~ Merlin ~
I don't like Cedric.
That's just it.
I don't like the way he is around Arthur, and I especially do not like that he has wiggled his way between me and my job. It doesn't help that, that prat of a prince just let it happen. Arthur isn't the least bit suspicious. Of course, why would he be if he's enjoying the attention and dedication that he is getting.
Because I apparently don't do enough. That stupid clot-pole not appreciating what I have done for him and what I sacrifice to keep him safe. I know that he doesn't know any of that because that would reveal my magic, but still. I just stay by his side trying to make him happy and keep him safe as best as I can without revealing myself.
So here I am mucking out the stable of the damn horses while Cedric and Arthur are out and about. Stupid prince. Ungrateful bastard. I thought as I muck the stable. An honor. That bastard dared to lie saying it's an honor to serve Arthur. All he is, is a giant suck up.
As I am working, the stable suddenly filled with smoke and whatever is burning makes me go unconscious.
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What is that smell?
I slowly start to wake up only to open my eyes to see that I'm laying in horse manure. I look up and sees Prince Arthur's blue eyes staring at me in question and mockery.
"Sir!" I say in panic.
" What are you doing?" He replies as I pick myself up.
"Nothing."
"I can see that"
"I wasn't sleeping. I was..." I stop to think and realized that I did not know the reason why I had been laying down or how I had even gotten there. "I was just bending down." I finished.
"Looking for something?" He asked in his obnoxious voice. Waiting to see what excuse would come out of my mouth.
"Yes." I reply.
" perhaps we're looking for the same thing."
"What?"
"I don't know... The horses!" He shouts at me.
" the horses?" I ask in confusion. I look around and realize what he was talking about. "Oh."
"One mistake I can understand, everyone has a bad day every now and then, but this is one thing after another." He lectures. I know he was upset. I would be too, but I'm just as confused.
"I don't know what happened." I say. My hands on the side of my head and I feel like I'm going to have a melt down due to this confusion and frustration. Arthur opens his mouth as he gets ready to speak again and I can already hear the lecture and the downgrading.
"Sire." Cedric says as he enters the stables. "Please, Sire. Don't be too hard on him. He's a good servant, he's just, he's tired." He reaches to put his hand on my shoulder and i move once he does.
"I am not." I reply. Why is he here? Surely Arthur has given him a job or at least had sent him away. There's no reason for him...
"Maybe if he had the evening off..."
"I don't want the evening off." I reply quickly.
"A good night's rest.." He's trying to get rid of me. But why? What's his goal? Surely Arthur will see right through this.
"I did not fall asleep!" I shout frustrated of constantly being cut off and ignored.
"I am more than willing to take over his duties tonight." Cedric finishes.
