Chapter 15

"That was a brilliant match Aph and Shay!" chuckled the Prince as he stood up from the chair, and immersed into the evening sun, with his arms crossed in front of his muscular pectorals. Phoenix followed quickly and stopped a step away from her Prince.

There was longing in her eyes that sparked her many sexual desires of having skin and skin intimacies with him. Tangling her arms in his and pressing her chest on his finely trained body, but the positioning of his arm made it difficult for her to intertwine her arms. She could only stand there day-dreaming.

"Thank you 8th Prince." smiled Aph, her eyes beaming with joy.

"Thank you my Prince," Shay exclaimed with a neutral expression.

"You should both get washed up." suggested the 8th Prince as he spotted the patches of dirt on Aph's gown. "Phoenix direct them both to the maid's bath chamber, and get them both a clean clothing while you're at it."

"Yes my Prince." nodded Phoenix as she gestured to the two warriors the direction to the other side of the patio. To her own personal bath chamber, where she usually enjoys natural hot spring water - all for herself, considering so far she has always been the only maid serving the 8th Prince.

"Thank you," Aph and Shay said in unison, as they began walking towards the bath chamber.

Aph looked back quickly to glance at the Prince who began strolling across the grass field towards the archery equipment. He picked up a bow and an arrow from a basket. He effortlessly nocked the arrow in place, and started aiming at the targets.

He scored bulls eyes one after the other, the arrows covering every inch of the red circle in the middle.

She was very intrigued by the Prince's combat skills, considering his amazingly accurate aim in archery - but she didn't look back again. The sound of the arrows soaring and hitting the target was behind her, as she focused on each step she took. She followed Phoenix down a long path - a path full of little stepping stones.

They arrived at a place that was surrounded by rocks, the steam from the hot spring water concealed everything within the barriers of the massive rocks; and even outside and above the barrier crafted with boulders.

"Take off your clothes and give them to me. I'll deliver them to the laundry department and grab you clean gowns." suggested Phoenix, but then she looked at Shay - reconsidering, "Tunic, pants and armour?" Phoenix asked Shay.

"Thank you Phoenix, you're so kind." giggled Aph as she began undressing. She folded her clothes and undergarments neatly, then handed them in Phoenix's arms.

Shay nodded as thanks at the kind offer, while untying the laces of her leather armour on each side of her waist. Then she stripped off her sweaty clothes; she folded her tunic and pants, as well as her big leather armour. She placed them in Phoenix's arms that was already stacked with Aph's clothes.

"Enjoy the hot springs," grinned Phoenix as she walked off to the laundry department.

Aph and Shay took no time to immerse themselves in the hot water. Every inch of their skin exposed to the boiling heat of the water. They sighed in unison at the comfort of the hot water; they looked at each other and smiled at the unity of their comfort.

"Hot springs are always nice, even in Summer," smiled Shay as she tied her long ebony hair into a high bun.

"You speak my thoughts." said Aph as she closed her eyes, savouring the heat and sensation.

The two of them sat on either side of the big hot spring pool - in awkward silence.

"You sure do have a lot scars on you Shay," questioned Aph curiously. Before they immersed in the water, Aph saw Shay's whole body that was covered in scars all in different shapes and from different weaponry. "If you ever want I've got some lotion, it heals scars really well. The Academy gave it to me in case I ever needed it. I used it all the time when we got scars from our training. It heals the wound and gets rid of any marks or scabs, even old wounds."

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. Scars. They're all honourable trophies and rewards from every battle I've won. And lost." said Shay, as her lip tug to the side slightly.

"I see."

Shay continued, "The scars prove that I've truly been on the battle field." Shay's smile faded, transforming into a smirk, "Leave it for yourself, you need it to leave your skin spotless and youthful. Especially since it's inevitable that one day someone special will experience the smoothness of your skin."

Aph blushed at the thought of it, "Don't tease me." she exclaimed as her face immersed into the hot water, her blonde hair fulling soaked from her dip.

Shay roared in laughter at the shyness of the young girl. She looked at Aph, who reminded her of a little girl inexperienced with love, but honestly neither was she.

"The Prince is a picky one." amused Shay bluntly.

"He is?" questioned Aph, her face rising out of the climatic temperature of the steamy water.

"It's probably because he has high expectations for everything, especially for himself. From the amount of time I've known him, and that's since birth, he has always been wanting to achieve perfection. But I guess it's also from the pressure of his royal mother."

Aph remained silent as Shay continued her story about the 8th Prince's past. She actually wanted to know more about him - really wanted to know.

"3 years ago his royal mother died from an illness. A deadly one. It was a summer day like this, era 353. A destructive storm sounded the evening. My beloved 8th Prince watched her mother fade away, leaving her last words for him to 'live a happy and stable life.' I've been protecting her as long as I have been alive, so I know how the Prince must've felt. I was a bit surprised at her words, since she has been pressuring him to always be perfect, but now that I think about it, she was probably preparing him for all the things that he would face. So the day he achieves something big, it would be because he walked down a path of striving hard for achievement and perfection." Aph immediately thought about the throne - the unknown heir to the throne, at the moment. "Looking at the lunar calendar, I think today's his royal mother's birth date."

Slightly dumb struck Aph remained silence, in awe of this confident proud Prince's sad past. She felt sympathetic for the 8th Prince who gave her that tender smile the first time they met.

As Shay finished her little story, her gaze shifted up at the sky that was barely visible from the steam of the hot spring waters.

--+--

"Miss Black rose!" giggled Haruto at the entrance of Lira, from the tall trees surrounding the laundry department.

"I'm guessing you're going to call me that from now on." laughed Lira.

