{Cass' POV}

After my meltdown, my mother stayed by my side for quiet some time. She seemed to be distrusting of the royal guards and the castle staff, only allowing Ginger to interact with me while I got a grip on my emotions. I stayed within the castle grounds after that day, too afraid to leave in case I bumped into Alair, knowing that my emotions would once again get the better of me. However, after talking it over with my mother, she helped me to realise that I was chasing after something I could never have and although I wasn't okay with it, I soon came to terms with Alairs situation...

I'd woken up one fine morning to the spring air circulating in my bedroom, the maids already at work setting out my clothes for the day when a knock suddenly sounded at the door.
"Would you like me to see who it is?"
One of the mares asked, getting a smile in response. I got up from my bed and pulled on the black shirt that lay at the foot of my bed, along with the belt and straps that kept a cover on my back.
"My prince, good morning."
Gingers chipper voice called as he entered the room, the maid inviting him in.
"Would you still like me to accompany you when you go into town?"
He continued.
One of the maids aided in attaching the straps together on my back while I spoke to Ginger, telling him that I would appreciate his company.
"Sorry to intrude, but I have a rather exciting gift for the prince."
A jolly voice spoke to the maid manning the door. The jolly voice came from none other than the royal Taylor. He hurried into the room after hearing my permission and handed a larger flat box to Ginger. I grinned and gestured my chaperone over, taking the box from his hands and opening it quickly.
Over the years I'd been forced to wear a rather gaudy, heavy Cape, fashioned by the royal Taylor for my brother and myself using my father's instruction. The craftsmen ship was beautiful, however I despised how much attention it drew due to its bright blue and gold colouring. So I consulted the Taylor myself only a matter of days ago, regarding a cape that would suit a royal, without the flashy details. What we came up with was a garment featuring a jet black, heavy cotton exterior, linen lining in the royal families typical blue and sewn accents in that same blue shade. The black outer layer looked polished, yet the blue would still be seen as the wind picked up the somewhat lightweight fabric. All gold accents were replaced with white gold, the family crest included.
"It was an absolute pleasure making this, my prince."
The old taur spoke happily while watching me toss the Cape around my body, making sure that it predominantly covered my left arm before fastening the white gold clasp in the front.
"It's exquisite, thank you."
I sighed with a smile, admiring the taurs handwork in the mirror beside me. I walked over and offered my hand, not surprised when the Taylor took it and shook it.
"I know I shouldn't say this, but I believe you're the start of a new era for Noren my prince. This may only be a cape, but it's the beginning of something much bigger, I know it. I wish you the best of luck."
The Taylor's words made me grin uncontrollably, he was thinking exactly the same way as myself...

"My prince, there's something else in here..."
Ginger mumbled, looking into the box.
"That is a gift for you Ginger, the rest of it is in the armoury."

Gingers eyes lit up at my words and he placed the box down, pulling the matching garment out to take a look.
"It's a sash that will attach to your armour young man."
The Taylor added.
Ginger had become a rather close companion of mine over the past several weeks, and I wanted to show him this.

Once we'd finished, the maids, along with the Taylor exited my quarters before Ginger and I did the same.
"We shall head down to the armoury now, they finished everything up yesterday."
I chuckled in gingers direction, thinking that the all gold armour was quite and eyesore.
"Im very grateful my prince, the gold has always been quite off putting for me."
He admitted hesitantly while carrying his new sash.

"If it's so off putting, I can always take your job from you, that way you need not wear it at all."
Ginger immediately tensed up at the sound of my father's voice responding to his prior comment. My aid went to formally apologise, but I stopped him.
"Please do, that way I can employ him myself."
I snapped back at my father, my tone firm as he approached us.
My father's face dropped at the sight of my new attire before it turned twisted, he wasn't happy.
"What kind of attire is that!? You look like a foreigner."
He growled, reaching out to rip the newly made cape from my body. Before I could reach out to stop him, Gingers arm appeared before me which caused my father to back off.
"The prince felt that it was about time for a change, he went to the trouble of outsourcing this garment so please refrain from destroying it, your highness. And if you wish to sack me, please do as you see fit."
It was me that stood in shock after hearing Ginger stand up to the king himself, though I couldn't help but smile.
He also lied about the source of the garment as to not get the Tailor into any trouble...
With confidence, my chaperone and I walked past my father to continue our day.
"A new era is on its way father, I'm just getting started."

