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((temporary avatar change lol*))

Tala was collected from his room early the next morning by a new face, the man was smartly dressed and spoke very little. They would head down to breakfast - this time unaccompanied by Matron, then the gentleman led Tala to the throne room.

His parents were otherwise distracted with important matters and therefore weren't there to oversee and deal with the daily 'rantings' of the public... That meant he had to sit through their queries and requests whilst his advisor negotiated with the locals....

Luckily, his newly appointed advisor took care of many of the visitors, but as a whole, it was a rather tiresome experience... Arthur Creed appeared to have quite the experience dealing with the villagers, but even his words seemed a little harsh sometimes.

Resting his head on his fist, Tala watched the man perform his work, listening to the visitors as they pleaded for advice on how to deal with their problems before leaving no more assisted than they arrived... Eventually the stream turned into a trickle before the hall became empty. Still Tala had to remain seated, it was his role to 'guard the throne' and he would have to stay there until one of his parents came to take over the role...

"You should really keep your eyes on your job." Arthur frowned, hearing the yelp before turning to face the girl, "I'm sure if Matron was around she would discipline you on your lack of attention." His voice was like velvet and no doubt matched his looks, but his attitude stunk...

Tala's attention snapped from the spillage on the floor to his advisor, yes the man was harsh, but what riled him more was how he reacted to the incident... At least she was cleaning it up, rather than covering it with a plant pot like he'd seen some of the other maids doing...

"There's a stain on the carpet over here as well. You might want to get onto that once you've cleaned up that water."

Tala locked eyes with Rosa for a moment, stunned that the man would speak to her in such a way, but then as the man turned and muttered something about the 'servants' having no idea how important cleanliness was in such a building, the Prince realised how little Arthur thought of those beneath him...

It had crossed his mind several times that day why he wasn't infact accompanied by Jack, but every time he tried to broach the subject, Arthur would cut him off or find something else to talk about... Eventually, King Trogan would come to take up his throne, relieving the male of his duties and leaving him to take a 'wander' around the gardens...

"Trying to say the least..." Tala muttered in reply to their questions, this advisor was beginning to get on his nerves, moreso following the moment Tala had stepped away from the gardener as the man nudged close...

"Defying the Royal Law would be a great injustice against the family." Arthur 'bat-ears' Creed had heard the man's joking comment and appeared almost as though from nowhere behind the gardener. "I'd keep an eye on that girl, she seems to be everywhere..." he frowned, "Perhaps I should speak to Matron about her..."

"Just leave her alone." Tala uttered a low growl, glaring at the man who lifted his eyes before narrowing them.

"You of all people should be aware that there are rules one must stick to. If this maid is seen within your presence, questions will be asked and with questions comes controversy. You cannot risk any more uproar, especially after your faux-pas barely a day ago."

Tala didn't know whether to lunge at the man and beat him to within an inch of his life, or shout him down about how he'd been thrown into an environment that was far away from what he was used to - and the fact he'd been expected to sit and take commands like a trained animal...

Seeing no way forward besides perhaps doing something he would regret, Tala clenched his fists, then turned and walked away. Arthur was hot on his heels, but as he drew level with the male, Tala did something that seemed to remove a little of his frustration...

Extending his arms, the Prince shoved the man from the side of the walkway - those watching may just have laughed to see the lanky man's legs disappearing over the top of a hedge, followed by a loud splash as he sunk into one of the pools... Tala didn't stop walking however and soon disappeared inside the castle.

((sorry for delay, got writers block...)) sweatdrop

Tala was running on autopilot as he made his way through the castle, eventually he would find himself in the training room, armed with his daggers and beating the heck out of a dummy-warrior. It swung and spun with each hit before he sheathed his weapons and took it on with his hands, punching and kicking before finding his frustration leaving him...

Arthur had taken the time to dry himself off and change his clothes and now scoured the castle for his charge... None of the maids or servants had any idea (although some of them were clearly playing dumb) and some even sent him the wrong way, but eventually he located Matron who directed him towards the training room.

By then, Tala had taken a break from beating up the battle material and now sat on a block to the side of the room, drinking some water.

The gathered crowd that had been watching him train scattered when Arthur appeared, but they knew better than to cross the man and hastily vacated the area.

Setting the water aside, Tala rose to his feet, ready to continue training before jamming on the brakes and narrowing his eyes as his eyes met those of the advisor.

Arthur did not fume, scowl or rant... Instead he made his way across the room, stopping a few feet away before folding his arms. "I would think they're expecting you for dinner. Shall we go?" he held out an arm as though directing the Prince to lead the way.

Tala gave a growl, but obliged, making his way down the corridor towards the great hall...

When the man had said 'they're' expecting him, Tala had thought that perhaps there would be more than just himself and Arthur at the table, alas, there was nobody else in the room besides the occasional maid and of course the waiting staff who hurried to place the pair's meals before them before Mr Creed threatened them with dismissal...

Tala watched as they pulled back the lids covering the food, then, being careful to recall how Jack had tried to teach him how to 'eat like a Royal' he started to tuck in...his eyes lifting occasionally towards his advisor who seemed not to have even picked up a fork...

After a while of being watched, Tala set his cutlery down and pushed himself away from the table, glaring at the man who regarded him with a confused look.

"I don't like people watching me eat." Tala growled, "Either start eating, or take your meal elsewhere."

Arthur was stunned, then his eyes narrowed. There was a moment of silence, then the man reached for his fork, dropping his eyes to his meal as he picked up his knife and started to carve his meat.

Realising the door was open, Tala calmly removed his plate from the table, helping himself to a handful of other items before slipping away. He was surprised when Arthur didn't stop him leaving, but as he walked out through the door he cast a glance behind and realised his advisor hadn't noticed.

Shrugging, Tala walked down the corridor, his eyes scanning the rooms as he passed them before he came to a stop, taking a seat on a nearby windowsill before setting his plate down and continuing his meal - without the cutlery.

Tala was intrigued that the maids and servants weren't allowed to eat before the royals had finished, but he remained silent and listened to her speak before pushing the plate towards the girl.

"I figured you might be hungry..." he didn't know how much food servants were given and he had layered the plate up more than enough that he had eaten his fill whilst waiting for her to arrive.

He hadn't enjoyed being 'Royal' there were so many restrictions and being a 'free-spirit' he didn't like to be restricted... But then again, at the back of his mind, there was something...perhaps being in power might be useful...

"Do you know where Jack is?" Should Rosa choose to eat, Tala would keep watch so that she wouldn't be caught eating off a Royal's plate, "I haven't seen him since that incident with the Bandit..." Rosa might not have been able to distinguish the tiniest look of concern on his face for the old warrior, but it was there...

"It won't be safe for us both to sneak away." Tala frowned, "People will start asking questions if they haven't already..." His eyes drifted down momentarily to the plate as it became clear - it was obvious they didn't feed the servants as much as they laid out for the King and his family...

"Arthur sleeps in his own room, so I will search for Jack. You should rest whilst you can." He suddenly rose to his feet as he spotted his advisor making his way swiftly down the corridor towards them...

"Here." Picking up the plate, Tala pushed it towards Rosa before narrowing his eyes, "I expect you know where this goes. Take it back." He glanced briefly towards the man before turning and walking away, leaving Rosa holding the empty plate.

Arthur eyed her suspiciously, then turned his head as Tala disappeared down the corridor.

"I think you heard his highness?" He raised an eyebrow at the girl before sweeping past her and pursuing the Prince as a reasonably quick walking pace...