REVISED March 14, 2024

CHAPTER 2

Eric watched through the massive dining room windows as the sun began its descent down the horizon where it would dip below the sea.

The sea, where he nearly drowned a few weeks ago. No human could ever tame it. Eric wondered if he needed to search the ocean for the woman who seemed to tame the ocean and save him, as crazy as that sounded.

For a second, he thought they had found the woman. The moment the Captain Lungred uttered the words that they may have found her was the most life Eric had felt in weeks. The young lady had bright red hair and blue eyes just as stunning as his savior, but she couldn't speak. With no voice, it would have been impossible for her to be the one to sing to him with such an angelic voice that still haunted him. The melody played again in his head and he cursed it. Why couldn't that melody have come from the woman brought to him? It would have made things so much easier. He debated returning to the search. He knew the guards were growing frustrated with this wild goose chase and rumors spread of his own sanity.

His thoughts returned to the woman who had found his way to him. They believed she washed ashore from a shipwreck, meaning she must have been traveling out at sea a few weeks ago, far away from his unfortunate ship on his birthday. Despite not being his mystery maiden, Eric realized once the shock and disappointment faded that his heart ached for this poor woman. She was all alone, had limited means of communication, seemed very shaken up…and was dressed in a sailcloth? Hopefully Carlotta succeeded in getting more information out of her.

His attention turned towards the men who just entered the room, his moment of solitude had come to an end, a blessing and a curse. The company helped to take his mind off the woman, but other times Eric found it difficult to focus on what they were saying when the voice played over and over again in his head.

"Still hoping you'll find her out there?" Oliver asked as he and Grimsby approached the table and took their respective seats. Or maybe you already did.

Eric looked at him, unable to come up with any response to refute the truth just spoken.

The blank stare was enough of an answer for a displeased Grimsby. "Oh, Eric, be reasonable. Nice young ladies just don't swim around rescuing people in the middle of the ocean and then flutter off into oblivion, like some-"

"I'm telling you, Grim, she was real," Eric declared, turning to stare out the window. His gaze met the ocean. "I'm gonna find that girl, and I'm gonna marry her."

Grimsby scoffed. "Well, for now, please be polite and focus your attention on our special guest for the night."

Eric sighed. Grimsby was right. The lady Oliver had found washed up on shore was just as important and deserved his attention and respect. "I will give it my best."

"Come on, honey. Don't be shy."

Eric turned towards the dining hall entrance. Carlotta had arrived with the young woman. She was dressed in a pink ball gown, a silver hair pin sparkled in her long, red hair. Her heels clicked on the polished floor as she delicately made her way across the room, escorted by Carlotta. In a sharp comparison to her wobbly walking skills when she first arrived, she now appeared to glide across the floor towards the breathtaken men.

"Wow," Oliver breathed.

"Oh, Eric. Isn't she a vision?" Grimsby whispered in the prince's ear, hoping something more realistic would catch on.

Eric had to agree. She looked stunning and innocent. He had no idea who this woman truly was, but she was beautiful, more so than any princess he had been introduced to, and he was suddenly very eager to have dinner with her.

The young lady stopped in front of him and he took in her image up close before saying, "You look wonderful."

She smiled and glanced down at her feet as she blushed, as if silently saying thank you.

"Come, come, come, you must be famished. Let me help you, my dear," Grimsby chimed in, coming to Eric's rescue. Had he not, Eric probably would have continued simply staring at his guest, and how awkward that would have become for her. Grimsby led her to her seat, and Eric quickly caught on, managing to pull himself out of his foolishness. How did he suddenly forget his manners? Eric pulled her seat out for her and she sat down.

"It's not often that we have such a lovely dinner guest, huh Eric?" Grimsby asked.

"You're right," Eric responded. "It's a nice change of pace. I'm used to staring at Oliver when he joins us."

Eric smiled at himself trying to be clever and funny. Why, though? Because girls like humor?

Oliver shrugged, placing his napkin on his lap. "I take no offense to that. She certainly is a better sight than me...even on my good days."

The prince then turned to the woman. She was his guest. He couldn't have Grimsby lead the dinner conversation.

"I feel as though I did not get the chance to introduce myself earlier to you. My apologies. I'm Prince Eric, but you can ignore the formality and just call me Eric, as all my friends do," Eric cringed once he realized what he just said. She had no voice and couldn't call him anything. He shook it off and carried on. "Uh, I presume you already met Grimsby when you first arrived?" he asked, gesturing to Grimsby who sat across from her. She nodded and smiled.

Eric then gestured towards Oliver. "And that's Oliver. I heard he was the one who found you. He's my best friend. You'll often see him around the castle. He manages the castle's finances, basically makes sure the castle's operations don't go over budget so my economic advisors won't yell at me. I've known him since we were kids."

"I'm very glad Carlotta was able to take care of you. I presume you're doing better now?" Oliver asked as he spread his napkin across his lap. She smiled again in response, seeing as if it was all she really could do.

Oh, how Eric wished she could open her mouth to speak and sing.

