The Prince and his Frog

Chapter Five

I stared down at the many knives and forks. Fish, what one to use for fish. This had been the panic the whole time we were waiting to eat, I stared at Alex attempting to get his attention.

His head was down as he looked in deep thought, "psst, Alex" I whispered trying to nudge him "what one do I use??"

A small fragile smile appeared on his lips "that one," he pointed to the longest  "I'll teach you them all after this if you'd like?"

I nod in agreement and went to pick up the fork forgetting the king must go first. "Reed!" Alex slapped the fork out my hand as it hit the table, it went silent as everyone stared at us "ahah there was a bug! No need to worry. It's gone now." He filled in.

I stare up at him red, eating before the king was seen as an ultimate sign of disrespect and if I was found to be Frog and done that it would've landed me in the dungeon. "Thank you." I say embarrassed as the others go back to their conversations.

"LETS EAT!" The king bellowed, finally allowing us to enjoy the food. I pick it up again and begin with a small chunk "ohhhh this is even better than the starter!" My cheeks fill with the food as I look towards Alex with a grin "this is amazing!!!!"

He laughs and lifts a finger to my mouth "you've got a little something rightttt here." He wipes a small bit of sauce off the corner off my lip and rubs it off on his napkin "there, all gone." I'm frozen as I stare up at him, he's so tall even when sitting.

A small smirk is present as he turns to talk to his parents, I swallow my food  with a big gulp and turn back to the plate. It's white fish with a creamy sauce placed on top of fluffy white rice begged me to eat it, "So Reed, where abouts do you live?" A female voice asked to my right.

She was a pretty girl, around my age with blonde curled hair and a flowy pink dress. Her face was heavy in makeup, but it fit well with her outfit and look. "Oh, um around 10 minutes away." I lied quickly.

"Oh! So around the Harley Manor circle??" She rushed excitedly "That's where I live too! How come I've never seen you?"

I stutter to think for an answer, maybe I just moved there? Maybe I could've been locked away until now. No. Something believable. Think. "I- uh I'm adopted."

"Oh, do you know where your birth parents are?" She asked with sympathy completely skipping over the obvious cover up.

"No, I think they're dead." I shrug, already got myself this deep in it might as well carry on.

She gasps and pats my shoulder "oh I'm so sorry to hear, that's awful! At least you have a new family now and I'm sure they love and care for you." I nod as she extends a hand.

"I'm Claire, Claire Olivia Downing." She smiles as I take her hand.

"As you seem to know Im Reed Miller," I speak with a shared smile. "Do you come to these sort of events regularly?" I ask and she nods.

"Yes, my family are good friends of the royals. I've known Alexander since I was a child." She laughs "Although we always used to call him slug, he ate one once you know. When he was a child of course, the whole family was shocked! The king had to shove it out with a fork."

I laugh at the story, "that's disgusting! I suppose most kids are though."

"What are you talking about?" Alex turns to us both now, I look at him with a grin.

"Oh just the most vial story of you snacking on garden pests." I laugh. His face went slightly red as he glared at Claire.

"Claire! That was years ago!! How do you even remember that??"

"How could I not! You did seem to really enjoy it. Maybe we should get some suprise escargot next birthday." She teases.

"Ha ha very funny," he returns to his smug self leaning forward "at least i didn't try to kiss my uncle."

She gasp leaning over and covering his mouth "I didn't know!!! It was an accident! Besides. I didn't do it in the end."

"Claire!" Someone shouted across the table "Get off of him!!!" And Claire winced.

"Sorry mother." She sat back down and glared Alex's way.

"Yeah because he was 21 and you were 16. Would've ended him up in jail." He whispered at her flushed state with a teasing smirk.

"Whatever, whatever." She shooed him away and we all began to eat again.

"Reed, do you have any embarrassing stories?" Alex grinned knowing the answer.

"There's a list and I'm sure they're all writing it down in a book in this place somewhere."

"Go on, tell me one I don't know. Got the fire to my kitchen one, and the flooding the place. I know about you ripping the curtains off the hallways. Ohhh and the spilling wine all over Princess Charlotte of Carrlel." The grin stays strict on his face as he leans forward a bit "anything else to add?"

I laugh awkwardly "She's a Princess?" Shovelling more food into my mouth.

"Yes, and quite an important one too." He finished his meal.

"Oh right. She won't put me in the hole right? She can't do that she's not a royal here." I say in a slight panic. The only thing that comes to mind is spiders. Horrible eight legged creatures.

He gives me a questioned look "The hole? I didn't know that really existed. Where is it?"

"To the left of the under 19s Hall, Melissa's in there at the moment under the King's command." I say smugly. Serves her right.

"Really?? Is it just a room? What is it?" He asks. Before I can answer the king announces dessert will be held in the ballroom.

Everyone moves to get up and walk towards there, the king and queen proudly in front and Alex dragging me along to stand with him just behind.

We got to the ballroom doors "LET MY SONS 19TH CELEBRATION BE GREAT!!" The king shouted and everyone cheered, the door being opened soon after.