Westan grumbled and opened his eyes slowly. Was it morning already?
Another loud knock came at the door. He grumbled again and put a pillow over his face, resolved to ignore the disturbance. He did not want to get up yet.
But another knock came, then another, and another. Westan yawned with irritation and looked towards his window once more. By the look of the rays of sunlight leaking through his curtains it was nearly noon actually.
"My King, Zacchaeus has sent me to fetch you right away!" The servant outside his door said loudly.
Westan sighed. Why did he have to be bothered so early? Could whatever it was not wait a little longer? He was not ready to get up just yet!
"What does he want?" He snapped.
"Your new tutors have arrived sire! He wishes your studies with them to start immediately!" The man outside replied.
Westan groaned. New tutors? Why did Zacchaeus always insist on trying to make him waste the day away studying? He hated such tiresome work! He much preferred to spend his days outside in the sun ridding his horses or practicing his swordplay. But he would not get out of these duties today it seemed. No matter, this new teacher would not last any longer than those before him had.
"Very well, come in." Westan grumbled miserably, too tired to expend any more energy resisting.
At his word several of his servants immediately entered his room. They started opening his drapes, preparing his bath, and laying out his royal garments. Westan took his sweet time getting ready though, hoping to stall the day as long as possible. Eventually he finished getting dressed and finally put on his father's old crown before looking in the mirror at his appearance.
Westan sighed. He was almost nineteen now, and with each passing year he resembled his father more and more. He even had his same black hair and brown eyes, although the face shape resembled his mother more. It had been almost nine years since his parents' assassination, but it still felt as though they died just yesterday. He missed them both terribly, especially on loathsome days like today.
Westan often remembered when he was young, how he had spent most of his time at the castle's nursery so that the King and Queen could focus on their royal duties. But still, they each had made time to see him every day without fail. This was a very unusual custom, especially for a powerful and busy King. His father had even allowed him to join them for supper and special occasions when Westan was only eight years old, although most nobles only let their children come to supper or be seen at court after at about sixteen years of age! His father never feared breaking such traditions when it came to him, and Westan had always been touched by that. How he wished they were still here with him instead of these useless servants he had to deal with every day!
After a moment a servant came and stood before Westan with a bow.
"My Lord, Zacchaeus instructed me to say that he wants you to behave yourself." He said nervously.
Westan just scoffed. "If I like this man, then perhaps I will act properly. And you can tell that to Zacchaeus!"
He did not like being bossed around by his council man Zacchaeus, especially with regards to new tutors and any bore some duties! But still, Westan often tried not to be too difficult towards him, because he knew the man truly only had his best interests at heart. Zacchaeus had in fact been the only one there to protect him when his parents were attacked, and nowadays he was almost like an uncle to him. For these reasons Westan put up with his constant rules and regulations, even when it was not easy.
Once dressed and properly groomed Westan finally felt ready to leave. The servants all bowed and exited the room before him, followed by the messenger.
"Come this way my King! I shall take you to the library where they are awaiting your greeting." The escort stated.
Westan just sighed and followed reluctantly. As he left the room four royal guards also accompanied behind him, as they always did. He could never be anywhere in the castle without them now, except for his private chambers which barely gave him a small measure of privacy. When Westan was younger he often gave his men the slip and ran off to one of his favorite hiding spots to escape his schooling or the doctor's medicine. But now that he was older it wasn't as easy. He barely got to have any fun anymore it seemed!
Westan watched the birds singing outside through the hallway windows as he walked. The breeze looked gentle and the sky had no clouds in sight for miles. What a shame he was going to spend the day away it in the dark and dusty library of all places!
Westan grumbled. His foul mood was not improving in the least bit with such lovely weather outside. It was the beginning of summer, and he was not about to spend it all cooped up in the castle! Whoever this new teacher was would be a wise man indeed if he just took his leave as soon as possible. Westan did not care what it took; he would get his freedom back before the week was up!
Eventually the messenger brought him to the library. They entered and walked towards the back where the royal family's personal study was located. Westan entered the private room and went over to sit in his large chair, which resided at the end of a large round table that was covered from one end to the other with big, old, dusty books.
Westan sat down and sighed with defeat. How he hated working in here, especially on his reading and writing skills! He had never been any good at either, even when he was little boy. It seemed to be such a useless pursuit now that he was older since Zacchaeus easily got things done without him well enough. Why did he even have to keep bothering with these lessons anymore? It wasn't like he would ever be able to master them!
Westan gazed around the room for his new teacher, but was surprised to see was only the messenger and his guards standing nearby.
"Where is the teacher?" He snapped impatiently.
The messenger came forward and bowed. "I will go and fetch him right away."
"Next time have him here first! I do not like waiting!" Westan shouted angrily.
"Yes of course my Lord! My deepest apologies!" The man replied nervously.
