The Royal Duty

Lustrous,Hidden Garden

Marshall's POV:

After the awkward confrontation yesterday,which I would rather forget.We are now just sitting in the garden on a small white hut,drinking my tea,as I read my book,Chase on the other hand turned into security mode,standing outside the hut,with his hand in his sword,looking at different directions, 'He takes his job,reeeeally seriously,huh',a smile krept on my face as I chuckled at the thought of it,I may have forgotten about time as I look at him,not hearing or seeing anything but the figure in front of me,"Umm...Marshall,is something wrong,why are you looking at me that way?"a voice broke me from my void,focusing on what was happening now,seeing that Chase was now looking at me made me almost choked on my tea,as I used the book,to cover my face,"I wasn't looking at you,I was looking at the plants from afar,"I lied,feeling sorry for the excuse I've come up with,"Ah,huh,"was the only words that he spoke,it seems that he ain't buying it,going back to guarding duties,I heavily sigh,taking a sip of my tea,he must think I'm a weird type of prince,looking at him like a total weirdo.

Minutes of another awkward silence,I really can't adapt to this,having someone to look over you in your every action,it feels weird.Seeing that the sun was almost down,seems that it's close to dusk, 'It's a perfect time to go there,' I thought,thinking that the place,I usually escape from my parents would be nice to go,looking at the shepperd thinking if I should take him,'Well,it wouldn't hurt to have someone else to know about that place,other than me,' I said within my thoughts,I think I can trust him,he did earn my fathers trust.

"Chase,"I yelled,only loud enough for him to hear,,which he did,flinching his ears,walking to the hut,where I am sitting,"What is it,Prince Marshall,"he asked after bowing,"I told you,you can call me by my name,Marshall is fine, anyway,wanna come with me?"I chuckled,inviting the pup for the place I been longing to go,"Of course but to where,Marshall?"he ask,raising an eyebrow,I laugh,grabbing his hand,"Come,"and so we began to run at a pace,passing every bush of the garden,left,right,running in random direction,until finally we have reach a certain bush that was stuck at the wall of the castle,Chase on the other hand,was clueless,"Ehm,is this it?"he stutterd laughing awkwardly,pointing at the bush,I laughed,before moving the bush showing a crack that leads to an entrance,"Follow me,"I said after going inside the tunnel of the crack, followed by the shepperd.I got out first,waiting for the shepperd to come out,"Took you long enough,"I sarcastically teased making both of us laugh,"Well here we are,"I continued moving my hand to the hidden garden,I could tell that his face was in awe about the scenery,it was a hidden utopia,the lights that illuminates through the vines before the sunsets,reflecting to the small pond,with water that gush out through the crack wall and from the ceiling,and a huge tree root that holds up the entire place,preventing it from collapsing,"Well,I guess you know my secret place now,"I admitted,while sitting on a rock besides the tree roots,"What,you mean,no one knows about this place beside you,are you sure it's ok to let me know about this place,"he ask,astonished,knowing that a prince have kept a secret,"Well,yeah,this is were I usually hangout when I want some alone time and,I think your the first pup that I ever let to know about this place besides me,I don't know why,but I think I can trust you,"I replied,looking at the sunset,a small blush krept on my face, trying to understand the words I'm saying, "You mean,you trust me,even though we hardly know each other,"he asked,I could feel his gaze is right on me as he walks closer,I could feel my heartbeat vibrating through my body,I nod,"And I guess,your the first pup that ever said thathe trust me,"he replied,sitting besides me,also trying to look at the sunset,I blushed at his complement,"Rrr......relaxing isn't it?"I stuttered,he just nod.

"I guess,I can also show it to you  then,"he mumble besides me,which I heard instantly,"Show me what?"I ask,tilting my head,"You'll see,"he chuckled.

As time goes by,I don't know for how long,we sitted their,in the secret garden gazing at the setting sun,lock in it's magnificent view,reddish orange was it's last lights,as it sinks in the horizon, disappearing completely,the cold breeze was now experience as it has now completely set,night time has arrived,the cresent moon was witnessed at the other side of the room,smiling at the people that gaze upon it,the tranquility didn't really bother us, "Marshall,I think we should head back,"Chase suggested,worrying about the time,they we have used,"I guess you're right,come on let's go back,"I replied,standing up as we walk back to the tunnel,we used to get here.

Walking back to the castle,as we enter the door,looking if someone is gonna walk over,encountering our grand escape,and so someone did,"Your Majesty,it's dinner time,"one of the butlers stated in a noble voice,making us a bit surprised,flinching shortly,"Yeah,thanks George,well be there,"he bowed walking into a different direction,aa for us we walked to the dining room,where my parents are already there sitting,waiting for their meal,"Oh,my,dear,where have you been?"my mother ask out of worry,"Umm,just in the garden,"I replied,laughing silently as I sat down at the left side of the table,Chase was behind me standing only a few meters away,"Chase come eat with us,you can sit here,besides me,"I commanded,letting the shepperd eat with us in another chair,Chase had a face of disbelief,which I find quite amusing,and for a moment there,I think I saw my father smirk,"It seems that you two are finally getting along,"he explained looking at us,"Any changes?"he chuckled,continuing his sentence,I slightly blushed,and seeing the pup besides form a little scarlet red as well,luckily the maids have arrived  cutting my father off as they placed our meals.

Everyone enjoyed it,I supposed including me,the silence where pretty much enjoyed by Chase,Father and Mother,until father frequently,"So son,do you now have a girl you're interested in?A perfect mate to be queen,"he ask,making me trimble,knowing that it's hard to find one in this state,so I nod my head no,I heard sigg,"No worries I'll come up with something,"he said smiling at me,then as I have my fill,I decided to go to bed,"Thank you for the meal,may I be excuse,"I stated,placing my plate on the table,my father nod,as I stand up before bowing,and so I head to my room,I could feel my seatmate's  gaze us upon me.

I head to the stairs,that leads above,and so I head to my room,closing he door,I noticed that there is another bed besides mine,it must be for him,I hopped out of bed burrying my face in the pillow,screaming in it, 'Why is it have to be this way!!!?' I mentally shouted,until I heard the door open,"Marshall,are you asleep?,"I heard Chase said,I haven't move from my position,I just let him entered,I believed that he sat in his bed,",You know,I think,it's hard to believe that a prince hasn't found his princess yet,"Chase spoke,catching my attention,"You know it's,not that easy,not when you.......never mind,"I muttered,not finishing my sentece,"Still,I can't believe a prince as charming as you,still has no lover yet,"he teased,chuckling,which made me widened my eyes,and my heart skip a beat,"We'll not....not as charming as you,"I mutter,but sadly he heard it moving closer,his eyes we're staring straight to mine,"Ehh....the prince also called charming,someones being observant,"he sarcastically teased,smirking,which made me blush even harder,looking away,"Anyway,go to sleep,it's getting late,"I say as I layed in my bed covering my body with the blanket,"Ehhh....but I still want to talk,well if you insist,goodnight my prince,"he replied,I could feel that he bowed before heading towards his bed,I turned my head around to catch a glimpse of him,laying in his bed, 'Goodnight,my knight,' I smiled, as I close my eyes drifting to sleep.

After hours have passed,hearing the owl of the night,crickets singing their melodt,I have awoken up in what I believed is in the middle of the night,rubbing my eyes,I moved my head to where Chase is and noticed that..........he wasn't there, 'Where could he go in this hour,?' I thought,I believed that I just imagining things as I go back to bed.