Later on, they arrived at the entrance of the kingdom. Many other carriages followed along as well—where all the shopping bags were in.
Alaric opened the carriage door—his eyes widening between Caleb and Astrid's position together while they were sleeping, his eyes softened.
"How endearing…" a small smile curved the king's lips, he turned to his knight, "Take this young boy to the maids, and tell them to treat him with care."
"At your order, your majesty." the knight obeyed, carefully scooping the battered Caleb into his arms and departed from the carriage.
<. . .>
Caleb stirred—opening his eyes, greeted by a group of maids surrounding him left and right—chattering.
"Aw! He's so cute!"
"How did he end up in such a state? Who'd hurt such a pure child?!"
"Oh look, he's waking up!"
He winced in surprise, "Where am I?..Where's the p—"
"We're here to freshen you up!"
"Don't worry about the princess, she's residing in her chambers."
Caleb fidgeted with his fingers—overwhelmed, "Please don't hurt me.."
Who are these people?
One of the maids gasped, expressions filled with concern, "We would never! Whoever made you like this shall go to hell!!"
"Hah…..that's a funny statement." Caleb thought.
The maids firstly washed Caleb up—extraordinarily careful to not add any pressure to his wounds, bandaging him right after, adding ointments and antibiotics as well, before dressing him up in prince-like clothing.
This feels weird
Caleb turned to look at himself in the wide, large mirror, gazing upon his reflection — astonished, "Is this really what I look like?" he mumbled. The once battered boy transitioned into a polished-like prince. In the brief silence between him and the mirror, his stomach growled vociferously. His face flushed by this abrupt sound—before he knew it the maids came barging in.
"Child! We heard your hunger from meters away and came to your service! To what does your appetite incline?!" the maids circled around—as if they were the cultists and Caleb was the summoning circle.
"How did they hear me when they were just outside?.." Caleb thought anxiously.
"I don't know. I'll be grateful to whatever you give me in hand." said Caleb in all smiles. As soon as the maids heard of this response they fled away and moments later they came with a big table setting it down on the marble flooring and an opulent chair just for him. Soon coming back with plates of all sorts of mouth-watering culinary dishes, haute cuisines and epicurean treats—to wash it all off apple juice.
"A-am I supposed to eat all of this?!" Caleb stuttered in awe.
"Of course, gorge on as much food as your stomach desires." a maid spoke up, their tone filled with anticipation. In the end, the table that was once filled with a bunch of culinary dishes—now replaced with clean white plates, not a single stain or sauce smeared onto it.
Caleb patted his stuffed belly, a satisfied, weary smile curving his lips.
"Full….So…so…full.." he mumbled to himself. This feels like a dream I thought wouldn't come true.
"So?! What did you think about the food, child?"
"Mmm it was very appetizing." he replied weakly, "Is the princess coming down—"
"Caleb!!!" Astrid barged into the room fervently, butlers chasing after her. She jumped and charged at Caleb—causing the whole chair to fall down the ground with a loud thud.
"Ow.." Caleb groaned, his eyes squinted shut. She's way worse..
"Princess! Please refrain yourself, you could've hurted him." One of the butlers gently dragged Astrid away from Caleb.
Astrid squirmed her way out of the butlers' hold, "Okay, okay! I apologize." she pouted.
Caleb winced, one of the maids' supporting his back so he could get back on his knees. Caleb managed to smile weakly(It didn't reach the soft glint in his tired eyes) towards Astrid's direction—his arms extended wide open as if he were waiting for a proper hug, rather than what happened earlier.
"...I'm sorry., did I hurt you?." tears started to well Astrid's eyes, hesitating for a moment before hugging the boy tightly, her tears staining his clothes.
"He– his eyes. He must've been through so much…" Astrid thought, "Damnit…I shouldn't have acted out like that in the first place, fuck… What's wrong with me? I'm so childish and reckless with my actions."
"I'm okay."
"Liar, you're not."
He let out a faint chuckle, "Hah, caught me…"
"..."
"Have the maids fed you, treated you rightly or did they do anything?!.."
"No, they treated me nicely with care."
"Can you stay here, in this kingdom?"
"..."
"Do I really have your permission, princess?"
"Please?"
"Very well then, my future, soul, and existence is in your care, Astrid."
To think a princess would be friends with me.
"Everything will go as planned right?"
"We live happily together, understand our indifferences, meet new friends, go to the same academy together, and… and? I don't know what else to add…" she thought.
"Ah-! C'mon let me show you around the garden! And the entire palace, and after that let's play some games together!" Astrid pulled away and took Caleb's hand with all smiles.
Spending time together; playing board games, sports, sparring with wooden swords, laying down on the grass beneath the warm sun—laughing randomly, and getting to know each other better. — What I mean by that is Astrid told everything about herself to Caleb and her deepest secrets, for Caleb? Nah. He kept his secrets and past hidden— avoiding questions about it that have been asked by Astrid.
It's fun not being thrown around like a ball…