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Chapter 14

  • Noah
  • "Drive slowly." I ordered Daniel, my driver as we reached the sharp bend before arriving the castle. I walked a bit before striding towards the back entrance with Daniel with a cap over my head that read, "Garden maintenance."
  • As soon as our legs touched the Palace soil, Daniel spoke, "How was your day, sir?"
  • "It was pleasant." I promptly responded, "And it's Noah, for the upteeneth time. Why don't you ever listen?"
  • "By law, I'm not permitted to address the future King by his name." Daniel replied, a smile edging on the side of his lips.
  • "Do you want to bore me to death with that law bullcrap?" I sharply spoke up. Daniel had no sense of humor, he spoke like a robot. But it didn't bother him anytime I challenged his values. He was stuck up in perfection and I understood.
  • The royal family had perfectly groomed him into perfection.
  • I smiled and walked on, into the castle, the red rugs I stepped on, leaving sandy footprints. I remembered Ashely blushing ferociously and I chuckled happily to myself, awaiting what would happen after.
  • I stepped into the kitchen and the kitchen staffs bowed with their hands behind their back, announcing the presence of a royal. Gordon was about to bow as well until I raised a hand.
  • "You will not bow to me, Gordon." I spoke, "I won't allow it."
  • Gordon grinned and told the rest of the staff to resume cooking while Gordon took me by the shoulders to a desolate area of the large kitchen.
  • "Is this about James?" Gordon spoke.
  • "Of course not." I replied, "I just have a tiny favor to ask."
  • "Does it involve me spending hours in the kitchen with you trying out a new dish?" Gordon raised a hesitant brow.
  • "Of course not." I scoffed, "Why do you always see me as an eighteen year old boy?"
  • "Just kidding, my Prince." Gordon said, "What do you want?"
  • "Have you heard of Mrs Ping's Bakery? Does it ring a name?" I asked, hurriedly, nearly bitting off my nails.
  • "Yes. Mrs Ping is a very old friend of mine. Back in the 90's-"
  • Happiness surged in my veins causing me to interrupt Gordon. I held his hand and said;
  • "Can you get me a job?" I muttered, "Under the name Leo. You can just give me off as a recommendation."
  • Gordon balanced a hand on a white table, "Why do you need a job?"
  • "I just need it to repay a favor." I responded, "Would you help, Please?"
  • "I will."
  • "Thank you." I heaved a sigh of relief.
  • "As long as you promise to be careful." Gordon warned, his eyes holding concern.
  • "I promise, Sir Gordon." I playfully replied, "I would have loved to chat more, probably steal a snack or two but I'm pretty tired."
  • "You are always welcome here, Noah." Gordon playfully rubbed my hair, resulting in a few curls finding it's way to my eyes.
  • I walked with a delighted heart along the always. Throughout the car ride, I was conflicted between asking Gordon or my mother for help.
  • Remembering the last conversation I had with my mother, I struck out the idea of pleading with her for help.
  • If I did, probably she might strike out a deal or maybe even make me sign an undertaking. Gordon was a much easier person to approach.
  • He was more of a people person, except around Eli. Even without speaking, I knew he hated him.
  • Probably from the day he saw Eli smack the ass of one of the kitchen staff. I was a living witness to the drama. Gordon's hand was perfectly holding a knife and the other, tightly wrapped around an onion.
  • I strolled further and then halted at the balcony, watching Ruby race with a horse. Her life was much easier. She had maids dress her up. Read books all day and wasn't pressured into doing anything
  • She was betrothed to a Prince from a far land in which I found it hard to recollect his name. That Prince barely visited Midon as he wrote several letters filled with mushy poems and lots and lots of flowers.
  • The poor Prince probably had no idea that Ruby was allergic to them.
  • I took my gaze off my sister's and was about to take the first stride when I sighted my mother.
  • Speak of the devil.
  • It had been days since we last spoke. For the sake of tradition, I mouthed an inaudible "Good morning, mother" which I knew she might take offense to.
  • "Noah." She called out. Maybe she was scared that I would run.
  • "Yes, my Queen?" I sarcastically responded.
  • She opened her lips, ready to berate me but she then closed it afterwards, not wanting to give in to my provocation.
  • "Matilda and her parents will be coming to the castle in a week time." She announced, her face devoid of any smile.
  • The blood from my face drained when she finished speaking.
  • Wait what?
  • "Why?" I asked with a firm tone.
  • "To discuss the engagement." My mother replied with her hands outstretched, "And the wedding, of course."
  • I couldn't believe that after the squabble we had, she still didn't want to listen to me, neither was she interested in knowing how I felt.
  • "Mother-"
  • Her sharp yell caught me unaware, "You will not question me, Noah. This is a decision that I took with your father so do not complain to me like a child."
  • My eyes fought so hard not to turn bloodshot. My ragged breath wanted nothing more but peace but this woman, my mother was taking the air out of my lungs as she pleased.
