LWP 4

Chapter 3

~~~Max~~~

I gently closed the prince's door. I knew he was mad. It was obvious from the very start. I don't like when people get angry. Maybe I would get lucky and the rest of my family had gone to do their jobs. But of course... All I had to do was open the door...

I tried to walk in all quiet like. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of luck...

"MAX!" She hollered. I knew she'd still be here. "What are you doing here!?! You're supposed to be serving Prince Jonathan!"

"Ah-Ah'm sorry Mom," I began. "He wanted me to-"

"What?!" Mom stomped over to the door with me, "Whatever he said doesn't mean come in here! And quit it with that STUPID southern accent! It's bad enough I have to take care of Prince Gavin! He had a PARTY last night!" She clenched her teeth and grabbed my shirt, opening the door. "And guess who's gonna clean it up?" She threw me out and slammed the door.

I could hear Martha laughing from inside as I picked myself up off the hard, shining floor, wondering where Prince Gavin's party had been. Of course Mom wouldn't tell me but I think I knew...

~~~~Toast~~~

The throne room. I could go and make sure. If it's the same as I remember it as a little boy, it could still be a dream.

I ran down but... Grandmother had redecorated...
"No..." And there was a huge mess everywhere! Gavin was here too. It was all real! How could this have happened?!

Then of course, Max came in, getting to her knees and cleaning. It reminded me of Cinderella. I ran across the room and knelt down by her, asking the obvious, "What are you doing?"

"Oh! Am Ah in your way Sir? Ah'm sorry I just... Ah saw the mess after the party last night and thought I'd clean it up. Um... Ma mom has a bad back and Ah didn't want her to get in trouble. Please don't tell anyone!"

She sounded like she was pleading for her life. It must have been worse than before... I held her hands and helped her up in the gentlest way I could. "Don't worry about it. I understand. I won't tell anyone you don't want me to."

Max was still looking down. I couldn't believe she was still afraid. I felt like I was going to cry.

"I..."Reluctantly, I slowly let go of her hands and turned, ready to run back to myroom. "I'm sorry..."