A/N: Thank You to everyone who has left a kind a review!
Chapter 3: Mourning
I thought it would be easier to say goodbye to him. The crowd's gathered in the main hall as I stood at the head of it. My father's casket lay in front of me, closed. The servants had done a beautiful job in arranging the ceremony properly. I looked to the crowd, with a hope that my mother may be hidden amongst the faces, looking back at me. The ceremony was long but not as long as the reception after. My father was gone, everyone knew that, and I knew everyone was sorry for it. I only wished at that moment that I would be left alone. Every person in attendance decided to pay their regards. I wanted to hide in my room and grieve in my own way. Keeping this strong persona about myself was getting tiring. Max stood by my side the entire night. The people of Amity showed more support than others, their gratitude for the day prior. Night fell quick and I was grateful. I thanked the masses for attending the ceremony and their kind words. I promptly disappeared from sight. I knew what tomorrow would bring. Jeanine would begin the process of finding me a bride and want to parade me everywhere. Could I change that? In theory she had no power over me, she could only make recommendations based on her position. I flopped face first onto my bed. Finally some peace.
"My Prince?" A sweet voice called from the corner of the room. I turned my head in question and was suddenly on my feet.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked the woman. The woman I saved. The woman who said if I needed anything she would be at my service. Alexandria. Why was she standing in my room?
"Max told me to meet you here." I paused at her answer. I would kill Max later for this. My shoulders sagged and I sat back on the bed staring at her. She wasn't covered in shoot from the fire any more. My head fell into my hands. I was too tired for this. I thought for a moment before standing and approaching her. She maintained eye contact with me and I shook my head.
"Look, I'm not an idiot." She said back to me and I gave her a questioning look. "I know what was expected of me tonight." So did I, trust me I wasn't really in the mood for late night flings. "Max mentioned your interest in me and that I would be a good distraction." She looked away and began to play with her hands.
"I apologize, Max miss read me the other day, and I had no part in this." I started to reason with her before she stopped me. She was bold and I could tell, not intimidate by royalty.
"Look, I came here to ask for your help." I raised an eyebrow. "I apologize for taking advantage of this opportunity." She looked down and away from me.
"Help with what?" I asked and her eyes raised to mine. She hesitated before speaking.
"The horses, they have no proper housing." I stepped back toward my bed and sat on the edge as she continued. "If I may ask for supplies to build them a proper pen, my people and I could store them, and soon begin the rebuild of the fields." I ran a hand through my hair. This couldn't have waited until tomorrow? She was here now for other purposes, I could not be angry for her trying.
"Where would you build the pen?" I asked and she stepped forward. She had already laid out the plan in her head, probably the reason she took this invitation that Max gave.
"The garden." My mother's garden. My face stiffened. No, was the immediate answer I wanted to give her. "The large field past it allows for plenty of grazing." I played in that field. My mother had much of the old city around Erudite cleared out and grass placed in its wake. A garden was placed near to the main building, one that she spent most of her time in. "We would fence it in, give the horses' free reign of the glade. It wouldn't take us more than a day." I looked up at her. She gave me a pleading look. I sighed and stood. I promised to help the Amity people after the fire.
"Do what you must." I agreed and she beamed in happiness.
"Thank you, my Prince, I don't know to thank you again." I only nodded and turned away. My heart was heavy. I leaned against the window frame and looked out over the city. I felt her hand on my shoulder and I turned to her. She was truly beautiful. Her golden hair, piercing green eyes. She said nothing as we stared at each other. Her presence was calming on top of the day's events. Her hands reached up behind her neck and unhooked the chain that hung there. She reached up again and clasped it behind mine. I looked down at the emblem that hung at the end of the chain. It was the symbol of Amity. I looked to her in question and she gave a sweet smile. "In Amity we wear these chains in mourning." I played with the emblem in my hand. "It is meant bring the one who wears it peace and a little luck in these trying days." She whispered.
"What about you?" I asked. She had much too still mourn for. The count of the number dead and injured in the fire were high on top of the land lost. She glanced away quick before smiling back at me.
"My horses bring me peace." I smiled, I guess I had granted her peace when I approved for her to build the pen for them. "I can see that you're troubled, find what puts you at peace, and relish in it." Her hand found mind and gave it a tight squeeze.
