One in a million (Prequel to 'Bad Blood')

Chapter 9: New employee

Cassandra's POV

After we had swum, Louisa, Alden and I went to our rooms to change into our propper clothes. I sighed as I had finished dressing. I then sat down on the bed in my room. My room. It still baffled me they had given me a private room. A room in which I could spend time, or spend the night. It was my own little place in their castle, in their kingdom. It warms my heart to this day.

After some time, I decided to go to the living room for lunch. I was starving, after a busy morning.

"Hey," I said as I saw Chandler sit at the table. "Are you going to have lunch with us?" I smiled at him as I sat down too.

He nodded. He was shy, especially towards me. I think it's because I'm a Southerner...

"That's nice," I then noticed him looking at a book. "Is that the book you're currently reading?"

He looked from the book at me. "Yes, Your Highness," He then closed the book and handed it to me. "Dad gave it to me."

I took the book from him and looked at it. It was a book about plants, plants that only grow here, in the Northern Kingdom. "What do you think of the book?" I asked as I handed him the book back.

He shrugged. "Dad wants me to learn about them, but they don't really interest me."

"What would interest you?"

He looked down then, he seemed to get shy all over again.

"Go on," I showed him a small smile, trying to make him feel at ease. "There must be something."

He looked at me and slowly nodded. "I do like action books. With people trying to solve a crime."

I nodded. "Interesting choice."

He smiled a bit, and I could see he felt better.

"Hey," Louisa said as she and Alden entered the room too. Alden went to sit at the head of the table and Louisa sat at his left, I was seated at his right and thus right in front of Louisa. "Hey Chandler," She smiled at him, as he was seated right next to her. "What are you reading?"

He looked down again.

"It's a book about plants," I said, gaining Louisa's attention. "He still has to finish it though."

She nodded before looking around. "Where's Carl?"

"He's probably preparing lunch, honey," Alden said as he put his hand over Louisa's. As if on cue, Carl entered with the food. "Ah Carl, there you are," Alden smiled at Carl and helped him get the things onto the table. "Isn't your eldest coming too?"

"Yes," Carl then frowned. "I don't know why he's not here."

I then looked at the seat right next to me, the empty spot. I then saw Carl and Chandler being upset and I wondered, why would his eldest son act like that? I thought many people would love to have lunch in a castle...

"Here you go, son," Carl smiled as he gave Chandler his plate. "Enjoy your meal." He then caressed Chandler's head before serving himself.

Before we all started eating, there was a knock on the door. We all looked at the door and Carl got up. He opened the door and sighed. "There you are," He hugged the person before turning to us. "Your Highnesses," He smiled as he wrapped his arm around the person's shoulders. "This is James."

James smiled and bowed for us. "It's an honor to have lunch in the presence of all of you, I thank you for the invitation."

"Have a seat, James," Alden smiled. "I'm glad you could come."

Carl and James went to sit down. Carl immediately wanted to serve his son but James wouldn't let him. "It's ok, dad," James got up and served himself. "Thanks though."

After that, we ate in silence. Carl and his sons didn't talk because they didn't want to disrespect us, I assumed. And Louisa, Alden and I never really talked when we ate. It was a comfortable silence.

After lunch, we stayed seated and that was when the talking happened. Though, it was easy to see that little Chandler was getting bored.

"Are you ok?" I asked, interrupting Louisa and Alden's conversation. In the corner of my eye, I felt James look at me, and I wondered why he was observing everything like that.

Chandler smiled a bit and nodded.

"You can go, if you want." I said to which he smiled more and bowed, before leaving.

When Chandler had left, Alden cleared his throat to claim everyone's attention. "So, the reason why I wanted James to have lunch with us," He looked at James. "James, we would like to offer you a job here, at the castle."

James let out a breath. "Really?"

Carl was smiling proudly at his son, it was truly beautiful to see how much he loved his sons.

Alden nodded. "Over these next few months, things will get busy and we could really use an extra pair of hands," He then smiled. "Are you up for it?"

James smiled. "Of course," He got up and bowed for them. "It'll be my honor, My Lord, Milady," He then turned to me. "Your Highness."

I don't know why but it felt weird. He felt weird. I cleared my throat before getting up. "I'm going to go for a walk." I left without waiting for their response.

I let out a deep breath when I had finally left that room. I put my hands on the wall to support myself. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe normally. 

I shook this weird feeling off and decided to actually go for a walk. I walked through the castle until I ended up in the beautiful garden.

I smiled as I closed my eyes and let the sunlight kiss my skin. I took a few deep breaths in and out.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed Chandler. He was looking at the plants.

I walked to him and sat down by him. "Hey," I smiled at him. "Can I join you?"

He slowly nodded.

"So," I looked at the plants. "What are you doing?"

He looked at the plants. "I'm trying to see what plants we have here," He then looked at the book he was holding throughout lunch. "I want to learn."

I smiled. "Ok," I then looked around. "What plant is this?"

Chandler looked at it and frowned. He then looked at the book.

I smiled even more as I noticed he was having a hard time with this. "Why don't we practice together?"

He looked at me and smiled. He nodded.

"Good," I then looked at his book too. "Let's find this one."