Unmasked

Chapter 24

-unedited-

Chapter 24:

Suddenly I look forward to seeing him every end of the week, when his sheets need changing or his laundry done.

There are times when he comes to look for me, I can only insist that he doesn't but at the end he does what he wants and he wants to see me.

"It feels like its been too long," he'd say as he smiles at me, following me as I did my job or explored the rooms in case any assistance was needed in any of them.

"We could be seen," I tell him in a warning tone though I honestly enjoyed him with me, "you could be seen."

"And I'd say I had business to attend in the broom closet."

I tried not smile but failed.

"Is it only this hall that you do?" He asked, walking by my side as I contiued down the corridor.

"Sometime when its too busy in the kitchen I do multiple wings," I answered simply, "on the most occupied days I help attend the gardens or polish the jewelry."

I'll never forget the what seemed like hours long lecture Mariah gave me on treated the family jewels with care, and how I'd be killed severely for even thinking on stealing them. I believed her.

"That's a lot for one person..." he said in a hushed, somber tone. I questioned whether he had said it to me or not.

I almost wanted to tell him that it wasn't much at all, that I did everything back at my mothers, but I decided against it. I didn't want it to weigh his mind.

"I'm sure you have just as much to do, being our future ruler and all," I tried taking his mind off me for a change, "what is it that you do?"

"Nothing you don't already know," before I could ask what he meant he continued, "the history of our ruling, taxes, war tactics, but most importantly, knowing the people you rule..."

He looked distant as he explained but mostly upset, I suddenly regret bringing it up. I remembered the rumor that he didn't want to be king, that he tried to escape from even being a prince. All these questions began to rise but I held them back down, I knew this was something he'd speak to me about when he was willing.

He doesn't push me, so I shouldn't push him.

"I'm sorry," my voice comes out in a hushed tone, similar to how his was earlier.

"Oh, no it's fine, Mary," he gave me a reassuring smile, "you didn't do anything wrong, I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable."

I shook my head, "You didn't."

It stays quiet for a moment.

I could no longer hold them down any longer.

"Why did you run away?" I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth. Regret filled withim me as my question began to fill the space between us.

He comes to a halt and I do too. I stare at him, waiting for an answer or any response from him. Fear -no- anxiety filled my stomach along with the regret.

Finally he looks into my eyes and gives me a sad smile.

"There's only so much I can explain," is the only thing he says before Mariah comes around the corner and he leaves before she can see him.

I made him mad, was the only thing I can think of when he was gone, but still I wanted to know.

Why would he leave such a place like this behind?