Trapped In Hisstory

'Clifford Hill?' Clayton thought.

He tried to think if he ever heard of his name before but it was not a name that he was familiar with no matter how hard he recalls. There might be other people with the same first name as 'Clifford' but as for the last name 'Hill', he had no idea.

'Was there a House of Hill?' Clayton thought but he was not sure because he never once tried to go to social gatherings so he lacked information about everything that was regarding different families.

"I have never heard of Hill Family before, is it a family of a baron?" Clayton asked, curious about the name.

"Oh, baron? Of course, not, Your Highness."

"Then, a viscount?"

"Erm, no, Your Highness."

Clayton put his hands on his chin and approached him to take a closer look at Clifford. "Then, is it an even higher status? Strange, I have never heard of you." he said, eyeing Clifford with suspicion.

Clifford waved both of his hands while chuckling. "Where do you get such ideas, Your Highness? I am nothing but a mere servant." he said.

Clayton furrowed his brow. "A servant that I have never seen before?"

"The reason might be because I had just started working in the royal palace, Your Highness." Clifford said in return.

Clayton was convinced that he might just be a new servant, but there was something that confused him, "How could a servant have a last name?" the Second Prince asked, "The only people who serve the palace with a last name is the Royal Head Butler, Nicholas Wright. The other is the Commander of the Antares Knights, Alec Valorian, my brother's personal aid."

Clifford gulped. He had totally forgotten about commoners not having a last name. He just said whatever came into his head to make up a new name without considering the fact that his role was just a servant in the palace. 

Clifford rubbed the back of his neck and smiled. "Well, just like Sir Nicholas and Sir Alec, I too, have a last name that I use."

Clayton let out a snort. "The Wright Family and the Valorian Family has served the royal family for generations. Never once have I heard of the family name 'Hill' to serve us, so why do you have that last name?" he asked.

It is bad, Clifford thought. Seconds after seconds, the Second Prince's doubts are growing even bigger. He should think of another excuse, but how will he escape from the Second Prince's suspicions?

"It is true that I do not have a last name, but there are many people with the name Clifford," he said and Clayton was startled when he took a step closer, making their face a few inches away from each other, "I made up a name for you to know which Clifford you should go to, Your Highness." he added in a whisper.

Clayton blushed and pushed his chest away. "I do not have to remember any Clifford in the world, why should I go to you anyway!" he said. He should remain calm, but his heart was so annoying and kept racing fast to tease him, making him panic.

Clifford chuckled. "The only Clifford you should know..." he said and grabbed the Second Prince's hand, "is me, Clifford Hill."

The two of them stared at each other for a while, and Clifford gasped when he realized his impudent actions toward the Second Prince. He immediately let go of his hand and bowed. "I apologize for being presumptuous, Your Highness." he said with trails of sweat breaking out on the side of his forehead.

Clayton ignored his apology and looked away, "The only Clifford I should know is you? Heh, a servant is actually ordering me?" he said with a snort.

"Your Highness," Clifford called out, making the Second Prince turn to look at him. "Am I only a servant in your eyes?" he asked. He looked like he was about to tear up as water forming in it made his eyes glint.

'W-why does he look like a pitiful dog again???' he thought. He does not know why he was so flustered, but he felt the need to respond to him and stop the sadness forming in his gaze. 

"Well, you are a servant, of course." Clayton said, and he saw the look on Clifford's face, became even sadder than before, "But...what were you expecting to be in my eyes?" he asked.

Clifford raised his gaze and looked at him, and his face became brighter. Clayton stared down, not meeting his gaze. Or else he would be mistaken for a tomato. He kept his gaze low as he waited for the servant's words.

"Friends!" Clifford yelled in a cheerful manner.

Clayton stared at him, dumbfounded by his response. "Friends...oh, friends!" he muttered, repeating Clifford's words. 'I was definitely not expecting anything.' he thought.

