Royal

Here Heir

The painting is done. It is currently being hung over the grandfire place. Its a bit ostentatious.

"Your highness Fitzgerald and Huntz are ready to meet you in the grand hall." A servant tells me staying bowed in my presence.

"Thank you." I walk out of the study and down to the grand hall. I stand in front of my thrown and eye up the men infront of me.

They are around thirty with broad shoulders and swords against their hips.

" A complaint about you two has been brought to my attention." I state simply as I sit in the thrown.

Huntz twitches but Fitzgerald stands his ground. "What complaint your highness?" He asks his head tilted as if asking me to defy him.

"You have been mistreating the stable work men."

"You mean the slaves?" He hisses and I sit up straighter.

"No matter who they are I will not have this kind of disobedience in my kingdom." I state firmly my voice booming around the room. Huntz shivers and drops to his knees.

"I beg your forgiveness your highness." He pleads and Fitzgerald glares at him.

"Both of you are lucky I am feeling pity today. You will serve the rest of your days in the dungeon until I see you have learned your lesson. I hope you dont mind sharing food with the rats." I stand and snap my fingers as four gaurds drag a crying Huntz and screaming Fitzgerald from the room.

I take a walk into the garden to clear my head. Anger still clouds my thoughts and I try to shake it away. I don't want to turn into my father. I have to keep my anger at bay.

I go up and sit by the tree. I see new gaurds standing at the stables already. I smile when I see Peter forking the hay from the stalls.

I get an idea and quickly run back toward the castle. I fill a bag with apples and sneak a loaf of bread and walk to the stables. I hold my head high as if asking anyone to question why I was there.

I hold out an apple to the horse in the stall next to Peter.

A forkfull of hay smakes me right in the face. I am taken by suprise and stumble sputtering trying to pull away the peices. I see Peter look up and at me and his whole face pales.

"My highness I am so sorry." He says in shock looking at me and then to his pitchfork.

"It's fine really. I um I actually came to give you this." I hand him the bag and feel the new guards watching me hand it over. " For the horses of course." I send the guards a quick look and they shrug and turn away. Peter holds the bag and looks in it.

" But horses don't eat bread. Not in their proper diet." He says looking up at me. I blush slightly.

"That is for you." I whisper quickly. I see Peter smile for a second and nod.

" Thank you your highness." I lean against the wooden divider and smile.

"Do you enjoy the stables?" I ask and Peter shrugs.

" The horses are beautiful but... Actually never mind its fantastic work my king." He looks down to the groud.

"But what? You were going to say something there." I see him stiffen slightly at the question. I arch an eyebrow as his eyes dart around looking for a means out of this conversation without being rude. I know the look because I get it almost every day. Everyone is scared of offending me because they know of the power I hold as king. " Forget I asked." I say quitely. I look down and can feel Peter looking at me. " See you around Peter." I say he nods and bows slightly.

" Good day my king." I walk away and back into the garden. I sigh and flop down in the library. How can I ever get him to like me? Be my friend at the very least.

These castle walls hold nothing but loneliness and shadows. I sigh and rub at the bridge of my nose. I hear a knock sound from the door.

"Enter." I call out and a maid appeard holding a tray of letters.

"Your highness I have mail from the other kingdoms." I gesture for her to place them on the desk. I already know they are about me marrying a princess to strengthen kingdom bonds as well as become the true king.

I sigh and rip one open. I skim over it and dam this guy has seven daughters. That must be a handful.

The other letters are just as I suspected and I pile them together and shove them in the desk drawer.

How hard wouldit be to explain that it is not a princess I want and that I would much prefer a prince. Or Peter

I shake my head and start on the response letters to the kingdoms.