Free Tamed by the Prince (Elven Lover) by Cathy McAllister

most difficult part. He had to publicly request a pardon. Something which never came easy to the proud elf. There was barely anything worse for a warrior elf than kneeling to beg forgiveness. It was all the more unpleasant for Merlon because he was a prince and the future king. He glanced at his mother and she smiled at him encouragingly. Then he turned to look at the king whose expression seemed hard and impenetrable. Merlon knew that his father loved him with all his heart but he was too much of a king to treat his son differently to the way he would treat others. He would be more likely to treat his son somewhat harder so that there was no doubt whatsoever that he was judging him fairly.
    Sighing, Merlon knelt down and bent his upper body so far forward that his forehead touched the cold marble tiles. Then he straightened himself up again and looked up at King Assgard.
    “Father. I come to you as your most humble servant to ask your pardon for my violation of the rules.”
    King Assgard looked at his son in silence and at last nodded.
    “You are forgiven, son. As always. But you will not escape a punishment. For today and tomorrow you will be answerable to Master Axelous and complete all tasks that he sets you without complaint. Furthermore, tomorrow you will recite by heart all of the palace rules before me and all present.”
    “Yes, father. I thank you for your caution. I will do as you say.”
    With a further nod King Assgard dismissed his son and Merlon turned and left the hall with hurried steps.
    ***
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    Merlon was extremely ill-humoured. Not only did he miss Cherry painfully. Now he also had to play the errand boy for Axelous and learn by heart the one hundred and fifty pages of the palace rules. He would have preferred to spend the rest of his punishment locked up. That was no royal pardon, but rather an increase in the punishment.
    “If Your Highness could please take these documents to the treasurer,” said the Master of Ceremonies, gloating.
    Merlon groaned quietly. He would have very happily throttled this little scoundrel, but he did not say a word and silently took the pile of papers. It was a ridiculously long way to the treasurer. This task would take Merlon an hour. Muttering disapprovingly to himself he left the Master of Ceremonies’ room and stomped angrily through the palace.
    “There you are!”
    Merlon turned and glared angrily at his younger sister.
    “What do you want? To gloat at your big brother running errands? Just leave me alone, Ifitia!”
    Ifitia stared at him in bewilderment.
    “What do you mean? Why should I gloat? What errands?”
    “Are you trying to tell me that you haven’t heard that father has sentenced me to doing any task Master Axelous sets me for two days?”
    Shaking her head in astonishment, Merlon’s sister stood there searching for words.
    “I … I had no idea. But why? Whatever have you done for father to give you such a drastic punishment?”
    “I materialised in my chamber.”
    “You did what?” cried Ifitia in disbelief.
    “I wasn’t in a good state emotionally and I just didn’t think about the damn palace rule,” Merlon tried to explain himself.
    “Come on, I’ll accompany you on your errand and you can tell me what has upset you so much that you’re in such a mess,” said Ifitia, giving her brother an encouraging smile.
    Merlon sighed. He did not like talking about his feelings, but he knew from experience that his stubborn little sister would not leave him in peace until she had found out what she wanted to know.
    “OK. Come on. I have to take this to the treasurer,” he finally gave in, and they set off.
    ***
    Cherry was staring out of the window at the rain. The furnished room that she had rented was small and the furniture was shabby, but it was cheap and anonymous. In this area no one was interested in their neighbours. This was the best place to disappear to. No one would find her easily here – neither Justin nor Merlon. At the thought