~ Seventeen - Season I ~

I turned my head and watched as Mallory entered the stables.

“Oh, hello, Mallory,” I greeted neutrally.

“Where have you been?” she asked.

My brows furrowed. “Why do you ask?” I replied with a question.

“Because I need to know,” her lips formed a firm line as she walked towards me.

“Are you even my mother to know my whereabouts?” I replied sarcastically. I turned around and proceeded to the entrance, only to be stopped by her again.

She protested right away, “I deserve to know because we are in a relationship.”

“Our relationship is not real to begin with, Mallory,” I rolled my eyes as I turned back to her.

“I don’t care what kind of a relationship that we have!” she suddenly shouted. She continued, “We are a couple now, which gives me the right to know everything about you!”

I completely turned to her direction and towered over her. “As far as I know, you can only act that way when the relationship is real. A relationship where both people love each other, and are willing to surrender one another to each other,” I replied.

“Well, it still applies to me because I am in love with you,” she stuttered as she tried to find a reason.

“Whatever it is that we have is pretentious. So, I suggest that you stop whatever this act is that you’re doing,” I raised my voice a little as I tried to get my point across. I wanted to make sure that it stuck with her, and in her memory.

“For me, this relationship is real,” she answered.

“This,” I pointed at the two of us, “This relationship was never real,” a hint of anger slipped out of my control. I continued, “Without a doubt, our friendship is undeniably true. But, this relationship that we started will never be true. You have to put an end to your delusions, and remind yourself that this is only temporary.” I finally headed into the kitchen, and I didn’t care if I left her crying or not.

~*~*~*~

As I was walking in the hallway, I came across Gonzalo. I greeted, “Hello, Gonzalo.”

“Your Highness,” he bowed.

I nodded and walked ahead of him. He immediately followed right behind me. “Any updates or reports that require my knowledge?” I asked.

He started, “Your parents were looking for you, Your Highness. Most especially, His Majesty.”

I came into a halt. “James was looking for me?” I asked as I turned to him.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And where are they right now?” I questioned.

Gonzalo replied, “Her Majesty went to visit your aunt, Duchess Bethilda. Your father is currently in his study. He has a few of the lords with him.”

“And my sister?” I asked another.

“As I can recall,” he said as he thought for a moment, “I have seen her enter the library. I overheard her brief conversation with the queen. Her Highness told Her Majesty that she will be having some time for herself. So, my best guess would be in the library.”

I asked, “Is there anything else?”

“There was a man who was looking for you a while ago. He said that you and him were quite close,” he added.

My brows furrowed. I never received any letter that I was expecting a guest. “Were you able to get his name?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, he never mentioned his name, Your Highness. But, it did look like he knew you very well. He knew instantly where to find you,” Gonzalo replied.

“Did he ever mention that he will return?”

Gonzalo answered, “He did say that he will return some other time because he still has his own matters to take care of.”

“Thank you for your diligence in this household, Gonzalo,” I nodded as I praised him. I continued, “I shall head to my room now. If you need anything, you may inform my page that you are welcome to enter at any time.”

“Do you need anything to be sent to your room, Your Highness?” he asked.

This was why James and I entrusted almost everything to Gonzalo. Aside from my protection, he was always on top of everything that I could ever need. Even if I didn’t say anything, he would willingly prepare everything ahead of time. Just so I wouldn’t waste time asking for something.

“Thank you for your concern, Gonzalo. But, as of the moment, I don’t need anything,” I smiled as I put a hand on his shoulder. I removed my hand before I added, “All I need is a proper rest. I will call for you if I need anything.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” he bowed as he moved aside. He also waited for me to leave.

I gave him a formal nod and I headed to my room.

~*~*~*~

Once I entered my room, I jumped right into my bed. Without even the thought of removing my shoes, I closed my eyes in an attempt to take a quick nap.

“Did you have fun with your little trot outside?” an all too familiar voice echoed throughout my room.

I sat up and scanned my room. As my eyes passed by the window, I took a second look. There stood a figure that I had known for years.

“Hello, Benjamin,” I smiled. Immediately, I stood up and walked towards him. He did the same.

“It has been a long time since we last saw each other, my dear brother,” Benjamin remarked as we shared a tight hug.

“It is nice to see you again, brother,” I smiled as we pulled away. Benjamin has been my best friend since childhood. He was the prince of the Kingdom of Eastern Sun. Everything about our lives were extremely similar. The only difference between the two of us was that he was lucky enough not to be trapped in a marriage arrangement.

With that and that alone, I would say that he was incredibly lucky in life.

“When did you get here?” I asked.

“A while ago. I wasn’t able to get past your guard. He was quite challenging. He seems to be very protective of you,” he replied.

We shared a quick laugh. “So, you’re the man that Gonzalo mentioned,” I remarked. With a bit of pride, I continued, “He’s quite impressive when it comes to my protection.” Gonzalo deserved all of the credit for his unending efforts to ensure my safety.

“I’m quite surprised that he doesn’t know me,” he said, baffled.

I snickered. “I’m not quite sure if you were ever introduced to him, even as we were children.”

