Everyone's eyes, except the maids, were fixed on Leonard who stood by the door. He had heard the commotion the instant he stepped foot into the castle, which had him wonder what was going on. He traced the noise to the art gallery and spotted his half-sister yelling at a bunch of maids on their knees begging for forgiveness. He was about turning away, as he found it to be unimportant, until his midnight eyes caught sight of a redhead girl. A frown formed on his face, and he stepped into the room, demanding what the problem was. Seeing the girl on the floor, begging had anger sparking in him.
Naiya bit her inner cheek, and answered softly. "Nothing is going on here, brother Leonard."
Leonard narrowed his eyes at his half-sister as he knew she never addressed him as "brother Leonard" which meant she was up to no good. He noticed that all the maids in the room, apart from Sandra, were all coloured and his suspicion grew. It was possible his sister already learned of the maid he brought to his room the previous night, which he guessed, she was trying to find.
"Everyone get out." He said softly, which had the maids in the room thank the heavens. They were quick to jump on their feet. With their heads bowed the exited the room, closing the door behind them. As soon as they were out, Dydra turned to the person closest to her, and asked.
"Who was that?" She whispered very softly. Whoever that person was, thier position must be higher than princess Naiya's, as she couldn't speak up.
"That was the Crown Prince, Leonard. I got to see his face, and he is as handsome as they say." The mad answered with excitement. Though she had been working in the castle for a while, she had never came across the crown prince, but had heard of his presence being terrifying. Knowing Prince Henry couldn't possibly embarrass his sister like that, she knew it had to be the crown prince.
Dydra nodded at the maid's words, as she also recalled the crown prince to be the one who gave the order to whip the man at the market to death.
"It looks like blood is indeed thicker than water." She murmured underneath her breath.
In the art room, Leonard slowly made his way to his half-sister. His eyes glared on her intensely, which had her take every step back, with each step he took. Her back touched the wall, telling her she had no where else to go. Leonard came to stand inches away from her. His big frame towering over her small one.
"You know better than to cross me, little sister." He said softly, before turning around and walking out. Naiya's lips trembled in annoyance and she grabbed the nearest painting she could find, and threw it on the floor.
"Mean nuisance!" She cursed, stumping out of the art room.
Leonard closed the door behind him, and immediately took off his boots. His fingers reached to unbutton his shirt, as he made his way to the wash room. A warm bath was already prepared. Pulling his shirt off, and tossing it aside, he unbuckled his trouser, pulling it down and tossing it away, before stepping into the bath. He let his low body submerge into the water. His upper body rested on the corner and he shut his eyes. His mind was immediately occupied with a dark skinned woman, with ocean-blue eyes and red-hair. This woman happened to be his mother, and a image of her knotting his tie played in his head. A sweet smile was plastered on her lips, as it moved with her speaking, but he couldn't hear a word she said. The image slowly turned to a rainy night, with another dark-skinned woman. This time she was younger, and it was in the forest. She had a black dress on, with her body soaked from head to toe. Her ocean-blue eyes was slightly glaring at him, and a smile formed on his lips.
"Little fox." He whispered, as he recalled that name had her always secretly shoot daggers at him with her big eyes. He recalled how the black dress hugged her body, with the rain water making the fabric clinging on her skin, highlighting her shape.
After a while, he got out of the bath, dried himself and put on fresh clothing. The red-haired girl wouldn't leave his mind, and he went to pull on a light brown rope at a corner, meant to alert a maid at the other end, to bring his food. The maid was quick to leave where she stood, going to tell the head of maid, that the prince would like his meal. Sandra went straight to Dydra, who was also in the kitchen, alongside Oryen.
"A very important guest need his lunch. You," she turned Oryen, "assist her. When you are finished, take her to serve him." After her order, she left going to inspect the other maids.
A deep formed was on Oryen's face as it was very rare to be giving a maid who just became a maid at the palace such tasks. She didn't say anything and guided Dydra. When it was time to serve, the maid who came to inform Sandra, was the one to direct Dydra. Halfway through, Dydra noticed it was similar to the route to the kind elite's room. And she wondered if he was the guest, Sandra was referring to.
Her suspicion was corrcet as she soon stood in front of the room she spent her night in. She balanced the tray on one palm, folding the other into a fists and gently taping it on the wooden door.
"Come in." After few seconds she heard a faint voice through the door. The new maid reached out to the doorknob, twisting it gently, before pushing the thick door open. She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her.
Leonard was seated on a sofa in the balcony, he had a table before him, as his midnight eyes drunk in the beauty of the vast land.
"My Lord, I've brought your meal." Dydra informed, walking towards the balcony. She placed the food on the table, bowed and turned to leave when she heard Leonard say.
"Stay." She stopped in her tracks immediately. With her eyes still on the ground, and turned and stood still like a statue. A very awkward silence dance through the air, as Leonard didn't move from where he sat. He didn't turn to her, neither did he turn to eat his meal. Then he said something that almost made Dydra's eyes pop out of her sockets.
"Sit with me."