  • "You forgot to discuss it with me, Mother." I finally spoke in between stutters, "I am the one who is going to get married. It's not you or father."
  • "There is no need to discuss it with you. It's not like you would oblige, willingly. Neither would you understand the situation." My mother answered, her gaze never leaving mine.
  • "I am your son. The future King of Midon. How can I not have a say in deciding the woman I am to spend the rest of my life with?" My voice turned to a whisper. There was no point yelling or screaming. It would only make everything worse.
  • "I was arranged to your father-"
  • "But you loved him, didn't you?" I gesticulated with an outstretched finger, "You spent time with him, knowing all his flaws-"
  • "You can also do the same with-"
  • "No, I cannot, Mother. That woman annoys me. She degrades-"
  • "Or maybe you're just too stubborn to give her a damn chance, Noah." My mother yelled.
  • My eyes turned teary as I stared at my mother.
  • "You promised, Mother." I tried to fight the tears that were threatening to spill, "You promised that you'll never allow me have an arranged marriage."
  • "Well-" My mother started, "Things change, Noah. Bad things happen that are beyond our control and we can't allow the rest of the world to think that Midon has fallen."
  • "So you are using your son." I sighed heavily. I felt my lungs contract, wanting more air. The entire conversation was suffocating, breathtaking and heart wrenching, "You are using me to cut a deal."
  • My mother chuckled bitterly, "From the moment you turned eighteen, you have never known about the politics of Midon. You have never experienced how hard it is to hold on to power and you'll never understand. Your thick skull and your selfish attitude won't let you see the truth."
  • "Or maybe you're the one who needs to see the truth." I responded.
  • "Then why don't you discuss it with your-"
  • "You know he won't listen. He never listens to me." I spoke again, "P-Please don't let this arranged marriage come through."
  • "I have no choice, son." My mother muttered.
  • "You do. There's always a choice." I said with finality. I then walked slowly away from my mother. I felt my chest tighten after I have walked almost a mile away. I had never had just a tense conversation with my mother.
  • Never.
  • There was no use talking to my father, he would simply stare at me without speaking. I flung the door to my room open and stepped inside.
  • I flopped down on the king sized bed with a lot of thoughts drowning my brain capacity and then I snuggled closer to a pillow, caressing the warmth that came with it and then I began to think of the woman I met at the bakery.
  • Ashely.
  • ****
  • The following day came as quick as the wind.
  • "Do I look absolutely normal, Daniel?" I asked my driver as he resumed driving on the tarred roads, the next day.
  • "You look perfectly normal, my Prince." His reply was clean and fresh like fruits plucked from a tree.
  • "Do I look poor?" I pouted as I looked at the tall grasses that flanked the roads.
  • "Certainly not." I heard him speak with a quiet chuckle.
  • "Alright." My lips curved into a happy grin as I felt the wind slap my face bringing a giddy feeling to my body.
  • "The Queen asked me....where you were headed, sir." Daniel announced as the grip on the steering wheel turned tighter.
  • "And?" My hands picked up a magazine located on the far corner of the seat.
  • "I told her, I wasn't aware of where you were going, sir." Daniel replied, "But I added that I would keep you safe."
  • "Good." My reply was prompt as I studies the male models on the magazine cover dressed in designer boxers.
  • I knew that my mother would definitely pick on Daniel. Since our last conversation,I have successfully avoided making eye contact at lunch and at dinner. I was happy that Eli and Eugene made no effort to return to the castle for a family dinner after what happened at the last one.
  • Ruby had tried to get I and Mother talking by chatting about my childhood but it didn't work. The sharp stares she gave me, the ones that often forced me to speak when I was a teenager. But now I was a man.
  • I was allowed to keep grudges with my mother.
  • "Stop." I ordered Daniel with a wave of my hand as I jumped out of the cab.
  • "Would you be fine, sir?" he asked as he placed a brown cap over his head.
  • "Yes of course." I answered as I gave him a curt nod, "Enjoy yourself and stay close."
  • I sighed heavily and stared at my reflection on a glass window. The first thing I noticed was the creases on my blue turtle- neck top.
  • That would definitely make me look normal.
  • I then unstrapped the watch that had my initials from my wrist and threw it into my pant pockets.
  • I then resumed walking, greeting the pedestrians that passed by my way. A few old women praised my good looks while a few younger women kept blushing and trying to get a sniff of my colonge.
  • One even pretended to fall so I could catch her. It was quite cliche but I didn't want her to fall flat on her face. I caught her, gave her a wink and then she walked away with reddy cheeks.
  • My eyes sighted Mrs Ping's Bakery from a few miles away. I hoped that Gordon had spoken to Mrs Ping and given her a heads-up. I would have asked him earlier in the morning but he was in a tight argument with the kitchen staff about soup and I had no time to waste.
  • I inhaled sharply as I rubbed my palms against the other.