I whispered as I passed him, his angered growls echoing down the halls as I walked away.

"That was terrifying."
Ginger gasped once we were out of the way, letting his form slouch as he grabbed his chest. I laughed at my guard and continued towards the armoury, where we collected Gingers new attire.
His new armour was more streamline and lightweight, allowing him a better range of movement while wearing it. It featured the standard components, a chest plate, back plate, bicep guards and a saddle plate to cover his vital organs, all of which was made using polished hardened steel. black leather shin guards had also been added to protect his lower legs, along with matching forearm guards and gloves that covered his palms. Ginger suited up while I payed the smiths for their incredible work, it amazed me that they could get it done so quickly.
"All of the armour in the royal guard has been reused for generations, we haven't made a new set in years, so thank you for allowing us to."
The head Smith chuckled in a gritty voice, handing me the last component of the set.
"Swords are made in bulk here in Noren, some guards end up with a different one every day, but I wanted you to have something that was yours."
I called to Ginger, pulling his attention away from his newly clad body. I wandered over and handed him a sheathed sword, his head suddenly began wobbling from side to side.
"I can't accept this my prince."
He panicked.
I took it upon myself to slip the black leather scabbard into the end of the matching baldric that already sat around Gingers body, finishing him off by attaching the new sash to its chains.
"You're my guard Ginger, not just my chaperone. I know you've been trained well with a weapon, you wouldn't have been given this position otherwise. So enjoy having a sword you can call your own. Even if you leave my side in the future, I don't want it back."
I gave the gangly taur a hard pat on his hip where the sword sat, making him stumble slightly. He paused for a moment before doing something I didn't expect. He lunged at me, wrapping his arms around my body in a tight hug. The smiths all flapped, telling my dopey guard to get off me, but I simply laughed.
"Thank you."
He mumbled, sounding like he was going to cry.
I smiled and hugged him back before he pulled away.
"You don't need to thank me, this is my way of thanking you. It's been a very long time since I trusted a chaperone as much as I trust you."
The smaller steed looked at me with a determined expression before pulling himself together.
"I won't let you down."
He added strongly, making me chuckle.

Now that the necessary changes had been made, Ginger and I made our way out to the yard and around to the staff gate, where, as always, two of my father's guards stood watch. They couldn't let me out without my father's permission, however a strong stance and a stern voice was all it took for me to get them to move. Up until now I'd behaved like a child, throwing a tantrum when others didn't do as I requested, but recently I had learned that confidence went a very long way towards being heard.

"What is it you were coming out for again?"

Ginger asked, adjusting the collar of his undershirt as we walked through town.
"A gift."
I smiled gently, hoping that what I was looking for would still be around.
He may have already been back for it...
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{Maes POV}

I ran around the kitchen one last time, making sure everything was in its place and that the surfaces were clean, removing my apron once I was sure my work was complete. I grabbed my shall from beside the back door and tossed it over my shoulders, ready to leave for home when the kitchen door suddenly opened.
In walked a rather beautifully clad guard, wearing a uniform I had never seen before. However, I had seen its wearer once or twice in the past.
"You're the young princes guard, what brings you here at this hour?"
I asked curiously.
"Ah, please forgive me for delaying your leave. I'm here on behalf of the prince, he asked me to deliver this to you."
The sweet young taur hurried towards me as he spoke, handing me a small box.
"I believe it is for your son."
He added before disappearing from my sight, leaving me to wonder what exactly was inside the box.

I held the gift tight under my arm while I made my way home, luckily the nights were lighter thanks to the change of season... I arrived home to the smell of food cooking and the sight of my wonderful son in the kitchen.
"You should be in bed."
I sighed, handing my tired looking boy the gift and shooing him into the lounge so I could handle dinner.
"What's this?"
He asked, curling up on the pile of blankets that lay by the fire.
"A gift... From the prince."
Alair tensed up at my words, looking reluctant to open the box. But he did so, revealing a sheet of tissue paper and beneath that, a beautiful handmade blanket. He froze for a moment, brushing his fingers across the soft looking material.
"I was looking at this at the market, the day I bumped into him... I couldn't afford it but I said I'd go back for it. I can't believe he paid that much attention."
The smile on my son's face as he spoke caused tears to swell in my eyes.
One day... He may just be able to tell Cass the truth...

{End}