HIS HIGHNESS

1

1 ◇  Taken

"Dad?" I ask as I step out of into the room, coming out of the kitchen. Wiping my hand on my apron, I catch him in time to give him his breakfast.

"Good morning sweetie," he kisses my cheek in greeting. I hand him his drink that has become a ritual in the past couple of months. "You are a life saver."

"Hey Dad, where were you last night?" I inquire, although I don't feel as if I want to know the answer. Of course, I know my Dad drinks. But that isn't even the worse of it. He gambles. Sometimes it is a miracle we even get by for the month. "The light in my room blew and I need another one."

"Ahhh dear, can that stay until later?" He cringes at the sound of his own voice and the squeak of the hinges. I still haven't gotten around to oiling the hinges. Then again, we really don't have any to spare at the moment. Struggling to make oil these days is such a task my body and hands can't manage right now. Especially to get the crops. "I have to get to work."

Sighing, I nod. "Take care, Dad. I will see you tonight...?"

I know that came out as a question as it should be. Sometimes I worry when it passes midnight and I come home to not see him. He is quite a handsome man, but he is only human. The drinking and bleaching are taking their toll on him. I give him a pointed look.

"Of course honey, I have to go and set up stuff for the Prince," I smile. He really tries. It isn't even dawn yet. I guess that is why they haven't fired him as yet. He still had bangs under his eyes and forgot a lot of stuff. His eyesight can be very poor, but he does carry around glasses. Although his features are diminishing, he always ensures his attire is impeccable. That the very least, I can see where he spent his money. "I will bring home dinner tonight when you get off work."

I smile knowing he won't, but it makes no sense to argue. "You have a good day now, Dad."

Stumbling a little, he finally finds himself out the door followed by a little push I give him. Thank goodness we don't have to pay rent and he isn't far from the main palace. Shaking my head as he kept trying to straighten his posture to head to the large main palace.

We also live within the palace gates which I am forever grateful for. Going out to work sometimes, I see men close to the royal family being beaten for information. That has me frightened for his life when he is out of sight, especially when he goes out to gamble.

Sighing, I shut the door. For that, I never want to enter those palace walls. I have heard too many terrible stories. Especially of a crowned Prince with the deadliest temper and a lethal monster when come in contact with. There were times when I saw father come home with blood stained gloves and clothes for cleaning up his messes for confidential purposes.

I have met the King though. As a little girl, my mother had no one to leave me with one evening when school was not in session. She brought me with her to work in the palace as the king's maid. I followed her everywhere, but she had left me in a room by myself when I was getting the way. It was enormous with the largest array of books I have every seen. I only ever seen one hard copy of a book at the time and that was the school's handbook which they put up in each classroom. So it was that mesmerizing to see so many books in one place. I guess that was the day I read the most.

It was getting late that day and when I heard a creak of the door, I thought it was my mother. Running towards the door, I stopped as I saw the large figure with claws instead of fingers. His cloak was beautiful; one of midnight blue and the gold crest to show royalty in the centre. But I didn't get to see his face as I ran back through the door I saw mother use. Thankfully, I ran to her as soon as I went into that dusty lobby. I could see she her relief and I was happy to be back with her. She later told me that he was the king and that scared me enough. From that day, I decided to never place foot in the palace again.