The Stablehand

Chapter 1

Melana bowed her head politely to Prince Renzo Alesi as he approached her in the hallway. The sun did not shine through the stained glass, only the eerie yellow moon light lit the corridor. Although the ceiling looked like it went up to the heavens and the corridor was wide enough to fit a heard of horses through it, Melena felt claustrophobic as Prince Renzo began to walk towards her. She hoped that if she turned to the task at hand, scrubbing the floors, that he would walk away.

"Hello, lovely." His voice was slightly slurred as he continued closer to her. She looked up and met his dark, almost black, eyes. He took her small cold hand in his own large and warm one and pulled her to her feet.

"Your highness." Melena said in slight protest.

"I've never seen you around here before. Why is that? I love pretty things." He chuckled and his breath smelled of ale.

"I clean at night, to keep out of the way." Melena said leaning against the cold stone wall. Prince Renzo ran his fingers down the sleeves of Melena's simple brown frock. "I really should return to my duties, your highness." Melena's electric blue eyes collided with Prince Renzo's and he knew Melena would not be willing bend to his will. He gripped her arms with an iron clad grip. "Let me go." Melena ordered as she tried to wrench herself away from Prince Renzo.

"You will come with me you, dirty peasant!" He yelled. Dragging her along a few steps.

"I will not!" She yelled as she brought her leg in front of his making his trip and loose his footing. He did have an iron clad grip though and managed to keep a hold of her. He brought Melena down with him. Prince Renzo straddled her and held her hands above her head. "Get off me!" She yelled wriggling underneath his weight. She managed to move her leg and knee him in the crouch.

He grunted and released her for only a second but it was enough for her to roll out from underneath him. She darted to her feet and ran down the hall but not too far. Prince Nero caught her arm. Melena's beautiful blue eyes captivated him but Melena was less than impressed with the change in the situation.

"Give her here brother." Prince Renzo said. "She was disobeying my orders." Prince Renzo stood and began to walk closer and Prince Nero finally pulled his gaze away from Melena to look at his younger brother. Prince Renzo pushed his dark hair out of his face with an exaggerated motion.

"What say you, servant? Did you?" Prince Nero looked back down at Melena with a cold expression.

"I was doing my assigned duties, your highness." Melena's voice was strong and didn't waiver as she looked over resentfully at Prince Renzo.

"Lies. You should know better peasant." Prince Renzo snarled getting too close for comfort. Prince Renzo leaned in so his face was inches from Melena's face.

"Brother." Prince Nero's voice was low and dangerous. "Leave us." Prince Renzo spat at Prince Nero's feet before he turned and walked away. Prince Nero held onto Melena until Prince Renzo was out of ear shot. "You look familiar." Prince Nero slowly loosened his grip on Melena but never fully released her.

"I've been a servant her for a few years now." Melena answered shortly.

"No, that's not it." Prince Nero's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Then he remembered. "You attacked me, in that tavern months ago."

"In my defense, you did take away my ale." Melena responded with a small tense smile. She had only been put in the dungeon for a night until she had sobered up, so to speak. But after that, what had just transpired between her and Prince Renzo, she wasn't sure Prince Nero would act as merciful as he had before. 

"You kept screaming that she was dead." The small smile Melena had was now wiped off of her face at those words. "Who was she?"

"To be frank your highness, it is of no consequence if she was my mother, a sister, or a cousin. She is dead. You did not know her so therefore she is out of the question. If you don't have any other questions, your highness, I do have duties to attend to." And with that Melena went off into the dark palace hall.