At your sevice!

Sun on my face. I am awake!

 I get up, splash water on my face, and change myself. 

 I leave my room in a jump. I find maids running everywhere. A soldier carrying wood bumps into me.

—Sorry your Highness! —He shouts and continues on his way without looking back.

Even though everything seems squeezed, I miss many well-known faces. 

People are more spread out because of the war, busier.

 I also make my way through the full corridors, being small has its advantages. 

I start running by the blacksmithing.

 It was five-thirty in the morning and the place was already boiling.

All five furnaces (that looked more like the volcanoes in the illustrated books) were lit and dozens of blacksmiths raised and lowered their hammers.

Pang, Pong Pum.

Horrible noise. Even worse is the smell of smoke, coal, metal, and other burning things. (That I don't want to know what it is)

Gray-haired blacksmith looks at me and says, —Hey boy! We need more copper here! —Other Blacksmiths start to notice me too.

— Also, take these swords to the distribution center! — Asks a big, red-haired man with a thick voice.

 —I would like more coal! — Charged a skinny man with brown eyes and a beard that fell to his waist.

 — OK! A batch of copper, take a load of swords to the center, and bring a new batch of coal. Does anyone else have any requests? — I review everything and memorize the items.

The grey-haired blacksmith smiles at me and says.—I think this is enough weight for you, boy. Go as soon as you get back we will still need your help!—

I pack the redhead's swords in a straw bag. With a leather strap, I tie all the swords tightly behind my back, ready to go out, and I say to the grey-headed blacksmith.

—At your service! — I answer before running out of the smithy. 

I wish things would be like this forever.

No more heavy training, no more study hours.

Just making favours and learning new professions!

I bet the grown-ups would be pretty mad if I told them so.

Floor and the corridors are full of servants. A half an hour if I went the normal way, so it's time to take a shortcut.

I climb a stone wall to the top of the wall. The view is beautiful as always, like when Lion and I sat here telling each other stories. I want to hear a story. . .

Not the time for that! 

I jump off the wall, land on a watchtower, from here I can jump to every roof in the capital.

First stop, the city centre. The fountain square (now a food distribution centre). 

It is not far from here. I jump to the roof of the bakery, and the baker swears at me.

The shops in the middle of my route complicate things a little. It's much easier to go through the homes of people who have already woken up and are out working.

I calmly walk across the joined roofs of the capital.

I look down and see passers-by struggling to step forward in the crowded streets.

It makes my way worthwhile, even with the disadvantages.

I jump for the roof of the tailor, thankfully that today she has nothing at her hand to throw at me. How I love the capital! The buildings are all two floors as if they were made to climb! The roofs are all colourful and birds are always singing!

The roof of the warehouse is a little steeper, but you just need to know where to hold yourself to get through here in no time (and there is no one to bother you with). A loose tile falls, and my foot slips with nothing to lean on. I use my hands and grab a chimney. Oops! Better hold on tight. But now it's easy, the merchants' tents start on the main street. There are only a few roofs to the square. I can already see it!

I jump over the soft tents and jump from one to the other. It's a lot more fun than going across the rooftops!

It goes Hip! And then does a Boing! And I can get enough speed to fly through the tents.

I don't know why I'm the only one who does this!

The folk down there didn't even care since this is routine for them

This square connects the east gate with the east and north gate. Thousands of merchants and scribes gather there every day, it is chaos! Chickens flying, boys my age running carrying loads from side to side, and carts leaving every minute for the fronts of the war.

I land on the roof of a merchant's tent and look for the weapons merchant. This is not the first time I have done this, the days have been like this since Lion went to war. I am not old enough to fight, so I need to help as much as I can. 

Maybe, even if the difference is minimal, it raises the chances of us winning and Lion coming home.

Well, enough depressing thoughts, I found whom I was looking for!

The man with the big belly and short white hair is right under me!

What a thing, I'm very distracted!

I drop the swords in front of the man.

—Here is a shipment of five long swords and eight rapiers sir!

