The Prince Forth & The Pauper by ARIE78 (Completed)

Chapter: 9. The Significance of painting

~A few days later~

Phana sat in his throne room, a slight frown marring his face as he pondered. He had decided to wait a few days just to see if Forth’s behaviour had been a one off only to watch in amazement as his happy son resurfaced; someone he hadn’t seen in quite a while in his opinion. He stood up suddenly.

“Sir?” A servant came forward from behind the throne where she’d been standing. “Is there something you need?”

Phana nodded, his face still thoughtful. “I want to have a chat with Phana’s new maid.” He walked forward towards the door, calling over his shoulder. “Tell her I’ll be in my painting room.” He paused at the door, turning round. “Actually could you take her there? I don’t want her getting lost.” He continued when he received a reassurance.

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Beam hummed as he wandered down the corridor, a basket of clothes in his hands. He paused as he realised he was letting himself get into the role of being a maid before shaking his head and telling himself it was just acting to fool everyone around him. He stopped and smiled as another servant passed before continuing.

“Umm, Amy?”

Beam turned as another servant came towards him, only knowing the person from sight. “Yes?”

The woman smiled. “The king would like to see you.” She raised her hand at the shocked look on Beam’s face. “Don’t worry, you shouldn’t be in trouble. He probably just wants to talk to you about the Prince. Maybe he even wants to thank you.” She smiled down at him and clasped his shoulder, steering him round. “He asked me to take you to make sure you don’t get lost. “

“Hmm, thanks.” Beam tried to act enthusiastic about the coming meeting but was terrified. What if he was recognised? Would it blow everything? He gulped. Would Forth go back to being depressed? He shook his head, he couldn’t go see the king with these thoughts, he’d give himself away easier. He tried to calm down and smile and before he knew it, he was standing outside the door of the painting room, the woman leaving him with a wave. He gulped again before pushing the creases out of the dress and smiling as brightly as he could. He knocked on the door. “Sir?”

“Come in, it’s open.”

Beam walked into the room, smile still on his face as he closed the door behind him. “You wanted to see me, sir?” He glanced around the room quickly, noticing a clearing of space near the middle of the room whereas the edge was crammed full of cabinets, each then overloaded with paints and brushes.

Phana nodded, his back to Beam. He was sitting next to an easel just in front of the cleared out space. “Come over here.” He gestured for Beam to come forward.

Beam stepped forward, trying to stay calm. He stood behind Phana, looking at the easel and the so far blank canvas. He frowned, having thought the king wanted to show him something. “Sir?”

Phana jumped slightly before chuckling. “You’re light on your feet, you know that?” He pointed in front of him. “I meant there, in the centre.”

Beam frowned and walked forward, finding himself in a bright patch of sunlight. He looked up, noticing the small window for the first time, as the light filtered through. He turned back to Phana, tilting his head. “Here?”

Phana nodded before looking up, having still been looking down at the pencils and other art equipment he had gathered around him and sorting it out into some kind of order. “Yep, that’s about right. So now then-” He stopped as he recognised Beam. “Oh, it’s you.” He frowned for a second, looking Beam up and down before smirking slightly and looking away. He picked up one of the pencils and started to sketch lightly, not even really paying attention to what he was doing, just needing something to do with his hands. “From the outfit, I’m guessing Kit was involved...and if he was involved he must have got Ming involved as well.” He smirked again, pausing. “He can’t leave that boy alone.” He mumbled to himself before continuing. “So, ‘Amy’ was it? What do you think of this room?”