Morning came by quickly with just some hours left after Matthew and Leon had gone to sleep. They didn't get the privilege to sleep for long as they had a lot to do for the day.
The maids and guards had already claimed their duty post when Prince Leon stepped out of his chamber. Even after the remarkable time he had with his right-hand man, it didn't stop his mind from wandering back to a certain somebody he thought he had successfully managed to forget.
Melina...
"Good morning, Your Highness" A voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he stepped out of his quarters, dressed in his usual white shirt and black tailcoat along with his striped trousers.
"Good morning, Matthew," he replied to Matthew with a smile and immediately Matthew saw the smile, he knew the prince was about to say something ridiculous.
"What happened last night? Did you lose your appetite after drinking so much?" Leon asked him, making him wonder what exactly this prince was talking about.
Seeing the look on his face, Leon elaborated, "I went out of my chambers yesterday to collect my sword I forgot at the gazebo when I saw the courtesan running out of your quarters crying."
That was enough for Matthew to immediately understand and he silently cursed under his breath.
"I only told her to leave because I wasn't in the mood, she was merely being dramatic," Matthew told him casually like he was the least bothered about how Natalie felt.
"It didn't seem like that was the only thing you said..." Leon raised a brow at him. "So unlike you to lose appetite. I thought drinking heavily makes it more appealing," he tried to joke.
"It does the opposite for me," Matthew retorted and heard Leon chuckle.
"I have sent an order to the servants that the King's table should be used for breakfast today and let the elites know about it," Leon told him.
"Seems you adore entertaining drama, Your Highness," he looked at Leon with a discerning gaze, knowing exactly what he was trying to do.
Leon only smirked, "What can I say? I learned from the best." he was referring to Matthew. "You would also be joining us at the King's table from now on," he added and caught Matthew's attention with his statement.
"I have decided since you will be by my side very soon, you do not have to act like a servant anymore from today." his words were as firm as a rock, indicating that he had already made up his mind.
"Carlos and some other maids would move your belongings from that hideous quarter and take them to the royal quarters where my chamber is located. You will stay there from now on."
"My Lord..." Matthew interrupted him.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness but I cannot accept an offer to stay in your chamber-"
"It is not an offer, Matthew. It is an instruction. I would be moving to my father's chambers also today and that would leave my room vacant. It would be a waste to leave it without anyone in it and that is why I want you there." Leon told him as the both of them stopped in their tracks before he turned to face him.
"You would be in a higher position when I become King. You should also enjoy the privileges that come with it."
Matthew only stared at him in disbelief for a while, his expression almost unreadable before he finally brought himself to speak, "My prince... I... don't know how to feel about this. I... Thank you so much, Your Highness-" Leon saw his friend struggle for words and said,
"You do not have to thank me, Matt. You have done more for me than anyone so it is only proper that I do the same."
Their little conversation was cut in when Leon saw someone coming from the opposite direction. It was the royal physician.
Leon was suddenly reminded of the redhead that plagued him all night and he turned in the direction of the man that kept coming closer to where he stood.
"Speak," he ordered the man when he was close enough.
"Your Highness." he bowed. "The servant has just awoken this morning and seemed to be a bit problematic, not wanting anyone to touch her or come close to her." he gave his report squarely and one of the prince's brows arched upward.
"As expected," he remarked, hiding the underlying excitement that bobbled in his chest at the news.
What did he think of the stubborn girl?
"Did you find any complications?" he asked the royal physician who looked up at him.
Since the man was experienced with his job and had treated a lot of people in his lifetime, he was able to figure out what might have happened to the girl without Leon telling him.
"I noticed some signs of struggle, Your Highness and though I believe I already know what happened to her, I doubt there was any penetration." The man explained and saw how Leon gave him a slightly confused look.
"Penetration?"
Though the prince here had never indulged himself in sexual acts before to be familiar with certain terms, he wasn't dumb to not know what happened between a man and a woman, and somewhere, he was relieved that Julian didn't get to touch her that way.
"I mean her womanly pride is still untouched," the physician explained weirdly, clearing his throat.
"Great," he said and though he wanted to go and see her, he changed his mind and decided to avoid her for now.
"You should tell the head maid to take care of her and do what I asked her to do earlier," he simply ordered, knowing if she was throwing a tantrum at the moment, the only person who could shut her up and tame her was Ms Carlos.
He would do his best to avoid her today. He needed to focus and take care of more important things.
"Right away, Your Highness!" The man bowed and quickly turned around, passing where he had come from before.
The Prince and his right-hand man headed to the dining room where the servants had prepared their breakfast this morning.
"Do not hesitate to chip in one or two things at the table, Matthew. You are now just like every other elite." Leon told him as they approached the King's table which was not too far from them, all the while bracing himself for the drama that awaited him.