Dustin POV:
I woke up to my mommy calling my name. "Mommy, I want to sleep some more."
"Dustin, you have classes in a few minutes." Mommy's voice says.
Classes! I have to get ready and wake Jer up! I open my eyes and jump off mommy and daddy's bed. I ignore mommy calling me and run straight into Jerome's room.
Surprisingly, he is up and ready to go.
"Dus, why aren't you ready?" Jer says, eyeing me from head to toe.
"I thought you were sleeping..." I said.
"Well don't just stand there! Get ready!" Jerome yells and shoos me out the door smiling. "See you next to the lake!" He adds, when I close the door.
My crazy friend. "Dustin? Why aren't you ready? You're going to be late." My father's voice says from behind me.
I turn to see him smiling at me. I smile back and hug him. "Help me change dad."
"Anything for my son." My father lifts me up and carries me into my room.
He places me on my bed and goes out to call for a servant.
He comes back into my room with a male servant.
"Bathe my son, and do it well. He has a special day ahead of him." My father tells the servant.
The servant gestures me to go in my bathroom and I happily do, with him trailing behind me.
"I will be right here, Dustin." My father calls from behind me.
The servant leaves the bathroom door open and I sit on the closed toilet seat, while he gets the bath ready.
"What's your name?" I ask the servant boy, while I'm waiting for my bath.
The servant looks surprised at me and gives me a small smile. "Jacob."
"Nice to meet you Jacob, I'm Dustin." I say and extend my hand to him.
Jacob walks up to me and shakes my hand. "Everyone knows who you are, my prince. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Can you be the one to bathe me forever? I don't really like the ladies seeing me naked. They always giggle at me, and say I'm so cute, when I try to get them to get out while I bathe." I tell him and I hear my father's laugh from my bedroom, along with someone else when I said that.
The laughter dies down and Jacob smiles at me. "It would be an honor. You have to ask Moi Tsar first."
"Dad!" I yell from the bathroom.
Uncle Ivan enters my bathroom and grins at me. "Hey buddy. Why haven't you told your father, mother or I, that you have a problem with lady servants bathing you? Along with, you hate them seeing you naked?"
I stick my tongue out at him. "I told you, but you said I should be happy a lady is bathing me."
"Ivan!" My father yells, sounding angry. Uncle Ivan and Jacob flinched.
I used to wonder why everyone is so scared of my dad, till a servant told me about all the bad things daddy did and what his reputation was before he became king.
I told daddy about it and he punished the servant who told me. Daddy said it is half correct, but he also told me why he did that and he told me the truth. I love my father no matter what.
My mother told me all the good things daddy did.
My father is now at the door way, giving Uncle Ivan his mean eye.
"Dustin told you and you ignored him?!" My father says.
"I must have forgotten." Uncle Ivan says.
"Dad, can Jacob be the one to bathe me forever?" I ask my father.
My father faces me and smiles. "He can be your servant now."
"Thank you dad!" I yell.
My dad faces Jacob. "What ever you were before, you are promoted to the prince's servant."
Jacob grins at my dad. "Thank you Moi Tsar." Jacob says and bows.
"Alright, now Dustin hurry up, you have classes and I am late for a meeting." My father says.
"It's alright dad. Jacob can dress me." I grin and run to my father, giving him a hug. My father hugs back and kisses me head.
"Have fun in class. I will see you later today, and your mother wants to talk to you after your classes." My dad says and lifts me up. He spins me around and places me on the ground.
I love it when he spins me. I feel invincible. Hehe.
"Call for me if anything bad happens. Understand?" My father says.
"Yes, dad." I reply.
"Very well. Let's go Ivan!" My dad leaves my bathroom.
"Your bath is ready, Prince Dustin." Jacob says. I take my clothes off with his help and hop in the nice warm bath.
After my bath and Jacob helping me get dressed into my Black and Gold kefta, I head to the lake with Jacob and my two nichevo'ya guards.
Jacob looks frightened to be near them, but I told him, no harm will be done to him, unless I say so.
It took a while for Jerome to be fine with the nichevo'ya, but I don't think Jacob will be fine with them. He still looks frightened.
I see Jerome skipping stones by the lake. He is wearing the red and gold kefta, my father and Ivan gave him when we started training with Botkin. I run up to him.
"Jer!" I grin at him.
Jer grins at me. "Took your time, Dus."
I put my hands up, as if I'm surrendering. "The bath was so warm!"
"Come on Dus, we're late and the teacher will get mad." Jerome says and pulls me to the small building for grisha students.
Jacob told me he will wait outside for us if I need anything.
Jer and I, with my nichevo'ya guards enter the building. All heads turn towards us and we haven't moved from the doorway yet.
"You are late!" A woman yells. She turns her head towards us and shock is written on her face. "Sorry my prince. Welcome."
I nod and look around the class. There's a lot of grisha students. Some a bit older than me.
"You must be Jerome. Lateness is unacceptable young heartrender!" The teacher says sternly to Jerome.