Eric was then surprised, however, when she picked up a fork and began combing her hair with it. She appeared to do so very excitedly, but then paused and quickly placed the fork back down, frowning as she realized everyone at the table gave her blank stares in disbelief.

Sooo, she was a bit weird. But in her big, sad eyes it was as if she didn't know better, which Eric would admit was still strange to understand. Who would think to comb their hair with a fork, no matter where they came from? Still, he let it slide, quickly glancing away and picking up his drink to take a sip from. He was glad for her sake when Oliver and Grimsby looked away. Grimsby pulled out his pipe and lit it.

The woman's face brightened again.

Grimsby took the pipe out of his mouth and handed it over to her to inspect. "Uh, do you like it? It is rather fine—"

His words were cut short as she took a firm hold of it and instead of inhaling from it, she strongly blew into it, covering Grimsby's face with black soot. He was not amused, but Oliver and Eric bursted out in laughter. What a sight it was to see Grimsby sitting there in shock with soot all over his face.

Eric tried to pull himself together. "Ahem. So sorry, Grim."

Carlotta had come back into the room to see what all the commotion was. She placed a hand on Eric's shoulder. "Why, Eric. That's the first time I've seen you smile in weeks."

She wasn't wrong, he supposed. First, he was frustrated with needing to recover from his near death experience. Then, he was frustrated that he couldn't find his rescuer. This was the first time he let his thoughts stray away from her, to someone new, and actually let himself laugh at something.

It felt good. He let himself smile again, and he saw as the look on the woman's face change from embarrassment to a small smile herself, as if realizing she didn't do something completely wrong. And she didn't. No harm was done, except for Grimsby's pride. The food hadn't been brought out yet so it wasn't as if soot had gotten all over their food and ruined it. Instead tiny black specks dusted the table across from his advisor and guest.

Grimsby pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping it off. "Ah yes. Very amusing. Carlotta, my dear, what's for dinner?"

"Oh, you're gonna love it. Chef's been fixing his specialty: stuffed crab."

A loud crash could be heard from the kitchen. Was he making his specialty or a mess?

"...I think I better go see what trouble Louis has gotten himself into this time," Carlotta excused herself.

Grimsby and Oliver took to a conversation, something about the earlier events of the day. Eric wasn't listening. Instead, he found himself watching the young lady taking in everything the room had to offer, as if she was fascinated by it. The wonder in her eyes was...beautiful. She then turned towards him and smiled upon seeing him. A dreamy smile he couldn't control spread across his face.

"...in the way of a tour."

Eric shook his head and snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing dialogue directed towards him. "I'm sorry, Grim. What was that?"

"You've spent the past month moping about the castle. The weather is growing delightful. Providing our young lady with a tour of the kingdom would be a fantastic way to get you out and make you do something with your life," Grimsby pushed. "Get away from your day-to-day life. My boy, you haven't done anything fun since your birthday."

Eric found himself loving the idea, excited at the idea of getting to spend a day with his guest. Besides, how many times in his life would he hear Grim telling him to do something fun? "That's not a bad idea," he agreed, then turned toward the woman. "How about it, miss? Would you like to join me on a tour of my kingdom tomorrow?"

She eagerly shook her head.

"Just make sure he doesn't get you lost," Oliver jokingly added.

"I think I know my way around my kingdom."

"And make sure he remembers to bring his own money, or else you'll have to split your candy with him," Oliver also warned.

"That was years ago!" Eric exclaimed.

"It's how we first met," Oliver explained. "I was in the candy shop. Father had given me just enough money for one chocolate bar. I stumbled across Eric, who, despite being, ya know, the prince, had no money on him but was eyeing up the candy. I split my candy with him since I felt bad. Think about it. A commoner buying his own prince candy. He promised to import me the world's best chocolate in return, which I still have yet to see, by the way."

Eric turned towards the woman. "Okay, so remind me tomorrow that I have to pick him up some candy...again. Seriously Oliver. I don't know how much candy I have to buy you to repay you."

"Until I get that specialty German chocolate that is made with only the finest cows milk and cocoa powder stolen from tropical pirate islands."

"I made that up! I was a child!" Eric explained.

Oliver ignored him. "All I'm saying, miss, is to keep an eye on him tomorrow."

She nodded in agreement. She looked excited for the tour, and Eric was very grateful Grimsby had brought up the idea.

Oliver had caught Eric staring longingly at the woman from the beach, and he wondered what was happening to his thoughts about his savior he so determinedly declared to marry just minutes before this new lady walked through the door.

She was absolutely lovely, though, and he would not blame Eric if he forgot about the mystery maiden to focus on the woman seated before him.

He watched the redheaded beauty as she took a sip of her drink, delicately raising the cup up to her pink lips before placing it back down on the table softly. She was beautiful in every way, and there seemed to be something special about her. How so? Oliver wasn't sure. It seemed to be by the way she walked, moved, existed, that seemed so heavenly, as if she was a goddess in the wrong world. She was captivating from the moment he first found her.