Then the servant left and returned after a few moments with not one, but two men. The first was a tall and wide man with blonde hair and blue eyes, and the second was a young man who perfectly reflected the features of the first, aside from being thinner and slightly taller. He seemed to be the man's son, and he looked to be near Westan's own age. They both wore a silk shirt, brown pants, and a green vest with gold details. It appeared they were both going to be his tutors.
"What is the meaning of this?" Westan demanded, gesturing towards the boy.
The father tutor quickly stepped forward and gave a deep bow.
"Greetings my King! This is my son Bartholomew, my assistant. I am Mr. Jameson, and we are both very honored to meet you!" He said nervously.
The boy bowed as well, looking up at him with a nervous but cheerful smile.
Westan frowned. He was not amused at all by this development.
"You dare bring someone so young to act as one of my instructors? Do you mean to insult me?" He snapped.
Honestly, Westan did not wish to be taught by a peasant who barely looked older than twenty-five! In fact, nothing could be more humiliating in his mind.
Mr. Jameson stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to say. But Bartholomew bowed and spoke up quickly.
"My Lord, I offer my sincerest apologies! We meant no insult; for I am but an assistant! Certainly I would be honored to be of any help to both your Majesty and my father!" He said.
Westan scoffed. "Do not act like you two are grateful to be here! I know very well you could not refuse being summoned by Zacchaeus’s royal decree!"
Both of the men could not help but glance towards the guards stationed in the room with them. They knew just as well as the rest of them that they were both completely at his mercy here.
The messenger from earlier also came before him with a bow.
"What!?" Westan snapped, fully fed up with everyone already.
"Zacchaeus says he will inquire from Mr. Jameson how your studies progress." He said nervously.
Westan frowned and shooed him away. Then he looked at the frightened teacher and his 'assistant'.
"Get started already!" He commanded loudly.
Both men bowed and immediately did as they were told. Mr. Jameson quickly laid out books and papers while the boy gave them both quill and ink bottles. Twice the teacher nervously spilled his ink, so his son would quickly clean it up and fetch a new one.
Westan watched them clown around, getting more and more aggravated as the session progressed. He tried to focus on watching the garden through the window for a while, but he constantly found himself distracted by the 'assistant' Bartholomew, who continued to look quite happy no matter how tense the atmosphere was. Westan found himself a bit insulted by his obvious act. But he supposed it presented him with a good opportunity.
"Assistant!" He called out suddenly.
The boy immediately looked up from his task and bowed.
"Y-Yes your Majesty?" He asked nervously.
"I am unsure as to why you are considered an assistant, as your skills displayed thus far truly seem to be lacking." Westan said with a scowl.
The boy blushed and looked down at the ground nervously. For a moment he was unsure how to respond.
"I-I apologize sire. I shall try to perform better." He managed to say.
"Actually, I think you should take off that unfitting vest until you can actually prove yourself worthy of it. I do not like people who try to live above their station." Westan said coldly.
The boy nodded with embarrassment and quickly took off his vest in compliance. Mr. Jameson watched his son's humiliating scene quietly, looking too afraid to say anything.
"Now hurry up and carry on! I want to get this over with." Westan shouted, hoping to startle them a little.
Both men jumped with surprise at his raised voice and quickly got back to work. Mr. Jameson continued to keep nervously dropping and spilling things, a scene that Westan nearly enjoyed watching. But despite his cold glare and harsh words, the son continued to be as cheery as ever throughout the day, keeping a constant smile on his face as he tried quite earnestly to help his father. He would even laugh a little and try to lighten the mood when his father became flustered.
Westan scowled. Just what was with this boy? Was there no upsetting him!? His plan to scare them away would never work unless he could break the teacher's son as well!
"Assistant!" Westan called out again.
The boy turned reluctantly and bowed once more.
"Y-Yes my Lord?" He said quietly.
"How dare you act this way in my presence!" Westan snapped.
The boy looked up with alarm and confusion.
"W-What have I done to upset you?" He asked.
"I find everything about your manners displayed here today insulting actually." Westan stated.
The boy stared down at his feet with embarrassment. "I-I apologize sire. I meant no-"
"Be silent!" Westan shouted, even standing up from his seat.
The boy and his father froze completely and watched him with fearful eyes.
"You are dismissed from my presence assistant, and I do not wish to see your face ever again!" He commanded angrily.
Mr. Jameson's eyes bulged, and the boy looked to be in a state of shock for a moment. But neither dared protest as the one of the guards came and grabbed the boy by the arm, roughly showing him out the door.
Westan then turned to the boy's father with a frown. Mr. Jameson just met his stare with horror.
"Now hurry up and get this study over with already!" Westan growled.
The man bowed with fear and quickly got back to his lesson, spilling or dropping his things every few minutes. Westan smiled with triumph at his teacher's distress and at his own plans success. It was only a matter of time before these men begged Zacchaeus to be set free. Only then could he go back to going about his day without a single care to deal with!