Chapter 9

The Head of the stables gave the signal for them to begin their race, looking pleased as he watched both teenage nobles spur their horses into a controlled gallop. They were both clearly properly trained riders but the winner of the race was already decided from the start.

Audie was resigned to his fate as soon as he saw Henri get on his horse, now he was more interested in seeing the Prince ride. Although he was certain that he wouldn't be winning the race or any of their races for that matter, he put some effort into it.

He wasn't terrible at horse riding himself, it was just something he wouldn't go out of his way to do so at the start, he managed to keep up with Henri. However as the race went on, Henri remained calm, riding with ease while the strain was starting to show on Audie's face.

"It would do my ego a bit of good if you pretended to struggle as well, your Highness," Audie called to Henri who was beginning to surpass him.

Henri had been concentrating on the race so he didn't expect Audie to speak to him, he smiled unconsciously and then spurred his horse on faster, the wind whipping through his hair.

He had never really had a reason to ride so fast, having someone to compete with was surprisingly more thrilling than he had been expecting, maybe having a bit of fun wasn't so bad after all.

After they got to the creek, the tides of the race changed massively in Henri's favor, there was such a gap between them, that Rain had already been returned to the stables by the time Audie arrived.

He was breathless as he came down from his horse, patting Henri's shoulder in a friendly manner. "Good race, remind me never to do that again."

Henri chuckled despite himself, thanking the Head of the stables before returning to the castle with Audie in tow.

Next Audie requested a tour of the castle and Henri humored him, although he spoke very little, he was adjusting better to having casual conversations.

While he was showing off the elaborate statues in the garden to Audie, Queen Marina was spying on him from a turret window. She had the brightest smile on her face as she watched her son act his age, sending him off to the academy was one of the best decisions they had ever made.

The academy had already been informed about this and they were elated, to say the least. Henri's measurements had already been sent off to the academy which meant that his uniforms would be arriving in a scant week's time.

She watched him bicker with the energetic noble that had been invited to help him out with the preparations for the academy. It was all a ruse to get him to hang out with someone his age because Marina had already personally seen to all the preparations but Henri didn't have to know that.

She spied on them till they went out of her line of sight, smiling to herself as she imagined how much Henri would tell them about his playdate at dinner.

"Don't tell me you're spying on him again." Eli walked in, he had been looking for the Queen for a while now because he needed her opinion on an urgent matter.

Marina whipped around at the sound of her husband's voice. "Then I won't"

Eli sighed in resignation. "Come on, come with me." He held out a hand to her, taking her with him to his personal study.

Some distance away, Henri was struggling to understand Audie's thought processes. "Why would I want to swim in the fountain?" He asked in slight disgust, his brow furrowed as he genuinely considered the suggestion.

"It was a joke, your Highness." Audie quickly corrected himself. It was difficult to tease the Prince because he took everything that was said seriously.

"Why would you joke about that?"

Audie found the Prince just a bit exasperating, it was like trying to have a normal conversation with his stoic grand aunt. He couldn't believe that the Prince was his age, "Why wouldn't you?" He countered calmly.

Once again Henri started to overthink his words, intently analyzing it.

"Nevermind, could you point me to a restroom?"

Henri simply snapped a finger and servants that had been previously hidden hurried out to offer their services.

Audie was startled by this, he had no idea that they had been followed around the entire time. "Are you ever alone?" He asked in disbelief.

Henri actually looked sheepish at this, it was something he had never questioned until recently. "No, but sometimes I'd like to be." He answered honestly.

"Alright, you heard his Highness, scram." Audie turned on the servants and guards that stepped out of their hidden spots. "Except you." He exempted a nervous Betsey. "Would you be so kind as to point me to a restroom?" He asked smoothly.

"Don't worry, I'll take you myself." Henri interrupted, "And you can all leave me for the time being."

Audie groaned at this. "But I didn't ask you." He complained, watching forlornly as Betsey hurried away with the other servants.

"That's why I offered." He countered, grey eyes gleaming.

Audie stopped whining, genuinely surprised that the Prince could pull off a proper jaunt. "So I'm allowed to turn your offer down?"

"Your bladder must be fine then." Henri decided, making a move to continue their tour.

"Pardon me, your Highness." Audie was quick to retribute, not doubting one bit that Henri would ignore his predicament.

Audie stared at his reflection as he washed his hands after using the restroom. He had come here under the guise of forming an important relationship with the young Prince and his first impression of him was that he was stuck up.

But after spending a few hours with Prince Henri, he realized that he was actually more stuck up than he thought from the first impression of him. He also realized that Prince Henri was that way because it was the only thing he knew.

Audie Johann wasn't very smart but he was a good people reader, and he could see right from the very first moment they met that Prince Henri was someone who was never allowed to take it easy.