Normans POV

It was getting late and prince William was already tucked cozy under his blankets, however he didn't look very tried to me. His eyes were planted on the sealing, just now noticing the designs and paintings carved into it, that must of took months if not years to finish. He then suddenly turned his head to look at me as I continued to do my work.

"Norman?" He asked.

"Yes your grace?"

"Do you think I am a ass? Or a self absorbed man?" He asked Genuinely.

"Yes." I said without hesitation holding back a lough.

He didn't get up and shout like I thought he would, or maybe threaten me with the children and they're rotten fruits in Town square. Instead he looked away from me and back up at the sealing.

"You were supposed to make me feel better." He said quietly.

"No," I returned "I am supposed to tell you the truth. I pointed out.

He huffed a little before he decided that for once he wasn't going to say anything. "Fair enough" he said.

"What should I do about James's outburst?" He asked me after a little while.

I tilted my head to look at him a little confused. "Why are you asking me your grace? Surly you could take it up with your fathers advisers? They would be more qualified to judge." I said as I made my way around the room picking up prince Williams belongings, he sure was a very messy man.

He let out a long breath, as if he were contemplating in his mind. He brought his hands up and lay'd them on his waist, intertwining his fingers together to rest them there. "Because I already know what they would tell me to do" he said boringly, and somehow a bit sad.

"They would tell you that such behavior as putting your hands on the prince and disrespecting him with names should be heavily punished, probably death, if he doesn't get lucky enough only to have both his hands taken." I said as I stopped what I was doing, to think about the reality of James going through that.

"And what would you tell me?" He said still staring at the ceiling without emotion.

"It's not my place, your grace, and again I am not qualified to advise you on it" I said

"Oh shut up Norman and just spit it out. I'll give you a free pass, just this once" he said

I put everything I picked up back to the places where they belonged and turned to him, I leaned on the wall next to me for support.

"I think that James is Cora's best friend. I think that chopping off his hands or head might pose a problem for you once she finds out. I don't think he should of talked to you that way but I can't say I haven't said almost the same words in the past. I think that if you are going to punish him you should do the same to me, and not choose favorites just because we grew up together."

There was a long silence, he didn't respond or really do much of anything as he thought over what I said.

"I don't choose favorites Norman." He said. "I treat you like everyone else, shitty"

I decided I wasn't going to push the matter. "My mistake your grace."

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I spent the next Half an hour going about my work throughout his room before he said "I think I am good for tonight, maybe you should go find beth and service her needs" he said as he turned his head to me and winked.

I rolled my eyes at him. Is that all he ever thought of?

Suddenly I became saddened my the sound of her name. I haven't seen her in three days and James has taken her place as Cora's maid, which is strange and mostly Unheard of considering he is a man.

.I wondered where Beth had went, What she was doing, and why'd she not tell me about it before just dropping off the face of the earth.

"You haven't seen beth around have you?" I asked with seriousness, but just waited for another one of his sexual comebacks.

To my surprise he turned his head to face mine with concern, as he looked deep in thought.

"No, I really haven't, which is strange because Cora likes to parade her in front of me, to show me just how bad I am to You." He said in annoyance.

"I haven't seen her in Three days" I told him as I sat on the bed next to him, not really sure at the time what I was doing.

He sat up in his bed to face me as his back leaned against the bed bord.

"It is odd Norman." He said "What's even odder is how Cora has not mentioned one thing about it." He said as he scratched his his chin.

"Don't you find it strange that James has taken her place as her maid?"

Something flashed in Williams eyes, anger maybe?

"I haven't realized" he said through his tightened jaw.
 
"I'm worried about her William." I said as I looked him in the eyes. His face flashed over for a second as I remembered I didn't address him as a prince but as a Friend. My eyes shot up as I began to apologize but he stopped me from doing so. "I will help you look for her." He said. "Tomorrow we will search the entire kingdom until she is found" he finished

I looked at him oddly, why would he want to help me?

"Why?" I asked seriously.

"Well, I am not to Keen on the idea of James being her maid, bringing her food, even helping her dress for all I know. It is absolutely ridiculous!" He stated as I couldn't help but agree.

Then he noticed my saddened and worried expression. "And because I to am worried about Beth he added quickly."

I smiled a little. "Right" I said sarcastically.

He gave me a stern look, but I could see the smile underneath. "First thing tomorrow Norman" he said in all seriousness. I nodded my head as I smiled. "First thing" I agreed.

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