Chapter 47
~Talfen, the capital of Coldshore~
~Inner Court, Reqiel's Palace~
"One moment," Sarell excused himself to leave the bedroom briefly so that he could attend to Andras.
Reqiel watched Sarell leave with a frown, worried that he genuinely upset him for the first time because there had never been a time when Sarell didn't scold him for doing what he wasn't supposed to do.
Sarell returned after sending off a servant to settle Andras in his new room, inadvertently coming to the realization that if he wanted to get rid of the infernal creature, he would have to do it himself.
"What do you intend to do today, Your Highness?" He asked when he returned, beginning the motions of putting Reqiel's hair up.
Reqiel held his breath, 'Was this a trick question? Was Sarell going to put a stop to his plans as punishment for making a mess of his bedroom?'
"I um, I'll pay a visit to the city square?" He said cautiously in the hopes that if Sarell stopped him, he would just go on a walk like he initially intended to.
So it was to his surprise when Sarell applauded his choice, "Splendid idea, Your Highness, will you go just after breakfast?" He asked impatiently, eager to get Reqiel out of the same space as Andras.
He needed to do some more investigating on the infernal creature, he needed to find out just what he was up to or Prince Reqiel might already be in very grave danger.
"Wait, w-what?" Reqiel spluttered.
Sarell's response was interrupted by a knock on the bedroom door which he went to respond to, already done with Reqiel's hair.
Reqiel watched him leave with a growing confusion, that wasn't right, that wasn't the response he was supposed to get. Even if Sarell wasn't upset with him, his personal attendant would never be that happy to see him leave the safety of his Palace.
"Is something wrong?" He found himself asking when his personal attendant returned.
Sarell hesitated, wondering if he should tell Reqiel about it after all, the young noble always listened to him so perhaps he would get rid of Andras even though he didn't understand what was going on.
But even more than all that, he wanted to keep protecting Reqiel. There was no certainty that they would be able to get rid of Andras even by the authority of the King, he wasn't so quick to forget his warnings.
He didn't doubt that none of the fighters in the Kingdom would be able to take down Andras and he wasn't about to test it when he was essentially trapped here with Reqiel. He just had to find a way to work out an understanding with the infernal creature who looked to be somewhat agreeable.
"Not at all, but I'll have to ask you to refrain from sending away your servants and not letting them complete their tasks." He said in a calm voice that belied his frantic thoughts.
Reqiel shrank inwardly, he knew that he wasn't going to get away with what he had done but he was pleased that he hadn't gotten into serious trouble for it. "Can I really go to the city square?" He asked hopefully.
He wouldn't even mind if all he got to do was stare through the window, he was just sick of the stifling air inside of decorated Palaces and Castles. He wanted to see what other people did, he wanted to get lost in a crowd, muddy his feet and get burnt by the strength of the sun.
"Of course, but first, you have to attend to Princess Aethel. I received word that she's already on her way from her Palace…" Sarell barely got all of his words out because Reqiel was already out of his seat and out his bedroom doors, hurrying down the hallway.
He smiled fondly, he didn't doubt his decision to protect Reqiel. He walked over to the pile of clothes that were made messy and although he could summon servants with a wave of his hand to clean it up, he got started on it himself, needing something to occupy his hands.
Sarell was certain that Princess Aethel would take Reqiel to Prince Cederic to give him a brief tour of the city square; that was enough to keep Reqiel out of his palace long enough for him to come up with a plan.
He picked up a winter robe, pleased with the steps he took to ensure that the infernal creature was kept as far away as possible from Prince Reqiel. After he was done here, he would head straight to the new bodyguards chambers to subject him to more questions.
~*~
Down the hallway from Reqiel's bedroom, Sarell's deepest fears were coming to pass. In his hurry to receive Princess Aethel at the doors to his palace, Reqiel smacked into Andras who had been doing some spying to make sure that the antsy Angel didn't do anything dangerous.
Reqiel held his head where he smacked it against his new bodyguard's chest, feeling it sting, "Ow! Sorry, I was in a hurr-" He started to apologize, "Oh, you again!"
Andras' lip twitched but he kept his composure, bowing deeply. "I apologize for being in the way, Your Highness," He apologized flatly.
"It's fine," Reqiel waved his hands, eager to be on his way. He took a couple steps past the guard before realizing that he was being followed, he turned to look at him questioningly.
"As His Highness' bodyguard, it is my duty to remain by your side at all times." Andras said formally.
Realization clicked behind Reqiel's dark blue eyes, that added up. "Come with me then, Princess Aethel will be here at any moment." He said in a rush, snagging the bodyguard's hand to hurry him to the foyer.
"That reminds me, I never learnt your name," He remembered to ask on their way there.
Andras glanced down darkly at where he was held, easily keeping up the pace that the Angel set, "Andras."
"Have you had breakfast yet, Andras?"