  • It was time to get a job and pretend to be Leo.
  • *****
  • "My name is Leo." I announced to everyone in the bakery. Ashely and Emily stood by the doorstep while the rest of the staff were standing close to the tables. They all welcomed me with an applause and my heart was gladdened.
  • I had sighted Mrs Ping in the bakery right after I entered. She had given me a warm hug and a pat on the back. She talked a lot about Gordon and I wondered if they were just close friends.
  • Until she spilled the tea and said they were ex-lovers.
  • Her face was bright but branded with wrinkles. The circles under her eyes revealed that she had trouble sleeping and her soft hands made me assume that she had a massage, the previous day.
  • She indeed was a lovely woman.
  • The ten minutes interview that I had with her, sitting opposite me was easy and a bit personal.
  • "Your name." she asked.
  • "Leo."
  • "Age?" she continued.
  • "Twenty nine."
  • "Are you quick on your feets? We can't have someone who acts like a snail. Pardon my words." Mrs Ping chuckled lightly.
  • "I am quite very quick, ma'am."
  • "Do you have experience in serving people?" she asked again.
  • "No ma'am." I spoke, "B-But with time, I'll grow in your bakery."
  • "Are you married?" she muttered.
  • And then, I had to ask, "Is that question supposed to be part of the interview?"
  • I heard her sigh and then she asked, "You are friends with Gordon right?"
  • "Yes." I replied, "H-He was a father figure to me when...my father... passed away."
  • There were two ways to get a job. The first was having the right qualifications and the second was empathy. Empathy was the weapon to move your employer's heart especially if she was a woman.
  • She stood up and I did likewise. She stretched forth a hand and I took it gladly
  • *****
  • "This is Leo, everyone. He would be working at the counter since we need a extra hand." Mrs Ping stated and then turned to me, "Is it just Leo?"
  • "Yeah." I lied, "My father's name is completely irrelevant."
  • "Why don't you show him around?" Mrs Ping pointed to a dumbstruck Emily and Ashely who kept gawking at me, "And what the hell have you done to your beautiful hair, Emily?"
  • "Dutch braids?" Emily innocently answered.
  • "It's too long. What if it gets into the coffee while you're serving?" Mrs Ping nagged.
  • "Then I'll pull it right out of the coffee." Emily responded.
  • Noticing the frown on Mrs Ping's face. I saw Emily's eyes go meek as she looked at Ashely.
  • "Sorry, Mrs Ping."
  • "Enough talk. Let's start working in good spirits and remember not to slack off. I'm back everyone, so be sure to know that if you slack off, I'll remove five dollars from your pay check. Good day!" Mrs Ping spoke and then turned to leave. She then turned again and called;
  • "Leo."
  • "Yes." My reply was quick, "Ma'am?"
  • "Please be on your best behavior. I would have given you a proper interview but I'm busy. Don't disappoint me."
  • "Yes, Ma'am." I bent my head slightly and raised it after I saw her walk right through the door.
  • "Here you go." Emily threw a apron at me, "You got the job."
  • Her face bore no smile. Only a frown and I wondered why and when I wanted to ask, she walked right past me and then Ashely began to walk towards me slowly. Her face too bore a frown. She stared widely at me, her eyes angry with my existence.
  • "You don't seem pleased to see me." I decided to start the conversation.
  • "Maybe because you got the job." Her reply held sarcasm and a hidden rage.
  • "Well, what can I say?" I placed an elbow over the counter, "Determination, confidence. Maybe I should write a tell-tale about it."
  • She picked up a notebook which the word, "Attendance" was boldly written on the cover page and began to flip it.
  • "Or maybe connection." Her eyes never met mine as she started to write her name on an empty page.
  • "Why would you... think that? I smell jealousy in the air." I countered back with a light chuckle.
  • "Mrs Ping was on a vacation and you managed to get hold of her and bring her back to Midon. It's definitely connections. No wonder why you refused to give out your father's name." Her lips moved like a parrot.
  • I inhaled and exhaled sharply.
  • "What if it was a mere.... coincidence?" I tried to brighten up the mood by revealing my white, milky teeth which often made ladies swoon.
  • "Really?" Ashely replied with a eye roll, "You really want to play mind games with me?"
  • The smile that was plastered on my face was suddenly replaced with a face void of any happiness. My lips tightly pressed together and my cheeks back to it's normal.
  • "Not exactly." My voice came as a whisper, "Is this about what happened.... yesterday?"
  • I noticed her gaze suddenly leave my eyes and settle on my shoes. Why was she staring at them?
  • Was she shy?
  • "N-Nothing happened... yesterday." she stuttered the words out as she placed a hand on the nape of her neck.
  • Dipping my hands into my pant pockets, I took a step forward, "You're a bad liar, Ashely."
  • That was the first name that sounded as sweet I as pronounced it but it seemed too familiar.
  • It sounded so much alike to the woman I danced with a few weeks back.