8 You can't stop the flames.

Have you seen Natalie today Sebastian asked the chief royal servant.

It was already noon and Natalie was nowhere to be found. He hoped something has not happened.

Hmm, she is sick, the old woman said.

Sick? Sebastian said as he chuckled.

This prisoner life was not for her anyways no wonder she is bent on leaving the palace.

Are you going to her see her, the old woman said as she took a cup of tea. She had been staring into a cup.

Yes.

Oh, can you help me give her this tea. I specially made for her to make her feel better, the old woman handed the cup to him.

I will do that. Don't you worry, he said as he carried the tea carefully avoiding spilling it.

.... .... .... .... ..... ..... .....

Natalie lay on the bed her eyes half closed, she had been hallucinating alot recently, the old woman probably thought she has fever. She did not have the energy to explain what it was.

Maybe she does not even know what it was.

She heard footsteps coming into the room. She wondered who it was. The prince?

She asked herself.

Well she was not right, it was Sebastian.

Why would she even think the prince was after her.

"Hey"! this is like the hundredth time you fell I'll this week. I am starting to get jealous. Sebastian said.

I don't blame you, the other servants would also be thinking the same. But to be fair, I am not ill. The chief servant saw me hallucinating and thought I had a fever. Natalie said as she rose up.

I can imagine, she is old and have such a soft spot for young women like you. Sebastian said as he gave Natalie the hot tea which had been burning his hands.

What is this? Natalie said as her face turned sour. It had the nastiest smell ever.

Oh, that will improve your health, the chief royal servant gave me. He said stretching out his long limbs.

It taste like how it looks, Natalie said after drinking half the cup.

Too bad that is all we can afford and you should be grateful the woman likes you, he said.

I promise, I am not complaining, she said mocking him.

She is a nice person. Sebastian said now showing sympathy.

I noticed, don't tell me she is always like this. It is annoying sometimes, Natalie said.

You will get used to it, he said.

If we need to escape we must have an insider, you know a powerful person at our side. Sebastian said, now serious.

You have been thinking a lot, Natalie said.

It's necessary, he replied.

I agree, you know someone who can enable us to have easy access out of here Natalie said.

Like someone who is also the king's enemy as us you think. Sebastian said.

Do you know anyone who is the king enemy. Natalie asked.

What! No, you are the only one I know who have the same mission as me, even if the king has other enemies, which he should. I don't know if they are going to take a risk like that. Sebastian said at the same time watching out for any intruder coming into the room.

You never know, I didn't know you too were desperate to escape the palace if I didn't ask. If you continue to think like that you may never live this palace. Natalie said.

That was something about Natalie, she knew the right words, the exact thing to say, she didn't need much to convince you.

She was....

See Sebastian, it is not easy to do this, I must say.

Do you know who I saw in my dreams she said staring at him intently.

Who?

My sister, she said.

Your sister. he said lightly not impressed.

She said she would be with me, like she would guide me.

OK? He said.

At least just pretend to believe, she said smiling. Cause I do, and I know we are going to get out if here.

I do, I do believe, but you know it's not just believing.

That is a nice start, she said and don't you have something to do she stood up and going out if the room, Because I have.

I must have annoyed you, you are already throwing me out, Sebastian said.

Trust me it's not that serious, she said.

Right, I am already leaving. You don't have to say too much.

.... .... ... ..... ... ..... ... ... ..... .....

"Williams " the king said as he saw his son that evening. It look like ages since I saw you.

Father, you saw me at breakfast. Williams replied.

Oh, of course but we didn't talk for long, he said.

When did his father start wanting to talk to him.

I have been busy, as you can see, Williams managed to smile.

I can see that, now that we are on the same page, it is easier to talk to you especially concerning the affairs of the kingdom the king said with a shrug.

Is something wrong, is the kingdom under siege, the prince asked his father.

I mean that wouldn't be a surprise, since you must have made some many enemies already. Williams said. He couldn't ignore that pettiness that is always oozing out of him at any slightest provocation.

Ha ha ha, nice joke, this kingdom may have enemies but it doesn't pose a threat to us in any ways. The king said.

You can't be too sure father, anything can happen, Williams said.

That is why I am doing this, that is why I never let my guards down. Not even the slightest. My son, that is the reason why I am equipping you. The king said.

Oh knows, they may try doing it when I am gone. The king said.

I wouldn't blame myself for any of that , I am not the one going around making enemies for myself, Williams said.

He was starting to think making his father think he was on his side was more frustrating than the latter. He was starting to feel more and more uncomfortable. It was getting really hard for him to hide gus true emotions. Either ways he couldn't win. And he hated it.

You see Williams, it didn't mater if I was making enemies or not, if you don't hunt them, you will become the hunted, the king said. He didn't like talking about this, is something everyone of them just understood when the time was right.

But somehow he was worried about the prince. What if Williams never understands this.

What will become of him, the kingdom .The sacrifices he had made for this his son.

When his mother had threatened to break the family, what he had to do..

All of it, what will become of them.

No, Williams will have to, there was so much to lose that he wasn't willing to.

I have never understood that, Williams said facing his father.

Nobody likes good kings, son, nobody, the king said, Convincing him.

Or maybe you can't like what doesn't exist.

... ..... ..... ... ..... .... ... .... ..... ....

Williams was walking in the fields, he was sent to inspect the workers at the plantations there.

He remembered he used to be very thrilled to go here when he was little but now, it doesn't excite him anymore. It was more like a chore now than an interest.

The plantations were spread out throughout the plains. He would admit the kingdom is great ,which was the hard work of his royal bloodline.

They had worked for this, he remembered what his father had said earlier that day.

Surely all this was acquired through the ruthless ness of his ancestors.

Still...

He saw Sebastian, in the fields, that wasn't strange. He came here often maybe he never noticed this man.

But today he did, maybe because he had seen him talking to Natalie, sometime ago.

And coincidentally he hadn't seen Natalie today. This may be his chance.

Hey, Sebastian, the prince called as he moved closer to him.

Sebastian looked up and saw the prince. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

How is work today, Williams said with enthusiasm.

OK ! what is going on , Sebastian thought. When has the prince ever tried talking to him.

Your majesty, Sebastian said finally finding his voice.

Work is.... Em..... Great. He said stammering.

I know.

You look started, Williams said trying to clear the air. This was difficult,than he imagined.

I am sorry, it's just that, you never spoken to me... Sebastian said hoping nothing was wrong.

He couldn't blame himself for his pessimist nature. Things like this don't just happen. The prince wouldn't just talk to him coincidentally. He had learnt over the years to be very observable. That could avert many things. Even now that he was planning to take a risk.

Nothing much, please don't be shocked. I just wanted to ask. You are friends with Natalie right, Williams said not trying to raise any hints that he was worried about one if his fathers female prisoner.

OK? Sebastian said hoping he hadn't said that too loud. He was hiding his irritation effortlessly.

I was hoping you had in any way seen her today, William said with a sigh of relief.

What do we have here, Sebastian said to himself.

Why was the prince asking of Natalie?