"At once, your Majesty.  You can count on me, as always."  Marquis bowed slightly; it was clearly a bow only for the sake of form.  As the king's closest advisor and friend for so many years, the bow was more an acknowledgment of a command than a gesture of respect.  Such was the nature of the Duke's relationship to the king.  He immediately turned and left the room to carry out his king's orders.  An extremely careful observer, with the perfect vantage point would notice a small smile on Marquis' face as he left the king, the smile of a man enjoying a private joke.  There was no observer however, and the joke, such as it was, would not be amusing to anyone else.<br/><br/>******************************************************************************<br/><br/>"Please, your highness!  Enough!"  Gervais said, falling back with a laugh, his practice sword falling limply to his side.  "I'm meeting a woman tonight, and I've no desire to explain why I'm black and blue from head to toe."  Alenard chuckled, his eyebrows raised expressively.<br/>"You must know this woman well, if you expect that she'll be seeing any bruises you need to explain!  But yes, it's time to stop."  Alenard follows the man's example, letting his sword drop to his side, his bare chest heaving with the exertion of the heavy practice.<em>Incredible.</em>Alenard thinks to himself wryly.<em>The castle guardsmen have better romantic prospects than the Prince of the realm.</em>He smiled.  He wouldn't begrudge anyone else their prospects just because of his own lack.  After all, their gain was not his loss.  Except, strangely enough, his father's marriage was the prince's loss.  His face darkens momentarily, before returning to its usual serious expression.<br/><br/>A cold breeze blew through the yard, making Alenard more intensely aware of his shirtless state.  He picked up his lose white shirt from the nearby bench pulling it over his head.  A pause.  His head cocks to one side, listening intently.  His expression becomes thoughtful, relaxed, almost pleasant.<br/>"Your Highness.  Is something wrong?"  Gervais asked, calling from his own bench.  Alenard shook his head, coming back to himself.<br/>"No, nothing's wrong.  Just reminiscing.  And I almost thought I'd heard my name... ah well."  He stood, swinging his arms back and forth to loosen up his sore muscles, a smile playing about his lips.<br/><br/>Still somewhat lost in though, he didn't notice the approach of Duke Marquis until he saw Gervais snap to attention.  Alenard turned just in time to see the Duke marching determinately towards him.  A worried look came over Alenard's face.<em>This looks serious.</em><br/><br/>Before he had time to ask, Marquis began to speak.  "Your Highness."  He began, his tone grave.  "I bring a message from your father the King."  Marquis pauses, turning his head to look at Gervais.  "Gervais.  Don't you have duties to attend to?"<br/>"Nay, your Grace.  Not tonight-" Gervais sputtered to a stop, speared by a glare from Marquis.  "That is, I was just finishing my off duty time.  I'll go see to my duties now."  Quickly, before the Duke can add anything else, Gervais left.  Alenard watched the exchange with raised eyebrows.<br/>"This must be important.  What's going on, Marquis?"  Alenard asks, his tone neutral.<br/>"It is not my place to explain, your highness."  Marquis says.  "Your father the King requests and requires your presence in his Antechamber.  At once.  He will explain."  Alenard's lips twisted momentarily.  He wasn't in the mood to exchange more words with his father, whether cold or heated.  The frequency of both had been increasing lately.  Still, it was his duty.  Alenard sighed.<br/>"Very well.  I'll go at once.  Thank you for delivering the message."  With a nod, Alenard began the walk to the king's quarters.<br/>"My pleasure, your Highness.  Oh," Marquis calls towards the departing prince.  "Make sure to knock!"  He laughs dryly, ignoring the vaguely irritated look that Alenard cast back over his shoulder.