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"You serious?" Tao is laughing as he walks beside Charlie out of the castle's courtyard and into the town.

"I can still smell it when I close my eyes." Charlie says, wiping a fake tear from under his eye.

"I thought he'd have a higher tolerance since he's, you know... been allowed to drink for almost two years now."

"I think it's because of how quickly he consumed it. Anyway, I really don't want to think about it for the rest of the day." Charlie hushes Tao, wanting to change the subject.

Tao works in the castle like Charlie, though he didn't start till he was ten and he does more basic servant jobs. Charlie has been brought up along with the prince since he was six— always to be the prince's private servant. The two servants knew each other before working together due to their families living next door to each other. It was Charlie's family that suggested Tao could get a job in the castle. Tao doesn't hate the work necessarily, he just finds some days to be very boring and repetitive. His best days are always those where he and Charlie go into the town and meet their friends, Isaac and Elle.

Out of the four of them, Isaac is the only one that still attends school. He's the brainiac of the group, a book never far from his hands. Whereas Elle left when she came out as trans— well... she was more of kicked out. Though she doesn't mind it as it allows her to work more. Currently she's working as a barmaid at one of the town's taverns, the hungry cow.

~

"You're finally here." Elles waves her hand in the air to gain the males attention. Her and Isaac are sitting on one of the tables near the far wall.

Since yesterday was the funeral of a royal and the coronation of the new king, today is a bank holiday for most. However, the prince has missed too many lessons that he doesn't get to enjoy. He probably wouldn't want to with his room currently smelling worse than the horse's stall.

It's quiet in the tavern with it being early afternoon, making it great for the four to meet and chat. "Did we miss anything?" Tao asks as he takes a seat next to Elle.

"Isaac might be getting an apprenticeship with the town physician." Elles says, enjoying some of the crisp appetisers from the bowl in the middle of the table.

Charlie sat next to Isaac, turned to the male with a smile. "Really? That's amazing."

"Thank you, but it's not definite yet." Isaac holds his hands up. "I need to get an A in my next biology test first."

Tao looks at Isaac with pursed lips. "You're top of your class for almost all of your subjects. And if not, you're in the top three."

"Yeah, there is no way you won't get it." Elle grabs Isaac's hand and rubs her thumb across his knuckles. "I believe in you. We all believe in you!"

"Thanks guys." Isaac gives a little chuckle at the encouragement from his friends.

"Now for other important matters. Charlie..." Elle leans forwards, her hand still on Isaacs. "What's going on with the prince?"

Tao's hand slams down on the table as he throws his head back, bursting out in laughter. Isaac and Elle look at him confused, though Charlie's head hangs low. "You won't believe what happened this morning." Tears swelling in Tao's eyes as he speaks.

"What? What happened Charlie?" Elle leans closer wanting to know the juicy news.

With a deep sigh Charlie buries his head in his hands. "I..." He doesn't want to say it but Tao brought it up so he has too. "I had to clean up the prince's puke and Nellie... she tried to eat it." Tao's laughter grows louder as his cheeks start to hurt. Elle's mouth hangs open as she processes what Charlie just said.

"Was it a good feast last night then?" Elle looks between Tao and Charlie, pressing for more details.

"Oh, it was very lavish. No questioning." Tao starts. "It was a bit depressing at the beginning because they had been to the ex kings funeral. Once they had a few drinks it got more lively. First night as King and David's already bringing women to his room."

"He was doing that before." Charlie adds. Everyone knows the now king, David Nelson, is someone who can't keep it in his pants.

"True. There were lots of gorgeous women there." Tao comments, causing him to earn a slap on the arm from Elle. "What? Am I not allowed to say that they're pretty."

"You don't have a chance with them." Elle says smugly, turning her face away.

Tao scoffs. "Oh yeah? Who said I wanted a chance with them?" Leaning closer to Elle, he rests his head on her shoulder.

"Yeah right." Elle pushes Tao away.

"Ohhhh." Isaac lifts his hand to his mouth as the two bicker.

Tao and Elle have been like this for years now— behaving like a couple but not being one. Charlie and Isaac have talked about how the two should get together, even trying to convince Tao who always argues, 'she's just a friend.'

The four talk for another hour or two till Elle has to start her shift. It may be a bank holiday but that means many will start drinking early. Isaac is next to leave, getting back to burying his head in a book— fictional or not. Tao and Charlie walk back to the castle together.

"I have to take the side entrance." Tao waves Charlie off. Charlie is high in rank as a servant with being the prince's personal servant, which gives him the privilege of using the main entrance to the castle whenever.

~

"Excuse me?" A hand wraps around Charlie's upper arm, stopping him as he's walking up the castle steps.

Charlie turns to look at the individual. "Hello?" He says, wary at first until he sees the coast of arms on the individual's clothes. "My apologies. Your highness." Charlie bows his head at the visiting prince.

There are many royals and other people of nobility currently visiting. Some of them are people in alliance with the kingdom, those wishing to make an alliance, and those hoping to take advantage of the new king.

"You're prince Nicholas's servant?" The prince asks, letting his grip loosen from Charlie's arm.

"...Yes." Charlie looks the male up and down, he's smart and well kept— just as he should be as a prince.

The prince's eyes lighten up to Charlie's response. "Do you know where prince Nicholas is right now?"

"Errr... may I ask why you are asking?" Charlie takes a step back, cautious.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." Taking a step down in response, the prince continues, "I'm prince Benjamin Hope. I'm wanting to ask prince Nicholas about becoming one of his knights."

Charlie nods his head. To be a knight the person has to come from nobility, obviously, prince Benjamin fits the first part of the criteria. "I'm about to prepare the prince's lunch. If you don't mind waiting in the dining room, he'll join you there."

"Thank you." The prince runs a hand through his hair while flashing a kind smile. "I'll see you there." He says before walking past Charlie into the castle.

"The fuck?" Charlie mumbles under his breath feeling his heart skip a beat. Looking up the stairs the prince is already gone, but his presence seems to be long lasting.

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