Haruto's grin widened at the thought of calling her that forever, and potentially being with her - forever. "Ouch! Ouch!" exclaimed Haruto as he realised her sister, Miki, was pulling him up by the ear.

"Get back to work you slacker!" shouted Miki in his ear. "Look at the countless amount of laundry we have to tend to before sunset!" Miki looked up and saw Lira smiling, she immediately released the grasp on her brother's ear. "Lira! How are you?"

"I'm good," smiled Lira, "Do you need any assistance?"

"No Lira~, you just sit there and keep on smiling with that gorgeous smile of your's." amused Haruto, still day-dreaming in his little fantasy world.

Miki clasped her hand together. She positioned her two pointers like a dagger and dramatically poked Haruto at the waist. He started bursting out in laughter, his waist shrinking away from the ticklishness and slight pain from the poke.

While Miki chuckled wickedly at her win. "Thank you Lira, we do need some extra assistance, actually. Come with me."

Lira began following Miki to the other side of the laundry department. She waved goodbye at Haruto who was still recovering from that vicious poke. He stood up straight and tried to puff out his chest. He waved goodbye to Lira with a beaming smile, his eyes doesn't leave her for one second, even after she's all the way across on the other side of the laundry department.

He's completely bedazzled by the rays of Lira's sweet smile and thin cherry blossom lips.

"How's the 10th Prince?" questioned Miki, as she looked up at the laundry on the bamboo poles. She was prepared to descend it from the pillars it rested on.

"Um... yeah he's fine." Lira thought for a split moment, "Oh sorry I don't think I've formally mentioned that I'm the 10th Prince's new Heart Servant."

"It's fine." said Miki with a small grin.

Lira looked Miki in the eyes with a slightly confused expression, "But seriously, I honestly don't understand men, they're so complicated." she rolled her eyes at the thought of how the 10th Prince could be so cold when they first met. So cute and sweet when they were talking about books. But, most importantly, how could he be so cold-hearted to send her off away from her duty as a Heart Servant at such a silly little accident, which he definitely did on purpose. But she is in no state to question or defy her master.

"None the less he is also a Prince, not any man. But honestly, I don't think I can help you with that, I don't even understand what goes on inside of my brother's head most of the time?" At the mention of Haruto, Miki and Lira both looked over to the other side of the laundry department.

They spot the tall and broad shouldered Haruto instantly. He's trying to take down the bamboo poles that has two pieces of clothing on it - all by himself, with two staff one in each hand - indeed, very practical. In the process, the unsteadiness of the bamboo pole tips to one side - the pole comes crashing down. Someone passing by catches one end of the bamboo pole, and Haruto was more than prepared for the other end to land right in his hands, but he missed; only to find the bamboo pole had come crashing down onto his head. All the noise around them abruptly stopped, even the annoying crickets and beetles stopped chirping. The only thing audible was the echo of the bamboo pole against Haruto's head, Miki and Lira could hear it all the way across the spacious, open aired department. They looked away at the unexpected entertainment of Haruto, they gazed at each other trying desperately hard to keep in their laughter. But their direct eye contact makes them burst out in laughter.

They continue giggling as they helped each other safely descend the laundry from both ends of the pole, with a staff each, the bamboo pole came smoothly off the two pillars. Lira held the pole while Miki took the bed sheet, and folded it into the tall straw basket that has a tag labelled the 3rd Prince. They lift the pole back onto the two tall pillars, prepared to take down the next one with the long staffs in their hands.

Meanwhile, around the corner of the laundry department's building Lira could hear someone using a whispering tone, but the volume was getting louder and louder.

"Eww! These clothes are soaked with sweat and smell revolting." Lira completely directed her focus to the person who was almost shouting at the top of their lungs, but tried to keep quiet from the "shh!" that came from another voice.

"Holy Mitcha, that Aph is such a bit-c--."

Lira heard a foul word and the name of her close friend - Aph? In the meanwhile of Lira eavesdropping, she tried to pretend she was listening to Miki's story about a time when Haruto almost fell off a bridge. Lira laughed and smiled when Miki did to make it more convincing that she's a good audience.

"That's not new coming from you Phoenix, you hold a grudge against almost everyone. Even with someone who takes a slight glimpse at your Prince." exclaimed another girl sarcastically.

"No, that's not true." There was a moment of silence from the first girl that can't whisper - Phoenix, Lira assumed that was her name "Fine. But, no, Aph is different. She is now the 8th Prince's Heart Servant. She's so taking advantage of that status to climb onto the 8th Prince's bed to create a chance for herself to be with the 8th Prince. I can't even anymore!" Lira could slightly see the girl called Phoenix from where she stood, the girl's facial features looked quite similar to her close friend - Aph. Strange. "You clearly didn't see. She defeated Shay in the battle arena today. Shay! Skilled personal guard of the 8th Prince. That cocky bit-c--!" From where Lira stood she could hear the rubbing sound of clothes and leather armour. "Now I need to go and deliver clean clothes for Lady Aphmau, Heart Servant of MY 8th PRINCE!" extremely pissed Phoenix stormed off towards the direction, which Lira believed must be the 8th Prince's patio.

"You're the bit-c--," sneered the girl Phoenix was chatting to, "Cause, guess what? That's what Heart Servants do they protect and entertain their masters, not like someone who can only clean scrub floors for the Prince. A servant who'll barely have a chance, considering the Prince doesn't even take off his pants when he's taking a bath in front of you." The girl resumed her chores of scrubbing a sheet with her hands in a tub of cold soapy water.

Lira focused back on her work, nodding and smiling at Miki's hilarious stories about when Haruto was young. Although, she was actually listening now, but thinking about Phoenix's sharp words, the sour taste it gave her - lingered.