“You do have a point here,” he nodded. He continued, “Well, in that case, I would love to meet the person who ensures your safety on a daily basis. I want to express my gratitude for the excellent job that he has been doing.”

“I shall call for him right away. Would you like something to drink or nibble?” I asked with a smile.

“I would love to have a bit of wine. Do you have some to spare for a special guest?” he smirked as he teased me to get a laugh out of me.

“Always the hilarious one, aren’t you?” I snickered. I walked over to the corner of my room and rang my service bell. “Shall we take a seat as we wait?” I gestured over to my table, placed by the window.

“Of course,” he nodded as we made our way towards the table.

“I do have a lovely view of the garden to keep us busy as we wait. Gonzalo does have his hands full on a daily basis,” I explained as we reached our separate chairs.

He turned to me, confused. “But, if I remember correctly, you rang your service bell. Isn’t that supposed to summon a maid, instead?” he asked as we sat down.

I then explained, crossing my legs, “The maids are for my family. Specifically, for my sister since she has a lot of demands.” My first response made us both snicker. I continued, “Gonzalo is the one who is responsible for whatever it is that I need. It was ordered by Their Royal Majesties.”

A knock came upon my door and finally, Gonzalo entered.

“Just the person that we were talking about,” I smiled as I turned to Gonzalo who was already walking towards us.

Gonzalo bowed before us and asked, “You called for me, Your Highness?”

I nodded. “I believe this is the man that you mentioned a while ago, am I correct?” I asked as I pointed to Benjamin.

Gonzalo took a good look at him and replied, “Yes, Your Highness. This was indeed him.”

“This is Prince Benjamin of the Kingdom of Eastern Sun. He has been my greatest friend since childhood. And he has been very eager to meet you,” I said. I continued, “We have spent a lot of time together in both of our castles when we were young. I’m uncertain if he has ever been introduced to you. But, he wants you to know him.”

“It’s an honour to finally meet you, Gonzalo,” Benjamin slowly nodded towards my trusted aid with a formal smile.

Gonzalo knelt and bowed his head. “It is a privilege to meet the person His Highness trusts the most. Please, accept my sincerest apology as I wasn’t able to recognize you before,” he replied.

“An apology won’t be necessary, Gonzalo. It’s not something to make a fuss about,” Benjamin said, smiling before he returned to me. “I have to say, dear brother,” he continued as he looked at me, “Your parents made the right choice for someone to take good care of you. Gonzalo over here,” he briefly gestured towards Gonzalo, “He seems to be a very refined man.”

“Well, I’m proud to say that Gonzalo is always on top of everything that he is supposed to do. He never missed a single task handed to him,” I added.

“I’m almost certain that’s the truth. I don’t think that Uncle James will choose someone of mediocre standards to protect his only heir,” Benjamin replied.

Gonzalo turned to my direction and asked, “Is there anything that I can get for you, Your Highness?”

“Yes, Gonzalo,” I said as I looked at him, “Will it be possible for you to bring us some wine, please?” I asked.

“As you wish, Your Highness,” he bowed briefly. He asked another, “Is there anything that you want to add to that? Something to eat, perhaps?”

“If you can bring us some bread and fruits, that would be lovely. And a few sweets, if possible,” I smiled.

“And as for you, Your Highness?” he asked, turning to Benjamin next. “Do you have your own preference that you want to add?”

“I will have whatever it is that Robert will,” Benjamin answered.

Gonzalo nodded once and returned to me. “I shall have them prepared and delivered immediately,” he said, bowing before he walked away with an affirmed smile.

“He’s very formal, quite firm,” Benjamin returned to our topic as we laid back on our chairs.

I chuckled. “I did tell him not to be too uptight. But, I guess that’s just the way he is. Perhaps, it’s his way of accomplishing all of his tasks in a day,” I said.

Benjamin nodded. “So, where were you a while ago?” he proceeded to ask. He continued, “Gonzalo mentioned that you went outside, and headed to the Mortal Realm. And that’s not all. I also heard that you went there twice today.”

Nervously, I stifled back a laugh, running my fingers over my lips.

“Can you explain to me what’s happening, Robert? Because, for you to leave the castle, and to go somewhere more than once in a day, is unusual for you,” he remarked.

“How can you say that it’s odd for me to do such a thing?” I asked. I continued, “Maybe, because of so many royal duties, I just wanted a breath of fresh air. I don’t see that as strange.”

He said, “For your personality, it is baffling to know.”

“Why?”

Benjamin then explained, “When we were children, you were already satisfied, playing in the garden. And when we got older, you would only go outside because of your royal visitations. You don’t even attend the banquets and random parties that your family hosts. Then, all of a sudden, I learned that you left the castle grounds twice?”

I snortled quickly as I leaned forward, my arms on my knees.

“Please, talk to me. We can always tell each other anything,” Benjamin said as he leaned forward as well.

With the lowest volume possible, I said, “Well, I met someone.”

“You met someone?” Benjamin leaned closer. “Is this a man? Or a woman?” one of his brows raised as he smirked.

“Um… a woman,” I said, with caution.