"Slow down, honey! They won't be here for another hour."

"Slow down?! The queen and king are going to be here! This place needs to be perfect!" Sadie scrubbed at the already spotless floor.

"That's how it’s supposed to be." Sadie continued scrubbing, so I took it upon myself to clean the guest bedroom as well as I could.

"The cleaning bug got you too?" Kingsley asked while cleaning the high places I couldn't reach.

Kingsley ruffled my hair before he resumed his current task.

~

"Alcott! Kingsley! You two need to wash up before they arrive!" Sadie ushered us to the bathroom, "the bath is ready for both of you."

"Are you fine with that?" I nodded my head.

Actually, I wasn't okay with it… But sometimes you have to make sacrifices.

It's not like I won't get anything in return, after all.

... I feel like a pervert right now.

Is it so bad to wanna see Kingsley's muscles? I want muscles like his someday!

"Here, turn around for a second. I'll help you wash your hair." I enjoyed the gentle touch of his fingers as he massaged the shampoo into my hair.

"You're still so skinny." He rinsed the shampoo out, careful to keep it out of my eyes. He then cleaned his own hair and body.

"Come on, let's get changed before Sadie barges in." Kingsley handed me a pair of nice black breeches and a light brown mid sleeve shirt. I turned away while Kingsley got dressed. I had no intention of peeping on someone else. Even when they were fine with it.

"Are you two about done?" Sadie knocked on the door.

"Yeah," Kingsley slipped on his shirt.

"Then I'm coming in," Sadie opened the door. Kingsley smirked and gave her a peck on the lips.

"You would've come in anyway."

"Can't say no to that," she crouched down and fixed my clothes, "there, much better! Everything's ready, they should be arriving in half an hour or so."

"...Ao," I coughed and rubbed my throat. Wish I could speak and tell them goodbye properly.

"What's wrong? Are you hurting anywhere?" I shook my head and grabbed my handy notebook from the counter.

Sadie and Kingsley looked at each other. Both of them seemed upset.

"It must be hard to not be able to speak. No kid should have to be burdened with that."

"Still..." Sadie grabbed her brush and brushed my hair till there weren't any tangles left. "Let's go downstairs."

I hopped down the stairs. Halfway down, I remembered something.

I ran back up stairs and grabbed my back. I ran back downstairs and rummaged through my bag.

After a few moments, I gave Sadie lavender and rosehip lip balm. Then I grabbed the teel-Iron-Nickel Alloy, iron, and Chromium from my bag.

My arms hurt now. This metal is heavy!

"What's all this?"

"Oh! This innocence! I can't!" Sadie gripped at her chest and turned away. Kingley did the exact same thing.

... I don't get it.

*Knock* *knock* *knock*

Three rapid knocks on the door startled me. Sadie and Kingsley's faces turned grim.

"Coming!" Sadie rushed to the door and opened it. There stood a man in fancy clothing.

"I am here to escort Prince Alcott."

"I thought the king and queen were going to come here in person?"

"There were a few problems, so they had to stop a little ways back and sent me to retrieve Prince Alcott."

"...Alright then," Sadie and Kingsley gave me a tight hug.

"We would love that," Sadie smiled. I walked with the man outside to the carriage. The carriage was pretty normal, not like the extra flashy one I imagined.

"Why is the carriage so..." Sadie trailed off.

"Normal? They didn't want us to catch the attention of thugs or any other unwanted attention."

"I see," I stepped into the carriage. Once inside, I saw there were 3 other men in armor. They must be guards. Makes sense since I'm a prince.

The carriage started to move and I couldn't resist the urge to peep through the small back window. To my dismay, I couldn't see Kingsley or Sadie. Then, Sadie darted out of the house with Kingsley close behind. Tears streamed down her face as they both ran after the carriage with horrified looks on their faces.

Then I saw why. In the distance, I saw the golden glint of a royal carriage.

I wasn't going to my parents.