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“You’re right. I know I have caused Skye great distress. While I may not have hurt her in my eyes, I most certainly did in hers.. Intentional or not, I must face the consequences of my actions,” Tidas finished with a low bow to the old servant woman.

Peggy gasped; her head instantly swiveling around to see who might’ve witnessed the prince’s disgrace. Nobles, especially royalty; Never bowed to the common. She had always thought it was idiotic, but had never said such a thought out loud. Actions defined one’s character, not birth in her eyes. But ’twas not her place to question the way of things, to question her so-called betters. But Prince Tidas, to her great relief; turned out to be a good man.

‘A little too good for me liking,’ Peggy thought to herself; ‘with his wee golden boy speech’.

After checking her surroundings, Peggy smacked the back of his head with her hand like she used to. The prince let out a sharp yelp and raised his head, looking confused. Tidas had expected much worse from the old servant. Peggy let out a sigh of frustration before rebuking him.

“Are ye out yer damn royal mind! What if someone had see ye?! Are ye Tryin’ to get me head cleaved from me shoulders?! Ye don’t bow to the help, boy!” Peggy yelled, but in a hushed tone.

Tidas’ features went stern before he responded; “You are not ‘Help’ to Skye. She loves you dearly, like a grandmother. If you say I have offended her, then I must believe you Peg. For I know you love her like your own kin. I do not believe manners are required or denied due to your birth. All deserve basic respect and dignity. We are All human... Unless there’s something your not telling me?”

.....

Peggy was awestruck by Tidas. Never would she ever have thought a royal would show such humility. Her old heart warmed at the knowledge that this too-good a man, would be her bairn’s husband. Everything he had said be true, with no duplicitous intent behind his speeches. But had anyone else said it, a flogging would’ve been the best they could’ve hoped for.

Peggy smiled her warm, toothy grin at Tidas before replying; “Yer no fun to pick on, me laddie.. Ye have grown into a fine man, but Ima glad to see that the boy still resides in ye. Me bairn missed him terribly when she’d thought she’d lost him. Show her the boy she once knew before ye introduce her to the man she’s to wed.”

Tidas smiled softly at Peggy as he nodded. Relieved to see her ire had left her, Tidas relaxed slightly. The old woman was just as frightening now as she had been when he was a lad. Peggy had been the only one to ever raise a hand to him; aside from Skye and his own father. She had earned his admiration by showing him the real truth of the world: If you’re a shitty enough person, someone was eventually going to hit you.

As Tidas began to reminisce, Peggy picked up her skirts and walked past him. She placed her hand on the door knob before turning back to the prince. She gave him a cheeky smile before saying; “I suppose ye be wantin’ to reconcile before ye break yer fast.. Don’t want the Lord thinkin’ something’s amiss.”

Tidas tensed again. Although he knew Peggy was right, the idea of facing Skye so soon was intimidating. Knowing his options, he nodded hesitantly to Peggy. He’d rather reconcile now than deal with the awkwardness of the situation in front of her parents. As the old woman closed the door behind her, the prince considered his situation and possible solutions.

‘Who leaves their closet without clothes on?! Then again, why didn’t I notice her clothes laid out on the bed?’ Tidas’ thoughts began to run amuck in his head.

The image of Skye’s naked body popped into his mind’s eye again. She had her arms above her head when she had exited her closet. Her shapely body had instantly stirred his desires. Never had he Ever seen such a beautiful body. Her long, curly red hair looked like soft, living flames against her pale skin. He imagined what it would feel like to run his fingers through it.. To grab it and hold her head steady as he took her lips.

Feeling his passions rising, Tidas shook the image from his head. Now was not the time for it. He needed to think of what to say to Skye before Peggy came back for him. A simple sorry would not be enough. Maybe he could buy her something? No, that was what his father would do. It was patchwork; it didn’t fix the actual problem. As the prince racked his brain, Peggy tended to her lady..

Skye was basically dressed when her servant had entered. She looked like a doe caught in a trap when the door had opened. It caused Peggy to chortle loudly, but only for a few seconds. The look in her lady’s eyes was one of warning now. Not that Skye was threatening in any way to her, but the lass could pitch a fit when the mood struck.

