“Mothers.” Briar nodded to both Tinley and Cloud. “15 princes have been beaten. 10 remain”
“Hmmm. this is going quicker than I thought.” Cloud muttered.
“What is the next challenge?” Briar asked.
“It will test their kindness. They shall not know it is a test though.” Tinley answered. “We shall ask a few servants to pretend to be poor. They shall go throughout the city, begging whenever the princes come near.”
“Ahh. Should I tell them they have the rest of the day off and tomorrow off as well?” Briar asked.
“Yes.” Cloud answered. “We will inform the servants.”
“Gather round princes.” Briar called, now in the garden, “you shall have the rest of the day today and tomorrow off. I suggest you explore the city while you can.”
The princes bowed then returned to what they had been doing. Briar watched, sighing before heading towards the door to go back into the castle. Prince Exavier watched her go, her long purple hair flowing behind her.
“Do you really think you have any chance?”
“Gahhh!” Exavier started, “Don't scare me like that Alexander.”
“You can't tell me what to do. And I don't think you’ll be the one to marry her.”
“Well you never know.” Exavier rolled his eyes, “Do you think you’ll marry her?”
“Whatever Exavier. I'm going to go to my room.”
“You mean our room?” Exavier asked as Alexander marched off. He’s probably right though, Exavier thought with a sigh before heading towards the gates. I think I saw a bakery when Briar showed me around, what was it called…
“Much better.” Briar said after taking off her big, tight, dress, “Now I should do something with my hair… maybe put it in a braid? Yeah I think I'll do that.”
She quickly put her hair into a braid, looking in the mirror while she did so. She had changed into jeans and a t-shirt. Much better than that dress, Briar thought, where should I go anyways? Maybe the bakery? Hmmm, yeah, I'll go there. She then hurried from her room, careful to avoid the servants and princes. She quickly went to a side exit from the castle and entered the town. She smiled before heading to her favorite place, the bakery.
“Can I get a muffin?” Briar asked with a smile.
“Of course, Miss.” The lady at the counter said. “What kind would you like?”
“Hmmm. Do you have banana?”
“Yes. we have one left in fact." She opened the case and gently grabbed the muffin. “Here you go!”
“Thanks!” Briar said cheerfully, “How much is it?”
“Oh darling. You don't need to pay.”
“No, I insist.” Briar smiled, “How much?”
“Well, it's $10.”
“Alright. Here you go!” Briar walked out, finding a table to sit down at.
“Mind if I join you?”
“Huh? Oh!” Briar started, “Sure”
“Thanks” Exavier sat down with a chocolate chip scone in hand.
“Don't you think this place is great?” Briar asked.
“Mhm.” Exavier took a bite, swallowed and added, “they make such amazing things.”
Briar nodded, taking a bite of her banana muffin. It had a fluffy texture, baked to golden. The taste of the banana was subtle, but delicious. It was her favorite flavor the bakery had. She savored the bite, wishing she could bake this well.
“I thought there were three tests over three days?” Exavier wondered.
“There are.” Briar said.
“Is the second on the third day as well as the third?”
“No, it's today and tomorrow.” Briar shrugged, “But I can't tell you what. I'll be going now.”
“Oh ok. Bye”
Exavier finished the last of his scone, placing a few coins on the table. He got up and decided to explore the city. This place is huge, Exavier thought, how do people not get lost? Before long he came upon a little boy wrapped in a ragged blanket, trying vainly to keep warm.
“Hey, kid.” Exavier knelt down next to him.
“W-what? I-i don't have anything for you.” the kid stammered, afraid.
“Oh I don't need or want anything except..” Exavier smiled as he pulled out several coins from his pouch and put them in the boy’s hand. “Don’t spend it all right away.”
“Thank you, sir!” the kid gasped, counting the coins in his hand before running off.
Odd. I feel as if I've seen him before, Exavier thought, wait, why do i feel as if I'm being watched..? He turned around and saw someone who looked like the head servant, Emma, quickly dart into a tight space between two buildings. Exavier walked as fast as he could to follow her, squeezing in behind her. He gasped as it led to a much more spacious area, where several people were gathered. He noticed all wore brown, the color servants from the castle wear.
“HEY!!” someone shouted. “You shouldn't be here.”
“Oof” suddenly the air was knocked from his lungs, and he fell to the ground.
“Lia!!” A girl with green hair scolded Emma, he thought. “Do you realize who this is?!”
“Uhh no?” Lia responded.
“This is Prince Exavier of Exotia!! Let him up this instant!”
“Oh my gosh!! I'm so sorry, your highness.” Lia said, quickly stepping off Exavier’s back.
“It's alright. You didn't know.” Exavier said, standing slowly, dusting off his clothes.
“Your highness if you don't mind me asking, why are you here?” Emma asked.
“Well. It's kind of a long story.” Exavier said, running his hands through his orange and red hair, trying to dislodge any rocks, dirt or dust in it.
“There’s plenty of time to explain.” Lia crossed her arms as the other servants watched.
“Alright.” Exavier sighed, “I was just exploring the town and I saw a kid with a ragged blanket. His face was very dirty and so I thought his family didn't have much. I stopped and took out several coins from this pouch."He held up the coin pouch, “I told him not to spend it all, then he darted off. I felt as if someone was watching me so I turned around. That’s when I saw Emma. I thought something might be wrong so I followed her. And here I am now.”
“Ugghhh.” Emma groaned. “No to be rude your highness but can you please leave now?”
“Sure. but why?”
“This is supposed to be a secret.”
“Okay, okay. Bye” Exavier waved before squeezing back out through the gap in between the buildings.
“Briar.” Exavier marched up to the bench she was sitting on.
“Hmm?” Briar looked up from her book.
“You won't believe what just happened.”
“Oh? What happened” Briar asked, closing her book.
“I saw a little boy with a ragged blanket and a dirty face. I stopped to give him several coins from my pouch-I’m not bragging or anything, just to be clear. I turned around and saw Emma dart through a gap in between buildings. I followed and got knocked down by a girl called Lia I think. There were A LOT of servants in the space.”
“Oh?” Briar raised an eyebrow but didn't seem surprised.
“Briar, do you know something about this?” Exavier asked suspiciously.
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, you don't really seem surprised.”
“What would you do if i said-” Briar broke off as a servant came up.
“Your highnesses.” The servant bowed.
“Yes Eve?” Briar asked.
“Dinner will be ready soon. And don't be surprised when you don't see as many people there.”
“Alright. “ Briar got up, turned and added, “You coming?”
“Oh yea.” Exavier hurriedly got up and followed her to the castle.