Ambrose was sitting on a stool placed on the doorway, he watched as Zielle slowly made her way towards him. He had explained to her, what he did yesterday and walked with her a couple of times to help her familiarize with the room before letting her walk by herself. 

“Rose?” She paused 

“I’m still here, keep going I won’t move” 

She nodded and continued, she bumped into the table, making her fall forwards but she stopped herself by placing her hands in the table. Ambrose stood up but she raise herself

“I’m okay, don’t move please” 

Ambrose sat down again “Move three to the left” 

Zielle pouted “You aren’t supposed to help me!” 

Ambrose chuckled “It’s just a little bit of help” 

Zielle nodded slowly, and counted three steps to the left before continuing forward. She started waving her arms around trying to find furniture and when she couldn’t find any she paused

“It’s okay, just keep going straight” Ambrose extended his arms

Zielle started walking slowly and when she felt his arms, she confidently walked forward, he placed his hands on her hips

“You made it Elle!” He smiled looking up

She pouted “I still crashed three times on the bed and then once in the table” She murmured

“But you made it, so that’s great” Zielle placed her hands on his shoulders “I’m so proud of you” 

She smiled “Rose...how the story of the rabbit ended?” 

He looked down confused, but then he chuckled “Oh, sorry I fell asleep…well the rabbit finally started receiving instead of giving” 

“Did that made him happy?” 

“Yes… I supposed…I’ll read you another one tonight okay and I promise not to fall asleep” 

Zielle slowly moved her hands towards Ambrose face. He leaned his head back and close his eyes, letting her touch his face. Her thin fingers slowly moved from his forehead to his lips

“Rose…the girls told me your hair color is like the earth is that true?” 

He smiled “Yes, that’s correct Elle” 

She slowly removed her hands from his face “I’m sorry…I was curious” She placed her hands in his shoulders again

“It’s okay…are you done?” He opened his eyes and stared at her 

She hesitated but nodded slowly

“Are you sure?” He smiled 

“Well…Can I touch your hair?” 

“Yes go ahead” He leaned his head forwards and she slowly moved her hands across his hair

“It’s soft” She said softly, she then leaned in and took a deep breath “And it smells good” 

Ambrose smiled, he almost fell asleep. The slow movement of her hands in his hair was soothing. 

She placed her hands in his shoulders again “Thank you” 

“Are you satisfied now?” He look up drowsily 

“Yes.” She smiled, there was a little of blush in her cheeks

Ambrose smiled and turned her around “Alright let’s continue, try to reach the bed” 

***

“Your highness, don’t forget to close the windows and light the fireplace, it gets really cold during nighttime…Poor Clara caught a cold because she was wandering around at night” Lyra said while taking the food out of the basket

“I been taking care of Zielle, and I’m pretty confident to say that I been doing a great job” Ambrose said proudly

Lyra stare at him “You really think so your highness?” She walked over towards Zielle and showed Ambrose the bruises on her legs “Also Sandwiches aren’t the recommended food she must eat if she were to gain weight” 

“I was teaching her to walk around the room without my help…it’s not good that she continues to be really dependent on people” 

Zielle nodded “Yes, Rose is right…I actually feel a little uncomfortable getting help all the time since I been on my own for a very long time” 

Lyra approached the table and grabbed a plat “But that was before his highness was there for you, so now that he’s here you should get comfortable getting help” 

Lyra started helping Zielle who slowly started eating by herself and Ambrose sat down next to her.

“Your highness…If I may ask, is the kingdom really safe at the hands of your brother?” 

“Lyra, like I say every day I wish you wouldn’t call me your highness anymore and regarding the kingdom…I don’t know but it’s not my problem anymore” He grabbed the plate and started eating 

“I just hope that even though you don’t want the throne you will still step forward when the people needs you, after all you are the rightful king and everyone knows that” 

Ambrose nodded, Lyra was right especially with his personality. Ambrose knew that deep inside him, he still worried to this day about the kingdom and the responsibilities he left behind and he wouldn’t hesitate to step forward to help the kingdom and its people even if that wasn’t something he wanted. He turned towards Zielle who was smiling while eating and talking to Lyra, if he were to go back to the palace he would put her in danger and ruin this beautiful simple life they were having. 

***

Three months had passed, Zielle had learned to walk by herself around the house and she had also learned to make Jelly sandwiches. Ambrose in the other hand, had kept moving things around the house and helping the villagers. 

Zielle had fallen asleep while Ambrose read her a new book. He placed it on the table besides the bed and cover her with a blanket. Suddenly the door opened and Evander’s blond hair shone with the light of the fireplace, he smiled when he saw Ambrose

“Hello!” He swung the door opened making Ambrose get up quickly

“Shhh Zielle is sleeping” He dragged Evander outside and closed the door “How did you enter? I made sure to lock every door and window” 

Evander showed him a couple of keys “I’m the owner” He smirked “Is there something we need to talk about my dear innocent prince?” 

Ambrose glared at him “No, nothing like that has happened and it won’t she’s just my friend” He sighed “What are you doing here?” 

“Oh yeah, a friend” He emphasized the word friend with a wink and tone of voice “Anyways I have a couple of things to discuss with you and they are very important” 

“Do I have the option to ignore you and go to sleep?” Ambrose smiled but Evander remained silent which caused Ambrose to roll his eyes “I guess not” 

“Look a lot of things has happened since your ‘death’ and since I’m your friend your brother suspects me” 

“Didn’t you say you had everything under control before I left?” Ambrose smirked

“Yeah well I truly underestimated your brother” Evander sighed “Please just help me, would you really leave your best friend to struggle?”

“Yes” Ambrose chuckled and motioned Evander to follow him.