Through The Garden Path

The Glass Spire

Felix had two major concerns that morning, how quickly could he wake Raphael up; and how could he stall Pope Baracate long enough for him to not see his daughter intertwined with the prince?

Felix, being the devoted servant he was, had exited the carriage early in the morning. Although it was for selfish reasons as well, he was up to his ears in holy talk and could barely stand another minute of it. By the time the royal steeds had stopped their galloping, Felix raced out of the carriage and went to check on His Majesty.

It was there, inside the chariot that he had faced his concerns. Aurelia was fast asleep, the thick cape that Raphael had once worn tucked tightly around her shoulders. As for the Prince, he laid his face on her lap and had his two arms tucked around her waist tightly. It was a rather comical site to see, the Price of Eripio lying on the floor, fast asleep in some random woman's arms. But considering Felix was tasked with keeping the Pope and his daughter safe, it was less amusing.

"Your Grace!" Felix shouted.

Aurelia woke first, horrified to see the Prince wrapped around her body tightly. In such a state of fear and embarrassment, Aurelia began to smack Raphael harshly. Finally, after a few more smacks to the head, the Prince fluttered his eyes open and met Felix's urgent gaze.

"Get up!" Felix cried out and pried Raphael away from Aurelia. "Have you gone completely mad!"

Felix quickly ripped the cape from Aurelia's body and fastened it back on Raphael. Muttering curses under his breath he then ran his fingers through his master's red hair and pinched his cheeks to make him appear more vibrant. As for Aurelia, he simply lifted his finger to his lips and made it clear she should stay silent as if the entire affair had never happened.

"Aurelia?" Agedius' voice was close by. Panicking, Aurelia took a few deep breaths and twirled with her unkempt blonde locks. She then lept from the carriage and meandered over to her father.

"Papa!" She announced sweetly.

"You haven't called me by such a name in years?" Agedius questioned.

In her state of panic perhaps Aurelia resorted back to her childlike ways. She laughed off the whole affair and hugged her father. "Not being in the same carriage was a bit of a fright!"

"I see, I do wish you would've voiced your concerns on the matters before we took off," her father replied with a sigh.

Raphael was about to exit the carriage when Felix dove in through the door and shoved him back inside. "Are you insane?" Felix asked him.

"Perhaps?" Raphael answered dryly.

"If you have not been spotted then we shall keep it that way! The Pope does not need to know that his daughter was riding alone at night with a bachelor," Felix muttered, astonished by his master's stupidity.

"But I am the Prince?" Raphael frowned, rather confused about why his Valet was making a fuss over the matter.

"Yes? But you are still an unmarried man and she is the child of a man of the cloth! If anyone except for myself knew of your charade everyone would be condemned in a most horrid—"

"—Thank you for covering for me, Felix. I understand your concern now," Raphael cut him off pleasantly. "Now, let me know when the coast is clear so I can return to my quarters and freshen up."

Felix let out a long sigh and placed his hand to his temple. He often wished he was assigned to keep Prince Edmund in order instead. It would be a much easier job, Felix assumed. The younger Prince was a much more refined gentleman, who often did no wrong. His eldest brother, on the other hand, was a ticking time bomb of mischief.