The Scholar and The Crown

15

Maude

In a split second, I saw the books from above topple over, about to hit us. The dusty books seemed to move in slow motion. My heart pounded in my chest as panic set in.

But instinct took over. Before they could hit us, I opened the book in my hand—a thick volume bound in cracked leather—and placed it on the prince's head like a hat. The prince, wide-eyed and frozen, barely had time to register what was happening.

The books fell, creating a loud noise that echoed through the grand library. Leather bindings and brittle pages collided with each other. I felt the impact reverberate through the ground as the books landed around us, forming a chaotic mound.

We stood there, momentarily dazed but unharmed. The prince looked at me, the makeshift helmet still balanced on his head, his expression a mix of bewilderment.

"Prince Sylas!" Cedric shouted, rushing over. "Are you alright?" He was shocked when he saw us.

"Huh?" Cedric tilted his head when he saw the prince on the floor with the opened book on his head. The prince actually looked like a kid on the floor. I laughed at the back of my head before shaking those thoughts.

Cedric's eyes darted between me and the prince a few times before he spoke again. "How about you, Lady Maude, are you alright?"

I smiled at him, "Yes," I answered.

The prince now took the book off his head and sighed. "Cedric, tell the maids to properly arrange the books here," he ordered, sounding serious. I thought he might come after me since I had caused this mess.

"Yes, your majesty," Cedric bowed.

"Huh?" The prince's voice suddenly changed from serious to confused. "Isn't this the book you were looking for?" He turned to me and showed me the book he had just grabbed from his head.

"Yes, your majesty," I politely answered.

"How?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

"I saw one randomly inserted here," I pointed at the shelf where I had found the book.

He suddenly laughed like a madman, making Cedric and me jolt. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, covering his face with his palm.

"I was about to, but it was too late," I reasoned out.

I suddenly winced in pain coming from my right arm. I looked at it and saw a medium-sized cut, slightly bleeding.

"A papercut?" Cedric called out, concerned. It's just a papercut, he's overreacting.

I wiped it because the prince's reaction was quite unsettling. I remembered from what my father had told me that the prince was afraid of seeing blood.

I didn't want to be the cause of the prince fainting.

"Lady Maude, come with us. It won't stop bleeding until it is properly treated," the prince said, turning his back to me.

Huh? I'm getting chills because of what he just said.

Then my eyes diverted to the ladies who were peeking at us.

I sighed. "Cedric, take care of those ladies first. I will accompany Lady Maude to the clinic," the prince ordered Cedric, shocking both of us.

What?

"I can manage, your majesty," I informed him, but he started to walk away. I looked at Cedric, who made an expression that I should follow the prince.

I inwardly sighed and lazily followed the prince. "I'm sorry, ladies, I must dismiss the class," I informed them as we passed by.

I couldn't help but feel their dagger-like stares as we walked by.

Are they mad at me because of this?

"Why did you do that?" the prince suddenly asked as soon as we got out of the library. Was he referring to the book-hat thing I did?

"Books are heavy; they can knock you out if they hit you directly on the head," I explained as we continued to walk.

"Are you trying to protect me?" he peeked at me.

"Is it not customary to protect royalty?" It's one of the top rules they teach us at school.

Then silence engulfed us, with only our footsteps echoing through the halls. We didn't speak again until we reached the clinic.

He opened the door. "Prince Sylas?!" The doctor, who was writing something at his desk, jolted from his seat as soon as he saw the prince.

"Can you treat the lady here?" the prince pointed at me. Huh? How about him?

"Yes, of course, your majesty," the doctor immediately assisted me to sit on one of the chairs while the prince left.

"Can you enlighten me on what cut you?" the doctor politely asked while cleansing my cut.

"It's only a papercut," I answered.

"Are you one of the ladies in the selection?" he suddenly asked. I shook my head. "No, I'm not. I'm their tutor, to be exact," I corrected him.

He stopped for a second before continuing to apply medicine. "I'm sorry for the incorrect judgment," he apologized.

"I thought you were one of the ladies since the only ones who can use this royal clinic are them and the royal family faculty," he informed me.

What? Is the prince nuts?

After a few minutes, he finally finished treating my wound.

Before I left, he told me that the cut wasn't deep and I could treat it myself. "Thank you," I smiled at the doctor before opening the door to leave.

"Oh, you're treated," I almost jolted again when the prince suddenly spoke as I closed the door. He was there, right beside the door, leaning against the wall, facing me.

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