I snap my head towards her and give her the bad eye. "Don't talk to my friend in that tone. The reason he's late is because of me!" I yell at her.
I immediately regret it. She is my teacher, I should show respect, like mommy says.
"Sorry my prince. Jerome I'm sorry. Please have a seat." The teacher says.
We take the spare seats at the back of the class.
The teacher is named Miss. Haley. The whole time in class we talked about how to use our powers properly and Jerome is Miss. Haley's star pupil. He is always raising his hand and answering her questions. I bet she regrets yelling at him.
I sat back on my chair and got bored to death. Mommy and Aunt Genya already taught Jerome and I the history of Ravka and how my mother and father became the new royals. I don't need another lesson.
"Moi Tsar killed many innocent rebels." Miss Haley says, making me stand up.
"My father didn't kill them. The nichevo'ya tore them to pieces on my father's command. The rebels deserved it, they do not cooperate with my parents' rule." I correct her and sit back down.
Miss. Haley mumbles an apology and looks scared that she got her facts wrong. Good! She shouldn't say words that make my father sound cruel.
The school bell rings signaling classes is over. Jerome and I are the last ones to exit the building.
"I don't think I want to go back. We already learn grisha history and manners from Mommy and Aunt Genya. We also learn combat training with Botkin, and my dad and Uncle Ivan helps us with our powers." I tell Jerome while we walk to the lake.
Jerome smiles at me. "You're right! But who will correct Miss. Haley when it comes to your parents?"
"She can live." I reply.
Jerome and I skip rocks on the lake.
"Aren't you supposed to see your mother?" Jer says.
"Oh yeah! I forgot!" I say. "I'll see you later." I say and walk away.
Jacob walks my way. "How was classes my prince?"
"Boring and useless." I reply and look back. I see Jerome talking to three older grisha boys in blue keftas. It doesn't look like a friendly conversation. "Jacob, can you tell my mommy that I am by the lake and boys are bullying Jer. So I will meet her later." I say and run towards Jerome, without waiting for Jacob.
"Your so pathetic heartrender. You don't deserve to have these gold cuffs." One of the grisha boys says. He is two times the size of Jer and I.
"Hey! Back off you mongrels! That's my best friend your messing with!" I yell from behind them. Thank you father and Uncle Ivan for teaching me how to scare and talk mean to people.
They turn and look at me. "Well well, isn't it prince charming. Because your the prince, doesn't mean you can go to our building and get all the attention of the girls and tell us what to do." The leader I think says. What a meanie, and Girls? EWW! Why would I want to get their attention.
Jerome is now next to me glaring at the grisha boys. "He actually does have all the rights to do that!" Jerome says.
"You don't have the right to talk, you pathetic heartrender." One of the boys says.
"Don't talk to my best friend like that you jerk!" I yell back and try to throw a punch at one of them, but Jerome pulls me back.
"Aww. Little prince needs to have someone hold him down. I beat the prince isn't even potty trained or he can't even throw a punch."
Jerome lets go of me and tackles the boy to the ground and starts punching him. "NEVER MESS WITH MY BEST FRIEND YOU FART!"
I grin and tackle one of the grisha boys to the ground and do the same. Only I have to beat two of them. I punch as them s much as I can.
I have to remember to thank Botkin for his training.
Alina POV:
Aleksander and I are sitting on the dais talking to Genya and Ivan about Fjerdan.
Apparently Kira and Basile are having security problems. Rebels are heard to be seen a lot inside of Fjerdan.
"We should get more sp-" Aleksander was cut off by the throne room doors opening.
A young servant man comes running in, looking out of breath.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Aleksander yells, making the servant jump. I hold Aleksander's hand and kiss the back of his hand.
Aleksander smiles at me and looks back at the servant.
"Sorry Moi Tsar and Moya Tsaritsa, but Prince Dustin told me to tell you that his best friend is getting bullied by the lake and he will be a bit late for your meeting." The servants says.
I look at Aleksander who is looking at me. I know what he is thinking because I am too. Dustin has Aleksander's anger and my stubbornness.
Aleksander bolts up, my hand still in his. I stand up too and we run to the lake. I took my heels off somewhere in the hallways so I can run faster.
We reach the lake and the view is so horrible, I'm shaking and on the verge of tearing up. Aleksander rubs my back. I'm frozen on the spot, while Aleksander is fuming. He grips harder on my hand.
Jerome is on top of a grisha boy, punching his face without stoping.
Dustin is on top of another grisha boy, punching him like Jerome, but another older grisha boy is trying to pull Dustin off.
When the grisha boy who is trying to pull Dustin off of his friend realizes Dustin will not stop, he punches Dustin in the stomach, making Dustin fall to the ground.
"Get your filthy hands of my son!" Aleksander yells and lets go of my hand.
The boys don't stop and start kicking Dustin's body.
Aleksander stalks towards the boys and pulls them off of Dustin. Throwing them far away. Dustin runs to Aleksander and hugs him from behind.
Ivan pulls Jerome off of the other boy and helps the other boy up. When the boy is up, he thanks Ivan, but Ivan punches him square in the face and the grisha boy falls back down, holding his now bloody nose. "NEVER MESS WITH MY BOYS!" Ivan yells at the grisha boy.
