CHAPTER TWELVE

Thankfully i caught up to Cleon outside. I could sense he is not in a good mood not that i blame him. Deciding to play safe i quietly walk beside him.

I followed him in silence as we walked close to the palace gate.

Evelinde you are free for the rest of the day to do as you please; Cleon said as we approached the gates.

Oh, thank you but i'm supposed to serve you and It's jut past noon what will i be doing for the rest of the day?

I thought you had plans with your friend?

Plans? Oh Cedric, so you heard us?

You are free for the rest of the day, do as you please; Cleon repeated as he left me standing close to the gate while he walked out of the gate.

What's wrong with him and since when did he start calling me by my full name, no one calls me that.

There you are came Cedric's voice bringing me back from my thoughts.

Cedric, hey what are you doing here?

Well after you left master Flynn was still in disbelief and told the rest of us to go home.

Just between us, i think he's going to tell the king and the rest about what happened.

Anyway Cleon left without you, i was worried and thought maybe you are in trouble so i decided to come look for you.

Thank you for looking out for me, but i'm not in any trouble and i'm fine. As a matter of fact i happen to be free, so why don't i take you up on that offer of yours to go see Martha.

Really! let's go then.

We both arrived at the kitchen to find Martha kneading dough.

Martha i called out happily.

Oh hello child, you sure are a sight for sore eyes and will you look at you, you look more beautiful than the last time i saw you; Martha said happily.

Why don't you kids go sit over there and i will be with you shortly.

Cedric and i went to a secluded corner in the kitchen where they are benches and sat down.

Is she always like this, i asked.

Yes she is, she is everyone's favorite. She is kind, compassionate and hardworking not to mention the fact that she is always happy.

Well i like her too i said as we both watch Martha hand over the dough to someone else and prepared two plates of pancakes and fresh juice for us and brought it over.

Here you go kids, eat up; Martha said as she handed us our food and sat down opposite us.

Thanks Martha we chorused.

So how are you faring, the entire palace if not the kingdom is abuzz with the incidents happening in Flynn's class.

You people know already? i asked in disbelief with a mouthful of pancakes.

Of cos child servants are well known for their gossipy nature.

News sure do travel fast around here i said finally swallowing my pancakes.

Are you okay child, you do after all work for the prince.

I'm fine Martha, Cleon treats me well.

Judging by the way you look and dress i can see that.

Suddenly we heard some laughter and noise coming from the entrance.

Anne, Martha called out to someone. A maid whom i assumed to be the Anne shortly hurried over.

What's the noise about Anne?

Oh Martha, it's about prince Cleon.

What about him?

Beatrice just told us the royal family as well as the nobles are saying that the prince's potion making ability comes from his dark magic. The problem however is that apart from being excellent in combat he hasn't shown any other skills until recently. Now everyone is saying maybe he has ulterior motives that will not bode well for neither the royal family nor the kingdom. And it really does not help that the two times he has displayed this ability no one in the entire kingdom can do it.

But Cleon did not make the rejuvenation potion i did, he only instructed me on what to do; i chimed in not liking what i'm hearing.

It was then Anne looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. She looked as if she wants to say something but don't know if she should.

What is it Anne you can say it. Eve is one of us.

People are also saying his little helper might be under his spell, that if she did get the potion correctly on the prince's instruction which is understandable, what about the incident with Borak.

Everyone witnessed how the prince gave him an ordinary cup of water that knocked him unconcious. How can anyone explain that?

It was silent after Anne's words.

Martha your pancakes are truly the best, thank you very much but i have to go now.

I will see you around Cedric.

I hurriedly left the kitchen and ran towards the palace gate.

I ran into the woods in the direction i asusume Cleon took earlier.

After running for a while and seeing nothing but trees all around me i finally stopped to catch my breath. I looked around me and realized there was no path, i couldn't even tell where i came from.

What was i thinking running into the woods like this, not knowing what danger lurks. I mean just yesterday i helped killed a creature and here i am offering myself as bait for yet another creature only this time there is no Cleon with me.

Cleon i called out, i could hear my voice echoing all around me.

Cleon i called out again and again. I mean he is special right hopefully he will hear me.

What are you doing out here?

By the spirit i gasped as i turned in surprise to find Cleon standing behind me.

How did you get here, and why did i not see or hear you.

Evelinde, what are you doing out here; Cleon asked again.

What does it look like i'm doing?

Evelinde.

I'm looking for you Cleon.

Why?

What do you mean why?

I gave you the rest of the day off Evelinde, now tell me why you are out here in the woods unguarded and unprotected looking for me?

What could be so important that you couldn't wait to tell me later, that would have you risk your life in search of me.

Do you have any idea the dangers that lurks around here?

He looks angry, i've seen him angry before, but not like this.

Look i'm sorry, it was stupid of me to come look for you out here without thinking of the dangers.

Why are you looking for me Evelinde?

I heard some things about you and i wanted to come check if you are okay, and since when did you start calling me by my name?

You have a problem with me calling you by your name?

No, i mean people don't usually call me that, i've always answered to Eve.

It is your name right?

How can someone be so stubborn i thought inwardly, it's not that i have problem with him calling me that, it's just he makes it sound so intimate.

Fine call me whatever, are you okay though?

And why won't i be?

Apparently the palace and the kingdom is all abuzz with the incident involving Borak including the one that took place today.

So?

What do you mean so?

Evelinde, what am i supposed to do with this news.

Are you not bothered?

Why should i be?

They think you have a hidden agenda and that maybe you are planning something maybe some conspiracy, i don't know.

Is that why you ran all the way out here in search of me?

You are my master, are you not?

If you are in danger or potential danger and i happen to find out, am i not suppose to inform you about it.

Evelinde, i've been in danger all my life, my family and the entire kingdom have been judging and gossiping about me all my life. They all think i'm a threat all my life. All that you've just said is nothing new.

I appreciate your concern but please do not be this careless again.

Now come let us go back, I have a garden to tend to.

I followed Cleon as he led the way and led us out of the forest much to my astonishment because everything looks the same to me.

We got back to the palace and Cleon led me to the back of the eastern part of the castle and i noticed the building seems to be cut out of the main building. I followed him and found out it was actuallly his wing.

Your wing is located at the back of the castle?

We've always entered through one of the palace doors but this building is not connected to the main palace building; i said as we entered the living room.

That's my doing i usually use doors as portal to enter the living room since i can't always afford to walk out to get to my wing. Since i'm always alone it seems more convenient, until you showed up.

You can create portals! i shrieked

I watched in disbelief as he walked out into the garden.

I went outside to meet him and was about to ask him something when he raised his head from a plant he was inspecting.

Someone is outside; Cleon said with a frown.

Come Evelinde, let's go see what this is about.

We walked out to see a palace guard.

My prince the guard greeted with a bow.

Mathias, what is it?

My prince the king request your presence and that of your helper in the throne room.

Thank you Mathias, and how are you and the men doing?

We are fine thank you my prince.

Good, Evelinde and i will be along shortly.

With a bow the guard left.

I think it's about all that has been happening Cleon.

Whatever it is, make sure you are always beside me, okay.

Okay.

Good now let's go see what my dear father wants.