The Cinder Bullies (25)

Rumors spread quickly in small villages, and so Cindy's sisters and their friends, soon learned that a prince was visiting the estate, and that he would be attending the welcome home party. They were all determined to meet him.

Millie was not aware of what happened with the prince and his attendant, on the evening they arrived, other than the fact that they had been seen at the tavern, acting out like young men who were drinking. She was secretly enthralled about the prince's visit, but was also taking Rosa's word of caution with respect to him, very seriously. Millie wanted to talk to Cindy, so Rosa asked her to deliver the huge, white tablecloth that she had made for the head table, when she went out there.

"Maybe I'll get to meet the prince?" Millie thought to herself, but when she got there and knocked, it appeared that no one was around. She left the package from Rosa just outside the door. At the back, she could hear something and decided to go see who, or what it was.

"I don't know you," she said to the tall, good looking, young man, who was busy loading up Nadia's patio furniture onto a wagon. He looked up and was startled to see a young woman standing there. 

"Oh, excuse me. I did not see you," he replied, politely. He brushed his unruly hair away from his face.

"Are you the prince?" asked Millie, excitedly.

"No, not me. I am just Bentley and Bessie's new helper, formerly the prince's attendant. My name is Patton," he said, with a grin. "The others are all up at the mansion, setting up the tent for the welcome party."

"Oh, I see."

"I will tell them you came by."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I will come back later."

"I am really enjoying working on the estate. I just love these people as they seem so happy," said Patton enthusiastically.

"I am really glad to hear that."

"It has not been much fun looking after the prince, as he has been spoiled for many years and thus, always acting out or misbehaving, in some way. At least now, he cannot scream at me to do his bidding, all of the time."

Millie's heart went out to the young man, at that very moment. She knew only too well what that must have felt like.

"Will you be attending the welcome home party, too?" he asked Millie, politely. "I would love to see you again."

Millie turned and smiled, as she left.

"Yes, I will be there."

Patton knew that he had found a new friend. He also realized that if he wanted to see her at the welcome home party, he would have to be on his best behavior until then.

"Great!" he called out to her, but she did not respond.

"I wonder if she heard me!" Patton asked himself. He started whistling an old, familiar, love song, hoping she might hear it from a distance. 

She did.

"He might get along really well with Xaviar," Millie thought to herself. "They both love music. Maybe tonight I will get to meet the prince too, but now, do I really want to?"

True to her word, Millie did return later. Nadia thanked her graciously for bringing the tablecloth. Cindy was delighted to see her and so was Dancer. None of the young men were around, as Bentley and Bessie had them working on last minute touches to the huge tent in preparation for the welcome home party.