I get out of my frozen state and run towards Dustin and Aleksander. Aleksander is now carrying Dustin and swaying him back and forth in his arms. They are whispering to each other.
I hug both of them, and pull away to inspect Dustin, of any injuries.
"Darling, I already inspected for injuries. Our son is fine. He says his stomach hurts and that's all." Aleksander says and kisses my forehead.
Aleksander hands Dustin to me, and I gladly take him. I hug him tightly and tears start to spill from my eyes.
Dustin notices and puts both his hands on either side of my face. "Mommy don't cry. I'm here. The bad boys are going to get punished by daddy. I love you mommy." He says and wraps his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.
I hug him back and look over his shoulder. Aleksander and Ivan got the grisha boys surrounded by Nichevo'yas.
A crowd of grisha and servants is starting to form around the scene.
I turn my head towards Jerome, and see him in Genya's tight embrace. I let out a sigh and walk towards Aleksander. I stand next to him, with Dustin still in my arms, and his head resting on my shoulder.
"You persecute your prince and fellow grisha member, and not only that, you disobey my order, along with your prince's!" Aleksander yells angrily at the boys.
Aleksander looks so scary yet handsome at the moment, I think if someone interrupts him or says something to him he will make the whole world explode and an earthquake will happen.
"You boys are no grisha if you cannot follow simple orders and hurt your prince." Aleksander says to the boys.
Now that I look at them, they look older than Dustin, probably 10 years old. My four year old son got beaten up by 10 year old boys!
"Ivan, put the boys in the dungeons. They will stay there for two months, with four meals a week." Aleksander says.
"Yes Moi Tsar." Ivan replies and faces the boys. "Thank the Saints, Moi Tsar gave you boys a less harsh punishment. Hurting the prince in any kind is immediate death, or caning one hundred times. Not only that, you bullied my son and you should be thankful Moi Tsar is not allowing me to bet you boy UP!" Ivan says and nods to the corporalki guards.
The corporalki guards drag the three boys into the palace.
"Shows over! Continue what you were up too!" Ivan yells at the crowd of grisha and servants. "NOW!" Ivan yells and they all run.
Aleksander hugs me from behind and kisses Dustin's head, that is still resting on my shoulder. "Let's get inside." Aleksander says and guides me away from the lake, with his hands on my waist.
Aleksander guides me to our chamber and opens the door for me. "I'll call a healer." He says and I nod in response.
I enter our chamber and lay Dustin on our bed. "Mommy it hurts." Dustin says, clutching his stomach.
"I know sweetheart, daddy is getting a healer." I say and move his dark brown hair away from his eyes.
Dustin holds my hand that rests on his forehead. "Mommy, can you please go and check if Jerome is okay? Go comfort him, I can wait for daddy."
I smile softly at him. "I want to know if my Dustin is alright first."
"No mommy. I am a tough darkling. Please go check Jerome." Dustin says and he gives me his sad face.
"Genya is comforting Jerome right now." I reply.
Dustin pouts. "But I want to know if he's okay."
The chamber door opens and reveals Aleksander and a healer.
"I'll go check on Jerome." I tell Dustin and stand up.
Aleksander looks at me and nods. He walks over to Dustin and holds his hand while the healer does his job.
I exit the room and go straight to Jerome's.
Genya is sitting on the bed, stroking Jerome's hair, while Ivan is sitting on a chair next to the bed.
"Moya Tsaritsa, is Dustin okay?" Jerome asks, looking like he's about to cry.
"Dustin is pretty alright. I think it will take more than two boys to knock him out. He's worried about you, he asked me to come and check if you're alright." I reply.
Ivan laughs. "Jerome is more than alright! Did you see the way he beat that boy up! I am so proud of him!"
Jerome grins widely and hugs Ivan.
"Alright. I'm glad you're alright Jerome. I'll see you during dinner, okay?" I say.
"Of course Moya Tsaritsa!" Jerome says and I smile at him.
"Jerome, watch those two for me." I say and go to Dustin.
I open the door and go to the bedroom. Aleksander is laying on the bed, with Dustin sleeping soundly on his chest.
"How bad was it?" I whisper to Aleksander from the doorway.
Aleksander sighs. "He had a few bruises, but nothing serious."
I sit on the edge of the bed next to Aleksander and face him.
"He's not going back to school. Apparently Jerome and our son talked about it before they got into a fight. I'm glad he doesn't want to go back. I didn't have to argue with him on this one." Aleksander says and places a hand on my cheek.
"How are you Darling?" Aleksander asks.
I grip his hand on my cheek and kiss his hand. "I'm alright now."
"Then come give me a kiss, because I don't want to wake Dustin up." Aleksander smirks at me.
I roll my eyes and give him a long, passionate kiss.
His tongue licks my bottom lip, asking for entrance and I deny it and pull back. "Aleksander, our son is right next to us."
"Couldn't help myself, Darling." Aleksander winks.