He noticed the bottle of alcohol near his feet because he was keeping his gaze low. "Oh, you are definitely expecting something!" the bottle teased and his eyes made it look as if the bottle was laughing.

It hit Clayton's nerves, making him annoyed by an innocent, non-living thing. Clayton kicked the bottle, making a loud cracking sound. 'That bottle would not shut up!' he said inside his mind, frustratedly.

Clayton let out a loud sigh and returned his gaze to the servant's direction. When both their gazes met, Clayton saw a surprised look on Clifford's face. Then he realized what he had done. 'Ack--I kicked a bottle so suddenly in front of him. He must have thought I was mad.' Clayton thought.

"Clifford, I-"

Clifford had a dark color on his face as if his energy was drained. 'As I thought, a servant becoming friends with a prince is impossible..." he muttered, making Clayton even more guilty.

Clayton's vision: Clifford puppy with his ears down.

The Second Prince clicked his tongue, annoyed, but he cannot just let it be. He went near Clifford and caress his back. "N-no, no! You misunderstand!" he said, trying to comfort the sad puppy in front of him.

"No, I understand. How could Your Highness be friends with a servant you just met last night..."

Clayton's hand made its way to the bridge of his nose, pinching it and massaged the temples of his head, "Fine, you win! Stop this act, little dog!" Clayton shouted, cannot handle it any longer.

Clifford almost laugh so suddenly, 'L-little dog?' he thought. His face brightened up. "I win what, Your Highness?" he asked with a smile.

"Friends! Friends, we will be friends!" Clayton answered.

Clifford grinned. Clayton was flustered after seeing Clifford Hill's smile. 'Damn it, what is wrong with me?' he thought.

He admitted that he did expect something, 'I actually thought he had feelings for me so quickly,' he thought. But knowing that he does not hold feelings for him, it was fine. It is a good thing, that way, there will not be anything problematic to happen.

Clifford was happy that the two of them are now friends. At first, Clifford Lockhart just wanted to meet with him, talk to him, then just go. But he realized that he cannot do it. He wanted to find an assurance that they will meet again, that he will see Prince Clayton again. The only thing he could do so, is when they become friends.

Clifford suddenly remembered what happened before he left the celebration hall. What the King did to those men. It was a good thing that Clayton was drunk. Hopefully he did not witness the execution, and if he did see it, Clifford hoped that he would not remember. 

Clayton was already mad just by knowing that his mother will not be able to at least sit on the royal seat beside the King. If he saw what happened to those men, Clifford could guess that his mood will be even worse.

"I do not even remember much about the celebration. Since it is my brother's birthday celebration, Cadell must be looking for which lady to pair him up with." Clayton muttered.

He turned to Clifford. "I wonder which ladies came to the celebration." He said.

Clifford put his fingers on his chin as he looked up to think, "There were a lot of women present. Some that I recognize were Adelaide Midford, Stella Saville, Lorella Saville, Jessa Savile, Vanessa Lanstone, Biance Mi--"

"Wait."

Clifford stared down at him. "What is wrong?"

"Did you just say Vanessa Lanstone?" Clayton asked with his brows forced together as he made sure he heard it right.

"Yes."

Clayton clicked his tongue, "She never attends most royal gatherings and now she came?" he said. It was obvious that he was annoyed based on the tone he was using.

Clifford has no idea what was wrong. "Why? You seem to know Vanessa Lanstone well, Your Highness." he said.

"She had her eyes on my brother ever since we were children. I do not know if she is stupid or what, it is obvious that Charles does not like her." he said.

Clifford chuckled. Clayton does not need to be annoyed since the one that Lady Vanessa was bothering was not him, but the Crown Prince. "I thought you are not close with His Highness, the Crown Prince? How come you are more annoyed for him?"

Clayton blushed, but he looked away. "Do not get me wrong!" he said, but Clifford just laughed.

"Vanessa Lanstone is a good lady, perfect in every way. But...she is dangerous.. At least that is what I see."