They spoke no more of the matter, and a few months passed comfortably. Then came a day when Markus, in the middle of trimming a hedge, was summoned to the palace. The errand boy who had come to fetch him told him that the prince wanted to see him. He was expecting Alexis, but it soon became apparent that the boy had meant the Crown Prince.

Crown Prince Thomas was sitting in a relatively small room with a desk and a few chairs. Markus thought it might have been a drawing room, but he had never really been able to tell the difference between kinds of rooms. The prince greeted him and asked him to take a seat.

“Of course, your highness.” Markus sat down a little nervously and waited to be told why he had been called there.

“I believe the last time we saw each other, your sister was about to get married. I do hope it went well.”

“Yes, and she’s very happy. Thank you for your kind thoughts.”

“And are you still enjoying your topiary?” Markus merely nodded, so he continued. “I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here… it’s a small matter, nothing to be too concerned about. It’s about my brother, Alexis. He’s being very uncooperative at the moment, and I was hoping you could assist. I know he thinks fondly of you, at least more than the other servants, and you might have an easier time convincing him than I would, as his family.”

“I’m afraid I’ll probably disappoint you. If he won’t listen to his own brother… I can try, but I’m not sure I’m the right person for this.”

“I don’t know about that! It’s common knowledge here that he often goes to talk to you in the gardens.”

“Then I will do my best, but if he disagrees with you, I’m sure I don’t have the right to try to force him to change his opinion.”

“Excellent! Now, I’m sure you’re aware that it’s his birthday in a little over a month. For my twentieth birthday, we held a grand ball, and there I chose my bride. My father suggested the same thing for my brother, but he declined. This is all very well, but he also refused to consider any of the noblemen’s daughters. My mother thinks he already has a bride in mind, but my father thinks he is just being stubborn in his refusal. I have been tasked with making him reconsider, but he hasn’t listened to me so far.”

Markus felt his spirits sink. “It is necessary for him to marry now?”

“Not strictly speaking, but my father is very keen on it. He thinks it will made Alexis happy and ‘lessen the burden’ of being a prince.”

“So surely it would be okay for him to refuse? If he just tells the King that he sees no need for it...”

“You might be right, except that he hasn’t given us a reason for refusing. If there was a reason, my father might accept it, but it seems that he is simply being contrary.”

“So, what is it you wish from me?”

“To persuade him, if possible, or at the very least to find out why he’s being so obstinate.” The prince considered for a moment. “Or perhaps you already have an idea why? I’m inclined to agree with mother: I think he’s already set on someone and thinks father won’t approve. The only people he spends time with are his family, his tutors, and you. Oh, and his manservant, George. Therefore, it’s likely to be someone from outside the palace, someone he wouldn’t see very often. I don’t know if he would talk about that to you, but perhaps he’s mentioned a name?”

“Uh… No… no, I don’t think so.”

“It’s an offense to lie to a prince, you know,” he joked.

“No one comes to mind, but I could easily have missed something,” Markus said more firmly. “The next time I see him, I’ll make sure to ask – or would you rather I go to talk to him right away?”

“No, that’s not necessary. You’re a good lad. Thank you for helping me, it’s much appreciated.”

“It’s my pleasure, your highness.”

And so, the next time they spoke, Markus dutifully brought up the subject. They were in the gardens, and he had noticed the Crown Prince watching from a window, and waving when he realised Markus had seen him.

“Alexis… your brother called me to the palace a couple of days ago. He wanted me to talk to you.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised. He also talked to George, and no doubt my tutors as well.” The prince sighed. “It seems my family really won’t just let me be.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“I don’t see why I should have to do anything,” he answered with childlike stubbornness. “They’re the ones who take issue with how things are. I won’t give in to them, rest assured, and I see no reason to justify myself.”

“I’m sure they only have your best interests at heart.”

“Are you suggesting I should accept, then? Well, in any case, I won’t do it. I won’t marry someone I do not care for. Even if you were to leave me, I wouldn’t marry anyone. So take no notice of my brother.”

“Alright, you won’t do it,” Markus agreed placatingly. “I had no intention of asking you to. I don’t ever want to see you marry someone else, even if it makes sense to. But I can hardly ignore the Crown Prince, and I’m sure you can’t ignore your family either. Can’t you just give them a reason? Any reason will do, you don’t have to tell them the truth.”

“But they won’t listen to me!” Markus was standing still, but the prince was walking around, as if he couldn’t bear to stay in once place. His frustration was obvious to Markus, as it must have been to the Crown Prince, who was still watching them. “Even if I tell them I have no wish to marry, and even if I get them to accept it, in a few years they’ll be asking again. They’ll make excuses for me to meet ladies, and their expectations will be hanging over everything I do!”

Markus took hold of his arm and made him stop pacing. “It’s alright to not know what to do. What matters is that you know what not to do. I’ll always be by your side, and if it’s too much for you, I’ll always be there to listen to you.”

“You know you’re talking to a prince, right? Acting so high-and-mighty!” He laughed. “Thank you, Markus. I’ll talk to my parents again.” He took his hand and bent down to kiss it. Then he straightened up, smiled, and left.

Markus looked up to the palace window again, and saw the same figure still standing there, still watching, and, as clearly as he had seen it wave, he now saw it make a gesture that was undoubtedly a summons.