A/N: I’m really starting to get into this story again. I’m picking up with my ideas that I left off and I’m remembering where I was going with this. I love how cute and naïve Fayt is. Fayt’s always so darn adorable. And I like how cruel and vindictive Albel can be. They’re such a good pair. XD

Disclaimer: I don’t own Albel…or Fayt….but I wish I had my own kingdom. I would stay in my room and demand that my servants bring me breakfast in bed. Yum.

Albel sat at his ornately carved wooden desk, a quill pen and a pot of ink placed near his right hand. Fayt rushed upstairs with a handful of petitions for Albel’s notice and a sheaf of blank parchment to write upon.

Albel eyed Fayt critically. “Do you know how to read, boy?”

Fayt nodded. “Passing well. I haven’t had much use except on matters of the market.”

“Do you know how to write?”

Fayt hesitated. “Well…I haven’t really had any need to write letters. My family doesn’t know anyone that-”

“Fair enough. Your ignorance will be excuse enough for now. If you had known anything about letters, you would have brought me wax to seal it with.”

“Oh.” Fayt glanced down at the floor.

“Furthermore, I need to affix my official seal to the decrees I send out. Without that, they will not be obeyed and considered fakes. Know this for future reference.”

“Yes, your majesty. I will go you some sealing wax right away.”

Albel snickered as Fayt ran back down the stairs. The boy would be worn out and exhausted by the end of the day from running up and down the stairs so often. It was great fun to make Fayt suffer and the boy would never blame Albel for his misery but his own oversight.

Albel glanced at the first petition from farmers whose livestock had been attacked by wolves. They asked that soldiers be stationed in their village for protection of their animals and of their families as well. Albel sniffed disdainfully. The farmers could kill the wolves themselves. He tossed the paper aside.

The next document concerned citizens who were assaulting tax collectors and refusing to pay their dues to the king. Albel wrote a quick decree authorizing the tax collectors to use force if necessary and to carry off children and livestock of those impudent villagers who refused to pay with money or crops.

Fayt breathlessly hurried back into the room with the wax and a candle. “Mirage told me to bring these up to you.”

“Good. I see that you are not completely useless.” Albel lit the candle and placed it to the side of his workspace. He dripped a little melted wax onto the decree and pressed his seal into it. “There. We shall have order at last in my kingdom. If it comes to it, we ma have more help here.”

Fayt blinked in surprise. “More farmers must give up their sons to the kingdom to feed their families?”

Albel smirked. “Something like that.”

“Times are tough,” Fayt said solemnly.

“Bah. The winter is always hard. Anyway, take this to my messenger to be delivered to the town of Aquos. I hear there is a rebellion over there. I may have to send soldiers there. But we’ll see if my men are competent enough without soldiers. Downstairs, fool. Find one of my official messengers.”

Fayt hurried back downstairs, the parchment clutched in his hands. Servants stepped out of his way as they saw the official decree in his hands. Mirage directed him towards the stables. A young man took the decree, mounted his horse and galloped in the direction of Aquos.

Fayt trudged back upstairs. His stomach rumbled. Albel had already given him several tasks and he had only had a few morsels of Albel’s supposedly poisoned breakfast. He hoped Albel would give him a little time for lunch.

“Ah, there you are, my little fool,” Albel purred. “I have one last task for you and then I must confer with my advisors in the throne room downstairs.”

Fayt perked up. Servants assigned to a particular room were allowed time of their own when their master had other business. He could present himself to the kitchen and request a servant’s ration of dried meat and small slice of dry bread.

“Before you get too excited about some freedom, fool, you’ll be expected to be back in this room after the evening meal. I expect you to have a hot bath ready for me and a warm bed.”

Fayt nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Once you deliver this report to General Vox in preparation for our conference, you will be free to do as you please until after the evening meal. If you return drunk or disorderly, I will have you thrown in the dungeon overnight. Is that clear, fool?”

Fayt nodded. “Yes, your majesty. I drink no spirits with my evening meal. I take my duties seriously.”

“Good. You won’t make the mistake so many do. They are allowed a few hours of freedom and they go and get themselves flushed with drink and then they are of no use to anyone.”

“I won’t make that mistake,” Fayt said softly.

Albel nodded and cocked his head to one side. “So, what will you do with your time then, if not hitting the bottle? Passing the time with a lady friend?”

Fayt shuddered. “Oh no. The servant women are all so aggressive here. They’d sooner rip my clothes off than talk to me.”

Albel snickered. “The fool speaks truth. Women are useless. So, what will you do then?”

Fayt shrugged. “I’ll have lunch. Maybe I’ll explore the royal city. My father left me a few coins for my journey. Maybe I’ll find something to send back home to my family.”

“Sentimental,” Albel sneered. “Very well. But be warned that you will not leave from the city. Your clothes are distinctive to a servant of the palace. If you think of running, you will not go far.”

Albel scribbled a few words on his report and sealed it closed. “Take this to the general. Make good use of your free time because you will not have much of it.”

Fayt headed back downstairs with the royal report and Albel swept out of the room and stood at the top of the stairs, watching after Fayt.