Lord Milo

“Here?” The prince was stunned at the building in front of them. The whole way to the old, crumbling building he had been stowed away in a closed carriage, only able to glance out through the small windows. They had travelled in the Romano families carriage and despite the luxury of it, the prince was only accustomed to the very best. Not even Lady Evie’s carriage was up to par with the royal carriages, no ones was. The town itself had looked dirty, but even the buildings surrounding the orphanage had not looked this bad. If it had not been for the small faces peeking out of the many windows above them, Milo would have assumed it to be abandoned. Surely, it could not be fit to live in?

“Ehm I mean…” Milo didn’t know how to save his comment.He did not wish to offend anyone but who took care of this building? Who owned it? Questions filled Milo’s head as his eyes went over the bricks of the house, some there and others missing. Thank goodness, his thoughts and comments were saved by the interruption of a figure in the doorway.

Milo could feel his guard, Dominic, tense as a little girl ran toward them. It irritated Milo slightly. What had his guard expected to see in an orphanage? Dolphins?
“No” He muttered under his breath and heard the familiar sound of a sword being placed back into its sheath. Surely his guard was not afraid of this little, dirty girl? It was ridiculous.

Milo put on a smile as the woman Evie had called miss Mary approached them.
“It’s a pleasure” Milo greeted and extended his hand to the woman. Again, the guard tensed slightly.

“I am… Lord Milo” He said then, a secretive smile across his lips as he turned to Evie. It felt almost like a secret mission being outside of castle grounds. It was intriguing. He silently wondered how he would be approached, seeing as Miss Mary would have no way of knowing he was the prince. Most of the people in town had only seen him in his finest clothes, in processions and celebrations. They would not expect the prince to be dressed like a common lord. He may look rich, but certainly not princely.

Andy giggled and nodded agreeingly.
“Yes I know, but what other pleasures does the poor man have in life! His wife is no beauty, his heirs are possibly idiotic and he is gambling all of his wealth away!” Although their voices were hushed and the queen walked slightly ahead of them, she turned around and gave the girls a stern look.

“Please my ladies. Gossiping does not do anyone any good” She spoke and Andy choked down another giggle at the queens prudeness.

“Yes, your majesty” Lady Penelope said quickly, batting Andy’s arm which was interlinked with her own.

“Yes, we are so sorry” concurred Andy, although her words were dripping with sarcasm which clearly frustrated the queen. Despite this, she turned around and continued to walk and Andy locked eyes with Penelope again as they both burst into a fit of giggles.