—Wow! Take it easy boy, or you will end up cutting someone! —He says moving away from the sharp blades.

— I'm sorry, but I'm rushing, they need me in the forge. — I'm a little ashamed by my recklessness. I hope he does not notice.

— All right, Your Highness, your assistance is greatly appreciated. But come down here for a moment, will you?—

I get down off the roof and land on some boxes confused.

—What do you need sir?— The merchant comes to me and starts tiding my clothes.

— Your clothes, your highness! They are a mess. How have you undone almost all your laces?—

—Oh, thank you, sir.— I say a bit embarrassed. I still haven't figured out how tiding laces work. He finishes my clothes and gives me an approving look.

— If you're already going to the forge, would you mind doing me a favour and ordering a new shipment of twenty claymores? — Gentle voice but still astute tone like all traders.

— At your service! — I'm starting to think this is the phrase I've been talking about the most, but if Moli catches me forgetting good manners, my goose is cooked!

I climb the merchant's tent back to the rooftops, bye-bye chaotic square!

 The next stop, is the mines. A little far, but this will be just like training. Instead of pulling a trunk, I need to run twice the distance at twice the speed.

The sun is starting to get strong, and the landscape takes on new colours.

It is a beautiful day! 

Too bad I'm so busy. When all this is over I have to come back here, just to relax and enjoy the view.

Now let's get going! From roof to roof, wall to wall and ... bird! Oh, no. I am falling.

Bam! it's the only thing I hear when I bump my head on the floor ... it hurt. It is the first time that a bird brings me down, better to be more careful.

I get up and start my way again.

Hey, finally see the mine! It took less time than expected.

There are no buildings here, I have to finish my run on the grass. At least it is much less crowded than the square. The grass is soft under my feet and smells good. It's easier than jumping over rooftops, but I'm slower.

I don't know why they call this place the mine since there are many more than one mine! Holes and more holes that go to the heart of the foggy mountain. The miners always came and went covered with soot and earth, from a distance, they looked like ants at work.

I approach the chief miner, he is already waiting for me. He is a nice man.

— What do we have for today, little Arthur? — He says in a happy tone, he is always happy.

— One bag of coal and one of copper sir! — I also answer happily, it is contagious.

— Are you sure, Arthur boy? The sack of coal weighs about eight kilos alone, but the sack of copper, even though it is smaller, weighs about twenty-five kilos, do you think it can handle it? — He asks searching me from top to bottom.

I smile and answer — If I can't take it now I'll have to take it afterward. —

 He smiles too and puts his hand on my shoulder. — That's how you say it, boy! — 

He then turns to one of the miners and orders. — Jacob! Bring a bag of charcoal and a copper bag for the boy!

The miner settles and goes to the piles of ore to fill the bags.

The Chief Miner turns to me and continues. — So, any news from your friend and my son? —

I look down and sigh. — No sir, the front lines are very busy. My father left yesterday, on his way to the eastern border, but we still have no reports. — The miner looks down and sighs too.

— I know how you feel. You know if it weren't for that damn lame leg, I would be there, too, besides him. — Jacob returns dragging two bags of ore.

The chief miner regains his composure and says while he hands me the bags. — But someone has to stay here to provide the soldiers and make the country move! It is not a war that has immobilized us! Right boy? —

 At his command, I recover my posture too and answer — At your service! — This phase is not so bad at all. On the contrary, it seems pretty cool now.

I start the way back.

I definitely shouldn't have run that far. These bags are heavier than they look. I can't carry them over the roofs.

I almost can't tie them to my back.

But the road is still long …

I start my way back to the city gates more dragging my load than carrying it.

At the gates carriages enter and leave with horses trotting everywhere.

How am I going to get through this?

I can't climb carrying all this weight all over the walls!

— Would you like a ride, little boy? — Asks a hay wagon driver.

I look at my saviour with gratitude. — Thank you very much, sir! — And I jump on the cart.

—To the castle?— He asks. 

— To the castle and onwards! — I answer. It is good to sit and take the weight off your back. I'll just take a short nap …

— We arrived your highness! — I wake up in an alert state, it was a good and deep nap, I needed it.

