Sparks of a flame

3. First Impressions

ALEXANDER'S POV

"You snuck someone into the palace?"

"He just needed a place to—"

"You brought him into the guard quarters, Daniel. With all due respect, Sir, what were you thinking? This is the defense system for the entire palace."

I could hear the confrontation from outside because the door was left open. I couldn't help but feel terrible that Daniel was getting called out by his junior for his kindness toward me. 

"Matthias, pipe down. He is harmless," I heard Daniel respond.

"He is the person that won the puzzle challenge with the Princess, is he not?"

They went back and forth for a few minutes, Daniel defending his actions and Matthias having none of it. 

I listened with rapt attention, and by the time they were done with their exchange, I gathered to my shock, that Princess Amah, the girl I knew as Violet was engaged, and her fiancé, Prince Stephen, was coming from another town to spend the day with her. 

Matthias, who was Daniel's second-in-command, had come to inform him about one of the guards who fell ill during the night and was going to be unavailable for duties during the day.

I was shocked and overwhelmed by all the information I was hearing. The argument ceased for a second, and they both entered the room.

"You need to leave now!" Matthias addressed me, a sneer on his sharp face, his eyes full of blazing anger. 

"Enough, Matthias! I said I will handle it," Daniel interrupted. "Go make sure your team is prepared to escort the King and Queen for their day out and report back to me before you move out." 

Displeased by Daniel's scolding, Matthias glared at me before responding to his superiors' command and then exited the room. 

"I am sorry about his rude manners," Daniel apologized just as I squeaked out, "I'm sorry." 

We both giggled, despite the tense atmosphere, and he sat down on the chair opposite the bed. "He is right, however. Take a shower, I will bring you something to eat, and then you have to go home." 

"Can I ask you for a favor?" I managed to say. A plan was forming in my head and I needed to execute it.

He looked at me warily, as though whatever I was about to ask him would cost greatly. I put my hands up in surrender, not having a reason to do so, but just to show him that I was harmless. 

"And what is this favor?"

I steeled myself for the rejection that would come instantly and then spoke. "I would like to fill in for the sick guard."

"Pardon me? How do you know about that?" he jumped up from his seat.

"Aye, relax. I overheard the other guy telling you."

He exhaled and sat back down but the frown did not leave his face. "What is your reason for asking to replace a guard?"

"Honestly, I need to speak to Violet, the princess, I mean."

"Why do you need to do that?"

"I'm sure you wouldn't understand if I explained."

He nodded slowly. "I suppose I do not need to know your reason as my answer is no, regardless." He had that look on his face that said 'end of discussion' but I was not about to give up. I needed answers and I needed to find out if Violet was okay. 

"But Matthias said—"

"There are always guards on standby."

"Come on, Daniel. Please help me here. That girl is not your princess. We are lost."