"I can manage, my lord." She said with a small smile. Leonard didn't reply to her and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. With his unbuttoned shirt, he walked through the corridors of the royal castle. The night maids are leaving the castle one by one, leaving the corridors scanty. Most of the maids that are remaining are a bit older and didn't pay attention to the crown prince's fit, and just bowed their heads in respect. Leonard walked to the East side of the castle, that looked dusty, as not many people go there. He stopped at a wall, with a single torch holder. Taking his hands out of his trouser's pocket, he pulled on it, a loud rumbling came from it.
All of a sudden, a staircase appeared on the floor. Leonard wasn't startled by this at all, as this wasn't his first time. With long strides, he started to climb down the dark staircase that led to a little study. There was a large bookshelf that rested on the wall, with a chair and table not too far from it. Parchments and books were neatly arranged on the table, with a bottle of wine, with a clean wineglass.
There was a balcony that had an ocean view, which served as the only ventilation for the room. Leonard casual took off his shirt, tossing it on the only couch there, that resting against the wall. He pushed open a door, that led to a wash room. There was water in the tub with steam generating from it. He took off his trouser and boots before stepping into the water. A young maid that blended with the wall, suddenly came to his. Her eyes were dim, lacking any sign of life. Her long black hair covered half of her face, with her skin as which as snow, making her appear very eerie. And he voice didn't do her anybody.
"Welcome, my prince." She greeted with a husky voice. She had a sponge in one of her palms, and she dipped into inside the water, and brought it to the prince's body, scrubbing it softly.
Leonard wasn't puzzled by this, as that was what he brought her there for. Aside for him and the Maud, no one else knew about the place.
He discovered it the day his mother was to be buried. He was devastated, blaming his father for not taking care of his mother. He wanted to escape from it all. He wanted to escape from the people's pitiful gaze, and dry sympathies. He knew none of them really felt bad, as most women and ladies were coming up to his, so the King can notice them, and perhaps make them the new queen.
He had sneaked out of the burial, going to the East side as he knew they wouldn't think to find him there. As he hide from the people to came to find him, he rested on the wall, while leaning on the torch holder. His weight on it was too much and it suddenly bent, making him loose balance. The staircase had appeared and he followed it. After he got dawn