After breakfast was finished I changed into court appropriate clothes as what was dictated when you entered the palace. I now not only represented my family but my father who had gone missing there was no longer any room for mistakes.
I chose some leather battle gear that had my families insignia on it followed by a red cloak made from fine materials and a decorative sword that hung on my waist. Ki told me I looked like a perfect young master from my house hold.
Kibbles who was sitting on my shoulder was brushed until his body looked silky and had also been given a little cloak that Ki had made with my family's coat of arms on it.
He looked very cute as he sat regally.
Finally my hair was combed into a braid which now hung down half way down my back. It was decorated with some sword pins and a few metal beads.
I looked in the mirror and for once my stern looking face looked like it belonged on me. In every way I looked like a handsome yet evil villain.
I sighed.
[ I could have done without these sharp pointed eyebrows and permanently glaring eyes ]
I turned around and looked at Ki who had smiled brightly before she lead me to the front door where grandfather was waiting, he was fidgeting with his hands before he noticed me.
" Young Yellow, wait out front" Reo said to Ki.
[ Her name means Yellow here to huh? ]
Ki bowed before walking outside.
" Yuki… i'm not much for raising kids but know I really do love you Kiddo.Try to have fun today okay" Reo said and blushed before he coughed and went to walk away in a hurry.
[ Must have been hard for him to say ]
" Thanks grandpa" I replied to his back casually.
" Grandpa? Hmm I liked it! Call me that more!" Reo walked off in big happy strides.
I laughed a little for the first time in a while and shook my head before I walked out the door.
Ki and Ren were waiting for me.
Both were very well dressed. Since they were to follow me inside the palace for my safety they had both taken extra special care of their looks.
Ren looked a little nervous so I tapped his shoulder as I walked passed him.
" Don't worry the palace isn't as scary as it looks. I only almost died their last time" I said with a cheeky smile.
" YOUNG MASTER!" Ki said indignantly as she huffed and followed behind.
Ren looked horrified as he caught up and we all entered the carriage. This time grandfathers driver was driving us there and we made it to the outside of the palace in no time.
Although the soldiers didn't strike their weapons on the ground this time they all saluted as we were escorted to the front door. Surprisingly who greeted us was none other then Nathan who was dressed more elegantly than usual. He looked quite dapper in his dark purple robes with a silver sash.
The maid behind him had a sour look on her face as she looked towards the ground.
I made it to the entrance and did a proper royal salute, which was kneeling on one knee and crossing a hand over one heart. Nathan was a prince after all and even though he was my friend I had to give me face in front of all of the civilians that had stopped to stare.
Nathan had walked over to me and held me up before saying " sorry it is just..me today.. brother and sister are training and your grandfather… ah he only sent a message last night about your visit."
[ Just me and Nathan?! ]
" That sounds perfect to me Second Prince Nathaniel" I said formally knowing we were being watched.
Ki and Ren looked over with straight backs.
" R....really?!" Nathan stuttered through.
" Of course we are friends aren't we?" I replied.
" Mm friends!" Nathan said and smiled.
Nathan lead me inside the palace we walked into the men's section before we finally entered his room. I had never been in his room before it looked like a treasure trove.
Their was rows and rows of half finished projects, paintings, sculptures, poems that littered the floor and more books then I could count. It was amazing how creative Nathan was.
It looked more like a studio then a bedroom.
" Sorry it is.. Uh messy" Nathan said embarrassed.
" Not at all" I said as Ren and Ki waited by the door along with Nathans maid.
" Please bring us some tea and snacks" Nathan said to his maid.
" Hmph" Was all his maid responded before bowing to me and leaving.
[ What a jerk! ]
Both Ki and Ren eyed the maid down as she left.
" She always that rude?" I became instantly informal when I realized we were not longer in outside palace company.
" I guess… I am the second prince after all" Nathan said as he looked at the ground.
" And that means she can be rude to you?" I replied angrily.
"Huh?!" Nathan replied shocked.
" What do you mean huh?! If any maid or butler was rude to me Ki would kick their butt!" I said shaking my fist.
Nathan started belly laughing and tears formed in his eyes.
" Your so silly hahahah thank you Yuki!" Nathan said holding his stomach.
The maid had returned after Nathan had cleared some room on his table. Ki and Ren stood by the door and just as she was about to walk in side Ki snatched the tray out of her hands. I looked on in amusement and Ki walked up to Nathan and I.
With perfect maid manners she took a small silver stick from her pocket and inserted it into each cake before she wiped it clean and put it in the tea. She then served Nathan first and finally myself.
" Young Masters, please enjoy your snacks." Ki said before bowing and shoving the tray back to Nathans maid.
" What!? How dare you!" Said Nathans maid in a huff.
" Do your job properly in my masters presence and do not embarrass your charge, It is a maids duty after all." Ki said sternly before she smiled sweetly and stood by the door.
[ WOAH! KI! ]
I looked over in sheer amusement as Nathan's maid walked up to us.
" Did you see that prince Nathan?! She bullied me have her whipped or something!" his maid said acting like an abused child.
Nathan looked at Ki and then and me in thought.
" She is Yuki's guard I am pretty sure she has to test for poison" Nathan replied without stuttering.
" Master!" the maid said pitifully.
" That is all you are dismissed" Nathan said nonchalantly.
Nathan seemed to hold his breath as the maid left in a huff.
" I.. i..i have never done that before" Nathan said in a small voice and finally breathed out. His face had gone bright red.
" You did well Nathan." I said smiling.
[ She must have been bullying him for a long time]
" Ki " I said quietly.
" Yes young master" Ki said as she walked up to me and kneeled she must have known what she did was stupid and a little childish.
" Don't do it again" I said with a smile.
" Yes young master" Ki replied.
" We must be the face of the Aikyo family at all times" I replied.
" Did you see her face though?" I questioned with a straight face.
Ren near the door tried to stifle a laugh before I did, then Nathan and finally even Ki herself. We all laughed for a moment before I cleared my throat.
" Alright. You have been punished enough" I said as Ki saluted then stood up and went to walk back to the door.
" Wait" I suddenly said.
" Yes young master?!" Ki said puzzled.
" Ren over here too please" I said sternly.
Ren looked like he was worried as he trudged over.
I looked at all the cakes on the table and then looked at Nathan.
" Nathan, I am not sure all of these cakes have been tested for poison. Can I give one to Ki and Ren to test first?" I said with a smile.
" Didn't she just… Oh...I see. Yes of course. Please allow your servants to try these delicious palace cakes that can only be made with one of a kind ingredients and imported from Tama forests central region" Nathan said as he tried to make the cakes sound as appetizing as possible as he held the plate out.
Ki and Ren looked at each other and smiled before they grabbed one each and took a bite.
"Amazing!" Ren blurted out.
" I mean poison free" Ren said correcting himself.
"Mm deliciously poison free young master" Ki said as she chewed.
Nathan looked at the three of as with a complex emotion on his face before he too took a bite.
" Mm more delicious than the last time I ate them" Nathan said quietly.