Chapter 7

"You! What are you doing with the prince?!" one of the guards yelled, pointing a spear at me. The little prince was still in my arms and frightened by the weapon, he began to cry again. I hug him and pat his back, carefully avoiding his injuries.

"I found him in the garden all scratched up. You're scaring him again."

"The garden?" Prince Kron spoke, looking at the boy in my arms.

"Yes. I took care of his wounds and tried to calm him before you came in. I swear I'm not trying to hurt him."

I was obviously not believed and the weapons remained pointed at us.

"Miyon, come," the prince called out to the little boy.

So his name is Miyon.

The boy peeked out from my bosom and stared at the prince before ducking back, crying harder.

"Ellie. Ellie."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

My apology was directed at both princes. I couldn't sing my mother's song in front of them so I settled for the next best thing, rocking him in my arms.

"Shush now, it's alright. You're going to be alright. Don't cry now little one. If you stop, I'll sing to you and give you more candy."

It took a while but he finally stopped crying. The prince's gaze flickered from me to the child a few times, his stormy grey eyes filled with a strange emotion. He waved his hands and the weapons pointed at us lowered. Prince Kron walked closer to the bed and the body in my arms tensed.

"Miyon, come."

He clutched harder at my clothes, burying his body deeper. The prince let out an annoyed sigh and dragged a hand through his hair.

"Do you want to make trouble for Miss Greycastle or will you come quietly?"

So he remembered. He acted so distant and cold, his expression not once portraying familiarity since when his eyes landed on her. The child was a huge part of it and he was stubbornly refusing to answer Prince Kron.

"I hate when he's like this." The prince clicked his tongue as he rose to his full height.

"Bring her along. Father must have already noticed."

"Yes your highness!"

Before they could touch me, I stood from the bed by myself. The boy gave me a frightened look and I smiled to reassure him.

"Don't worry, I'm here," I whispered, patting him some more.

Leaving my room wide open, we walked towards Andrella's room which was opposite the ballroom. There was still music playing when we walked past it which meant Amelia was still on the stage. It was better that way; her seeing me in such a situation would almost make her faint.

We left a lot of mouth's hanging when we walked by. We made such a strange sight; a disheveled courtesan carrying an almost naked child, two guards escorting her and an annoyed prince up front. I could bet all the silver I had that they thought I was going to be dead.

Maybe I was. Nobody really believed me anyways.

Prince Kron knocked at the door and opened it gently. He walked in and we followed him. Andrella stood by the window, turning to look at us and the King was reclined on the couch that was in Andrella's luxurious room.

"Your highness, have you found... Elayne?"

Andrella blinked, her expression a mix between confusion and surprise.

"Greetings, your majesty." I curtsied as well as I could while holding a child in my arms. On hearing more voices, he revealed his face again.

"Kron, can you explain why she is holding the child?" The King spoke, ignoring me. It was better if he didn't look closer. I had dyed my hair a long time ago and used makeup so I didn't look too much like I did five years ago. However, if he did look closer, he might recognize me.

"She claimed to have found him in the garden and treated his injuries. He refused to answer me and stuck to her." Prince Kron sounded irritated.

"Weren't you supposed to take care of him?"

"He slipped off when I wasn't looking."

Tension rose as the King and the prince stared each other down. It looked like they might draw their swords at each other at any moment.

"Rather than blame anyone, let's take care of the little prince. Elayne, bring the child here."

Bypassing the still guards and the prince, I walked to Andrella and tapped the prince in my arms.

"I have to go now. You go be with your family."

My mother told me children are naturally sensitive. I guess he could sense my smile was fake and Andrella wasn't a good person so he refused to leave me, threatening to burst into tears again.

"Come on little one, Elayne has to go."

He shook his head, pouting. He was seriously adorable and for a brief moment, I felt like keeping him. However, I could barely take care of myself. How could I care for a child, a prince at that? Andrella tried everything to get him off gently but he didn't budge.

The king looked amused with what was happening. He looked at me and the child in my arms.

"What is your name?"

"...Elayne Greycastle, your majesty."

"I haven't heard of such a noble house."

"I moved from another country your majesty."

It was my cover story, one I gave to Andrella too. Coming back to the kingdom and looking as clean as I was, I couldn't pass off as a commoner.

"I see. That child in your arms is a peculiar one. He doesn't follow anyone he doesn't know so for him to stick to a stranger like you, it is truly peculiar."

He had been kicking up a fuss since the time I picked him up. He was very peculiar. It probably had something to do with the fact that he was called a bastard.

"What would you say to being the child's nurse?"

"Your majesty!"

"Father!"

Seeing both Andrella and Prince Kron protest was shocking. I could understand Andrella's motive to an extent but I never actually thought she'd try to refuse the king. As for Kron, what was his problem?

"Is there a problem with my decision?"

"Surely there is someone more qualified."

"Andrella my dear, that is just an excuse. The way I see it, she's most qualified to take care of the boy. I had almost run out of options because he is very troublesome. Or is it that you don't want me taking your most talented courtesan?"

"Nothing of the sort your majesty but a prince having a courtesan as a nurse would ruin his reputation."

"Isn't she human too? As long as she can take care of the boy, I have no problems. Go back your bags woman. You will return to the palace with him. As for you, come here."

Unlike with Kron, Miyon immediately climbed down from my hands and went to the king. He smiled and rubbed the child's head. For a moment, he looked kind, humane. It didn't mean I was less interested in having his head though. After all, he just provided me with ample opportunity.