In Another Era

Chapter 20: Taverns Aren't For Princes

Chapter 20: Taverns Aren't For Princes

"I do not think that this is a wise idea, sire," Archie mumbled. "We should head back to the castle. It is not too late."

"You cannot address me as sire here, Archie," Frederic sighed, "call me Fred, please."

"Of course."

"Besides, this is really not that big of a deal." Frederic shrugged as the two kept walking. "I have not been in the capital in so long, I'm sure that nobody remembers my face anymore. Not like I showed it a lot even when I was living here."

"It is not just about someone recognizing you," Archie argued. "Taverns can be rather...rowdy. They can be dangerous, especially during the festival when people tend to forget they should stop drinking after a point."

"You are overreacting, Archie." Frederic rolled his eyes. "Besides, I have you! So, I will be fine. Do not even try to act confused now, Kenric told me all about your heroic efforts when you saved his life from the bandits. And how you defeated a knight at archery too!"

"He did?" Archie furrowed his brows.

"He did, indeed," Frederic nodded. "And he looked so proud when he spoke of you. As if he was talking about his own feats, not somebody else's. You know that he misses you as a friend, right?"

"I...uh..." Archie did not know what to say.

He was aware that Kenric wanted to be friends with him again, deep down Archie wanted that as well. He, too, missed the days when he and the prince were by each other's side all the time. And even though his walls were cracking, Archie was still trying his best to not let Kenric in too close. He simply could not let that happen.

"I do too," Frederic continued. "But I know why you distanced yourself."

"After my mother—"

"I know it is not just about your mother," Frederic cut Archie off mid-sentence, shocking the man by saying what he said next. "Kenric may be the stronger brother, but I am the smarter one. I know things that Kenric does not."

"There is nothing else to know," Archie muttered. "A servant should not be as friendly with nobility as I once was with you and Prince Kenric."

"You need not lie to me, Archie, walls have ears too. I will not speak of it to Kenric, all I will say is that he misses you, and there has to be a part of you that misses him as well," Frederic paused, "you both were the closest of friends, after all."

"We are here," Archie stated as they stood outside the shady tavern, ignoring what the youngest prince just said to him. Frederic noticed his efforts of deflecting the subject, but he did not comment on it as the two men walked inside the small building.

The place was dirty, crowded and loud, just like Archie knew it would be. Frederic was looking around with fascination as they both got seated at the only empty table. Archie was not in his comfort zone, which was evident by the frown on his face that had been there from the moment Frederic barged into his room at the stables and demanded a pair of his clothes, before blackmailing Archie into joining him.

Archie did not want to go into town, especially to a tavern to drink, but there was no way that he would let Frederic go alone. People from all over the country visited the capital during the festival, which meant that there was usually a rise in crime and theft too.

Even in plain clothing, Frederic still stood out. He just had the aura of a noble, something you could not hide easily. His hair was too clean, his skin too smooth and soft. He did not have the rugged look that every other man in the tavern did, but no one seemed to notice with the amount of alcohol that was flowing.