"You don't have to tie my shoes." I sat on the edge of my bed as Perseus tied my shoes. I finally had a name for this strange knight. Yesterday was awful. Every time I thought of them I would get embarrassed. I can't believe he laughed. He laughed till he cried!

Perseus didn't answer and moved onto the other one. I was perfectly capable of tying my shoes I wasn't two anymore but he insisted. He wouldn't let me leave the room until he did it himself. I had even tied them both but he untied them just to tie them again. What a strange person. He's ridiculous.

"What are the plans for today?"

"My parents are coming back home. We're going to visit the princess." He stood up and took a step back. I inspected my shoes before standing up as well. "The one you have to marry?" I nodded. "Let's go downstairs. They should arrive soon. Please don't make a fool out of yourself."

"The only person I do that in front of is you. You have the best reactions, young prince." I sighed and shook my head as I opened my bedroom door. He shut it behind him as he exited. We walked down the stairs and to the front doors. All the servants stood in rows on each side of the carpet. Each row faced the other across the carpet.

Outside a carriage pulled up. The two servants closest to the big doors opened them before standing back in their spots. I watched my mother and father step out of the carriage. My father held my mother's hand when he helped her out. The rider bowed in front of them as my parents thanked him.

I stood up straighter and smoothed out my outfit. My parents made their way to the stairs. When they were within reach of entering the castle I smiled. My mother immediately smiled when we made eye contact. "Atlas!" She let go of my father's hand and rushed over and hugged me. I hugged her back as I could feel my bones crack in the death grip she had on me. "How's my big boy doing?" She asked once she released me.

"I'm fine. How was your trip?" She sighed dreamily. "It was amazing. They released lanterns last night and it was so breathtaking. I wish you saw it." My father stood next to her. "Son." He greeted.

"Father." I nodded my head. "I assume your trip was as good as mothers."

He smiled and nodded. "Like she said it was amazing if you ignore the paperwork." My mother rolled her eyes. "Let's forget about that."

"I think it's time to introduce someone new to the family. Mother, father this is Perseus, my knight." I gestured to Perseus who stood up tall next to me. I watched him bow in front of my parents. "Your highnesses it's a pleasure to meet you both. I hope that you will trust me in protecting your son."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Perseus." My mother said. "Well, are you boys ready for a trip? It's quite a long ride to princess Eliza's castle. We'll need two carriages. Guards go get us another carriage. The rest of you are dismissed. Please take care of the castle while we are gone."

All the servants bowed before going their own ways. I watched them go while my parents walked outside. I can't believe they wanted to go on another carriage ride as soon as they got home. Aren't they tired?

"The carriage is ready for us young prince, let's go." Perseus tapped my shoulder. He walked ahead of me this time and I followed behind him. He helped me into the carriage before taking a seat across from me.

---

"Atlas!" Eliza ran down the stone steps in a hurry. She had her dress in her hands as she ran. She quickly engulfed me into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here." She said as I hugged her back. "How have you been?" I asked once she let me go. "It's been a while since we've seen each other."

"I've been good. I started to learn how to play the piano so you should hear me play it when it's time for the ball. It won't be for a while so I have plenty of time. How have you been? Anything new?" In the distance I watched my parents walk up the steps and greet Eliza's parents. My dad was already laughing about something. Both of our mothers had hugged each other. I focused back on Eliza.

"I've been good. I have a new knight. This is Perseus." I gestured to Perseus. Perseus smiled at Eliza. He took her hand and kissed it before releasing it. "Ooo I like him better than your last knight. Where did you find him?" She giggled as she continued looking at him. "If you want to marry him just ask?"

"Shut up Atlas." She punched me in the shoulder as I laughed. "Let's go inside already. Our parents are already inside." I looked past her to see that she was right. The doors were still open and the guards were staring at us. "Yeah let's go."

"So Flint is already here. He's been here for a while." Eliza said as we walked. My smile disappeared from my face at the mention of Flint. I didn't hate him because I had to fight him, I hated him because of how he acted. He's a brat. "When's he leaving?" I prayed in my head that he would be leaving soon.

"Why do you ask?" Eliza chuckled. She turned my head to see if I was joking but upon seeing my frown realized I wasn't. "Oh, he's leaving tomorrow morning. Why, do you not like him?" I shook my head. "He's annoying and he acts like a brat too." Eliza looked sad. "I know you like him." More than me.

"I like you too Atlas calm down. I'm kind of surprised two boys are fighting over my hand in marriage." Eliza laughed as she said this. We finally entered the castle and the guards closed the doors behind us. I didn't think it was funny that two boys were fighting over the girl they had to marry.

It took me a very long time to fall in love with her. I can kind of feel it slipping. She somehow adores Flint over me. I can see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice whenever she talks about him.

"Atlas are you listening?" I looked up from the ground that I don't even remember starting to look at. "What?"

"Jeez, you're always so distracted. I asked if you wanted to go to the garden with me and see Flint." I shrugged. "Sure." I didn't want to. The last person I wanted to see was Flint but where else would I go in someone else's home.

We walked through the halls of her castle before finding the door to the garden and entering. Flint was in the back looking at a flower. With the way he was holding the stem I was sure he was going to crush it between his fingers. "Flint!" Eliza ran over to him. He let go of the flower and looked up at her smiling. "Hi, Eliza." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek when she hugged him. "Look who's here." She turned away from him to look at me. Flint looked over as well.

His smile disappeared and it was replaced with a frown. Sometimes I wondered if Eliza realized the fact that we both hated each other and if alone in a room together we would kill each other. Maybe she did realize it and ignored it. "Flint." I greeted. "Atlas, fancy seeing you here."

"Yeah, you too. I heard you were leaving tomorrow."

"Oh, what a shame. I'm disappointed we can't hang out longer." He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm disappointed too. I'm sure your stay here was lovely."

"It sure was. Eliza and I did a lot of things. A lot of fun things."

"Well, we can continue to do fun things with Atlas too." Eliza grabbed Flint's hand and walked over to me grabbing mine as well. She walked over to the door pulling us along. I stuck my tongue out at Flint and he did the same. I quickly ripped my hand out of Eliza's and turned to Perseus.

Eliza led Flint out of the garden without even realizing I wasn't with her as she was in a conversation with Flint. "You know you don't have to stay with us," I said to Perseus. "It's fine. Flint's an interesting person, I love to see you two fight." Perseus smiled. I rolled my eyes. "Whatever."