The Butler and the Princess

Chapter 1

Augustus was looking around frantically for you, not sure how he lost track of you. He spots you sitting in a shady spot by the lake of your family's estate, sighing in relief. He takes a moment to look at you longingly at a distance as the dapples of sunlight play on your hair before he makes his way over.

"My liege! You can't just rush off on your own like that! Please alert me where you're going so, I can properly escort you!" He tries to scold you but when he looks at your face, he can't help but soften.

You seem to be lost in thought as you continue to stare at the lake.

He kneels next to you and places a hand on your shoulder gently. "Are you alright, my lady?"

You flinch a little at his touch but relax when you realize it is him. He notices your flinch and immediately removes his hand. Looking down at you with a soft smile and trying to speak softer than before. "My apologies for scaring you." He pauses for a moment, wanting to say something but feeling unsure of how to phrase it. "Are you alright?"

"I'm quite alright. Sorry, I was just lost in thought." You respond as you go to stand up, brushing off your clothes.

"Of course, my lady"

You can't help but give him a soft smile before heading back to the estate. He follows you inside, his face a picture of concern. "My lady, are you sure you're alright?" he asks you.

"I'm fine. It's nothing to concern yourself with." You respond in a soft but somewhat sad tone. Continuing to walk down the halls of the estate.

He walks up beside you. "My lady, I must insist." Something about his concern making you feel safe around him. Like you could tell him every secret, however this news was not one of joy and you didn't want to make him feel upset or worry.

"It's matters that my father has involved me in. It's for me to deal with..." You say as you start to trail off. Unsure of how to continue that conversation.

His heart sinks a bit, but he keeps his face calm and composed as he bows his head slightly. "Of course."

Wanting to find something to break this tension you ask him for a favor. "Can you go see if my father needed me for anything. I can't seem to keep my thoughts together; I feel as though I'm forgetting something he asked of me."

"Of course, my lady." He responds as he bows once more and leaves your side to walk to your father's office. He knocked on the door once and heard a soft 'come in' from your father. He opens the door and walks inside the office. Bowing respectfully and waiting for your father to address him.

Your father looks up from his desk. "Ah, Augustus. What can I do for you?"

"I'm just checking to see if there is anything you needed of my lady today, as well as checking in to see if there is anything you needed of me, my lord." He says politely.

Your father looks down at his work again as he talks. "Actually yes. There's an important matter I must discuss further with my daughter. Are you familiar with the Duke of Peachcrest? The neighboring settlement to the north?"

"I believe I am familiar with the Duke of Peachcrest, yes, my lord."

"He has a son who just returned from the military. He wishes an audience with me and my daughter. I suspect they want to join our lands in a political sense by marrying our children together."

He is a bit taken aback by this reveal but keeps his composure. "I see, my lord." He nods slowly, thinking about his words. "Do you wish to meet with the duke's son?"

"They will be coming over tomorrow. If you could pass the info along to my daughter and make sure she's prepared that would be splendid." Your father continues.

"Certainly, my lord. I will pass along the information to your daughter and ensure she is prepared for tomorrow's visit."

"Thank you, Augustus. You may leave." He says as he continues to work at his desk.

"you're welcome, my lord." He bows once more and leaves the room. As he heads down the halls, he makes his way back to your room. He raises his hand to knock on your door, waiting for you to answer. A moment later you hear a soft 'come in'. He opens the door and steps inside your room. "Good afternoon, my lady." Giving you a bow respectfully at the waist. "I have received word from your father that you will be having an important visit tomorrow."

Your smile fades slightly as you reply. "The duke's son?"

"Yes, the duke's son, my lady" he says.

"I see." He waits for you to say something else, but you don't.

"My lady, are you alright?" He says softly, his concern growing as he sees you're not responding.

I shift around my desk chair a bit. "I guess I should have expected this. However, I wish it wasn't true." You finally say.

"What do you mean, my lady?" He asks softly, still concerned and a little confused by your words.

"I know exactly why they are coming." You rub your face. "I'm just not interested in marrying some random guy." You admit.

His heart sinks a bit as he feels sad for you, but he keeps my composure and tries to look supportive of you. "If you would like to discuss it, my lady, I am willing to listen."

"I'd rather not. This will be difficult enough." You sigh. "I just hope I can get through this meeting."

"I'm sure you will, my lady." He responds to you. Looking for a way to make you feel better.

You turn to him in your chair. "Can you be there with me? I don't want there to be any opportunity where I'm left alone." You ask out of concern.

"Of course, my lady." He says with a smile.

"Thank you, Augustus." You say as you smile at him warmly. He smiles back at you. Glad to see you're feeling a little better and giving you a reassuring nod.

"I will be there with you every step of the way."

You get up out of your chair and hug him tightly without thinking. Sighing slightly. "You are the only person I trust right now; you have to promise me you won't leave my side." you almost beg him.

He nods into your hair, pulling you close and squeezing you tightly. "I promise, my lady."

After a moment you realize you're hugging him, and your face starts to blush a bright pink. You pull away shyly and quickly. Stuttering slightly. "Uh...I... I'm sorry..."

He just smiles at you warmly. "My lady, there is no need to apologize."

You look up at him, your eyes meeting his. He looks into your eyes and his heart skips a beat, but he tries to maintain a calm and neutral expression. Your face turns even more red, and you look down at your feet. You don't even realize you are mumbling words under your breath. "You are so... charming... and handsome..." Your face is still very red.

He feels his cheeks turning pink, but he keeps his composure. "My lady, you are very beautiful and charming yourself." He says softly, trying not to sound too forward or flirtatious.

A knock at the door snaps your attention away. Making your blush fade. He clears his throat as the sound breaks him out of his trance and he bows to you once more. "If that is all, my lady, I will take my leave." Smiling at you kindly before leaving your room. As he opens your door to leave, he sees your music teacher on the other side. She mentions through the door it was time for your lesson. He nods at her politely and bows respectfully before leaving the room. As he walks down the halls he sighs. "I can't believe I just said that..." he says under his breath, rubbing the back of his head a little sheepishly, still flustered from what had just happened.