The clock read 12 of midnight as the grand prince walked through the long, grand hallways of the royal chambers, his footsteps echoing on the cool stone floor. Servants and maids scurried out of his way as soon as they saw him, bowing their heads respectfully.
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The castle was quiet at this hour, and the only sound other than Vincent's footsteps was the occasional cough or whisper from one of the servants.
Vincent was about to turn a corner when he heard his name being called. He halted, turning around to find his mother standing in the hallway.
"Vince," she said, her voice commanding.
Vincent, recognizing the authority in his mother's voice, stopped and turned to face her. He raised an eyebrow, silently waiting for her to speak.
"To my room," saying that, the empress strode inside her chamber.
Vincent, though outwardly seeming nonchalant, inwardly groaned. He knew that when his mother used that tone, she was serious. Nonetheless, he nodded and led himself inside the chamber.
The queen moved to sit on a nearby sofa, gesturing for Vincent to sit opposite from her. He obeyed silently, taking a seat on an armchair across from her. Silence hung heavily in the air as he waited for her to speak.
"What am I hearing?"
Vincent looked up at the sudden question, "huh?"
The queen leaned back on the sofa and placed a hand over her chin watching her son keenly, "I'd like to hear it from you, my son."
"Hear what, mother?"
The queen gave him a look that said she wasn't buying his act, "Don't play dumb with me, Vincent. You know full well what I'm talking about. The girl."
Vincent let out an internal curse. Of course, it was the girl. He should have known his mother would find out eventually.
"Well?" The queen prompted, waiting for his answer.
Vincent took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair, "I assume the servants have been gossiping?"
The queen's lips turned in a slight frown as she nodded, "Yes, they have. But I don't care about their gossips. I want to know the truth from you. Why did you buy that girl?"
Running a hand through his fluffy jet black hair he explained or... at least tried to, "She caught my eye."
The mother raised an eyebrow, "Caught your eye?" She repeated. "She's a slave. What could she have possibly done to grab your attention?"
The grand prince let out a sigh. "Mother, you know I've always been bored here."
"And buying a slave is going to cure your boredom?!"
"Well, yes," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact, "At least somewhat."
The queen's frown returned. "And you didn't think to find a hobby like everyone else?"
"But, Mother, those hobbies are boring," he complained. "They don't hold my attention for more than a few days."
The queen pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. She knew her son.
Vincent rose from the armchair, preparing to leave, his eyes rolling once again.
"You know full well you're bound to be with someone else, Vincent Damir!"
This froze him in his tracks and he stared at the door knob for a while before finally leaving.
Definitely not a good night!
✮✮✮
"It's been a while, the grand prince hasn't come," Rosalie muttered walking back and forth and glancing at the sitting-in-silence woman every now and then.
Bridget sitting quietly on the bed, her eyes staring vacantly out the window, finally stirred. "Perhaps he's busy with something."
Edith stopped her pacing and turned towards the woman, her eyes widening. This was the most Bridget had said till now. "Y-yes, but he usually comes sooner. It's been an hour now," she glanced at the clock which read 1.
Edith fidgeted with her bracelet, biting her lower lip as she muttered something under her breath.
Then, she looked at the sitting woman and said, "I'll go check. I'll come in a minute, hmn?"
Getting no response from Bridget, Edith nonthelessly headed towards the door and looked around the long hallways.
The palace corridors were still quiet, only a few servants and their footsteps echoing on the stone floor. Edith tried her best to appear casual, but her heart was pounding like a drum.
She walked down the long hallway, her eyes looking everywhere for any sign of the grand prince.
Turning to a corner, she suddenly noticed a figure leaning against a pillar in the shadows. She approached and saw that it was none other than the grand prince himself, his arms crossed and his eyes staring off into the distance.
She stopped and cleared her throat, "Um, Your Highness..."
Vincent looked up at her, his eyes narrowing as if in thought. He pushed off the pillar and stepped into the light, his hands in his pockets. "What is it, Miss Edith," he said casually.
Edith fidgeted once again, her eyes darting from the prince's face to the floor. "I-I was wondering," she began, her voice a little shaky. "The girl is waiting for you, and it's been hours, Your Highness."
Vincent raised an eyebrow at Edith's words, curiosity in his eyes. "Why is she waiting for me?"
Edith looked up, her eyes widening a bit as she let a "huh?" But quickly apologized by bowing and saying, "Your highne-"
"She's a maid, Miss Edith. Not my slave. It will be pleasant if you tell her in a better way," with that Vincent turned to the other side before walking away leaving a shocked Edith.
"Not a slave..." she repeated to herself, her gaze lingering on the prince's fading figure.
✮✮✮
Edith stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind her. Bridget looked up, their eyes meeting.
Edith smiled awkwardly at her. "You.. you must be tired, right? You should sleep now."
Bridget nodded slightly, "I suppose so," she murmured.
Edith approached the bed and gently drew back the covers. She then gestured for Bridget to lie down.
"Come on, lie down," she said softly.
Bridget, feeling tired, obeyed and laid down on the bed. Edith tucked the covers around her, the smile never leaving her lips. "Rest well, hmn?" Edith said, softly stroking Bridget's hair.
