A Changing World

A Dragon Slippers FanFiction

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Thanks to the two guests for reviewing last chapter. You guys rock!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Slippers.

Chapter 4

"So, who are you taking me to? Not that I'm not grateful to you, Your Highness, for all your help."

I offered the poor girl a small grin, trying to ease her nerves, and replied, "Tobin's older sister runs an inn just outside the cloth-workers' district. Ulfrid was my nanny when I was a child, and will be happy to help you," I added as an afterthought. The blonde smiled slightly, and I couldn't help but think about how it made her seem younger, more… alive.

"Oh, thank you," she responded quietly, then she glanced back at Tobin. "And thank you, Tobin," she told him, much to my surprise. People never paid much attention to him. I could tell that Tobin was pleasantly shocked as well, as he raised his eyebrows and acknowledged her with a small nod.

We walked a few more steps in silence, each lost in our own thoughts, when the girl suddenly spouted out, "But, your Highness, if I may ask: Why are you helping me?" I was barely able to hold in my grimace; just because I was a prince did not mean I was stubborn and self-absorbed. I wished I could have a few words with whatever unpleasant royalty had been the cause of that stereotype.

I stopped walking and raised my eyebrows at the girl. "Why shouldn't I help you?"

The girl blushed. "Because…well, I'm nobody. I'm a farm girl from Carlieff. You're a prince: Why do you care if I get locked up for vagrancy?"

I surveyed the girl. Her eyes were red and bloodshot from exhaustion, her hands puffy from the blood running down into her fingers, her hair knotted in braided tangles. "Had a hard day, eh?" I asked gently.

The girl looked at her shoes as if embarrassed, and it occurred to me that I still didn't know her name. "You have no idea," she said, softly.

I decided to play the gallant knight in shining armor. "Well, that's why. Because it is my duty to make up for the harsh treatment you have received thus far." I struck a silly pose, hoping that it would make her laugh, but she only raised her eyebrows. Oh well, at least it wasn't a frown.

I grinned and stuffed my hands in my pockets. Ahh, pockets, a most wonderful invention. "Actually, I like to walk around at night. I think that the curfew is stupid. And the city jail is no place for a young girl. Also, Ulfrid makes some very good sausage rolls," I added, resisting the urge to lick my lips at the thought of those juicy… succulent… delicious… sausages.

Shaking off my food cravings, I took a few steps forward and asked, "Shall we?" She only nodded and began following me.

Geez, again with the awkward silences. This has got to be one of the strangest nights of my life. I looked at the girl and discovered she was looking anywhere except at me. Hmm, I find that completely unacceptable.

"So, what's your name?" I prompted.

She didn't even look at me. "Creel."

Back to silence.

Well, so much for conversation.

Finally, we arrived at Ulfrid's. I could smell the sweet aroma of baking pastries, hot tea, smoking sausages…

Shaking the thoughts clear, and earning a strange look from Creel, I knocked on the door. Ulfrid arrived almost immediately and let us in without a word. She pushed us towards the fire, then was gone and back again with some rolls and tea before you could say "Please."

When everything was settled, Ulfrid simply pointed to the needlework on Creel's gown and said, "Do that, did you? Your work?"

It took Creel a minute to process what she was saying through her heavy accent, but she finally replied, "Er, yes, it is. And these." She pulled out some samples from her small bundle. Now, I'm no expert on embroidery, but they certainly looked fine to me.

"Think you can help her find some work?" I gave the girl my most mischievous smile. "I would hate to have her carted off by the guards for breaking curfew again." I gave her a wink and was happy to see her pull a face. My smile dropped a little, however, when she remembered that I was a prince and looked away, embarrassed.

Oh, the joys of being royalty.

"There are places," Ulfrid said vaguely. "I will take her tomorrow." I recognized the tone she was using. It was the one where she had great hopes herself, but didn't want to get someone else's hopes up, in case they were misplaced.

Satisfied, I said, "Excellent!" I slammed- erm, set- my mug on the counter, earning myself a frown from my old nanny, to which I answered with sheepish grin. "Well, Tobin and I need to get back to the palace, or Father will be sending out the army to find us." I said, trying to keep regret out of my voice.

Dang it, back to the humdrum of everyday palace life in your average, everyday castle.

"Yes, Luka, it is late. You need more sleep," Ulfrid scolded and told me.

I saw Creel jump and realized that it was probably because she didn't know my name.

It was like every history teacher in the kingdom had gotten together and decided, hey, why teach the kids the name of the younger prince? It's not like he's going to amount to much, unlike his brother, the sweet, caring, handsome Milun.

Honestly, I drove me crazy.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her, standing up and stretching to hide my irritation.

Creel quickly hopped to her feet as well, and did a very messy curtsy. It was kind of cute, actually. "Not at all, your Highness. I still don't know why you're doing this for me, but I want you to know that I am truly, truly grateful," she said honestly.

It made me blush. I think that was the first time anyone said anything like that to me without an ulterior motive, outside of my family.

"It was my pleasure, maidy. Ulfrid would have my hide if she found out that I had seen a fair maiden in need of aid and failed to render it. Or even an ugly maiden," I added playfully, glancing over at my old nanny just in time to see her twist up a towel and whip it towards my shoulder.

"Ouch! That hurt!" I whined. Behind Ulfrid, I saw the girl trying to hold in a laugh, and I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

"Begone with you, begone with you both. The girl needs sleep and so do I!" She threatened her brother with the towel as well, and we retreated laughing. Just as we exited the door, I waved at Creel over my shoulder and was ecstatic to see her smile and wave back.

~oOo~

Back at the palace, as I was wondering back to my chambers, I couldn't keep a ridiculous smile off of my face. I kept replaying that little wave and smile over and over in my head.

Gosh, why did she have to be so pretty?

I pushed open the doors to my room and was unsurprised to find Miles there, browsing my bookshelf. It had become a habit of his, as I had unofficially banished the Roulani princess from my room, ever since her dog ruined my favorite copy of Grimm's Fairytales.

"Still here, are you?" I called out to him, and I had to hold in my laughter as he jumped and bumped his head on a shelf.

Ruefully rubbing his head, he asked, "Do you happen to have a copy of that new book, Chasing Wisdom?"

I shook my head no. I had been meaning to get one for a while now, but I was a little distracted.

Dusting himself off, he looked at me for the first time since I had entered the room. "Why do you have such a stupid grin on your face?"

I shrugged and tried to wipe said grin off, but I failed, epically.

Miles only grew more curious. "Did something happen on your walk?"

I tried to shrug nonchalantly, but I couldn't so I just said, "I ran into your dog assassin."

Miles laughed. "Did you? And was she everything I described?"

"Well, she certainly had some attitude, that's for sure." And no small amount of beauty either, I thought.

Miles seemed to guess my train of thought and found it hilarious. He actually doubled over laughing. "I told you, you are two peas in a pod!"

He quickly ducked out of the way of my flying shoe. "So what did you think of her, truthfully?"

"She's amazing," I replied, without even thinking. I can't believe I just said that out loud. I'm sure to get heck for it now.

To my surprise, Miles didn't tease me. He only nodded thoughtfully. "I wish Amalia was more like her."

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~Boogalee