The Prince's Pet (Part 2)

Transcript

Yes, of course it's fine. You'll be here working often, unless I'm sleeping or too busy to be bothered. I don't mind at all.

I would certainly appreciate it if you did knock first. You haven't worked in a castle before, have you? Not so many people would be so sarcastic to the royalty they serve.

That's hardly fair now. I never said that I wasn't the prince. I just avoided bringing it up right away.

It's interesting to see how people will treat you when they have no idea of who you are. Just another guard forever, huh? Well, that hardly seems fair.

But perhaps I'll allow it for a week or so. I owe you that much for having tricked you. Oh, we will see, huh? You do work for me, aren't you supposed to follow my orders? You are quite unlike any other housemaid I think we've ever had.

Not a bad thing at all. Interesting perhaps, but I think in a good way. Yes, I think, for now, at least.

Aren't you going to look around? Are you going to come up with more clever retorts all day? Are you sure you can do both? I don't think your eyes have moved around the room at all, much less the rest of you.

You can't see everything standing at that spot, you know. Come on now, don't tell me you're all bark and no bite. You can't talk to a prince like he's a stable boy and then suddenly become too shy to walk around his room.

Hmm. Uh, yes, I suppose it is quite a collection. Nowhere near as many as I'd like, but that's what libraries are for, I suppose.

Not necessarily that I need more books, I've probably only read half of what's there, but I guess I just like having them. Unusual, why? Were you expecting to see my shelves with books on tactics and warfare, or trading and the economy? No, no, those are somewhat boring topics.

But stories, and legends, and people, now those are much more interesting. Just like the maid who knows how to read. Of course it's interesting.

Maybe for a queen or a lady's personal handmaid it would be expected, or at least a little more normal. But a housemaid, a servant, and serving a prince? No, you're definitely the first one I've met that can read.

I don't think surprising is the right word. I've already said you're interesting, but everything about you only seems to deepen the mystery rather than clear any of it up. Not that I'm complaining, of course.

I like a good mystery. Do I really seem so mysterious myself? Come on now, my taste in literature isn't so strange, is it? People are fascinating.

Why we think the way we think and what we are thinking, how we're born to love, learn to hate, and the real secrets to the heart. Is it so strange that I like reading about it? To learn more about what we are? Have I figured what out yet? What that secret is? Maybe.

Maybe I have. But that would be an awfully powerful thing to let loose. How would I know I could trust you with it? My dogs trust you because you feed them and speak softly.

While those will certainly go leaps and bounds with me as well, I do not have the mind of an animal. Yet, at least. I would hope that cleaning this place up wouldn't be much work.

That would mean I'm too blind to the fact that I'm living in filth. What a horrid thought that would be. No, I like to keep the place clean myself, but my mind runs off faster than my legs can and I miss things.

Little things. Bit by bit they add up. Yes, like the bed sheets.

I. .. Well, I can't actually remember the last time I made my bed.

I don't see much of a point to it, if I'll only mess it up in my sleep again. What? Of course it's not from a torture chamber, that's where I sleep.

What on earth do you mean? Oh. Fuck.

Uh. .. I can see why you'd say that.

I usually forget about the rings on the headboard. Yes, that, uh. ..

That is meant for a chain. You know, normally, this is the part where you would be confused and ask me if it was for my dogs. To which I would hastily say yes and, I don't know, redirect your attention to the nice view outside.

But the fact that your face has turned as red as my blankets makes me feel like that really wouldn't work on you. Oh, not even an ounce of fear. Ayada, you know exactly why they're there.

I'm sure my face is just as damning, isn't it? Well, takes one to know one, I guess. Oh, come on! You're not supposed to laugh at that.

That's hardly made like at all. What do you mean, no wonder I keep so many dogs? What, do you think I use them as an excuse to keep all of this? Oh, well, maybe they are related, but they've taken such a liking to you already.

Keep feeding them, they'll hardly be mine anymore. Maybe then I'll have to leave all the restraints with you as well. Oh, then I'd just need a new dog.

Where am I supposed to get one? Unless, of course, you're volunteering. Oh.

You might be. Really? A wild thing such as yourself, volunteering to be the prince's new pet.

That almost sounds like a stretch. You certainly don't follow the rules of society. Why would you follow the ones that I give you? Because you choose to.

Not out of a fear of punishment or hope for personal gain, but because you want to. Huh. Oh, you are fascinating.

Yes, yes, I suppose that with enough training, most beasts can be tamed. And taught to obey and come on command. But you aren't like most beasts, are you? And I don't think I'd ever want you to be, what, completely tamed? You do have a wild side, but I like that.

Though, I will also like training you. Hmm. Prince isn't the title you would give someone teaching a mutt, is it? No, I didn't think so.

So why don't you call me what I am to you, then? Your new master. Well then, let's see if you really do choose to be mine.

And start with something simple. Why don't you go close and lock the door. And when you come back, wait on your knees.

Like a pet should. Good girl.