[Authors note: It's been way too long since I updated this story but I ran into a serious wall. Anyway, I'm over it a bit and here is the new installation. It took a while to write but I hope that it's better than nothing. I'm not quite sure where this is going and if you don't want another prolonged absence give me some ideas in your review of what you want to see. Or not...that's cool also. I've asked before and no one did it. Then I'd just have to do all that thinking on it...well anyway here in the chapter. Please, do as you always do and read, review and enjoy.]
Good night sweet Prince
Mail didn't move in the darkened room for several hours. He had quickly been sent back here by the royal guards who had also taken a nearly hysterical Near off his hands also. He hadn't seen or heard from anyone since then. He nearly wanted to go sit in the hallway and ask passerby's if they knew the fate of the prince. Of course they wouldn't tell him. They probably wouldn't even know themselves.
Sure, he could probably figure out why anyone would want Mello dead. He was the king to be, he was annoying and a bit of a jerk but that didn't mean someone should try and kill the blond man. He had only known the other for a few hours and he had a growing distaste for the man but he certainly wouldn't attempt to kill him. Smother him into unconsciousness, maybe but kill, never. He twiddled his thumbs sitting there staring at his pathetic face in the vanity mirror. He had even been crying over someone who had managed to treat him like this.
A light tap came to the door before it opened without any prompting from him. There stood Takada looking as put together as the moment that he had met her. She didn't seem the least affected by the day's events, none of them. "Boy," She said annoyed already as he glanced in her direction. She frowned crossing the room and using a pointed nail to push his face up to look at her. "This won't do, you're serving at dinner tonight and you don't look presentable. Clean your face, fix your tie and let us be on our way." She crossed her arms promptly as if he was wasting her time by listening to her words.
"But Master Mello was shot today and I haven't heard if he was okay. I just…" He bit his lip taking his time to stand and slouch his way across the room. He picked up the clear pitcher and poured the water into the tiny bowl before using it to clean his face like the woman had asked of him.
She laughed lightly, "Oh that, he's fine. It was simply a flesh wound inflicted by his brother. They fight like that." She continued her chuckling even after he started at her horror struck. "It's unconventional but Mello is the heir to the throne and Near is second in line. They view each other in a different kind of way and well it's happened worse before. The Kind and…" She coughed, "woman, her highness still insist that maybe if they force them to spend time together that maybe they will be able to become friends. Unfortunately that's not how things work and so little instances like this happen every so often."
Mail glanced down before shaking his head. "But Master Near seemed so frightened…."
She rolled her eyes, "come along child. Of course he was scared, there was shooting. The boy is deathly afraid of bullets, guns and the sounds that they make. Pointless if you ask me."
He nodded scurrying by her and down the hallway. She quickly compensated for his height making her way in front of him and showing him the way to the kitchen even though he had a slight idea of where he had to go. She gestured barely stopping for him, "Here you are and whatever you do stay out of trouble. Please."
He nodded slowly, "of course Miss Takada." He whispered barely able to fathom that Mello was alive and well. He took in a deep breath and headed into the kitchen.
"If I was Master Near I'd shoot to kill. Everyone knows that Near would be a better King than Mello ever will be." The dark haired chef shook his head slowly watching the group in front of him that had suddenly gone quiet. He gulped, "Someone's behind me isn't he?"
"Just me." Mail mumbled feeling a bit awkward that they felt as if they couldn't talk normally in front of him. "I don't think Master Mello's all that bad of a person. He just seems to be a bit misunderstood." He flashed a slightly confused smile as the dark haired man shook his head.
He tasted whatever was in the pot in front of him and sighed, "Yeah, that's what they say about all sociopaths. Mello is far from the point of saving at this point. He just hasn't gotten started on you."
Mail blushed shaking his head, "Actually he tried to get me to put a skirt on." He whispered as the group quieted again. The silence lasted for several seconds before they all busted out into laughter. He sighed; he should have seen that coming. Maybe that was something he should have kept to himself.
The group continued on for several minutes before glancing at him and starting all over again. "I heard that had happened but I never imagined that it was you. Poor kid we got a nickname for you now though."
He paled, he had never liked nicknames. "Which is?"
