The Prince Forth & The Pauper by ARIE78 (Completed)

3. Meanwhile back at the Castle.

~Meanwhile back at the castle~

Phana whistled, walking down the corridors in the castle, wondering what hobby he should indulge in that day. It didn’t take long for him to decide on painting and was halfway towards his room before being stopped by a servant and told that his lunch was served. Forgetting all thoughts about the painting in favour of good food, he followed the servant down into the dining hall. He looked around as he entered. “Where are Forth and August?”

“Prince August is out in the training grounds and sent a messenger up to say he wouldn’t be joining us. Prince Forth as far as I am aware is still in his room. Shall I send for him?”

Phana frowned and shook his head, wondering if Forth was still annoyed about the engagement. “No, it’s OK. I’ll go get him myself.” He ignored all protests and walked back to Forth’s room without a second glance.

“Forth~ It’s lunchtime.” Phana bounded into the room without knocking, even though he knew it would annoy the inhabitant, hoping that Forth wouldn’t be able to argue with him being so happy. He blinked at the empty room, his smile fading slightly and his head tilting to one side. “Hmm?” He walked out again puzzled, and stopped a maid cleaning the corridor. “Have you seen Forth?”

The maid bowed her head slightly. “I think the Prince went out to the courtyard, your majesty.”

“Hmm...Thanks.” Phana wandered off, looking like he was in his own little world as he wandered down to the courtyard, peering through the windows as he passed to see if he could see Forth outside, for some reason getting a bad feeling. Two bodyguards, realising the king was in his own little world and would probably need assistance, followed him. After searching the courtyard and being told that Forth had gone to the stables he followed the directions and met up with Kit, who was once again tending the horses. “Kit?” He beckoned the boy over. “Is Forth around?” He stared at the boy before him, his slight anxiety growing as he noticed the boy fidgeting and glancing at the floor as if he was hiding something.

“Umm...” Kit coughed softly, trying not to panic, having hoped that Forth would be back before anyone noticed he had even gone. “He’s gone for a ride.”

Phana lifted an eyebrow, looking around the stables. “Really? Strange, because I’ve already been looking for him outside and if I’m not mistaken...” He pointed into the stable. “...That’s Forth’s horse right there.”

Kit coughed again, looking around as Phana pointed. “That’s because...Forth’s horse had a sprain. I didn’t think he should go on it because it might get worse so he took one of the other horses.” He could feel his heart racing as the lies slipped off of his tongue.

Phana shook his head, looking down. “Kit. Stop it now.” He glared up at Kit, seeming intimidating even though he was taller. He put a hand up as Kit tried to protest. “Stop lying to me. I am King and I want the truth. You know as well as I do that Forth wouldn’t ride any other horse even if his horse was injured. He’d just wait until it was better. So tell me the truth. Where is he?”

Kit gulped, realising he would be caught out if he tried to lie again. His voice went slightly higher as he spoke and grew quieter with each word. “Forth is...” He heard an angry noise from one of Phana’s bodyguards. “I mean, Prince Forth has...has...” He gulped again, wondering what was going to happen. “...gone into town.”

Phana stood in silence for a second, causing Kit to panic further, before frowning slightly. “Forth’s gone into town?” It took a further minute to realise what this meant and why Kit had been scared to tell him.  He shook his head. “That’s not possible, I gave orders to all the gate keepers not to let him through. There’s no way he could look after himself.” He looked up at Kit’s guilty face and frowned, suspicious. “There is no way that he could have gotten through the gate is there, Kit? Unless somebody helped him?” He watched Kit’s face drain of colour, and groaned getting frustrated. “What did you do, Kit?”

Kit turned away slightly. “I helped him escape.”

Phana blinked up at him. “I don’t know whether to be angry at you, or just surprised that you actually would go against my express wishes.”

Kit gulped again. “Please stay surprised. Umm, if it’s any consolation, Ming is with him.”

Phana laughed slightly. “So it’s not only you involved, it’s him as well. I should have guessed. And no, that isn’t a consolation. Ming isn’t exactly the best squire now is he? And I wouldn’t have sent Forth out with just a squire anyway.”

Unluckily for Kit, just after this comment from Phana, Ming arrived in a panic. “Kit! I’ve-” The exclamation died in his throat as he skidded to a halt in front of Phana.

“You’ve what, Ming?” Phana crossed his arms, his foot tapping. “And don’t try and lie, Ming’s told me everything.”

Ming froze, unable to speak, his mind locking up.

Kit coughed. “Ming, where’s Forth?”

Ming still unable to speak properly, shook his head.

Kit, laughed nervously. “What do you mean, Ming?”

“I lost him.” Ming licked his lips, his mouth feeling dry. “I lost him in the crowds.”

Kit blinked at Ming, trying not to look around at Phana. “You’re kidding, right?”

Ming shook his head. “I’m sorry.” His voice squeaked.

“You’re sorry?” Phana ’s voice was quiet. “You’re sorry?”

Kit stood in front of Ming as Phana seemed to get angry, the guards behind him waiting for orders. “Don’t blame Ming. It’s my fault for coming up with the plan.” Ming tried to voice his protest but Kit hushed him quickly.

“Damn right it’s your fault.” Phana started to pace. “What should we do?” He stopped and turned to the guards. “Send out a search party. Quickly, before anything happens to him.” As the guards left, he turned back to Ming and Kit. “I really can’t believe you two would do something reckless like this.”

Kit glared slightly, finally feeling less scared of the man before him, in favour of voicing his concerns. “You can’t believe it? Surely you noticed?”

Phana tilted his head, his anger dissipating slightly with confusion at Kit speaking out. “Noticed what?”

Kit tutted. “You know what? Do whatever you want because I have to say this. You’re not even noticing your son changing. You haven’t noticed how much he stares out his window? Or that the amount of times he asks you when he’ll be allowed out has gradually increased? He can’t take it stuck inside this castle anymore! It’s killing him being locked up in here!” He panted slightly, feeling like a weigh had been lifted, having wanted to say this for a while but not had the courage. “He may not be able to look after himself properly, but keeping him here is like making him a prisoner.”

Phana blinked at the sudden outburst, unable to comprehend it. “But I’m only looking after him. Like a good father...”

Ming pushed Kit out of the way, bowing slightly. “Kit knows that, please forgive him. We just wanted to help our friend.”

Phana looked down at Ming, trying not to show his internal turmoil, wondering whether he had made the wrong decision to keep Forth safe in the castle but was still annoyed with Ming and Kit for going against him. “Fine, I’ll leave it for now but if anything happens to him...” He walked off, leaving the threat looming over them.                                                                                                                             

   To be continue........... 😊