How is he?

I lean against the headboard of my bed with Emily next to me. I sigh and look over at her. "Do you think he's ok? Mean he could have gotten beaten up again. Or he could have gotten-"

"Alex! It's fine. He said he would think about coming here why he heals. Yes, it's been a week but I am sure he's fine!"

I nod. 'Emily's right. He's ok.'

There's a knock on the door and a guard's voice sounds. "Prince Alexander. The Queen has summoned you to the ballroom."

Emily stands up and walks to the door, opening it.

"The Prince will be out shortly. Thank you."

Emily shuts the door again and looks at me. "Let go. Her Majesty is waiting for you."

I grumble and start walking towards the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I look at my mother as she takes a drink of her tea.

"So. Son. I heard you brought a boy to the castle infirmary. Why was that?"

I sigh. "Mother. I know you don't like the villagers in the castle but he was hurt! Badly! He couldn't even walk."

My mother glares at me. "Emily will you please leave us only."

Emily nods and courtesies. "Yes, your majesty."

Emily walks off leaving us alone.

"His name was Will Blackthorn right? He was here before. I believe when he was 7 years. Do you know why he was here? He was raped. Now we didn't do anything about it of course we tried but it just didn't work. I don't want you to get caught up with people like him."

"Mom, please! I said if we find him hurt again he could stay here in my chambers! Please, mom! If he's hurt again please let him stay!"

My mother sighs and looks at me. "The guards will be watching him at all times. And there will be more guards outside your door. Your father will not agree with this."

I smile and jump up. "Thank you! I'll be going out soon. I'll get Emily to come with me."

I race out of the ballroom and towards Emily's courters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I pull Emily through the crowd and towards the market. "Its time to celebrate Emily! We git my mother's permission to bring him to the castle!"

"You still need your father's permission! When he gets back from overseas he will be pissed!"

I ignore Emily and go straight to the one cart.

"Two apple pies please!"

"Yes sir. That will be 50 cents."

I hand over the money and get our pies.

" let's go sit down."

I pull Emily to the Grand Square and we sit against the tree.

" It has been a fun day. Don't you think so Emily?"

Emily sighs and looks at me "It had been fun for you because you got your crush permission to come to the castle if he gets hurt again."

I move away from her and hit her. "I don't like him! I just met him!"

'I don't like him. Right? Mean now that I think about it he is kind of cute. And he's so small I could just hug him all day.'

"Alex. You're blushing!"

I sigh "Maybe I do like him! Let's just enjoy our pies and the beautiful night!"