Of Highborn & Squalor | Ryden

Chapter Three - Have I Found Him?

When Ryan woke up, he was met by two brown eyes staring down at him. He shrieked, sitting up, almost knocking foreheads with the man, who by now was keeled over with laughter. Ryan blinked in confusion as the bearded man in front of him wiped the tears from his eyes that had formed while he was laughing.

"Jon!" Spencer shouted, sighing as he bounded over to the bearded man — Jon, Ryan reminded himself, and punched him in the arm, "My apologies, Ryan— This is Jon Walker, he is a butler."

Jon rolled his eyes at the word butler, "I prefer the term valet, kindly." He spoke, crossing his arms over his chest. Spencer just huffed and hit him once again. "So, Ryan Ross, her majesty is requesting of you," Jon grinned.

Spencer nodded, "Yes— Princess Sarah would like to chat with you," he smiled anxiously. Ryan cocked his head to the side slightly, "Princess Sarah? Have I done any harm?" Spencer shakes his head, "No— She's not very fond of— Well, commoners." Ryan frowned slightly at the word commoners, but nodded and slid out of the bed.

"Follow me, Sir Ross!" Jon quickly spun on his heel as Ryan followed closely behind, "Now, I should warn you— She is not happy about the current situation." Jon raises an eyebrow at Ryan, making Ryan flush and look at the floor as he mumbled, "I understand."

Jon led Ryan towards two intricate double doors, pushing them open as Ryan smoothed out his shirt as best he could, swallowing as he stepped into the estate's large dining room. He let out an anxious breath as he saw Sarah sitting at the far end of the large table. He felt as though she was a mile away, but could tell she was eyeing his every imperfection.

Ryan put on an admittedly nervous smile, "Your majesty—" "I do not want to hear it, people like you disgust me," Sarah snarled, one hand on the abundant pearl necklaces on her neck, like the brunette man would snatch them away at any moment, "You have had enough time pretending to be a prince, have you not, Mr. Ross?"

The commoner swallowed before nodding quickly. "M— My apologies, your majesty— I did not wish to pester you like this," He stuttered out, picking at his nails anxiously. Sarah just rolled her eyes, crossing one leg over the other as she stared judgmentally down at the lanky boy in front of her. "I do not know who you think you are, Ryan," She spoke the man's name as if it were an insult, making him wince slightly, "But I do not accept.. Filth like you in my home."

Ryan felt as though all of the air had been knocked out of him, and he simply lowered his head in shame, wishing to curl into himself and disappear, "I completely understand, your majesty—" He started to mumble, but the princess cut her off with a scoff as she turned her nose up in disgust at the young man before her, "Hush up, I do not wish for you to spread yourself further into my home." "Show him the way to the door, would you kindly, Jon?" Sarah put on a saccharine smile as she addressed Jon. The brown eyed valet ushered Ryan out of the door.

"Good heavens, that woman is a snake," Jon hissed as soon as the large, golden detailed mahogany doors shut loudly behind them. Ryan just opened and closed his mouth dumbly, hazel eyes wide as the moon. Jon sighed, patting Ryan on the back, "Come on, come on— Brendon will be upset once he knows what she said to you..." Ryan tilted his head slightly in confusion, peering down at the valet.

Jon shrugs, as if he understood the non-verbal question entirely, "he's always been one to stand up for us. Plus, he doesn't take in commoners on the regular, you're special." Ryan just nods, scratching at the back of his neck awkwardly. "Would it be acceptable for me to speak to him once more? I wish to thank him—" Ryan was interrupted as the prince stepped out of the door to the left of the pair.

"Brendon! We were just talking about you," Jon grinned, nudging Ryan with his elbow slightly. Ryan cringed at how casually Jon spoke around royalty of all people. "You were?" The dark haired man raised an eyebrow. Ryan nods, looking away slightly as he picked at his nails.

"I just wanted to thank you for your hospitality, it has been an honor to meet you, sir—" "Brendon." "B— Brendon, yes— It has been an honor to meet you, Brendon," Ryan smiled sheepishly at the monarch before him. Brendon simply grinned, shaking his head dismissively, "have no worry, Ryan, it's been a pleasure to have you."

Ryan nods, looking at his feet. The prince frowns slightly, "Well— I think it would be customary for you to join us for breakfast, yes?" He asks, grinning slightly. Ryans eyes shift back up to Brendon's, "I— I do not think Sarah would want me to attend," He laughs anxiously. Brendon raises an eyebrow, looking over to Jon, who had his head bowed in guilt.

"Sarah asked for Ryan to talk to her earlier— She was... Well, to put it plainly, she was rude," Jon spoke, huffing slightly. Ryan's wide eyes immediately flew to Jon, looking at the footman as if he were crazy. When he saw that Jon was staring straight at Brendon, gaze unwavering, he quickly shifted his focus back to the prince.

"I have no clue what Jon is saying— She was— She was concise with her words." Ryan laughed anxiously, but Brendon didn't look angry at Jon, in fact— He was looking at the floor, eyebrows furrowed together in thought and frustration. Ryan closed his mouth, which he realized had been hanging open, and swallowed.

"I apologize for Sarah's behavior, Ryan—" Brendon sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, "She does not think of— Of... Well, commoners," Brendon winced at the word, shaking his head, "as people." Ryan scratched at the back of his neck again, feeling out of place. "It is not any trouble, sir... I assure you," He grinned awkwardly at the prince.

Brendon frowned, shaking his head, "Come— No matter what she says, I wish for you to attend breakfast with us. You will not be intruding." He added that last part, as if he could read Ryan's mind. Ryan let out a breath, shaky with anxiety, and nodded, following Brendon back towards those large mahogany doors at the end of the hall.