Time He Got That Energy Returned - Tumblr Posts
VADD FLASH FICTION: PAPERWORK PILEUP
One day, while Callisto was poisoned and on his supposed death bed again and with Penelope away and scheduled to return soon.
Cedric looked at the pile of mounting paperwork and then at the Baroness, the closest thing Callisto had to a mother, worries over their charge for two completely different reasons. Cedric puffs up and produces a letter and mouths ‘I got this.’ To the Baroness.
“Your Highness, oh, what should I tell Lady Penelope?” He said in despair. The Prince twitched. “She should have returned by now and is no doubt getting ready for the date. Or perhaps she’s there by now. Oh the poor lady, she’ll think you’ve jilted her.”
The Prince twitches harder. And Cedric continues. “She doesn’t know what’s been going on and this might push her into another’s arms. I heard she’s good friends with the Marquis Verdandi.”
Callisto springs up in bed, the ill effects of the poison gone and miraculously now fully healed.
“Your Highness!” The Baroness cries in relief from her seat but Callisto spares her no mind as he races for his wardrobe and orders them to prepare him a bath.
As soon as he’s ready, Cedric hands him the letter he was holding. “Oh, and this came for you two days ago.”
Callisto spotted the Eckart crest and quickly grabbed it from him. He tore it open and read it before his face fell.
“It seems the Princess has been delayed until three days from now. A combination of poor weather and dangerous roads holding her back.” He sighed before he dropped onto his bed. “Still I’m glad that she’s safe.”
Cedric had known the contents, the messenger had given him a brief rundown of the situation when he had received it on the Crown Prince’s behalf. Cedric consoled his liege. “There, there. At least you didn’t inadvertently stand her up or give her a false impression that you were jilting her.”
He then coaxed and led the Crown Prince to his office with surprising efficiency, so much so that by the time Callisto had even realized it and come out of his stupor, he had signed half of one pile of documents and had eaten a hearty lunch that the Baroness had brought. He stared at his aide in confused suspicion but the man was purposefully focused on his own work before he stood up and excused himself.
As he walked out of the door he glanced back at his employer. “Your Highness, I’m so happy that you’ve woken up and though I do feel bad that your date has been postponed, please look on the bright side. At least you’ll get to spend more time with the Lady if you get all your paperwork done in time.”
And then the door slammed shut behind him.