He grinned, "princess."
"Do you know the basics of serving, princess?" Matsuda asked setting everything on the platter in specific order as he glanced at Mail a bit worried. "Because if you don't know what you're doing things are about to go downhill really, really quickly. They don't like it when new establishment doesn't know what they're doing and are prone to…" He sighed, "You'll see."
He nodded, "I've served before." He replied softly though the type of serving was completely different. He took in a deep breath, taking the tray that was handed to him and lifting it as best as he could like Matsuda. It was actually quite heavy and the man lifted it like it was a feather. This was something that he would have to bare though.
Two heavily armed guards stood at the entrance of the dining chamber before staring at the two suspiciously before nodding slowly. Matsuda started in at a graceful pace that Mail once again attempted to copy until the man stopped short and he nearly crashed into him and dropped his tray.
"Your highnesses." He did a slightly bow that Mail couldn't attempt even if he wanted to. "We are training the new attendant at this point, please be kind to him. He will make mistakes but it comes with the learning process. If it so happens then punish him as you see fit." He rose from his boy surging forward placing the large tray on the table. He then uncovered it it before beginning to serve it to the family.
Mail instantly went to the other side of the table and did the same keeping his head down. What kind of learning process was this? Either he did it right or he was going to be in trouble later, why did everything seem to end in him in trouble. Well, not this time. He was determined to do something right today. He couldn't keep from going to the King before but this time-
"Hey there." Blue eyes penetrated the others thoughts as he glanced sideways and nearly collapsed in relief. Mello sat there looking perfectly princely in his uniform. His clothes had been changed but other than that he looked like a picture. No one looking at him could tell he could possibly have been shot at this afternoon besides that he was a bit pale. He grinned lightly, "Good to see they found something for you to do."
He nodded gently sliding the plate in front of the other. "I'm glad that you're already Master Mello." He flashed him a light smile before continuing with his work.
The other nodded, "I heard you cried for me. I told you Near was harmless and his aim is shit."
He glanced over once again glad the other could still joke. He nodded wiping the few tears that formed in his eyes away. "I was worried. Of course I cried."
The blond nodded, "so true. I would cry for me too. I'm an amazing person you know." He winked flashing him a pretty smile.
Near frowned, "You have no idea how wrong you are." He mumbled glancing back at Lawliet who had taken to standing behind his master still eating sugar cubes.
On the other hand the Queen's eyes remained glued to the food before her and the King's hazel eyed gaze rested strictly upon Matt. The boy smiled back at Mello before backing away from the table and bowing. "I'm sorry for interrupting your dinner." He whispered unable to muster up any more of a voice.
The King nodded, "I'm glad that you're adjusting so wonderfully here Mail." He watched the boy nodded and pale. He supposed that was a decent enough response. "Leave."
He bowed once more before running out behind Matsuda's leisure walk.
"How can my first day here be the worst day of my life?" Mail asked himself aloud as he stared at the ceiling of the beautiful canopy bed. "Should I just give up and run away."
"I should hope not, if you did that who in the hell would be by attendant?" Mello questioned from his adjoining door which had opened without Mail taking a bit of notice. "I think you should stay, even though I find your very existence annoying I think you're fun to play with like a good pet." He laughed strolling into the room.
Mail's eyes strayed from the others face down across the lean form of the blond now in night clothes. "Nice to know you think so."
He raised an eyebrow. "My eyes are up here." He used his thumb to gesture upwards. "But as far as things go I can deal with you for a few more weeks. Then I'll get bored and run you out like I do everyone else."
"Thanks." Mail mumbled finally trailing his eyes back up.
He nodded crawling over the bed to the boy. "Of course." He plopped down beside the red head before closing his eyes.
Mail's eyes widened. "What are you doing? You can't just…"
"Shhh, I do what I want. Now, lay down and go to sleep." Mello breathed lightly on the others neck as Mail lay rigid.
"But…" He sighed, there was no use in trying. "Good night Prince Mello."
[And here is the end. Please review with what you think should happen. If you do I'll try my best to incorporate it. That would prove to be interesting. I've been trying to update more so hopefully this story will be soon once again. I've been doing [what I like to consider] well so far. Please, just keep tuned.]