Chapter 4

“Master Thorn!” The same middle age man in white uniform yelled out to Thorn as he approached them.

“Master Thorn!…how did this happen?” the man asked looking baffled.

“It was a thug, he stabbed him with a knife.” Rose answered before Thorn could say anything.

“You were attacked! We need to get back to the car!" the man panicked and pulled him.

“I am fine Cadbury…It’s just a minor cut,” Thorn hurriedly said before Cadbury could finish his sentence.

Rose looked at Cadbury and wondered who he was. Noticing how he repeatedly addressed Thorn as Master and panicked on looking at Thorn’s bleeding arm, she assumed that he was a guardian to Thorn.

“You again?” Cadbury exclaimed on noticing Rose.

“I’m positive you had something to do with this,” Cadbury said in a rage of fury. As he pulled Thorn towards his side, Rose slipped her hands off Thorn’s arm and hung her head down. She realized he was the same person who had yelled at her earlier for pricking Thorn during their first meeting.

“Cadbury, she had nothing to do in this,” Thorn explained and released himself from Cadbury’s grip.

Realizing Cadbury’s words had hurt Rose, Thorn apologized on behalf of him and offered to drop her back to her quarters.

“Get the car, Cadbury…We will drop Miss Rose first,” Thorn Ordered Cadbury who left with a frown on his face. He wasn’t too happy with Thorn’s new found friend, but orders were orders, being a companion to Thorn he couldn’t dare to disobey him.

“It isn’t necessary Thorn…I will manage.” Rose answered and avoided Thorn’s gaze.

“It won’t look agreeable if I left you all on your own at this time of the night.” Thorn explained and tried to convince her into accepting his offer.

The car honked from a distance, signaling Thorn that it was ready and waiting for them. Thorn looked at Rose once again and raised his left arm sideways, gesturing her to walk ahead. Failing to reject Thorn’s offer, Rose hesitantly took two steps forward and walked with him towards the steam car that was waiting for them at the entrance of the park.

As they walked silently, Rose remembered that Thorn’s arm was still bleeding. She quickly slipped off the scarf from her neck and before Thorn could realize, she tied it around his arm in an effort to stop the bleeding.

“You didn’t have to,” Thorn looked at his arm and said in a soft tone.

“Thorn, I owe you a lot…this is the least I can do for you.” Rose replied and blinked her pretty grey eyes. She saw his calm face and wondered how his arm didn’t hurt him a bit. With a lot of courage she finally asked him the question that was disturbing her mind.

“Why is it that you can’t feel pain?” She asked him abruptly as they neared his car.

“Good question...but if you ever get the answer, do inform me as well.” He said and chuckled.

Rose stared at him in amusement and rolled her eyes. She felt he was fooling her and so she sulked, “Are you pulling my leg?”

Thorn shrugged and replied, “No, my hands are completely free…see.”

Rose sighed and looked away, “You’re weird…no wonder you’re a musician.” She said and folded her hands as a gust of cool breeze blew her wavy mahogany hair.

Cadbury got out of the car and hurriedly opened the doors for them, they both sat inside and headed towards the Royal Arts academy. On the way Rose enquired why he was seen playing in the campus. He then explained that he had opted for the music course in the academy, since he had nothing worthwhile to do.

“So will we be meeting often?” Rose exclaimed in excitement.

“No, Master Thorn has other duties to fulfill…don’t you Master?” Cadbury sternly interrupted and looked at Thorn from the front mirror.

Thorn sighed and scratched his head. They arrived at the academy and dropped Rose near the gate. He asked her if he could walk her till her quarters but Rose refused and thanked him for his chivalry.

“Master Thorn, I don’t approve of your company with Miss Rose.” Cadbury said as he turned the car and left the academy. He drew the car in a fast pace and starred at Thorn from the mirror.

“You never approve anything thing that I do.” Thorn remarked and raised an eyebrow.

“Master, I say it for your benefit, should I remind you that the queen has appointed me as your companion for reasons you know best?” Cadbury smirked and honked at the huge gates that guarded the Royal Palace as the neared it.

“Don’t start all over again, Cadbury.” Thorn replied in irritation as he saw all the guards saluting him as their car passed by them and entered the main entrance of the palace.

