A Rose and A Thron

Chapter 10

"Alessandra, you haven't said a word in five hours." Sampson sighs from his seat beside the blonde. 

It had been an awkward five hours into their trip as it had been spent in complete silence. 

The girl had been caught up in her thoughts given what has happened recently as well as trying to give Sampson the silent treatment for the words he spoke about her on the day of their engagement party.

 "Please say something." the boy pleads not understanding if he had done something to upset the girl. 

"Do you get pleasure from being an asshole?" Alessandra finally speaks for the first time in five hours.

 "What?" Sampson immediately replies in confusion. 

"How many people do you talk to about our sex life or lack thereof?" she scuffs. 

"Wait--Alessandra." he starts trying to figure out how she could have found out about that. 

"That guard was the one being an asshole. I only went along with it so he wouldn't see my threat coming. I scared the guy shitless, trust me he won't be speaking so illy of women again." Sampson tries to assure her.

 "How did you even find out about that conversation? Are you following me or something?" he asks in disbelief. 

"Sage heard you when she was passing by. She must have left before you assaulted the man." Alessandra sighs feeling like a jerk for not giving Sampson a chance. 

"She must have." Sampson hums out loud. 

"Thank you for defending me and women everywhere." she whispers. 

"You don't need to thank me for being a decent human being. I was doing quite literally the bare minimum." he chuckles lightly however Alessandra looks off as if something was still troubling her.

 "Aly, are you okay?" he questions grabbing onto the girl's hand and squeezing it lightly. 

"I am. I mean I'm still shaken up but now that I know you are not an asshole I feel like these next few weeks with you on the road will be a great distraction." she smiles softly at him. 

"Well I hope so too." he says. 

The two continue to chat and eventually fall asleep next to each other.

The following day they had made it to their first stop, a major port city called Alto. 

They would be visiting an orphanage.

 "Are you ready your graces?" Eliza questions Sampson and Alessandra once they get to the orphanage. 

"Yes." Alessandra replies while Sampson takes her hand helping her out of the carriage. 

The two are greeted by a woman in her mid thirties or forties.

 She has dark brown hair and a welcoming smile. 

"It is an honor to meet you Prince Sampson and Prince Alessandra." she says as she bows in respect.

 "Please, call us by our first names." Alessandra gently instructs her, causing the woman to blush slightly. 

"How long have you been in charge of the orphanage?" Sampson questions politely.

 "For the last ten years." the woman replies proudly. 

"Well you have done a great job with it. The outside looks wonderful and we've heard only the best stories about you." Alessandra explains.

 "You both are too kind." the woman states with a smile on her face.