The Mage's Son

5

"Maid! I'm hungry. Go fetch me some fruit from the kitchen." Askari yells from Avalon's room. I had to organize her books, now this. I march down the hall, turn, pass Avalon's room, and make it to the kitchen.

I was worn out. Two days of this bull crap.

"You still with the princess? She didn't throw ya out?" Marjorie asks as she pulls fruit out of the cabinet.

"I wish. I rather be at the stables." I sigh and grab the bowl.

"I wish ya the best." Gertrude gives me a wet napkin to put on top of the fruit.

I do the sign of the cross and walk to Avalon's room.

At least they were under the covers when I got there. I sat the fruit on the table.

"Maid! Don't leave yet. I need you to stay so you could clean up." Askari beckons me.

I stand up for twenty minutes listening to the oddest sounds I have ever heard. Who moans like that? Why was the bed bouncing? I don't want to know.

I covered my eyes even though they were under the covers. My legs were tired. I sit on the floor. I impatiently tap my feet.

"Maid! Quiet that noise." Muffled was her voice. I was not looking forward to this. Help me, Lord.
If this wasn't complete torture, I don't know what was.

"Huh, okay. I'm out of breath." Avalon pops up from under the covers. I kept my eyes closed.

"Ah. Huh. Me too. Maid, bring me that fruit." Askari gets from under the covers.

When I passed the bowl, they fed each other fruit. Too mushy gushy stuff. Their chests were covered though. I uncovered my eyes. I wish I were somewhere else.

"Maid, babysit for me while I make a phone call." She gets dressed and walks out, once again leaving me and the prince by ourselves. He starts getting dressed.

"Alright. Say what you're thinking." He knew I had something to say.

"Why must I be summoned at the WRONG time? How do you two get through the day without stripping your clothes off?" I blurt out.

"She probably does that on purpose. We manage. You've never had intimate relations with someone?" He puts his shirt on.

"No."

"Okay. Tell me what you think about Askari." He folds his arms.

"She's a delight, a wonder to humanity."

"She's awful...."

"I can't take it anymore! She fussed at me because her eyebrows were uneven. I didn't even do them. She made me sweep the floor eight times." I blurt out.

Avalon puts his pants on, "There's the truth. Yeah, she's no picnic. I was the only prince that could tolerate her for so long."

"Nature's fishing pole." I say.

He raises an eyebrow, "How do you know that term? Never mind. Gertrude and Marjorie are gossips. They raised me, you know. My mom got sick so they taught me things."

I hear a certain clicking noise. Askari's high heels.
"She's coming."

She came. I sat on the side. She grabs him by his collar, "I never said we were finished." She sticks her tongue out. I want to leave so bad.

"Not in front of the maid." He whispers.

"Makes it more exciting. Maid, cover your eyes." She starts to kiss his face.

"Not now. Wait a little later. Why don't you let the maid fix your hair?" He suggests.

Ten minutes later, I was putting a brush through her long hair. I have to brush it exactly two hundred times.

"Isn't my fiancé cute? You can't have him." She informs me.

"Not planning to, ma'am." I count one hundred and eighty times.

"Please. Don't be coy. Your beauty is no match for mine. Everyone falls for Avalon. Then he breaks hearts faster than butter churns." She rolls her eyes. Her glittery gown was blinding me. I liked Avalon but I don't want to fall for him. I worship the ground he walks on but that's it.

"You have nothing to worry about. Ma'am, would you like a braid or French braids?" I ask.

"Do the Greek braids." She says it like I'm dumb.

I twist her hair. I sigh. Eventually we went back to the room. Avalon smiles and greets Askari with a kiss.

"Dear, you look great. Too bad it's going get messed up pretty soon." He clutches her waist. Askari smiles.

Not again. Not again. Spare me.

"Don't let the ugly peasant distract you." Askari undresses.

My god. They're just nineteen. What else do they do with their lives? The Mage needs to be informed. I walk towards the door but Avalon waves his hand and locks it. I punch my head.