“What am I to answer when the queen notices your minor cut?” Cadbury asked him as he pulled over the car.

“That’s if she notices!” Thorn replied and got out, he went around and entered through the west doors of the Palace.

As he walked the Persian red carpet that stretched far and wide, he was greeted by his pet dog Tangle, there was no need explaining why the Royal pet had such a funny name, no sooner did the white Labrador, with twinkling eyes went around his legs in excitement, Thorn lost his balance and fell.

“Brother where have you been?...you got me worried.” A young man with golden brown hair and hazel eyes asked Thorn with a look of concern.

“Robin!...sometimes you make me feel you’re the elder one.” Thorn chuckled and patted Tangle’s head as he spoke.

Robin was Thorn’s younger brother and the future king. He was the opposite of Thorn, where Thorn was the complete fun loving and relaxed Prince, Robin was the serious, focused and mature one.

“ Your constant wandering out of the palace puts me in a fix…I can’t cover up for you every time you leave.” Robin explained and showed his dissatisfaction.

“That’s the least you can do for your brother who stayed away for nearly eight years...for your safety.” Thorn paused and continued with a grin.

“For your safety, not mine!” Robin corrected his brother. Robin was unaware that the Queen had sent his elder brother away, fearing that Thorn would unknowingly hurt Robin since Thorn himself never knew what pain was. Thorn learnt about it as he grew in the companionship of Cadbury, his guide, teacher and philosopher. But he didn’t mind, for a matter of fact nothing hurt Thorn physically or emotionally.

“You have yet to learn a lot, my future King.” Thorn smiled and walked past Robin.

“Brother your sleeve is stained with blood…what happened?” Robin asked in bewilderment as his eyes scrutinized Thorn’s arm.

“Good night, Robin!” Thorn replied in return and ignored answering his younger brother’s question.

Thorn ascended the artistically designed wooden staircase and headed towards the east side of the palace. He pushed open the heavy brass doors and entered his royal room. As he slouched on his plush leather armchair; he looked at his arm and untied the pink scarf that had turned red. He touched and felt the smoothness of the fabric. A smile appeared on his face as he recollected his encounter with Rose, the young, curious, and clumsy ballerina of London.

Thorn’s room was customized to his necessity, unlike the other royal rooms, there was not a single piece of furniture or artifact that had the slightest potential of hurting Thorn. Thorn felt more like a trapped princess than a prince, he was ordered by the queen to spend his time in the room that was specially designed for his safety. Of course the queen loved him equally but being the delicate Prince that he was, special care was to be taken when it came to addressing Thorns needs.

Back in the girls quarters all had fallen asleep except for Violet. Lady Oak had secretly handed over the keys to her so that Rose could enter the quarters without having to spend the night sleeping in the garden. Though Lady Oak was particular about her rules , she managed to compromise it for Rose and Violet, her favorite amongst all the young girls.

Violet sat on the little stone steps that trailed from the gates to the quarters. She was in her night robe and a shawl to protect her frail body from the cold air that occasionally teased her.

As she waited for Rose she slipped out a sealed envelope from her pocket. She caught it in between her fingers and stared at it for a long time. Her Black eyes searched for something, she was lost in deep thoughts but was soon startled by the sudden noise of footsteps that crunched the dried leaves.

“Rose! What took you so long?” Violet enquired as she cautiously slipped the envelope back inside her pocket.

“It’s a long story.” Rose replied and sulked.

“Well, okay cut it short and give me the highlights.” Violet said with curiosity in her eyes.

“Okay, firstly Dame Petal, there is more to her than what meets the eye. Secondly I am suspended from the school for thirty days starting from tomorrow, and thirdly…”

“Suspended from the school!...” Violet yelled in surprise before Rose could complete her sentence.

“Yes, but I am happy…at least I don’t have to do the passé and pirouettes.” Rose explained with a sigh of relief and pointed her feet.

“You’re taking this too lightly Rose.” Violet frowned and got up to move inside.

“Who knows Violet, maybe this is the beginning of something new?” Rose justified and winked at her as they both closed the doors behind them.

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Don't mind the silly titles i give each chapter, they are nursery rhymes that match the stories in some way. :p