Unmasked

Chapter 24

"Because he can't handle the responsibility, or he just wishes not to," was what Mariah answered when I asked her.

"He can't just resign?" I ask as we scrub the tiles remaining of the floor on the bathroom. Which is a large tiled room with a large tiled bath, meant to hold a hand full of people in it which I did not bring into question.

"He can resign from ruling the same way we can resign of being servants."

I look up at her.

"That's just the way things are," she's a tone or regret in her voice, she sighs heavily and stands, barely being able to keep balance and the still wet floor.

"But really, if he wanted to change the way things were he'd have to be king. If he were kind he could change the law and not have to be king at all," she laughs to herself.

"What's so funny?" I stare as she tries to make her way out of the room without falling, it almost looks like she's learning how to walk again.

"Well, he'd have to become king to not be a king, it's a paradox; just like the entire their entire ruling history."  And she's finally able to make it out, leaving just me to figure out what she meant.

~*~

"It's late." his voice catches me by surprise as I finally made my way out of the bath. Mariah having other business to attend to, I was left to finish cleaning it alone, which took longer than what I usually take cleaning.

"Did you wait for me?" I felt my face getting heating up. Did I make him wait?

"Its not a problem, I wanted to see you," he gives me a reassuring smile.

I stayed quiet awhile before a smile crept upon my face.

'Thank you." I told him.

"For you, anything."

~*~

He had lead me outside to where he was certain there'd be noone to spot us when we went. There, we walked around a short while, I admired the flowers and roses he had there, the way the stars looked against the clear night sky.

He told me more about his parents, how they used to teach him the simple things of the country such as the plants, animals, and the weather patterns throughout the seasons.

"'A good king must know the land he owns' is what he'd tell me," his eyes seemed sober at the memory of it. It reminded me of the question I had asked him earlier but I said nothing.

"I think that's amazing, how you know so much about the land," I tried to cheer him up.

"Yes, the land,' he said it under his breath. He probably didn't mean for me to hear, so I pretend I didn't.

The subject changed, he then spoke about the places he'd travelled to and how he loved to see the rest of the world. He kept on and on about his dreams or thoughts, I tried my best not to ruin it, for who knows if he'll ever be this open with me again. The moon reached the peak of the sky, and i began to feel it in my system that i've been up too late, and i remembered that Mariah ordered me to go shopping tomorrow along a few other of the maids.

I let him lead me around before I insisted he go back to where he needed to be but he seemed reluctant. That's when I realized something was wrong.

"What is it?"

"What do you mean?" He tried to smile to hide the sadness in his eyes, but this time I see it.

"There's something bothering you."

"Perhaps there is..." he looked away.

I suddenly had the idea to invite him to come shopping with me but I held the thought back. I almost forgot that he's the Prince.

He can't go shopping where I go and I can't go where he goes.

"Don't worry about me, Mary," he tells me as he sees my worried expression, the smile he gives reaches his eyes this time.

"I won't be at the castle as usual tomorrow," I inform him.

"What, why?" He frowns, making me regret bringing it up.

"I need to go shopping, which might take awhile seeing as I'm unsure of what the castle needs." This time I smile, trying to reassure him, though I most likely don't do it as well as he does.

"Would it be impossible for me to go with you?' He suddenly asks, looking me straight in the eyes as he does.

I blink at him.

Yes. I don't say.

"P-people will see us," I spit out, my voice shaking, reminding him of the compromise we made that day in his room.

He nods seeming disappointed, "Oh, yeah."

I feel disappointed as well, because I don't have the courage -no, that I'm not a person that can be seen with him.

"But I really do want you to!" The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them.

My hands cover my mouth and I look down, feeling the hottest my face has ever been.

Why did I say that? I can barely hear my own thoughts as heart continues to pound loudly.

It's quiet for a while, then I finally build up the courage to look up at him again.

I see that he too is looking away, covering his mouth to hide what looks to be a smile. The heat still lingers on my cheeks.

His eyes finally meet mine again.

"Alright then, I will."

It was hard to fall asleep that night.