The Royal Duty

Prior To A Cockrow

Waking up before everyone else from his slumber,after his sneak out last night,Chase got off his bed,headed to the direction of the sleeping prince,gently rubbing his body,"Hey,Marshall,come on,it's time," he whispered,waking the growling pup,"Five more minutes,"he grumble,moving his gaze to other side of the bed,while Chase just made a silent laugh,"Marshall,didn't I told you yesterday that I would  show you MY secret place,"he continued,reassuring of what he had said yesterday in the secret garden,"Where exactly?"Marshall ask,turning back to the side where Chase is waiting for the dal ti stand up,"Just get up already,"Chase said,playfully pulling the hand of Marshall,which leads him to grumble a bit,"Now?",Chase nod,completely pulling him out of the bed,giving him his hood,as he wears his own,"Come on,"he said as they quitely made it down downstair,heading towards the door, 'huh?this seems..familliar,similar to my daily routine,' Marshall thought to himself,to his suprise the maids are not even up yet,which means that they are up earlier than he thought.

Making their way out of the gates,Marshall was suprised,his sleepiness has disappeared all of a sudden,for how early they are to be wondering around town,nobody was awake yet,walking in random directions,trap in the gentle grip of his bodyguard,preventing him from getting seperated.Walking pass the flower shop,going around the baker,all this new directions we're peculiar to Marshall,until they have reach a narrow alley way that contains stairs that leads down,vines are stuck in the mossed-stone wall,so did the stairs,Marshall turned his head to all sort of direction,analyzing his surrounding,until they have reached the end of it,of what is seems an abandoned balcony,Chase has let go of Marshall's hand,letting him explore the surroundings of the balcony,amazed by how antique it is,"How did you find this?"Marshall ask,walking around the limited area,"I didn't exactly find it,just stumbled upon it after running away from some knights,you know just like your secret
place,"he said,stuttering a little followed by small chuckles,"You mean,no one knows about this,and you showed it to me?"Marshall ask,looking straight to the shepperds face,which created more silent laughter,"We'll yeah,just like you said,I don't why, but I think I can trust someone as much as they trust me back,"he explained,scratching the back of his head,silently laughing,as he sits on a bench,inviting the prince to sit beside him,sitting at a certain area,silence has enveloped their void,words aren't coming out from their mouth,"Chase,are we waiting for something?"Marshall asked,a bit of curiosity was in his tone,"Yeah,just wait a bit longer,"he replied with a gentle tone,and so they waited not knowing for how long,little did the shepperd know,a head,suddenly fell in his shoulders,followed by a couple of low snores,it seems that the prince has fallen asleep again.

Chase turned his gaze to the sleeping pup,trying not to move his shoulders,not wanting to diturb the prince,'You look like a vulnerable baby,Marshall.' he thought,a smile forming in his face,gently moving his hand at the prince's forhead,moving the pieces of hair that hang in his face,the cold breeze suddenly blew,as they we're interrupted by a beam of light,Chase realize it was almost sunrise,gently rubbing his side,waking the prince,"Marshall,it's time."slowly opening his eyes,looking if what is it,as he moves his head into the horizon,a small glimpse of the sun's yellow ray was now visible,lighting off the entire village,Marshall's eyes couldn't believe what he is seeing,one of nature's beauty is being witnessed by them,wanting to get a closer look,he went to the fence of the balcony,still looking at the magnificent sight,as the cold winter breeze came upon again,sending shivers down their body while the beam of sunlight sents a little heat to them,"Glad your enjoying it,"Chase said from beside,smiling at the amazed prince,his hands holding on to the fence,"Wow,I never thought a sunrise could be this beautiful,"he spoke,looking back and forth,from the shepperd to the rising sun,"We'll,since you have shown me the sunset in the garden,thought I would return the favor,by showing you the sunrise,"Chase chuckled,scratching his head,earning a laugh at the dalmatian,whereas the sun has completely arise from the mountains,showing it's full figure,but not completely high,since it was still early in the morning.

"So,what do you wanna do now,go back?"Chase ask,looking at the dal beside him,"No,it's still early,I know,let's wander through town,I wanna see how the people are doing,"Marshall replied smiling,wagging his tail at a fast pace,earning a nod from Chase,leaving the balcony,going back to the same route they have taken,now wandering through town,running in all sort of direction,pretty much enjoyed by the two,laughing,smiling,chasing,Chase even attempted to steal  a few of some small food with the help of his unseen hand,Marshall was a bit upset,"Chaaaase?"he said,narrowing his eyebrow a bit,Chase lowered his ears and secretly putting back the stolen piece,apologising to the prince,which caused both of them to laugh,and so they we're back to wandering to the town,running at a calm pace,witnessing what most of the people do,until something caught their attention,a crying young pup,of whaf they assumed is lost,the two didn't hesitate to help,Chase pulled the young cub to his shoulders giving him the sight he needs and for people to notice,Marshall on the other hand,comforts the cub by rubbing gently on his back,saying everythings gonna be alright,then in just seconds,a crying woman came upon them,"My boy,"she said as Chase pull the cub down,"Thank you so much for finding my boy,"she said,bowing,handing the two some of her apples from her basket,as they head off,waving goodbye,"Thank you misters,"the cub yelled,Marshall chuckled,"You know,you look like a father,carrying his child at his shoulders,"Marshall continue to chuckle that soon turned to laughter,"And I suppose you're the mother?"Chase smirk,looking at the dal who stopped laughing,"Haha,very funny,"he sarcastically replied.

Continuing to walk through town,eating their given apple,"Come on,let's head back to the castle,it's almost time for breakfast,"Marshall replied,taking a bite of his fruit,followed by a nodding Chase,walking back to the route they taken,"Hey,Chase,umm,thank you,"Marshall said,scratching his head,"For what?"Chase asked,tilting his head,"For today,I never had so much fun,wandering  through town,"Marshall smiled looking straight at the shepperd,both had enveloped a small scarlet shade in their cheeck,"No problem,as long as you're enjoying it,"Chase smiled,showing his white canine teeth,which earned a laugh at the prince,"Race you,"Marshall challenged,tapping the shepperd on the nose,as he began to run getting a bit farther away at his bodyguard,but to his suprise the shepperd was now beside him,"Don't underestimate a thief,that's always racing with knights everyday,"Chase smirked,taking the lead,running towards the castle gates,and came to a stop,followed by an out of breath Marshall,"We'll you win,"Marshall said kneeling over of exhaustion,"Is their a reward,"Chase said,smirking,which cause Marshall to be flustered.They now have entered the gate,greeted by the royal knights,entering the large doors,as they head to the dining room,"Marshall,son,finally,I have some good news for you,"Felix,his father,announced,the excitement was written in his face,"What is it,father?"Marshall ask taking a seat besides the table,the king smiled,"I have come up a way for how you can choose your mate,and get to know her,"the king explained,"How?"Marshall said,tilting his head.

"We are gonna held,a royal Ball."