Lieutenant finally awoke, still sore form the previous night after throwing himself off the balcony whilst chasing a thief. To make matters worse, their hooded thief had managed to escape but it had all happened in the presence of the Prince. He could live with the humiliation of his failed stunt but did he have to do it in front of the Prince, what did he have to prove?
"Why did I do that?" Lieutenant groaned.
Scarlet, who had gotten up bright and early, decided to check up on him. After making sure he was awake, she walked in and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Lieutenant, are you alright?" Scarlet asked, slightly concerned for his health.
"I'm fine, for the most part" Lieutenant groaned a little as he sat himself up, "is the Prince okay?"
"Our Prince is a little shaken back but he appeared to be fine. Are you fit to continue your duties?"
Lieutenant pulled himself out of bed and stretched, "I wouldn't be much use to the King if I wasn't. I'll be sure to jump off of less balconies in the future"
Scarlet couldn't help but let out a chuckle, "I'm going to check on our Prince while you get yourself cleaned up"
Lieutenant nodded and watched Scarlet get up and leave his room. He had a few duties of his own to take care of, one of them being taking care of his loyal horse, Maximus. As for any aches and pains he was left with, he decided to go with method of walking it off and praying he hadn't broken anything in the fall.
Reginald was wide awake and standing on the balcony, now in his royal attire with a crown carefully placed upon his head. He was playing with a few stray hairs whilst starring out into the distance. Having never left the safety of the castle walls, he could only imagine what lay beyond the town.
Scarlet arrived at the Prince's room and knocked on the door, "your highness? May I come in?" she patiently awaited his answer.
The knocking caused Reginald to snap out if his little daydream, he turned to face the door, "you may enter"
Scarlet opened the door and walked in, she gave a small bow, "are you alright?"
"I'm doing well Captain, may I ask how you are doing?"
"I'm doing fine, your highness" Scarlet smiled.
"I am glad to hear" Reginald replied, "I shouldn't keep you"
Scarlet tiled her head, "you shouldn't what, your highness?"
"From your duties…?" Reginald replied awkwardly.
"Oh, forgive me your highness" Scarlet once again bowed then exited his room, closing the door behind her.
Reginald watched Scarlet leave then turned his attention back to the horizon. He sighed, "why can I not have a normal conversation without awkwardness interfering?"
Reginald stood at the balcony for a little while longer before retreating back into his room. He walked over to his wardrobe and opened it up, removing a purple hooded cloak from within. Carefully removing his crown, he placed it on the chest of draws then put the cloak on, pulling the hood over his head. Peeking out of his room, he made sure the coast was clear then carefully shut the door and made his way down the corridor. He came to a sudden halt when he spotted Scarlet and Lieutenant just a little ahead of him. He quickly hid himself round the corner in the hopes they had not seen him.
Scarlet gave a little wave when she saw Lieutenant walking towards her, "ah, Lieutenant"
"Yes Captain?" Lieutenant stopped.
"I'm going to check up on our King, do you wish to join me?" Scarlet asked.
Lieutenant nodded and began to walk alongside her, "I hope he is in good health this morning"
"I know he is in good health this morning" Scarlet replied as they arrived at the throne room. She headed inside with Lieutenant by her side.
Reginald peeked round the corner and watched as the two entered the throne room. He began to ponder if he should see his father before he snuck out. Perhaps his father would find his behaviour unusual if he didn't greet him a good morning. However that would mean have to go back to his room, removing the cloak he was wearing and placing his crown back upon his head. After much debate, he decided it would be best for both he and his father. He made a mad dash back to his room where he proceeded to remove the cloak and put his crown back on.
Scarlet and Lieutenant bowed before King Wilfred.
"Your highness, I bid you a good morning?" Scarlet asked.
Wilfred sat upon his throne, smoking one of his cigars "Captain, Lieutenant. Good morning to the both of you"
"Your highness" Lieutenant said.
"So, how's my son this morning? Is he hurt from last night? King Wilfred asked with great concern, "we will have to maximise the guards this evening, my son must be protected. He is not only the sole heir to the throne but my only child, if anything happened to him", Scarlet and Lieutenant nodded in agreement.
Reginald arrived back at the throne room, he quickly straightened his crown and took a moment to catch his breath. He didn't want to look as though he had just ran half way through the castle and back again in front of his father. Once he had regained his composure, he headed in.
"Good morning father, I am well and unharmed thanks to our Captain and Lieutenant" Reginald said, reassuring him.
King Wilfred smiled, "ah, good morning my wonderful son. I'm glad to hear that you are well" he removed the cigar from his mouth, "they are doing a wonderful job protecting you. What are your plans for today?"
"I plan to retire to my room and read today father, nothing special at all" Reginald informed him.
Wilfred nodded, "very well my boy. I will be walking around the castle grounds later today. You are more than welcome to come and join me"
Reginald nodded, "of course father, I bid you a good day" he bowed to his father who gave him a nod before he left.
Scarlet watched the Prince leave then turned back to her King. Lieutenant cleared his throat.
"May I be dismissed my King?" Lieutenant asked, he still had to check on Maximus.
King Wilfred nodded, "you are dismissed, Lieutenant"
Lieutenant bowed then departed from the throne room. He made his way to the stables where he saw Maximus was up and prancing around. His horse trotted towards him and greeted his rider with a neigh.
"Hey Max, have a nice sleep?" Lieutenant watched as his loyal companion neigh in response and happily trot over to him, "easy there, I got you this" he pulled out an apple.
Maximus happily took the apple from his hand, he ate it in one bite.
"Guess you were hungry" Lieutenant said, "listen Maximus, the King has ordered us to tighten up security in the castle tonight so I'm gonna need you to help me out. Think you can handle it?"
Maximus listened carefully to Lieutenant and nodded in response. He stood still as he watched Lieutenant pick up his brush and give him a quick brush down.
"Now, how about we go and patrol the town for a bit" Lieutenant put Maximus' brush away, "we could do the exercise"
Maximus nodded, he nudged his rider which caused him to wince a little. This made him slightly concerned, he gave Lieutenant a little sniff down.
"I'm fine, Max" Lieutenant stoked his nose to try and reassure him, "right, let's head out. We've got a long day ahead of us"
Lieutenant led Maximus out of the stables, the pair headed off into the town.