I get off the wagon and thank him. — Thank you very much! You saved me! —

 He looks at me happily and responds — At your service! — I retrace my path to the forge.

—Already back little prince? —Feet one created along the way. Her name is Naukar, the deputy chief maid.

— Going to the forge.— I answer quickly.

— These bags look heavy, I also go to the forges, do you want help? — People are always nice when you need them.

—Thank you very much — I Thank Naukar as she gets the copper bag from my back.

— At your service. — She answers as we go down the corridors towards the forge.

When we get there the heat and the smoke hit my face again.

Naukar gives me the bag back and gets back to her duties.

— Oh! He came back sooner than we expected. — declared the red-haired blacksmith.

— You'll have more time to work for us! You stay here until breakfast, don't you? — asks the skinny long-bearded blacksmith whom I give the coal bag.

— I will do my best to help! —I answer and give the gray-haired blacksmith the copper bag.

— With men missing, even half a man already helps! — He answers.

I now had my anvil and hammer. My task was just to put pieces together and heat the metals, but I have to admit that a blacksmith's job is very cool! Turning the iron rod into a sword or shield is difficult and tiring, but cool.

I hit the hot metal, heated parts of iron and copper, and hit again. My whole body felt like it was on fire when the familiar bell of the castle filled the room.

— Food is ready! — Many shouted. Everyone dropped the hammers and ran to the kitchen, including me. The kitchen was fuller than it should have been, the line got bigger and bigger in front of my eyes. One push here and one sneak there are enough for me to get a good seat. Waiting like the smell of freshly baked bread in the air is difficult, but before I knew it, I was already at the kitchen door. A maid was passing me a bowl full of bread, fruit, and cheese. I then run to some corner of the left and start to taste the food.

OH NO! I forgot to tell the blacksmiths about the claymores! Uhg, it is too late now, I bet someone else already told them.

I drown remorse in breakfast.

Breakfast was as plentiful as ever, thanks to the efforts of farmers, we didn't have to cut back on our meals.

Speaking of farmers, this was my next stop. After filling myself with as much food as I could and leaving the bowl empty in the kitchen, I head straight for the castle mill. A large white tower with a water wheel connected to the river, surrounded by plantations that are outside the wall. Conveniently, it is on the kitchen side!

— How wonderful your highness! You arrived early just today that we just received a new shipment of wheat! You can skip the usual routine and go straight to unload the hay, my back can't take the weight any more. — Who was shouting was the old farmer, a man so shrivelled he looked like a dry white leaf.

—At your service, sir!— I answer, heading to where the arriving wagons parked. The old farmer is the only one left at the mill, so I have to help him all morning until the cooks call me in to help with lunch. The job is not as cool as the blacksmith. All I have to do is cut the wheat, plant, and water the seeds and then put them in the mill and remove the ready-made flour. Today, in particular, it will be another weightlifting workout, wheat is very heavy!

I look at the cart, it was full of almost two meters of wheat. Four oxen grazed in front of the cart. So, I'm going to have to use the strength of four oxen! I regret so much for running this morning!

I look at an old farmer, and he looks at me. — I'm sorry boy, but if you want bread, next week you better start loading! — And so I do. I carry wheat into the mill in the attic, then I go downstairs to the basement and take one of the bags of flour that are already ready and take it outside.

Wheat inside flour out.

I repeat and repeat, without complaining

When the stack was already halved, I gave up.

My breath is gone for good. My motivation was also just the dust. My arms and legs didn't move any more.

An old farmer approached me.

— You did well, for a little boy, I would bet a bag of flour that you could only get a quarter. You can rest until your next task. — That's precisely what I did, I lay there lying on the floor of the mill listening to the gears turn…

— YOUR HIGHNESS! You are late! — The old farmer's husky voice woke me. I get up quickly due to the surprise. And I regret doing that. I can feel my arms burning and my legs wobbly. After relaxing a bit I manage to get out of the mill. I say goodbye to the Old Farmer and enter the kitchen.

