Pheles’s POV:

I blink my eyes slowly as I slip out of sleep. A soft light streams through my windows, creating a comfortable drowsy atmosphere that has me curling further into my blankets. Contentedly, I nuzzle down into my pillow preparing to fall back asleep, however life seems to have other plans for me because no sooner do my eyes close does someone burst into my room.

The door slams roughly against the wall and for a minute I think it will fall off its hinges, but whoever built this castle must have prepared for human disasters because the door remains firmly in place.

“How can you still be asleep at this hour!” The voice of my mother calls from the edge of my bed and I turn over to glare at her. “Where are your maids? I’ll have them dismissed for this.” She continues and I have to force myself not to roll my eyes. No use antagonizing her further, not when she is already peeved with me.

“I sent them away. They no longer look after me.” I tell her with a soft yawn that reminds me of my desire to go back to bed.

“Why on Earth would you do that?” The look my mother gives me as she asks this is almost enough to make me laugh. Her face is screws up like she has smelt something particularly nasty and her eyes glare at me between narrowed lids.

“No need to look at me like that.” I say calmly while sitting up in order to look her square in the eyes. I know she considers it incredibly rude to not look a person in the face while they talk to you.

“Like what?” She asks, a challenge in her voice as if she is daring me to say what I am thinking.

“Like I’m a fool.” If the honesty in my voice fazes her she doesn’t show it.

“If you don’t want to be seen as a fool, then don’t behave like one.” She answers in perfectly posh language. Her years as a queen showing plainly in the candor of her voice. “Now I believe I asked you a question. Why on Earth have you sent your maids away and how long have they been gone?”

“They have been gone for around a week, I’m actually rather surprised you haven’t noticed it until now.” I yawn again before continuing. “And I sent them away because they kept going to father every time I stepped so much as a toe out of line, the little traitors.”

My mother’s face sours a bit more before she sighs and gracefully falls onto the bed. Back straight, legs crossed, hands folded in her lap, the epitome of nobility.

“Pheles.” She scolds calmly before breaking into a miniature rant. “It is your father’s duty to make sure that the royal family behave themselves in a manner which befits those of royal blood. It is only natural that he would check up on you, especially after all the trouble you caused last year with Duke Rentmond’s daughter.”

I bite my lip at the not so unwelcome memory. Duke Rentmond’s daughter is a thing of beauty and I in no way regret our time together. Unfortunately, the rest of the world seems hell bent on forcing me to feel ashamed.

Apparently it is incredibly inappropriate for two consenting adults to enjoy each others company while there families discuss politics. I mean, I can see their point if there had been any deflowering going on, a ladies first time should not happen in a dusty old broom closet, however Lady Clarence was most definitely a veteran. If she was a virgin, then I’m a fucking baby clown.

“Must we constantly bring this up? You know my stance on the issue. Besides, it's not as if anything was released to the press.” My mother gives me a withering look as if to tell me I am missing the point, but who cares? It's not as if she is getting my point either.

“You know that isn’t the point.” She confirms what I already guessed. “What if she had become attached or worse, pregnant?”

“Oh mumsy please. I have been going to the library for years. Do you honestly think I haven't found the room dedicated to that sort of magic? I cast a protection spell of course.” I say a bit blandly. I swear sometimes she treats me like a child, even though I am over the age of majority and have been for a while.

“That is not the point.” She scolds again and this time I can’t help the eye roll that pushes forth. “Your behavior is unacceptable and I’m not just talking about that instance. Lord knows how many times you have been in similar situations. It’s only a matter of time before you cause a scandal.”

“Not going to happen. I’m very careful.” I respond automatically.

“You see? This is why we must keep tabs on you. This flippant attitude of yours is going to get you in trouble one day and I won’t have you tarnishing your royal heritage.” Her voice is a bit higher as she says this, a bit angrier and I know she is close to yelling at me. “I shall go regather your maids, lord knows you need them.”

That last part seems targeted and I can’t help but ask, “What do you mean by that?”

“Look at yourself.” She laughs while gesturing at my bedraggled form. “You're a mess. You need someone to attend to you. I will not have you walking around the palace like this.”

I can't help but feel a little emasculated by her comment which is probably why I end up blurting, “For your information I have someone.” Which turns out not to be the best idea, because as soon as the words pass my lips she gives me a calculated glare.

“I thought you sent the maids away? Oh Gods, please don’t tell me you are hiding some seductress around the palace and are allowing her soiled hands to see to you. You are a prince you have an image to uphold.” She says as if she has been scandalized.

“No it's nothing like that.” I tell her coolly. I am a bit insulted that she would jump directly to that conclusion. There hasn’t been that many women, thirty maybe forty tops. “I found a mute boy. I figured seeing as he doesn’t talk, I would have no need to worry about him running his mouth to father.”

“You are letting some stranger attend to you? Are you out of your mind?” She gasps in shock and for the first time since she came into my room her regal posture falters. “Has he even been screened? Who is this boy and where did you find him?”

“Of course he has been screened, who do you think I am?” I tell her with narrowed eyes. “He is the Captain of the Guards child.” 

Upon hearing my words her composure completely crumbles and her face goes slack. When she finally speaks her voice is clipped and laced with shards of ice. “Take me to this boy, now.”