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<span class="mu-b"> Continued </span>
You wake up this morning, and you are late. You don't need a clock, you don't need to look at the sun, you don't need to hear the birds. You simply know that this is not your usual time to wake. Yesterday was not a good day, and the frustration is manifesting by waking you ten, maybe twenty, minutes later then usual. You need to take whatever you're feeling and put it in a box, and deal with it when you retire. Right now, the kingdom needs you. One foot at a time, you get out of bed and ready yourself for duty. You will be better, stronger, faster, smarter. You won't screw up again.
~~
You know there is gossip in the air, but from where you are standing everything seems much the same. The same hallways, the same windows, and the same silent guards. You knock on the prince's door.
"Do not enter, I'm indecent! Please come back later, if you must do so."
Not this routine again… A changed man, you are in no mood for the prince's games. You simply push open the door and enter.
You find the prince standing before you, as naked as the day he was born. You quickly avert your gaze.
"My prince! Forgive me! I wrongly assumed you were once again crying wolf…"
The prince's laugh taunts you. "Do ho ho, I'm surprised to see you return champion. I was sure you would go the same way as my last body guard. I suppose you must have some powerful friends, or maybe they are finally running out of good men to throw at me"
"I do not believe that I acted in a way that would result in my discharge… But more importantly, why are you naked? But some clothing on before you catch a cold!"
"Eh? Why would I dress to take a bath? They must have some odd customs in whatever place you come from." From the corner of your eye you see that two servant women have been preparing a bath for the prince. "Tell me champion, is it normal where you are from to avert your gaze when looking at a fellow man?"
Yes, why are you averting your gaze? The prince is not the princes, you have swam in a lake many times with your compatriots. Why is this different exactly? You slowly fix your gaze back on the prince, somehow it still feels wrong to do so.
The prince offers you his hand, and you take it in order to help him enter the bath. The prince places one leg at a time, then sinks into the water. "You know, I really did appreciate what you did. You gave my brother a good humbling I think, you didn't have to do that. I expected you to just figure out a way out of it to be honest."
"It is my duty, and honour, to serve you in this way my prince."
"Maybe, maybe." The prince gives you a mischievous sideways glance "Tell me o champion, when was the last time <span class="mu-i">you</span> took a bath? How would you like to join me for a soak?" the bath is large, and could easily fit two.
>What do?
-It would be my honour to join you…
-I thank you, but I must decline…