"Thank you." I whispered and she gave a polite bow. Her hand released mine as she turned slowly and began to leave. She turned back as she cracked the door open.
"I know that we are going to be here for a while, what I said yesterday still stands. Within acceptable reasons of course." She chuckled slightly, she was referring to what Max had sent her here to do originally. I nodded and watched the door shut. I smiled down at the emblem that now hung around my neck. It was a sweet gesture. She did not waste her words on condolences of the loss of my father but rather considered how I felt at that moment. The emblem did do as it was intended, I was at peace that night as I lay in bed. The necklace around my neck resting against my bare chest. I traced the outline of it with my fingers. The thought of her willed me into my sleep.
The next morning I woke to the sound of knocking at my door. Groaning I stood and opened it. Max. He gave me a triumphant smile and I rolled my eyes. Walking away from the door I headed to my dresser. Max stepped in a glanced around. I pulled out a fresh shirt and slacks.
"Enjoy your night my Lord." He had the guts to asked and turned sharply back to him.
"What were you thinking, sending that girl in here?" I shouted across the room. Max lost his smile.
"I sent her here to give you company." He argued back and I tossed the clothes to the bed.
"You sent her here for my pleasure!" Max stood like a stone and I approached him. The necklace glimmered on my chest and he smirked.
"Seems you got something out of it." Max hit the ground with a thud. My body worked quicker than my mind when I hit him across the face. Max looked back up at me with a slight glare and stood. "Apologies my Lord, it won't happen again."
"Your right it won't, I refuse to be made to look like a fool." I growled at him and stepped forward. "But, I have a good way to solve this issue." Max raised an eyebrow in question and I smirked.
"My Lord?"
"You will help the Amity people in acquiring and building a pen in the garden to hold the horses." I ordered and turned back to the bed to dress.
"My Lord I am your head body guard not a carpenter." He stated and I shook my head.
"And I am not a womanizer." I turned to him. "But you made me look like one, so I will make you look like a carpenter." A disgruntled look came to Max's face before he turned and left my room. I finished getting dressed and headed toward my office. As I entered a shriek came from the corner and papers flew through the air. I jumped back as well and searched for the culprit.
"Forgive me my Lord, I did not expect you here so early." I focused my eyes and smirked.
"Tobias?" He nodded and I shook my head. If I wasn't awake before I was now. "Don't worry about it." I waved my hand and he began to pick up the papers that took flight.
"I gathered all the journals you requested." Tobias said as he stood in front of my desk. I nodded and dismissed him. Realization hit me that Max was not going to be in my service for the next few days I stopped him. "Tobias." He turned and looked to me. "Please bring me a bag of ice." He did not question it, nodded, and left the room. My hand was in pain. I leaned back in the chair, I shouldn't have hit Max. I reached under my shirt and pulled out the emblem and held it in my hand. The door to the office flung open and in marched Jeanine. I stood as she approached my desk.
"First you invite Amity in to stay and now they can build without permits!" I glared at her. "My Lord, in three weeks you will be King and"
"And what!" I shouted back. She paused.
"You need to be more considerate in your choices regarding the city."
"Building a pen in order to house horses until Amity is re-built is very considerate I think." Jeanine rolled her eyes. "Do you have anything constructive for me this morning Mrs. Matthews?" She sighed.
"I will be constructing an itinerary for you to begin your tour of the city." I nodded and she continued. "Also a list is being formed as we speak of those most suitable candidates to be the next queen of our great city." I cringed at the thought and nodded again. "I will have my servant Beatrice bring it to you when it is complete." I nodded and with a wave of my hand she was gone. I slumped back into my chair. The nerve of that woman. I glanced around the room at the stacks of journals that awaited me. I was going to need help. Tobias re-entered the room with the ice I requested. I thanked him.
"Is there anything else I can help you with my Lord?" I nodded and placed the ice on my hand.
"I need you to find an Amity girl for me, Alexandria, I believe she will be helping build the new horse pen out in the garden." He nodded. "Bring her here, then you both can help me." He nodded again and left the room. I wasn't looking forward to seeing the itinerary nor the list of prospective candidates for my future queen.
A/N: Any considerations or comments on the work is always appreciated.