Knightress

Chapter 30

Andreas could barely concentrate on practice, his mind was restless watching Jotham's goons move about their training field. Whenever he got into the blissful feeling of combat, when his passion would override his senses and lead him on as he sparred, the sight of their eyes scrutinising them would pluck him out of it and leave him fuming. He didn't hide his dismay, he glared each of them in the eye, them facing a different direction in discomfort didn't stop his heavy eyes from drilling the side of their head.

After the confined practice he had resorted to a calming shower, he had gelled his hair and went through a strict skincare routine then got dressed in comfortable clothes. He exited his room and pranced down the stairs, his initial destination was his chambers but he first chose to make a quick stop at the kitchen and grab a snack.

The main kitchen was near the official dining hall, where the royal family dined, smaller branching kitchens were at other ends that prepared meals for the Legion, knights also counting the guards, servants, and the prisoners in the dungeons. The kitchen wasn't normally crowded but lunch was in an hour which meant it was occupied with dozens of chefs. All chatter and laughter died down when he stepped in, chefs and servants alike bowed lowly, but he had no energy to spare them attention and walked past to the freezer. He pulled out a canned coke and leaned against a small counter, observing as the chefs did their work highly conscious of his presence.

A male chef tiptoed to him, "can I prepare you anything, your majesty?" He asked with his head low.

"A charcuterie board." Andreas bluntly answered, facing him. "Without the fruits or vegetables, I'll accept crackers and bread."

"It'll be ready in a few minutes." He assured.

"Bring to my chambers before fifteen minutes pass." He ordered, walking out.

He reached the alcove that led into his rooms, he was alarmed to see a distraught Phil pacing about anxiously. Phil locked eyes with him, "your mother has requested to see you." He told with wide eyes.

Andreas froze in spot, blinking at him as he registered his words. What?! "Me?"

Phil impatiently rolled his eyes, "no Andreas, the other idiot behind you."

"What is she requesting me for?" He blurted out in disbelief, tightly clenching his can of coke.

"I asked but she didn't say, did you do something?" His eyes narrowed at him the slightest bit.

Andreas' eyes shot to him, his question got him thinking, his mind raced through the past few days. "I don't think so."

Phil's eyes intensely searched Andreas' face for clarity, they squinted in accusation, a manipulative move he always did since Andreas was younger to get him to confess. When Andreas just stared back at him, he nodded in contentment and continued to pace again with his hands crossed behind his back. He was also anxious about the call. His mother has never requested to see him, she preferred that he remained out of her sight and life in general, the last time he and his mother shared a word was the day she warned him and Jotham not to misbehave at Bayle. She never even offered him a glance when he did happen to come her way, such as their meal times. "When does she want me?"

"Now."

"No, not now, I have work to do, my food is arriving soon and I don't wanna see her." He whined, his whole posture deflating.

"All that's gotta wait, we can't keep the queen waiting."

Andreas rolled his eyes at the word 'queen', "I'm keeping my mother waiting, not the queen. Big difference."

Phil couldn't care less at the reluctant tone as he grabbed Andreas by the arm, pulling him along with him. "Same difference."

They turned left into a dimly lit corridor, as they ventured further, the hall brightened. They turned a few more turns and climbed up countless, tiresome staircases until they reached the final staircase, adjacent to the entrance of a broad passage, it's been years since Andreas had set eyes on those stairs. Those stairs especially were restricted, they led directly to the King and Queens rooms. His eyes trailed up the stairs, along the top floor, until they landed on a set of double doors. He gulped, he dug his feet into the carpet infront of the staircase, almost causing Phil to topple over as he had been dragging him. Phil shot him a bewildered look.