And so, the next day Markus began his training as an apprentice topiarist. He was shown around the palace grounds, and Isabelle was taken into the palace and given the job of dusting the many paintings. Every day Markus put on his dark green uniform, and Isabelle her pale blue one, and the pair of them headed for the palace together. They said goodbye at the gates and went off to their respective duties. Every evening they would return home, Markus a little later than his sister, and eat dinner with Alphonse. They had been unable to find any vacant houses to buy, and the chef seemed eager for them to stay with him. He appreciated their company, and they appreciated his.

Markus had now spent two weeks learning how to shape hedges according to the head topiarist’s wishes, and he found that it was not as difficult a task as it first seemed. He was instructed alongside two other apprentices: one, a thin man a few years older than Markus, had been doing this for almost a year, the other, a short boy just one year older, had only been an apprentice for a month. The man was condescending yet fairly bad at his craft, and Markus dreaded the tedious hours spent with him. The boy he liked much more, for he was quiet but hard-working, and he always looked forward to sweeping the paths in companionable silence with him.

They were doing just that when Markus saw Prince Alexis for the first time since the ball. They had been told that if a member of the royal family – or a guest of any description – was in the grounds, they were to leave that part and come back to it once they had gone, so that the gardens might be enjoyed in peace. However, they were attempting to slip away quietly when the prince called out.

“Wait a moment, you two.”

They stopped obediently and turned to face him.

“So it is you,” he said, looking at Markus. “You got a job here after all.” He now directed his attention to the other boy. “You may carry on with your duties. I’m afraid I’ll have to borrow Markus for a little while, though. Please give my apologies to Robert.”

The boy bowed and left to inform the head topiarist. Alexis turned back to Markus.

“I saw your sister in one of the hallways, and guessed that you would be here too. So, you accepted your punishment?”

“Isabelle convinced me, your highness.”

“There’s no need for the formalities, ‘Alexis’ will do.”

“Ah, but I’ve got strict instructions for what to do if any of you talk to me. I even had to practice bowing.”

“And here I was, hoping I’d get a curtsy.”

“Don’t you have some prince business to do? I’m surprised you can spare the time to come and talk to me.”

“It’s actually a lot less work than you’d think. I easily have the time for a stroll in the gardens. Besides, all normal business is being put on hold in preparation for my brother’s wedding. You should go, there’s going to be a ball afterwards.”

“Perhaps I will. Now, you may have the afternoon off, but I still have sweeping to do, and if I don’t do it now Robert will have me make up for it later. May I be dismissed, Alexis?”

“How rude, asking to leave so soon. I suppose I’ll just have to talk to you another time, if I happen to see you while taking an afternoon walk.”

Markus bowed, a little lower and a little longer than was necessary, and went to find the other apprentice.