that I had said something that I shouldn't. Oh Carys how could you be so stupid! I asked myself, mentally pushing myself down a flight of stairs.

"How do you know about that?" He said. I formulated a quick response in my head.

"Your Highness, though you don't deem us worthy enough to notice our existence, the servants hear everything. I only assumed you wouldn't be happy about marrying a stranger, but you are more then welcome to correct me if this isn't so."

The Prince sighed, running his hands through his hair in an all too familiar gesture that made my heart ache.

"For an annoying little sparrow you sure are perceptive. I don't want to marry the Lady Rhoda of Deriving, but I don't really have a choice. You most likely have never met my father, but he is a difficult man to say no to."

I almost laughed aloud. I knew all to well, but somewhere deep inside I realized that I was very glad that the Prince didn't want to marry this woman, though I knew that I shouldn't think of such things anymore.

"Well Your Highness, as displeasing of an arrangement it may seem to you, you may tell me of your problems since considering Renee's sickness I may end up being around for a while. I warn you though, don' t ask me for advice or my opinion unless you're willing to hear a straight answer." I said with a curtsy.

"I'll prepare your bath now." I continued in order to change the subject, and to my astonishment I was not answered with a sarcastic retort about how he didn't need to confess anything to anyone and I was just being ridiculous. Instead, the Prince remained silent. And for that small moment in time, it almost felt as if I was with Oran again, together in the orphanage without a care in the world. But when the time came for me to leave to finish my other chores, the moment vanished along with the small comfort that I had felt.