Sparks of a flame

11. Something old, something new

ALEXANDER'S POV

I whistled a little as I read through the notes my new friend, the librarian June, had given me.

She gave me the notes her mother had written down on the magician, which turned out to be more of a biography. Had I read the book before the girls who attacked us were found, I would have been less surprised that they were the magician's kids. All that information was detailed there.

According to the notes, after Richard was banished, he visited the kingdom of Ronix- where we were presently- specifically the Queen. 

Though I was yet to see her since we arrived in the kingdom, June's mother seemed to suggest that the magician and the queen were a little more than just friends. I considered the possibility of the Queen being the triplets' mother, but quickly dismissed the idea when I found out that Richard left the kingdom of Ronix after two months and settled down in a nearby small town where he met the mother of the triplets. As to why he left the kingdom of Ronix, neither I nor June's mother knew. 

Sighing, I leafed through the notes again, just to make sure I had not missed anything important. As I did so, I realized Daniel had woken from his sleep and sported a disoriented look. He scratched his head absentmindedly and looked around as though wondering where he was. I let out a small laugh, and he turned his head in my direction, only then noticing my presence in the room. He tilted his head side and side and pouted, before trying to glare at me. I burst out into laughter, making a mental note to always remind him of this incident as I stood up to answer the knock on the door. I straightened immediately as I saw our guests. 

Jeffery, the prince's bodyguard, stood in front of our temporary residence, Prince Stephen behind him, his back facing the door, arms behind him, legs spread apart. I stood straight immediately and took a bow just like Daniel taught me to when Prince Stephen turned. He had an actual frown on his face, his mouth set in a hard thin line, and a glare in his eyes. It didn't look directed at me however, it was there nonetheless. 

"Your Highness," I greeted after the bow. "How may I be of service to you?"

"Princess Amah has requested to see the criminals," he said. "You will escort her and make sure no harm comes her way. Jeffery will show you the way."

I was impressed Violet had thought of reaching out to the triplets. They would be able to lead us to Richard Ryer if we pressed the right buttons. 

"Yes, Your Highness," I responded, already growing tired of the bow I had to make every time I spoke in this world. 

"Inform your superior that he is to attend a meeting in twenty minutes. Jeffery will be back to pick him up. It is regarding the security of this evening's get-together for the Princess."

I almost raised an eyebrow in surprise, having known nothing of the get-together, but caught myself and bowed. 

He took his leave, and Jeffery who had been quiet and tense all this while relaxed instantly and followed me inside the room. Daniel was fully awake now and alert and I passed on the information to him as I went to my suitcase to put my pocket knife in my trousers, the mandatory rule Daniel had enforced on me. I smiled as I passed the small mirror in the room, remembering how Violet had been embarrassed at herself for checking me out in the stables.

It wasn't her fault though. I looked pretty hot. Chuckling to myself about my absurd train of thought, I signaled to Jeffery I was ready, and he led the way out. 

He escorted me to a crossroad and signaled to me to wait. Minutes later, he was back, Violet in tow. I was not expecting her to act friendly with me just yet, especially given the princess-royal guard situation we found ourselves in, yet it stung a bit when she did not even look at my face. I bit my lip as I bowed to her. My attitude towards her the past few years was definitely not easily forgivable, she needed time to decide if she would even forgive me.