Chris and Gunter locked eyes, and after a brief moment Gunter looked away. Then, much like a parent appeasing a child, he began to speak.
"Zeven was much cuter as a child, but much less agreeable."
Gunter smiled and shook his head as he remembered the times when he was taller than Zeven. "The first time I ever met him he couldn't have been any older than eleven, even then he had a rather large superiority complex.
"A long time ago, I worked for the king instead of his son. I have been in the King's service since before the death of the Late Queen. As a man of low born status, I was honored to be a manservant to his highness. I worked in that place for the better of 15 years, constantly subjected to the King's tirades. But Zeven's father is a cruel man and I was truly relieved the day I was sent away to the almost unused winter palace. I served my king, and was loyal to him. But most men in his position view those like me as little more than ants beneath their feet.
Unbeknownst to me there was a reason that I had been sent away. They discovered that part of the treasury had been gradually disappearing. A young Duke had been caught embezzling funds from foriegn countries and moving them into his own private stash. Of course, it's bad business to accuse a nobleman of such an act. Which was why I was placed there to be a scapegoat. With no power or family legacy, it was not difficult to push the blame on me before sweeping the entire ordeal under the rug.
The first day I ever met Zeven was the day of my sentencing... I guess I should be grateful to my accusers at this point. after all, I would still be trapped in that winter palace if not for them. But when I first saw Zeven he was standing on the right side of his father, his young face was completely devoid of any emotions. He almost looked like a doll placed alongside the throne.
He didn't say anything the entire proceeding, but he watched it all. And to this day I'm sure he remembers it all too, much better than I do. As I was carted off to prison I saw him lean over towards the king. At the time I thought nothing of it, who knows what he said but the next thing I saw was little Zeven as he bowed to the King and walked down the stairs to the throne. He didn't spare me a single look as he gracefully walked past me and the guards. He nodded to the door guards and raised his chin even higher as they opened it for him to pass.
I was dragged out behind him, before breaking off. I was taken to the prison, and left there. At the time I had come to accept my fate, there was no point in me resisting. I spent two days in solitude as the world kept moving around me.
I distinctly remember hearing the key click into place on the door and the hiss of its hinges as it swung wide. And standing with his back to the light was prince Zeven. He looked proud and regal as he stepped aside for the guards to undo my chains. Little Zeven turned and started walking back the way he had come, when he stopped and turned back he made it very clear that I was meant to be following. So I did.
When we had made it to the large, golden doors that lead outside, doors I thought I would never see again, This little kid grabbed a small suitcase and practically hurled it towards me. He was small enough that there was no real force behind it, but it caught me off guard and he kept his eyes straight forward and walked away.
A carriage waited for us outside the doors and Zeven swung himself into the interior, I froze, gobsmacked at all that had just occurred. Thankfully the driver took pity on me and informed me that I was to sit beside him as we drove to our destination.
When we arrived, little Zeven hopped out of the carriage and strolled right up to the front door. I followed behind with his suitcase after the driver's prompting- I don't think I ever asked his name- But that's how I came to be here. More or less anyway.