A Royal Servant

Chaper 2: Goodbye

Henry:

The sun shone through the thin curtain and I turned over in the comfortable bed. Uncle Geoffrey jumped up as I stirred.

"Henry, we must eat breakfast in-" I cut him off as I slipped out of bed and slid into my tunic.

"We will break our fast slowly and then we will visit with the other guests. We will not spend too much time, but we owe them that much courtesy." I said firmly. Uncle Geoffrey was always skeptical of my plans, but he just shook his head and sighed. I grinned to myself and started whistling as I tied my boots. He laughed.

"Sleep well last night?" he chuckled. I nodded.

"The bed was very comfortable." I answered as I dipped my head into the water Emmaline had provided for us.

"You know, we should pay them double. The girl is very nice." I said after a moment. He frowned.

"Just because she was respectful, she is still a peasant, Henry.  I know how you feel about pretty girls, and I cannot condone it. Neither will your parents." he added with a grin. I raised an eyebrow.

"I'm an eighteen year old male, Uncle. I tend to fall in love easily." I smiled wanly, thinking of my last conquest. She was wonderful, sweet and kind. But then she was married off and disappeared. I frowned, picturing her prettiness and kindness. No doubt she missed Court. I sighed and saw Geoffrey staring at me, frowning.

"What?" I asked him. He sighed.

"I know you want love in your marriage, but you have to know that love doesn't always come with arranged marriages." I stiffened.

Oh Lord, please not the 'arranged marriages' talk again. I thought with annoyance. He smiled at the look on my face.

"Oh, come now, Henry. You know it is bound to happen. It's inevitable." He declared. I winced. My stomach growled and he grinned.

"Let's go eat a peasant's breakfast." he said, grabbing his saddle bag and walking out of the room, his boots clacking behind him. I shook my head, laughing at his pomposity. As much as I loved my Uncle, his scandalous hatred for the peasants was intolerable. I'd told him as much many times before, but he still treated them like they were the scum of the earth. I thought they were very kind and loyal myself, but no. He thought them beneath him and was indifferent to them. He believed wholeheartedly that he was above them and detested them. I thought it scandalous because the royal family was supposed to be loving, kind, and generous to our people. I sighed and walked out of the room, wishing for the hundredth time that I wasn't the Prince Wales.

I walked down the stairs with my uncle and when I reached the stairwell, the young lady Emmaline was standing at the table she had set up for us the previous evening. She looked radiant, her brown hair framing her face. Then she smiled at me and her radiance became more pronounced. I smiled back and took the seat I had sat in last night.

"Good morning, Majesty. I trust you slept well?" she asked me nervously, but with all the grace of a royal servant or a Lady of my mother's court.

"Yes, Madam." I answered with a polite smile. She blushed and looked away, over at her father's kitchen.

"The food should be ready now." she announced and walked into the kitchen. Geoffrey rolled his eyes at her retreating figure.

"What?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow. He smirked.

"She has no manners. She is supposed to curtsy when she leaves us." he said. I stiffened.

"She has impeccable manners for a peasant, Uncle. She speaks politely, she made sure we had the best room, had the best food. She has shown us great honor. Be more polite, Uncle. She serves us well." I snapped. His eyes flared. He hated being rebuked, especially by me. He looked me straight in the eye.