The Princess and Her Whipping Boy

Mischief Makers

"Hurry up, rogue boy" called Rosalina, skipping up the steps.

Cronan scrambled after her, unable to keep up with her endless energy. By the time he had reached the top steps, the princess had already bunched up the hem of dress and tucked in into her belt. Cronan blushed at the sight of her white petticoats, and lowered his gaze.

Rosalina was not embarrassed in the least. Swinging herself up onto the banister, she slid away, screeching with all the might of her lungs.
Cronan hesitated, but not wishing to offend his master, he followed suit, although in a quieter manner. He whirled down the polished wood, his heart in his mouth. As he slid to a stop at the end, he looked dizzily to Rosalina and saw she was laughing hysterically.

"You looked like you would spew" she gasped, holding her stomach.

Cronan smiled, knowing fully well how he must have looked. "It was fun."

"Ow, my poor sides." Rosalina straightened herself. "Okay, boy. What is your idea of fun?"

Cronan shrugged, suddenly shy of his humble living. "It won't be as good as this, your royal highness. I played chase in the fields, climbed the trees, swam in the river and played catch."

Rosalina eyed him thoughtfully. "I never did any of that before. Let's do all four. We don't have a field, but we can play chase in the garden. Oh, and I don't like that title, it is too formal and too long. Only use that when Father is around. Call me...hmm...call me Master."

Cronan bit his lip, knowing fully well, she simply liked the control and power of the new title. But bowing his head, he replied, "As you command, Master."

Rosalina looked well satisfied. "Well come on, boy. Let's find a good tree. But we can't let my governess see, alright?"

Outside in the garden, Cronan quickly spotted a large oak with strong branches that made a perfect climb. Rosalina eyed it doubtfully.

"Is it safe?" She asked after a long pause.

Cronan was surprised at her question after his experience with the palace banisters. "Well, not really, but more than the banister ride."

"Hmm" Rosalina caustiously reached up and took hold of a branch, before quickly pulling herself up.
Cronan followed close behind, watching her closely. She became more steady and confident the higher she climbed. Reaching the top branches, she pushed the small thin boughs away, staring out across the palace yard. "Look at the view, Cronan" she called excitedly. Cronan swung up beside her, the branch dipping perilously beneath their weight. But neither noticed.

The view was indeed spetacular. They could see the whole garden, the flower beds, the lake and even the stables, where several horses grazed.  But what they did not see was Governess Dara, peering about the garden with sharp eagle-like eyes, searching for her truant pupil.

A soft whistle startled them both, Rosalina clutching at Cronan and Cronan catching a branch to steady himself. A thin lanky lad emerged from the branches beside them, grinning mischeviously. Cronan immediately recognised the fiery redhead as one of the kitchen helpers.

"You're in trouble, princess" hissed the newcomer. "The old lady is below, looking for you."

Rosalina gaped at him, then overcoming her shock, she tossed back her hair haughtily. "I'm not scared of her."

The boy raised an eyebrow, looking down to where Rosalina's small fingers still gripped at Cronan's tunic. Rosalina followed his gaze. Flushing bright red, she let go abruptly, half pushing Cronan as she did so. For one sickening moment, he lost his balance, leaning dangerously backwards. With a frightened cry, Rosalina reached out to save him, only to lose her own balance. With one swift movement, the older boy grabbed her wrist, catching Cronan by the collar in the same moment. Pulling them both to safety, he chuckled with amusement.
But it was short lived. The Governess had heard Rosalina's frightened cry and was screeching for help, as she raced back and forth like a frightened hen.

Sighing, Rosalina quickly scrambled down the branches, her legs a little unsteady from the earlier fright. As she dropped to the ground, with Cronan and the kitchen boy behind her, her face lost all colour. Her governess was not alone. Her cries had brought the maids from the kitchen, servants from the stables, and soldiers from their guardposts. But at their head, stood King Warrick himself.