Stormy

Chapter Four: Lessons

I wake up earlier than usual. It isn't as stormy as it was yesterday, just a light rain, matching my mood. I quickly get dressed and pad quietly downstairs. Servants are already getting a head start on the days work. I head down to the kitchens to grab some breakfast.

"Morning, dear!" Claudia sings.

"Good morning!" I say. My good mood is reflected on all the faces of the cooks. She hands me a slice if bread and marmalade and tea, and also

something wrapped in cloth.

"What's this?" I ask

"It's for the pri- I mean Logan!" She recovers shrilly, her cheeks turn pink. No one seems to have noticed so I smile and nod and head back upstairs with the food.

I knock on his door. Nothing. I knock again, louder this time. I hear a grunt and I enter the shadowy room.

"It's dark in here!" I say. Suddenly my foot gets caught on something and I stumble forward. Just as I am about to hit the floor, an arm reaches out grabs me.

"Thanks." I mutter, straightening, I see the outline of Logan in the gloom.

He grins,

"No problem, but maybe we should open up the shades before you actually fall on your face."

"Oh shut it." I say grumpily. He strides over to the window and pulls away the curtains. We both are instantly blinded by the sudden brightness and stumble slightly before we adjust.

"I've brought you breakfast." I say, trying to fill the momentary silence.

His face brightens,

"Great!" I hand him the cloth wrapped food and munch on my bit if toast.

"So," I begin, "when would you like to start our lessons?"

He looks up at me, his blue eyes widen for a split second as he stares.

"What? Have I said something?" I ask. He shakes his head.

"No no, it's just for a moment you- nevermind." I give him and odd look.

"I'll let you get dressed first, and then you can meet me in my room." He nods and finishes off his toast.

"Oh wait!" He exclaims as I begin to leave,

"I haven't any clothes! I mean, normal clothes anyway."

I smile, "I will go fetch some from Claudia."

"Thanks Rosalyn." He says. I stare at him a moment,

"You're welcome Logan." I reply. He grins as I leave to find Claudia.

I return with clothes and then retreat to my room, waiting and wondering what I am supposed to help him learn first. I knew I COULD teach him some things because even as royalty, I hated the fancy-ness and composure that came with it. It always felt so weird to be conversed with as 'miss Rosalyn' or 'malady'. Claudia always told me that if I put on servants clothes, no one would ever know I was a princess. I took pride in that, because I never want to be like my father.

I hear a soft knock at my door.

"Come in!" I call.

Logan enters wearing a simple shirt and pants, but I can still see his princely composure still there underneath.

"So what exactly am I to learn?" he asks, standing straight and calm.

"You're going to learn how to blend in." I say, "So let's start by relaxing."

"What?"

"Relaxing. You look like a horse just kicked you up your-"

"Okay okay!" he says quickly, cutting me off. He tries to loosen his shoulders and back.

"Good, much better." I say. "Next we need to work on how you talk. We don't want you to sound like you're at a funeral."

He laughs, making me smile.

"So how exactly do I do that?"

"Pretend you're talking to your good friend, and not a court full of snooty royals."

His smile fades slightly. "I've never had a friend, and especially not a good one..."

I feel bad for him. This boy has grown up without anyone to go to that could completely understand him. I have Claudia, and plenty of Ladies from the neighboring kingdoms to talk to. What is it like to have no friends, I wonder.

"I'll be your friend. Pretend you're talking to me all the time." I say in a confident and serious tone.

"Thanks. I'll try." He says grinning. For the rest of the morning and late into the afternoon we work on talking walking and anything else we can think of. Claudia was right, he is a very fast learner. By dinner he seems like any ordinary boy you would find in the village.

"I'll go fetch some dinner for us." I say, getting up from my armchair. He smiles at me and I walk down to the kitchens. Claudia smiles at me mischievously when I walk into the steamy bustling room. Preparations for the ball are still going full tilt.

"So how is he coming along?" She asks quietly, so as not to be overheard.

"Brilliantly! Though I can still see a bit of his princely attitude sometimes." I reply in a low voice. She hands me a tray with chicken, soup, biscuits, and tea. She gives me another grin.

"Do you think he's good looking?" She asks, wiggling her eyebrows. I roll my eyes, but walk away before I have to answer.

Back in my room, Logan and I eat quietly. The rain is becoming heavier and heavier, and the wind is picking up. I shiver.

"Are you cold?" He asks. I smile,

"Just a little. My tower always seems to be the coldest in the castle." We fall back into silence. Suddenly thunder booms outside and I jump out of my chair, tumbling onto the rug. Logan bursts out laughing. I glare at him, though I can't help but smile a little.

"Your laugh sounds like a dying cat." I say, trying to shut him up. But he continues to snort and laugh, clutching his stomach and gasping for air. I chuck a pillow at his face and begin to giggle at the stunned look on he has. Soon we are both rolling around the floor laughing.

"Stop-laughing, I-can't-breath!" he gasps, wiping tears from his blue eyes.

"I-can't,- your face-hilarious!" I gasp back. Finally after awhile, we calm down enough to speak normally. The storm outside has become a loud pounding on the window.

"Rosalyn, why did you throw a pillow at my face?"

"Because your are annoying." I say grinning. He grins back, showing off his perfect teeth. I sigh, and look him in the eye,

"I don't know what else to teach you, so I guess now our main priority is to keep hidden."

"I guess so. But that'll be easy, I mean, it's not like I'll be going anywhere." He says sadly.

"I don't know where you would go even if you could." I say, "It's a giant mud puddle outside, and a freezing cave inside."

He nods slowly. "Will you still come to talk to me?" he asks anxiously.

"Of course! Don't worry, I wouldn't just leave you here." I confirm. He smiles again and yawns.

"Well I'm going to go to bed, I'm exhausted." I nod.

"Goodnight Logan."

"Goodnight Rosalyn."

I shift my gaze to the dying flames as I hear him turning the door knob. Then he turns it again. And again. I look up at him.

"What's wrong?" I ask uncertainly. He turns towards me, his blue eyes wide.

"I can't open the door."

"What? Nonsense. It's probably just jammed. Here, let my try." I shake the brass handle vigorously, but it holds fast. I turn to face him my wide eyes match his.

"I can't believe it...we're locked in!"