Cake

Chaper 1

“I have no idea what to do Gideon. It’s been four weeks and that girl still hasn’t said a word!”

“My prince if you will, please calm down. She seems as though she’s been through a hard time. Give her a break.”

“I know! But, I just don’t like calling her ‘The girl.’ It’s not right.” The prince ran his fingers through his hair, a few pieces fell over his forehead.

“And, you’re sure she's not a mute?”

“Yes, I've heard her singing. She has a lovely voice, but I wish she would use it more.”

There was a knock on the door. “Enter.” The prince said, putting authority in his voice. A page boy stumbled into the room and gave a clumsy bow.

“Your Highness, his Majesty requests you in his study.”

The prince sighed. “Thank you James, you may go.” The page bowed once and ran out. The prince sighed once more and ran his fingers through his hair. “May the stars give me mercy.” He muttered.

Gideon looked at him curiously. “It would be wise not to keep His Majesty waiting Leo.” With a deep breath Prince Leo straightened his shirt and tucked the few fly away pieces of hair back on his head.

“Let's get this over with.”

Leo sighed and walked out of his safe haven. Walking through the winding halls and staircases he barely looked at his surroundings. He’d walked the same halls for the last 17 years. The wonder that had filled his three year old mind he faded and he grew older.  It's not like there was much to see anyways. The tapestries never changed, the walls stayed the same cream colour. The carpet was new. It was the same deep gold but the plushness had been returned to its former glory.

After three staircases and over twenty hallways, the Prince reached his father's study. Took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door. He heard a high pitched voice talking loudly. He flinched and reeled back from the door as his sister let out a frustrated groan. “You are not! I repeat not! Going to marry him off!”

A second voice, just as frustrated, responded. “You know I have to. He needs a wife.

“No, he doesn't. Just like I don't need a husband until I want one.”

An aged sigh came from the second voice. “Libby...I know I’m not your father but as long as your father is gone, you will follow my rules. And my rules are that you find you and your brother a spouse. Or I will find one for you.”

Leo couldn’t take it anymore, he masked the anger that had creeped into his emotions, and knocked vigorously on the study door. The study grew silent and then a voice. “Enter.” Leo opened the door and braced himself for the talk of wedlock. His sister’s face was blotchy with anger.

“You’re excused Libby.” The man who called himself our “father” said expressionlessly. Libby gave a little hmph and tossed her black hair over her shoulder and stalked out.  

“Sire,” Leo said stiffly. He resisted to urge to cringe at the use of the title. This man was not his king and never would be. The imposter who sat behind his father's aged mahogany desk was his grandfather. He had no kindness in his shining violet eyes that Leo and his father had both inherited. That is where the similarities stopped. Richard Leonardo Cress was not a kind man. His personality matched his eyes. Hard and cruel.

When Leo’s father disappeared, his grandfather placed himself in his father's chair claiming that “Prince Leo is young and naive. He is not fit for the crown.” As much as he hated it, Leo had to agree with the old man.      
He didn't have the faintest idea of how to rule a kingdom. In his last two years of tutoring he learned the laws of his kingdom but he never learned to rule. His father said it came with experience, that being a king can't be taught only learnt. Although, Leo’s father did promise him that when he was of age to become king; he would teach him a few tricks. Leo now doubted that would ever happen.

His father had been missing and presumed dead for a little over two years now and Leo’s twenty first birthday was less than a year away.

“Leonardo Cress,” The prince’s grandfather drawled. “It has come to my attention that you brought home a lady. How long has she been here?”

Leo stiffened. The last thing he wanted was to have his grandfather find out about the girl. “A day Sir.” He lied, he also didn’t want his grandfather to get any ideas.

Richard quirked a bushy eyebrow. “Really?” He said sarcastic curiosity pooling in the  word. “I don’t suppose you plan to court her do you?”

Too late.

Leo flinched. “No. I do not plan on courting a married woman.” Leo had no idea if the woman was married. He had seen no ring on the girl’s finger but, it was all he could do to stop the man in his tracks.

“So? That doesn’t matter much. You still need to produce an heir.” Leo’s ears started to burn as a blush crept over his face.

“No. I am not going to force myself on a woman who has obviously gone through a hard time.”

“Fine then Leonardo. You’re dismissed.” Leo’s grandfather looked at his sternly. This conversation wasn’t over. That much was clear.