The First Prince’s Castle 2

"Is anything amiss, your Highness?"

One of the men asked on seeing Derek suddenly stop.

The prince's expression was stoic. He scaled the castle's court fences and stated calmly; "There will be need for reinforcements. I won't pretend no longer to notice those intruders. Those brothers will have to pay for planting their men within my fortress."

The men shared curious glances.

"You've let your guards leave them be for so long. Why now? Because of the princess…"

Without saying more, the prince moved ahead.

Upstairs, in her chambers, Rain was resting against the veranda walls to conceal herself. Her hands were held over her chest as if to calm her panicked heart from pounding too fast.

She'd been caught aback and had barely evaded been seen.

Now, she hoped he hadn't caught sight of her peeking , otherwise how embarrassing and ungracious would that be.

When she was sure she could no longer hear noises, she heaved a sigh of relief and went down the verandah.

"My lady, your dinner is ready to be served."

The gentle rap of the door handle rang through the chamber and she was reminded of how hungry she was.

"Do come in." She moved with hurried steps and almost beamed at the sight of the food tray coming in through the doors.

The tray was set on a center table and a chair was pulled out.

It was the same young maidservant.

As she opened the dishes, she apologized, "Apologies from the kitchen, my lady. Dinner is late because preparations were made late Please do with what we could make. Surely, we promise a better meal tomorrow."

Blue eyes raked through the chicken pottage on the table before sitting.

"Why? Is the prince in lacking?" she muttered seriously.

The young maidservant chortled quietly in amusement. "Certainly not, my lady. The castle wasn't informed of your coming until late and the storehouses and farms are yet to be stocked."

"What do you mean? Has it always been empty then?"

"Yes, my lady."

Puzzled, Rain arched a brow. "Then how has the servants been feeding? And all those guards? And and the prince?"

"Oh! No my lady. We were not assigned duty in the castle until the beginning of the season. The castle has long been preoccupied by just the prince."

Rain went through her thoughts. The beginning of the season was yesterday!

Stunned hands paused on the soup bowl and flashed the maid widened eyes. "Alone?" she asked in a hushed tone.

When the maidservant nodded with a wary look, Rain thought of the eerie feeling of this large castle and shuddered at the thought of been here alone.

"Why is that?"

Been asked, the maidservant realized she'd been carried away by the excitement of conversing with such comely royal and had said much than she should.

"I know nothing more, my lady," she finalized, dropping her neck.

Unease laced her mellow voice and it didn't sound as cheery and enthusiastic as before.