Chapter Two: The Monarch: Part One

"Alde," A read headed woman said, her arms outstretched, smiling, "I feared that you missed our meeting."

The young prince smiled, nervously fiddling with the strap of his bag. "Forgive me...mother." He said. "I was watching the people at the square. I lost track of time.

The woman smiled broadly. "Oh, it was fun, right," She said. "No wonder you lost track of time."

Aldric's small smile fell a little. "Very fun."

"Good good," The woman said, holding her arm out, "Come over here."

"No thank you mother,” Aldric said. “I must catch up on what I missed during my morning outing.”

The woman’s smile fell. “But you only just arrived.”

“And now I must leave. I have duties.”

“Let your brother handle them.”

“He must train the knights!”

“Hemlock can still handle it.”

“He cannot study for me.”

“Eris then.”

“She cannot study for me either, mother.”

“Well, you can stay up later to study.”

“Nonsense. I have to do it now.”

“Why?”

“Well, I have tutors that come, I cannot miss the sessions.”

“You have one scheduled for right now?”

“No, but I must complete other things before then.”

The woman sighed. “Well, if you must.”

Aldric smiled and hurried out.

A bit of cheese fell out of his bag.

“Alde,” The woman said, standing from her throne. “What is this?”

Aldric spun around, seeing the fallen bit of evidence.

“That is a bit of my lunch,” He said, trying to keep the red from his face. “I picked it up at the market while I was out.”

“Really?”

“Yes,”

“I thought you would eat what the chief made.”

“I was going to have a picnic today.”

“With just cheese?”

“Bread too.”

“Okay, then I will come with you,” She said. “I will join your picnic of bread and cheese.”