The Prince

Part 35

 "Roach! Roach! Get it out, get it out!" Noah screamed the moment he saw a black shadow move across the floor. Running to the opposite end, he ran smack into Skye who fell back from the force, trying to cushion Noah's fall. Looking at each other for a brief moment, Noah pushed him back and jumped on the nearest chair.

"Get it out! I saw it moving next to you!" He pointed in a panic as he saw the shadow stop in the middle of the room as if taunting him before it scurried away under the couch.

"What are you waiting for?" He bellowed at Skye. "Get him!"

"I'm not a dog, but if it upsets you this much I may consider helping," he snickered going to grab a magazine and rolling it into a tube, slowly approaching the couch. Bending down, he watched the cockroach scurry past him toward the door. 

"Stop it!" He called at Tsukasa who had just entered the room. He was surprised to see that Tsukasa, like Noah, ran for the nearest chair to get to safety.

"Never mind, I'll do it myself," Sky cried as he launched himself toward the cockroach, smacking the magazine hard on the floor. Holding the magazine up high, he showed the other two the evidence of his prowess.

"What are you standing there all proud for? Get that damn thing out of my face before I start causing a scene!"

"It's too late for that," Skye chuckled getting rid of the bug in the kitchen.

"I, eh, I'm sorry I didn't help much," Tsukasa mumbled red in the face with embarrassment. He should have caught the bug, but they grossed him out too much.

"No, don't worry," he laughed. "We've got Skye as our pest control, so there's no need for either of us to feel bad about it," he added when Tsukasa still looked a little miserable.

"Give it a rest, you two. It's bad enough I had to go through that with you two wimping out," he went to pick up his bag. " Are you guys coming or are you waiting for the next attack?" He watched as both scurried to get to the front door and away from any other creatures of the dark.

The moment homeroom had started, Noah was called to the principal's office. He went with some trepidation because this would be the first time he'd been summoned. Walking through the glass doors of the administration building, he was surprised to see Skye and Tsukasa sitting in the waiting area.

"What's going on?" He whispered desperately at Skye who seemed undisturbed by their current situation, while Tsukasa smiled nervously at him.

Announcing himself to the secretary, they were quickly escorted in where the principal was sitting frowning at them. Without waiting for an invitation, Skye sat down while the other two hesitated unsure if they should follow suit or not.

"Boys, sit down," he smiled tightly. "I won't keep you in suspense. Your grandmother," he ground out through a clenched jad. "Has asked that you arrange the winter ball this year. The three of you are to steer the project and see it through without the help of the faculty. She is confident that you can and has said that if you don't live up to expectations, you will each donate three years of tuition to the school."

"Skye?" Noah looked at him in horror. What could possess his grandmother to ask them to do something as ridiculous as a ball in the middle of their exams? And to add insult to injury, where was he supposed to get three years of tuition, as it was he was turning pennies to make them stretch.

"Thank you for the opportunity, Sir, but it won't be possible due to our exams. I'm sure my grandmother must have made a mistake." Skye said softly, a tight smile on his lips.

"There was no mistake and this isn't up for discussion. Your grandmother has made her wishes very clear and above my misgivings has insisted that the three of you do it. So, there is nothing other than to wish the three of you luck. Don't disappoint us." He dismissed them.

Noah was dying to speak to Skye about the proclamation of death that was just declared. These were really important exams, especially for him, he still had to move up in the ranks to prove himself.  And to throw something like a ball in the mix, what sort of grandmother does that to her grandchild?

"Skye, hold up for a moment," he jogged to keep up with Skye's long strides to the exit, his face covered in a storm cloud.

"Hollard!" Skye shouted having come to a stop at the top of the school steps overlooking the rolling lawns and garden paths. "Hollard!" He bellowed again with anger in his voice.

Noah was too afraid to ask anything, Skye looked as if he was about to snap someone's head off. Wondering why he'd be shouting in the cold air when there was nobody around.

"Young Master," an older man dressed in black quietly spoke, making Noah leap back in surprise.

"Hollard, why did my grandmother do this?" Skye bellowed a furious frown settled over his brow. 

"She has her reasons, young master." Noah was surprised at how soft-spoken the man was. His face was cheerful as he looked up at Skye adoringly.

"Where is she? Take me to her now, The two of you have no right doing this."

"She has left the country to travel with your grandfather, they will be back in time for the ball." Hollard looked at the severe frown on Slye's face. He knew all too well how Skye would be looking for any way out of the situation.

"She left? Then why are you still here?" Skye was surprised that Hollard let his grandmother out of his sight. For as long as he could remember, Hollard followed her everywhere when she was out and about, most of the time out of sight, as her private secretary.

"She asked me to ensure that you and your friends are safe," he bowed his head slightly in Skye's direction.

"Can you stop calling me master? You were my Master for so long, so what's the difference now? And anyway, what do you know about this ball that Gran is forcing me to do?"

"Ah yes, your Grandmother feels that you are ready to take on more responsibility to prepare you for your future. She insists that books can only take you so far in life before experience is needed. As for your title, young Master, your grandmother has entrusted me with keeping you and your friends safe and since your position in the family will now change, so will the way people treat you."

"Your grandmother and I feel strongly that you are now ready to take on the responsibility of being part of the family business and can take on tasks that will challenge your creativity."

"Hollard, I would scream if I thought it would help, but I'm not getting anything else out of you am I?"

"No, and the family has been prohibited from helping you, according to your grandmother's orders." A small smile appeared on his lips as he watched Skye go through all the options at hand. After many years of training Skye he knew how his mind worked and was looking forward to seeing how he would tackle this problem. 

"And I don't suppose I can stop you from calling me master, can I?" He looked hopefully at Hollard who'd been his trainer and mentor for many years. He always had the most pleasant smile and seemed unbothered by what was happening around him, but Skye knew the laser focus behind each glance.

"As a compromise, we'll stick to Sir," he chuckled seeing the expression on Skye's face. "Young one, you have to get used to how things will be after you leave school. You'll no longer only be Skye Dealer-Cook, you'll be the heir to two major companies and must be prepared for it." He gently placed his hand on Skye's shoulder.

"Your gran's methods are unusual, but they always seem to work. We both know that you can do this, Skye."

"You taught me to fight, not plan parties," he grumbled.