Royal Ambitions

Chapter One: the Knight's Morning

I awoke on my birthday and went about my routine. First I bathed with a steel bucket in the guards bathing room. I combed through and braided my two foot long hair to be much shorter. The jet black hair having hints of dark gray. The glass plated steel mirror showed me myself. I looked presentable. 

I wrapped a towel around my waist and made my way back to my sleeping chamber. Once within the chamber, I dressed myself in my light satin cloths. The silky smooth cloth was a luxury that I deeply appreciated as I put on my slightly heavy armour. Small pauldrons sat on my shoulders and metal boots adorned my feet. My helm was in the princes room, so I headed that way. It was his preference if I wore it or not.

On my way to the prince' sleeping quarters, one of my brothers in arms wished me a happy birthday, which made me crack a tiny smile.

I knocked on the prince's door, to which I was met with not. I usually waited outside for the prince to come open the door but it opened on its own without the prince there so I peered inside.

"My lord? Are you in here? I mean not to interrupt your sleep"

"Luci! Come on in! Happy birthday!"

I did as the prince commanded of me, closing the door behind myself.

"My lord, shall I be wearing my helm today?"

"You are so formal Luci. No don't wear your helmet."

I nodded and eased up as the prince rose from his bed revealing his small body and a baggy nightgown. The crown prince was maybe only five feet four inches tall, certainly much shorter than his mother and father.

"My lord, I have to be formal with you, it's my duty. If I am not formal then I wouldn't be doi-"

"Oh shut up with the formalities! It's your birthday and it's going to be astounding!"

I followed his command and stopped speaking. I turned around and faced the wall as the prince dressed himself behind a blanket thin wall.

"What color should I wear today? Actually, what's your favorite color?"

"My favorite color is red My lord."

After less than a minute of clothes rustling the prince instructed me to turn around and so I followed the command.

"How do I look?" He asked me.

He wore silk shorts that had been dyed red and a loose fitting velvet shirt that was gray with an embroidered orange rose, his family crest. His hair, much shorter than my own, was spiked up in the front. He was probably using some of the fancy gel that only nobles and above could afford.

"You are certainly more than presentable, My lord"

"You need to loosen up a bit... maybe I can help you with that! Let's take a walk through the garden!"

"Yes my lord, a walk through the gardens would be pleasant this morning"

He opened the door to the room and led the way. I followed behind him by only about a foot. My hand was constantly at my side, if I needed to draw my sword for any reason. No threats arose before we exited the palace interior and were left in the open. The gardens smelled of honey and nectar, or perhaps that was the prince's hair product. The flowers were in bloom and the prince was clearly captivated by them.

"Do you have a favorite Luci?"

"I... am fond of marigolds"

He smiled softly before picking an orange marigold  flower and placing it softly in his hair, laughing. I felt something rising in my stomach until it blocked my lungs. I gulped it back down and we continued on our walk.