Acknowledging her lady with a slight bow and catty smile, Peggy walked over to Skye before saying; “Well.. There goes the upper hand for that poor laddie! Hahaha!”

Skye froze; ‘What had he said? Was Tidas still there? Outside me room? Where he should’ve been in the First place?! No! I don’t want to see him now! I just-I just can’t! The embarrassment.. It’s just too much.. How the Hell am I supposed to face him?!’

As if reading Skye’s thoughts, Peggy spoke; “Oh, laddie spilled his guts to Me upon sight, me bairn. But the prince is not one to blab about his business and self to others, and ye well know it..”

“He’s to be yer husband, lass.. Ye have to face him. And better to do it now than in front of the lord. He’ll not take kindly to yers and Prince Tidas’ shenanigans, should he hear of ’em,” Peggy finished lacing up Skye as she ended her chiding.

“‘How the bloody hell is any of this me fault?! I was havin’ a Bath! Had I known a man awaited me in me room, future husband or not; I would’ve stayed in me damn closet!” Skye replied, straining to keep her voice low.

“Aye, and when has fault ever been needed to place blame when royalty is concerned?! How many times did the prince get scolded when ye was bairns?! Not but once!” Peggy paused to grab and use the brush from Skye’s vanity before continuing; “And that was only because He took responsibility.”

“This world has always, ever been one-sided. Men make the rules while we wee women folk obey. Else, we suffer for it. Best to make yer peace with it, me sweet,” Peggy finished while separating her lady’s curls.

Skye pouted at Peggy’s words, for she knew them to be true. Men had final say in most matters in their kingdom. When she had first met her dear Mei, the culture differences were staggering. Women had almost equal rights in the Sai Republic. They even had two female Senators in their government. But that was Sai, and she lived in Alcon.

Women were seen as property here. Used as bargaining pieces, or toys. Few men allowed their women to learn to read and write. Only select noble women knew how; most being older. Skye had preferred their company versus the girls her age.

The majority of women her age were the complete opposite of Skye’s personality. Seemingly content to occupy their time with talk of only clothes, gossip, and men. Skye needed more than that. Even as a child, she was quite intelligent. And Lord Moonstone has encouraged it.

Memories of Skye’s old teacher filled her mind and heart. Her father had spent a fortune on food, travel expenses, and lodging for a teacher willing to take on a girl as a pupil. He was from the Sai Republic, and had actually turned out to be Mei’s Uncle. But Skye had been the only one to know that. There were many secrets they shared, for he was like a brother to her, as well as her teacher.

“Are ye even Listening to me lassie?! Stop retreatin’ into yer head and face him! All this Lollygaggin’ about has made ye late to break yer fast. The lord and lady will be waitin’ on ye and the prince. Now move yer arse!” Peggy’s harsh words shook Skye from her thoughts as the old servant finished with her hair.

She stared at her servant like she had slapped her, but quickly collected herself. A thought had occurred to her that brought a calming breath with it. The chiding from Peggy had jarred a random memory loose.

‘The courtyard! We could break our fast together in the courtyard! Just like I used to with Genie. That will buy me a wee bit of time, and mother and father probably won’t come!’

Skye smiled wide as she looked at Peggy. The old woman was very familiar with that particular look. It was the smile Skye dawned whenever she thought she was being clever. Peggy huffed before replying to Skye’s unspoken thought, “Why must ye make more work for this tired, old woman?!”

Ignoring her loyal servant’s grievances, Skye began her orders: “Inform my parents that Prince Tidas and I shall dine with them tonight, for supper. That we shall break our fast And luncheon together, to become more acquainted with one another.. Oh! And! That our luncheon will be a picnic. If Ima to leave me home tomorrow night for good, then I would like to go for one last ride on Thoth.”

“Are ye not forgetting somethin’ there lassie?” Peggy stared at Skye a moment before light shown in her eyes.

Skye turned towards the door as she remembered the reason she had to create her distractions. Her eyes went wide as her hand gestured to the door as she almost yelled’ “Oh shit! Tidas!”