— I'm sorry, passing by! — Shouts a trapped cook. “The soup needs salt!” Yells a cook. — Potatoes! Someone, please peel the potatoes! — Shout another one. It's always like that in the kitchen, I don't need anyone to tell me what to do. I only do everything necessary as quickly as possible. Salt for one, flour for another, pick up a knife and peel potatoes. I have to ignore my burning muscles if I want to have lunch in time, at least the smell of food could not be greater!

 After more time than it looks, it was me who distributed the bowls to the servants. Today's lunch was bread, meat soup, and an apple for dessert. As soon as they were all served and half the bowls thoroughly washed, I finally got mine.

Now that I stop to think, with everything I learned I could open my bakery! I could also have my smithy when I believed. The carpenter and the seamstress told me that I would have a future in their professions. On the other hand, from everything I've learned, I don't think that I want to be a coachman or janitor. Not to offend the royal coachman or the castle's janitors. Speaking of janitor, here's my next assignment.

I leave my bowl for one of the cooks to wash and head to the janitors' cabin. Wait, something's wrong. The corridors are empty! Where did everyone go? I hear a noise, it comes from the dorms. A maid runs past me. Oh, it's Moli! She returned! — Moli! What is up? Why the breakfast tray? Even lunchtime has passed! — I ask confused. Moli turns to me, takes my hand, and says with the biggest smile I've ever seen her do. — Come see Arthur! A messenger soldier arrived from the war front, the king has not yet arrived at the eastern camp, but the soldier brought something important. A baby in your arms! — She said full of emotion as she pulled me through the corridors.

— What happened? — I ask more confused than before.

— You'll see when we get there. — She answers. We ran into the room next to mine, many servants were squeezing against each other to get a better view from inside. Moli makes his way through the servants with the breakfast tray and I follow.

When we enter I find other maids wrapping something in cloth. A large, menacing soldier with blue eyes and long blond hair in pyjamas was sitting on the bed. Moli handed the creepy soldier breakfast. He looked exhausted and genuinely grateful, but still scary.

Moli takes a step forward, and I hide in the hem of his dress.

— Welcome back Ronald! I hope you had a good reception. Come on Arthur, don't be rude and greet him. You already know Ronald! — She says back in her usual calm tone. But I do not! I don't know that scary beard man!

Wait? Did she say, Ronald? Like, the general son? Why is he so different?

Ronald chokes, I don't know exactly why. He tries to get out from under the blankets and make a hurried reference, but stops midway, writhing with colic. Then he looks in surprise at his faded red jumpsuit. He blushes and gives Moli an embarrassed look, only to discover that she is laughing at the poor soldier's plight. Yeah, he doesn't look so scary any more. Just a little.

— You don't need to show respect any more, as the godfather of the new princess. — Complete Moli still trying to contain the laugh.

The maids have just packed anything and left the room. Godfather, new princess, baby. . . That's what Moli was trying to tell me. A real little sister!

The soldier contemplates the emptiness for a while still wincing in pain.

Still, I can't help myself and try to get to the baby to see his face better.

— What's her name? — I ask quietly still a little intimidated by the soldier.

— Harika, Harika first. — He answers.

She was so small. I carefully touch her face. Her skin was soft and warm, her hair was red. There is a tiredness that I have been preparing for occasions like this. I always wanted a little sister. Well, I also made one in case it was a little brother, but that is beside the point, maybe one day I will still win a little brother.

The song is like that.

“A prince,

You need to be strong and brave,

To know,

and be of many things,

must Love,

and dream big must be kind

and loyal,

To all who trust him with their lives,

And so must a princess be,

It must grow,

And learn, explore and fight.

Must be,

Braver than any other man.

More beautiful and virtuous than all the ladies.

Even so,

Don't worry, I will always be by your side.

I promise you.

I will help you and save you from any trouble.

I will be,

Always by your side, even if distant.

Sleep,

Little princess. “Today was so tiring, I'll just close my eyes a little.