Captivating enough to have Eric forget about the mystery maiden? Oliver wondered what would happen to the search for his savior if Eric was fell in love with this woman. Would he call it off? Or what if the mystery woman was found? Then who would Eric choose: the women who now seemed to be stealing his heart or the women who he owed his life to?

Oliver glanced again at Eric's guest. Did she know who she was competing against?

He decided to stop questioning everything. He heard Grimsby sitting next to him say something. Oliver, not knowing exactly what the other gentleman had said simply gave a nod in response.

He then placed his napkin back on the table. "Well, Eric. I guess I better head out for the night. I have things to tend to at home. Tell Louis the food was once again magnificent."

Eric rose from the table to say goodbye. "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I'll be around," Oliver replied. He then turned to the woman who was still sitting down. "It's been a pleasure meeting you. Rest assured that Eric and the castle staff will take good care of you."

She smiled sweetly at him. It made him hope that Eric would take good care in providing for her and not abandon her by becoming preoccupied by his thoughts of his savior again. Oliver almost wondered if within Eric's care was the best place to bring her.

Oliver bid farewell to Grimsby and headed out of the castle to go back home. A vision of the young lady at the table remained in his head. Had Eric not taken to her during dinner Oliver would have perhaps suggested she come with him instead and he would help her find where she came from. But how silly was that idea. The castle had all the resources she would need.

Eric was lucky he would get to spend the night with her, the woman Oliver found. Oliver thought it best he parted ways early, not wanting to be stuck awkwardly tagging along with the two.

Ironically, it all started with Eric tagging along with Oliver. That day in the candy shop, Oliver felt bad for Eric. No one seemed to recognize the prince, and Oliver couldn't help but think that he seemed lonely. All the other kids, all formed into their little groups, giggled with each other whereas Eric simply stood off to the side, quietly browsing and watching everyone else, not knowing any of the town's children. That's when Oliver decided to approach the boy. Being three years older than him, Oliver didn't even have any interest in the six-year-old, he simply felt bad, and recalled looking at the candy bar in his hand before sighing and walking Eric's way.

However, it was like feeding a stray cat.

Turns out, the young Eric was beginning to make a habit of sneaking off into town alone in search of adventure. He remembered Oliver the next time he spotted him.

"Hi Oliver!" he had called out, surprising the older boy, who didn't recognize the voice at first. Then, he sighed and slowly turned around to see the prince standing behind him.

"Your Highness…"

"I told you last time you could just call me Eric!"

Oliver was immediately uncomfortable at the idea of informally addressing the prince, despite the boy being only a child. "Right...Eric. Sorry, I forgot. That was a few weeks ago."

Eric shrugged. "No worries. Whatcha doin' today?"

"I was thinking about going to the toy shop," Oliver glanced around the street. "What are you up to?"

"Just exploring."

The older boy raised an eyebrow. "Without guards or your parents?"

"They're slow and no fun. I'll make sure I'll be back before dinner."

Oliver shoved his hands in his pockets, fiddling with the change he had. "Well...you better make sure you do that," he responded, walking away from the boy, groaning softly when he heard him follow.

"I will. Hey! Which toy shop are you going to? Mr. Moser's or Mr. Tuffin's?"

"Haven't decided yet," Oliver shrugged.

"Let's go to Mr. Tuffin's! I haven't been in his shop yet," Eric suggested eagerly.

Oliver paused in his tracks. "Don't you have, like, a billion toys at the palace?"

"Yeah."

"You probably have a whole toy room!"

Eric scoffed. "I wish."

"Point is, you don't really need to go to some ordinary toy shop when your parents get you all the fancy toys from other countries and stuff."

"I was hoping to find a new toy sword. Like a pirate sword! I broke my old one a few months ago and father won't get me a new one because he doesn't like me playing pirate since they're 'criminals.'"

Oliver sighed. There wasn't much else he could say. "Well…you can come along, you know, if you want to. Mr. Tuffin's shop isn't all that great."

He began walking once again to the toy shop and rolled his eyes when he heard Eric follow.

The scene repeated itself a few more times over the next couple of months until Oliver finally accepted that he wasn't ever going to ditch the young prince. Having him along wasn't so bad, and it was only once in a while.

His older sister told him he was lucky to have made friends with the prince. His father didn't believe him.

In the long run, it was a good thing his father didn't believe him about being friends with the prince. His father thought Oliver was hired as finance manager at the castle for being the most qualified candidate out of them all. He certainly was qualified, having studied finance in college, but being Eric's friend put him above the rest.

Oliver arrived back at his office where he collected a few papers and blew out any remaining lights. He had a decent job. It was what his father had wanted for him (other than following in his footsteps to pursue a law career which Oliver refused), and it had been easily handed to him. But everyday that Oliver left work, he couldn't help but feel empty inside. There had to be something other than sitting in an office crunching numbers and finalizing pay checks out there for him. Perhaps one day he would find some other path to take and begin building his life, one that was not in the shadows of royalty.

And with that final thought and the soft click of the door shutting, he headed back home for the night where he would find himself without the company of a beautiful redhead who most certainly would still be on his mind.