Simple Servant

Chapter 29 - A Study in Confusion

Chapter 29 – A Study in Confusion

~~~ King Freddrick

A frown had found its way to Freddrick's face by the time Noah entered the study. He had decided that given the late hour, it would be better to skip the pleasantries completely. "Will you explain what happened, or should I ask her Highness to clarify it for me?"

Noah's face reddened and he quickly ran his fingers through his blonde hair before finally looking back at him. His eyes sifted uncertainly, but eventually he did answer. "I won't be able to tell you everything." He claimed, "There are some answers that are not mine to give."

Freddrick eyed him cautiously. In all honesty, there was still very little that he knew about his second son. "Perhaps I should be questioning the Princess." He stated coldly, watching Noah's reaction.

"If you feel you must." Noah accepted, seemingly unmoved by his words.

Freddrick smiled at Noah's familiar stubbornness but he managed to hide it quickly. He didn't call for the Princess. "In the morning, perhaps." He considered. "I'll allow her Highness to rest peacefully tonight."

"What would you like me to explain?" His son inquired.

"The woman that returned with us, is she actually the Crowned Princess, of Alminia?" Noah nodded that she was. "How long have you been an acquaintance of Princess Alexandria?"

His son paused and contemplated the question carefully. "I've known Princess Alexandria since August 20th." He finally answered. "I did meet her earlier, but I had not realize who she was."

"You were at the Masked Ball?"

Noah admitted that he had been there.

"How had you come to be at the ball?"

"A friend of mine, decided to sneak me in." Noah informed easily. "I was unable to argue myself out of attending."

Freddrick asked why that was.

"You never met Willaminia." Noah clarified.

Freddrick wasn't sure whom Noah was referring to, but his assurance seemed unquestionable. Freddrick forced himself to keep his voice stern. "Why did Princess Alexandria, personally, come to Jodan?"

Noah confessed that he was unable to answer, "That is something you must ask her."

Freddrick decided not to push for an answer. "Princess Alexandria informed King Heralf that you were not a Noble." He informed, "Does that mean she knew that you were a servant?"

Noah confessed that she had been made aware of his status as a servant. Freddrick then asked how long she had known.

"The day that I found out she was the Princess, was the same day she found out I was a servant."

"August 20th?" Freddrick clarified.

"Yes."

Freddrick was slightly taken back by that knowledge. It seemed too recent. He stared pass Noah and considered his next question. Everything seemed to be jumbled up like a mess of string, and it was taxing to try and unravel it. "When were you first made aware of the Princess's engagement?"

Noah's hands curled noticeably into two fists, but he quickly relaxed them. "The night Phillip mentioned it." He answered with some bitterness.

"What do you know about their engagement, Noah?" He asked partly amused by his son's reaction.

"Very little."

He watched Noah earnestly avoid his gaze, and decided that if circumstances weren't what they were, his son's reaction might be deemed comical.