The Prince and His Slave

Chione - [My Mothers Name]

It was a long evening. I went to sleep late because I hoped I would see Arius. I didn’t though. The next morning I saw Tabia, I asked her to tell Arius I said ‘hi’. She begged me to come with her to his room, but I said no, he might be really tired.

       Saia and I helped out some slaves until the noon. Then we went and ate our lunch at the slave quarters, soon Saia left to meet an old slave who she promised to help. I ended up wandering around and soon found myself walking towards the castle garden. Then, I was immediately proud of myself for my perfect timing.

       Arius walked out of the western exit right when I walked into the garden. I smiled and then I opened my mouth to call him but then thought I would surprise him. I began walk towards him quickly and then stopped. He put both his arms on the wall and looked at the floor.

       I stood there, confused and then I felt my heart stop when I saw him smash his fist into the hard wall.

       My eyes widened and I began to run towards him and he turned around and walked towards the fountain.

       “Arius!” I called as I ran up to him.

       He turned around quickly and he smiled.

       I slowed down as I caught up to him and looked at his eyes… he looked dead tired. “What’s wrong?” I asked him. I looked down and pulled up his right hand, which was bleeding and then I looked up at him.

       He smiled at me, put his hand on my cheek and then he began to tremble.

       “Arius?” I called as I began to panic. I put my hands on his face and he closed his eyes tightly. “Arius!” I repeated. “What is it?”

       Then he fell forward, onto me. I tried to hold him up but he was too heavy, so I slowly sat down and put his head in my lap. “Arius!” I called again. Did he… die?

       I felt tears roll down my cheek. I looked up, no one was there. I began to wonder why no one was ever in the garden and then I panicked.

       He wasn’t breathing properly and his skin felt cold. “Arius! Can you hear me?” I called again. “Someone! Help!” I cried. “Arius! Open your eyes!” I screamed and screamed but he didn’t respond. I began to cry harder. “Someone help!” I screamed.

       “Alexandra?” I heard Tabia yell. I turned around.

       “Tabia!” I screamed. “Tabia! Look, he was okay and then he just collapsed, his skin is cold and he isn’t breathing properly and he—”

       “Shut up and go Alexandra!” Tabia yelled, pulling Arius away from me.

       “What? But Tabia—” I cried.

       “Go! If they see you here they will say it’s your fault!”

       “No Tabia!” I yelled.

       “Go” Tabia yelled back as she pushed me away.

       I quickly got up and ran. I saw people gather around and I heard Tabia yell, “Move! He needs some air!”

       I ran and ran all the way into my room. I slammed the door shut and it looked like it was about to break. I leaned against it and then slid down. I began to cry again. “How come he’s always there to help me but I can’t be there to help him?” I cried to myself.

       I was so scared. What could have happened? I thought as I remembered his skin was cold and he wasn’t breathing properly. “What if he dies? What if he is dead?” I put my hands on my head and began to hit it. I couldn’t think like that! I can’t, and I won’t!