Demoness

Alexander walked steadily up to where Sir Gareth sat. He knew that this guy was a hard nut to crack so he expected the worse and best at the same time. Sir Gareth just sat there as he watched the prince approach him, respectfully at that! This made him to chuckle softly. Since when did the crown prince act inferior to him.

"I hope that I displayed an outstanding performance that can convince you to take me in, master." The last part came out merely as a whisper.

"You defeated him. That was the goal throughout, no matter the means used," Gareth pointed out.

"Does that mean I can now call you ,master?" Alexander asked in anticipation as he rubbed his hands nervously like a child. But instead of answering him, Gareth removed his armor and handed it to him.

"Take this to the armory." He said turning around to leave. "Your training starts tomorrow. I hope you will enjoy it." An evil smile curved on his face but Alexander did not see it since he was facing his back. But the mocking tone used could never escape him and he shuddered a little. But all in all, this man had finally taken him as his disciple. That was something to be proud of in the first place.

A smile curved on his cute face as he watched his master's retreating back. To see that he had finally taken him in meant that he was a good swordsman, right? He turned around and headed for the armory, joy evident in his ever cold face. The knights expressions narrowed at the sight of their prince carrying a knight's armor. Who did this guy think he really was? But they could not intervene since the prince gladly did it himself. He had even warned one of them before hand.

The day was near to an end and guilt registered on Alexander's face when he thought about his father and Elle. Two days had nearly passed without him even going to check on his bed ridden parent. But since no report had been given by the chief physician, he presumed that the king was fine. Besides, visiting him would only add more pressure to the marriage thing.

His thoughts drifted to Elle and he knew that he broke his promise. The little girl would surely pull his ears for this. His hands instinctively flew to his left ear as he remembered how hard she had pulled it the last time he failed to show up in time. What would happen to it now? He could only hope that she would pull the right ear this time. But as cunning as she was, he knew his left ear had an experience to share.

Elle's room was located just next to the queen's chambers. Since the king fell sick, Victoria had deployed him to the guest room having his chamber to her alone. Alexander still couldn't understand why she did this. But honestly speaking, no one would like to be greeted by the morning sight of a deathly sick person lying next to him. So her reason for it went without saying.

Throwing the bad thoughts at the back of his mind, he placed a soft knock on Elle's door but got no response. Of course the way he knocked signaled his presence immediately and he knew the angry girl was a hard nut to crack.

"Look Elle. I know that you are mad at me for not showing up yesterday but I can assure your brother had his reasons. Please open the door so that we can talk." He sounded remorseful while he placed his hands on the door. Anyone who could see this version of him right now couldn't believe that this was the same oh-so cold and arrogant prince Alexander.

When no reply came, Alexander sighed deeply and he knew that this was his dead end. He had to do this if he wanted to get into her room. And he knew she did this on purpose.

"Fine Elle," he gave in. "You can pull my ears as long as you want." He immediately regretted this for he could hear Elle drag her small feet making for the door.

The door creaked open revealing an angry Elle. She puffed her cheeks while her small figure blocked the door. She could not let him in yet. "Why didn't you come yesterday. I waited for you all day!"

Alexander scratched his neck while looking everywhere else but her. "Lord Richard summoned me in the king's office to help him there. I thought I would be done by noon by the load of work there was just…."he spread his arms to show how much the work was.

"You're lying. I was there looking for you!" She said, her anger now intensifying.

Alexander was awestruck. He had recited a possible lie that would convince her but he was in for a big disappointment.

"Lord Richard said he had not seen you the whole day," she said adding emphasizing her previous statement.

"Well. I-I...just..I went into my room that day for some personal matters." He managed to form a statement.

"What's so important than spending time with me? Bring your left ear." She said holding her hand in a pinching position.

Alexander lowered his right ear but she retracted her hand. "Nope! I want the left ear." She stated candidly.

Alexander's expression was no close to a happy person. He could imagine the pain even before it was inflicted. He damn slowly lowered his left side as he anticipated what was about to come. A soft hand landed on his earlobe as it teases with it. Then as if time had slowed down, Elle pulled his ear with all her might and a painful groan escaped his mouth. And as if that was not enough, her other hand flew to his right ear and pulled it as well.

"Stop please!" Alexander begged. But the little goddess didn't even give heed to his words. Instead, she pulled harder, more harder than before that Alexander felt as if his ears would get detached from his head soon.

After what seemed like eternity, she finally stopped and stepped away letting him in. "That's what you get for not keeping your promise," she said as Alexander passed while holding his ears with his hands. They had even turned red given that she had given it her all. She was such a demoness!