There are many days I remember. There was the day I lost my name. The day I lost my mother, the day I announced my name in Vienne square and countless others days of bloodshed and triumphant encounters with my enemies. But there is one day I will never forget. If I had known of the horrible events that would follow that day. I would have prayed to stay in within it for an eternity. It's funny when you think about it. The best memories men have. We never realize them until after they have passed. What today feels like a normal instance in life tomorrow becomes the hallmark of a story. Or, the cornerstone of a relationship.
-The Dark Prince
"Mr King! Mr King!" A voice called to Prince.
Getting out of his bed he looked down at the floor from his top bunk, finding a tiny boy calling him.
"Hansel... what are you doing here?" Prince asked.
"Mr King! Mr. King! My dad wants to talk to you I'm going to become your student!" He exclaimed.
"What?" Prince answered
Prince followed Hansel to the estates main house to meet Sir Ivan.
"Prince!" Sir Ivan exclaimed. "Good to see you! Once again I must rely on you for a favor." Sir Ivan said.
"What is it my lord?" Prince said bowing.
"Do you remember my boy Hansel and his English classes? Well he has his final exam tommorow and unfortunately my cousin has fallen ill would you be able to take over for her?" Ivan pleaded.
"Heheheh, when did you get the chance to poison her?" Pedro asked.
"A mild berry solution I put in her drink, she will recover in a few days, but not before this exam"
"It would be my pleasure" Prince said. "We will begin right away!" Prince said leading Hansel out.
"No Prince!" Sir Ivan said. "As of today you are no longer a field worker, you are a professional in this house! I implore you to change your clothes into something suitable for a tutor! I will have a maid get you something. You are also free to use these living quarters as you like! Just please ensure he studies!" Ivan said.
Prince grinned from ear to ear. He had finally earned Ivan's trust.
"Will do sir" He said.
Meanwhile, somewhere in a valley Meri and Marlin were just waking up.
Meri shamefully gathered her clothes and started to dress herself while marlin continued on naked, enjoying the horizon.
"Marlin..." Meri said "About earlier"
"I know: Marlin said "It's not what I think, and I shouldn't expect it to happen again." He said
"Ok... well... just so you know" She said walking off. As she came down the hill she passed Jimi who was on his way up to find Marlin. They passed each other, almost in an understanding silence without even looking at each other. Almost as if they were saying to each other. "It is what it is." As Jimi came to the top, he saw Marlin naked leaning back with his eyes to the horizon.
"Marlin!!!" Jimi said punching him in the nuts.
"Owww! Fuck you!" Marlin said laughing as he held himself in pain.
"How the hell did you put the moves on her?" Jimi asked.
"It was easy...." Marlin said. "Prince did all the heavy lifting"
"Hmmm How so?" Jimi asked.
"All I had to do was ask myself... what would Prince say in this situation... and just like that we were in bed."
"Why do you think Prince walked away?" Jimi asked. "Heh because he's a cold hearted bastard that's why!" Marlin laughed. "Sex with personal attachments? That's not really his thing."
(Back in the house)
"Mr King, Mr King!" Hansel cried. "Can I have a snack now?"
"Not until you have mastered this word" Prince said. "Tell me what is the English equivalent of Je suis désolé?"
"It's.. my applegees?" Hansel said giving Prince a coy smile.
"My apologies" Prince said. "Close but not close enough."
"Aweee c'mon Mr. King! Can I please have a snack please!" Hansel begged, giving Prince puppy dog eyes.
"Ok, but we will recite all of your vocabulary words as we go down the hall" Prince instructed.
"Yay Mr. King!" Hansel said jumping on top of him. "Piggy back Piggy back!" Hansel yelled.
Prince put Hansel onto his shoulders and started walking down the road with him. After a few minutes, he came to the main hall where he saw Ivan talking to someone at the door.
"My dearest apologizes" He heard a man say from outside with an eastern accent. "The princess does not speak French only English, she wants you to know she is very thankful!" The man said.
"For a future wife of Duke Frank? This nothing! Come right inside!" Ivan said gesturing them inside.
As Prince came to the center of the room he was suddenly overcome with stillness. It was like be was caught in some kind of invisible web. Like a spell had been put on him freezing him in place. No matter how he tried to move, think, and even breath, nothing seemed to happen. Hansel, Sir Ivan, and the guests walked up to him having a full conversation while Prince remained back, ensnared by some kind of spell.
"What is this... beauty..." Those were the only words Prince could manage to get out.
A woman shorter than most, but not so much to be mistaken for a young girl, was staring at Prince. Her beautiful, light brown eyes were soft and innocent, like those who had never been held by a man. The way they quibbled back and forth unable to keep full contact, showed Prince the girl was extremely nervous.
Her rich skin, that was darker than Europeans but also very fair, showed no trace of even the slightest bump. Her skin was smooth from cheek to red cheek, sparked up from embarassment of finding Prince.
From her red dress that had markings of the eastern sun, Prince could tell this was no ordinary woman. The fan that held her long black hair together at the top before it dropped to her shoulders, had symbols on them matching the set of earings that glistened from Ivan's chandelier.
"She's from Wudon." Prince thought. "A princess of Wudon."
Ying blushed, looking away from Prince.
"He... he's so handsome... he looks more like a Prince than who I'm marrying!" she thought
As she looked away from Prince, she quietly sighed, saddened by her inability to communicate with him.
"If only I had learned French instead o English and Spanish!" She thought.
"Prince!" Sir Ivan boomed. "You are a gentlemen of great lengths! Why do you not greet our guests! Do not just stand there it is rude!" Ivan yelled.
"It's fine" Lei said, "We are humbled to be here, she doesn't speak French any-"
"Princess," Prince said bowing. "My most humble apologies, I have just started work and there was much occupying my mind, Welcome to France, My name is Prince a teacher for Ivan's son, please I welcome you with the most open arms to this home."
"Whhhhatttt!" Lei exclaimed "He can speak English better than I can! and I spent 15 years there! The people of France are amazing!"
"Nothing but the best for my son!" Sir Ivan said rubbing his nose.
Yingjie took a step forward and did a very small head nod. "Thank you very much Prince..." she said blushing. "I am princess Yingjie but you can call me Ying" She said
"It's nice to meet you Ying," Prince said. "Hansel!" Prince snapped "Greet the Princess!"
"My apologies" Hansel said bowing. "Welcome to our home!"
"WHhhhhhhhhhhhhhat!!!!" Lei erupted. "Even the 10 year old speaks well! What is this country!"
Far far away at Castle Fort de Salses in Toulouse a group of men gathered and were merrily drinking the night away.
"My Nephew what a fine gentlemen you have brought with you!" Archbishop Clay said placing his hand on his nephews shoulder.
"I know! Desmound is an amazing fellow! These ales he's brought from the shores of Portugal!" His Nephew cried.
"Yes yes I am glad you have all taking a liking to these amenities!" Desmond said bowing. "But if you'll excuse me, I must tend to the bathroom, all that ale has to go somewhere!" He said laughing.
"Very well! You there slave!" Clay yelled at a spanish woman. "Escort this gentlemen to the bathroom! and make sure if he leaves a mess that you clean it up with your tongue!" Clay said laughing.
"HAHAHAHH!" The men laughed as the slave led Desmond away.
As Desmond walked down the steps, he saw an opportunity. Taking the slave off guard, he tackled her restraining her with a rope and a gaggling her with a cloth so that she couldn't make a sound. Smiling he took out a map and examined it carefully looking around the room to verify his position.
"Now..." He said. "Where's that artefact?"