The king's killer.

Annoyances

Xander and I got used to each other's presences over a few weeks. We didn't talk much but I had started cooking. He was an okay chef bit he agreed with me that I was better. We made an arrangement that I cooked and he did the dishes but we both worked together in the garden. Often times, Xander would leave after dinner to do whatever it was he did. He was always back by the time I woke up. I found myself in a mirror one morning. My bruises had faded and my cuts were scared. The bandages on my legs had been taken off. I noticed I looked more my age and less malnourished. I had grown a bit but not much. I looked better. My dark red hair was clean and soft and long and my green eyes shown. I had noticed that Xander would look at my eyes and get distracted but I often ignored it. I heard the front door open and my way down. Xander walked in followed by a man. The man looked angry and when his eye fell on me, they darkened. Xander stepped into the man's gaze and said something I couldn't hear but that didn't matter.

"I'll go put some tea on." I left quietly to go to the kitchen and began working on the tea.

Xander and the man walked in as I was setting kettle on the stove. I focused on what I was doing and gently got the tea leaves ready. I waited for the kettle to whistle by watching garden. The tomatoes and cabbages should be right and it looked like the fruit garden were almost ready, specifically the apples and pears.

"I will protect the boy, your highness, even from you." Xander said causing me to look at him.

"He'll only interfere with your work, Xander." The man responded.

"I doubt he will." Xander said with a glare. "He's just a boy, your highness, he doesn't interfere with much and he recognizes boundaries. I won't let you hurt him."

I watch as the man and Xander glared at each other. I finished their teas while they kept their gazes.

"Xander, sir, teas ready." I handed them each a cup. "I'll be in the garden if you need me.

I left quickly after cleaning my mess to go pick the vegetables quietly. I even picked a few fruits, mainly grapes, strawberries, and blackberries. I walked back in and almost dropped my basket. Xander was being kissed by the man. I didn't watch and just walked back out. It wasn't my place to say anything. I checked the other fruits and vegetables, jumping when Xander joined me at the gardens.

"Looks like we'll be able to pick the apples tomorrow." Xander said and I nodded.

"Seems like it." I stood up and dusted my knees off as Xander grabbed the basket.

We walked back in to see the man still there. I took the basket and walked into the kitchen to work on lunch.

"Is your friend staying for lunch?"

"I hope not." Xander laugh. "I don't want to share your cooking with anyone."

I rolled my eyes and focused on cutting the lettuce for the salad. I hummed softly as a made the sandwiches and Xander watched. I made enough for the man, Xander, and I but rather annoyedly. I enjoy making food for Xander and myself but not other people. After a few seconds I felt an unfamiliar presences behind me that I found to be the man. I looked at him over my shoulder with a sharp glare. I turned and handed the man his plate a bit roughly before taking Xander's plate to the living room and set it in his place. I sat in my spot and ate quietly as did Xander, a common occurrence between us. The man ate away from us much to my pleasure. Once I was finished, though I still couldn't finish it all though I did eat a bit more than my first few days here. I stood and took my plate to the kitchen, enjoying the silence.

"I'm going upstairs, if you need me." I left quietly, if they wanted to do something they could.

I chose to read. I sat in the window of my room and picked up the book Xander had gotten me recently. When my door opened, I ignored it. There was a silent agreement between me and Xander that my room was a space for me to relax. I didn't look up from my boom even as the person sat on my bed.

"Alex? Are you okay?" Xander's voice sounded out in the silence.

"Yes." I hummed out. "I'm just fine, I wanted to finish this book and I figured you could spend time with that man. You two seemed deeply involved and I didn't want to intrude."

"Wait! You think I'm with him?" I still didn't look up at the man.

"I assumed so." I turned the page of the book. "The way that man acted, he was slightly jealous. I'm not sure of what but his jealousy was there."

"Alex, I'm not with him." I hummed softly at Xander's words, alerting him that they were heard. "We aren't together. That was my boss, the king. I wouldn't dare date him, besides, he's an asshole."

"If you say so."