Gyllen awoke on an exceptionally lovely morning. Strong sunlight broke through his curtains and birds could be heard singing to one another from outside the window. As he sat up in bed, stretched and yawned, he heard a rap at the door. Gyllen quickly left the comfortable confines of his quilt, threw a gown onto himself and opened it up to be greeted by Rob.
"Good morning, Prince Gyllen, sir! Apologies for having to get you out of bed so early." The soldier said with a salute and a red hue forming around his face from seeing his beloved master still undressed for the coming day.
"How many times do I need to remind you, Robert? You don't have to call me 'prince' or 'sir' or the like...especially not after what we got up to last night." Gyllen giggled. Rob cracked a shy smile. "Anyway, what did you come to see me for?"
"There's a woman at the gates claiming to know you and she's refusing to budge until you see her." Robert answered. Gyllen had a pretty good hunch on who it might have been.
"Is she a goblin named Min?" The prince asked.
"Well, I'm not sure about her name but she's definitely a goblin. Are you somehow acquainted with her, milord?"
"I am if she's who I think she is. Bring her in. I'll be changed in a moment."
"We can't, sir..." Rob gulped. "The king imposed a rule that non-humans can't be allowed within the palace walls unless it's under his personal permission."
"Oh, blast Father and his foolish, outdated rules!" Gyllen went to his wardrobe, flinging the doors open and picking out several articles of clothing. "If she can't come in and see me then I'll just have to go out and see her instead."
"I mean no offence, my liege, but what if she's an assassin just waiting to shank you as soon as you get in reach?"
"Robert, with an imagination like that, you should have been a playwright. Besides, I'll have my big, strong soldier to watch over me, won't I?" Gyllen winked over his shoulder as he was fetching his garbs. Robert blushed even deeper.
Gyllen had quickly gotten himself in presentable order, wearing his typical high-class, expensive garments, and made his way through the castle's courtyard alongside Robert to the grey, stone wall. Behind an iron portcullis was a familiar, green face: Min Fe, wearing her typical cheap, sleazy clothing and having an argument with an elderly guard.
"Look, there he is now." Min said to the sentry, indicating Gyllen as he approached. "Oi! Prince Pussy! How ya doin'?"
"How dare you refer to the prince in that manner! You'll be strung up in the town square by tomorrow afternoon for such impudence!" The bouncer angrily took hold of her arm.
"Let her go, Bestefar." Gyllen said through the gate.
"But, sir, she..."
"Let her go immediately. I know this woman." Gyllen interrupted the old soldier.
"Yes, sir..." Bestefar loosened his grip from Min's miniature limb.
"Thank you." The prince smiled. "Now, would you please be so kind as to raise the gate."
"I'm sorry, sir, but His Highness has..."
"I am aware of my father's laws." Gyllen interrupted him once more. "I wish to exit the palace in order to discuss important matters with this lady in private."
"But, sir...!"
"I am
also
aware of my mother's rules. I'll be five minutes, if even that. An escort will not be necessary."
"Understood, sir..." Bestefar grumbled and ordered an apprentice soldier to work the winch that opened the portcullis. Gyllen stepped forth to greet Min.
"Won' be a mo', Gramps." Min said to the old man before taking Gyl's hand and walking with him into the city.
"Bloody monsters..." Bestefar muttered under his breath though Min's keen pointed ears picked up on it. She turned around and flashed the senior a quick two-finger salute, resulting in an even more pissed-off expression on his face and doing nothing to improve the situation...but she would be lying if she said it was not amusing.
The two were soon out of ear-shot of any snooping soldiers and took refuge on a bench just outside a local park. Naturally, Min had to jump up before she could sit down on it.
"I apologise on the captain of the guard's behalf, Min. You must understand, he grew up during a time when that sort of speciesist attitude was more acceptable." The prince said to his goblin companion.
"Ah, don' worry 'bout it, Goldie. Ya get used t' it in this city..." Min solemnly said. "Anyway, I jus' wanted t' let ya know me and some mates are havin' a li'l get-together in me room tonight. I was wonderin' if me favourite royal trap maybe felt like hangin' out with us bad, scary monsters later on?"
"Oh, I would be delighted!" Gyllen squeed. "I don't think I've even been to a party that wasn't for a relative before."
"Yeah, I've got all sorts a' fun stuff planned. Jus' remember t' wear yer disguise. Loads a' make-up too."
"Yes, yes, I know." The prince reassured her.
"It's at eight, alright? Don' be late." Min jumped back down to the ground. "Cheeri-bye for now!"