"So how was your trip?" Asks Caramel as she straightens out Mia's hair and applies ointment on her cheek.
"It was ok." She answers.
"No handsome admirers?" Caramel asks winking at her.
Mia cocks an eyebrow at her and shakes her head, not believing what she had just heard. She touches her cheeks lightly as her aunt leaves the room.
***
"I do not like the way you are behaving William. It is unacceptable." Says Ariana.
"Well then maybe you should leave mother!" He answers glaring at her.
"And leave your son with that filthy gitl from the gutters? William, he is a prince. A prince should aquaint himself with other young lords and ladies and even start courting." She says throwing her hands up.
He blinks at her disbelievingly. "You need to leave mother." He answers directing her to the door. "Now."
She scoffs then goes to gather her things to leave for Bodiam. What choice did she have but to stay with Wilbert? And what with the oncoming war? "Don't say I did not warn you William." She says as she turns to leave.
He rubs his forehead as he walks out to the ballroom. On his way, he hears music. It is then that he realises that he has not had time to walk around his home and remember the serenity it holds.
Curiously, he peeps into the hall door and catches who else but his son alongside his maid dancing. Their movements graceful and his face alive with laughter. He was grateful that his son was happy.
He then catches the look that Edgar gives Mia. It was the same look he always gave Andrea. He feels a lump forming in his throat as he brushes away a tear and walks away.
***
"That was, well, not bad blockhead." Says Mia patting his back.
He holds his knees and looks at her catching his breath. "What? Whatever does it take to get an excellent job from you, you little devil?" He asks.
"If you want to woo a girl in the royal ball then you have to put in a little more effort." She says pointing at him and laughing. "You are quite unfit my friend." She says.
He then grins at her and before she knows it, breaks into a run chasing her out of the ballroom into the garden as if they were children again.
They race past the queen almost knocking her down. She becomes furious. "Dominic!"
"Yes my queen?" He answers.
"Please fetch my son. Now!" She hisses.
"Right away my queen." He bows and leaves for the garden.
***
He manages to catch her and pins her to the ground. "Am I fit now little mouse?" He asks grinning sheepishly.
Before she answers, he is lifted off her by the royal guard. "Her majesty requests your audience my prince." Announces the guard.
He turns and smiles at Mia. "I will see you for our next lesson little mouse." He says and leaves.
She smiles back at him and walks back to the maid's quarters to bathe and change.