"'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte.

  "That in itself is a tremendous thing.'"

  - E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

  Nicodemus and Micah engaged in some small talk. At first, the conversation started on a curious note. Micah wondered how Nicodemus seemed to have no pride, what was his true limit and how far could he take things before Nicodemus showed emotion. Many questions filled his head. He felt almost a bit guilty for treating him with the disrespect from earlier. Although he was pretty pleased with himself for being able to persuade Nicodemus to sit and enjoy food on the floor with him. 'Demus, you're too trusting, lucky you are that I don't strangle you.' Micah thought as he took a sip from his cup. Nicodemus sat still staring at the fire, he looked concentrated, as if studying the flame. He wasn't much of a talker, Micah seemed to be the one always striking up some conversation or asking questions.

  Nicodemus had a lonely aura around him constantly. He was a passionless man, by just looking at his face you would not be able to see any emotion. Yet, he seemed to always be paying close attention to something, whether it was the way he would lock his eyes to the person speaking, or hum softly in agreement or question. Micah observed it the day they met. Tonight's dinner being an example, he never mentioned liking a specific meal, even the amount of baked goods was a bit much. Dessert and sweet treats filled two whole trays. The food in general was a lot more than he wanted or hoped to eat. Micah would also refuse to admit it was definitely the best meal he had in the past two weeks.

  .  .  .

  Micah sat crunching his core, compared to the lashing from a week ago, the pain in his stomach alone would make him pass out. It was gradual at first, being only a tad bit uncomfortable, then a small cramp to his lower stomach when lastly, like a knife scratching his insides. Nicodemus was quick to notice, he had not felt anything and had shared his entire meal from the same plate, Micah knew he wasn't poisoned, he didn't blame Nicodemus at all. There weren't many things that he couldn't eat, he had once eaten figs that had fallen on the floor, so eating a meal made for an emperor should not have this effect. He grinned in pain when he saw how much fear was in the others eyes. He would definitely would use this to his advantage some day.

  "I'm sorry, I probably should have asked Ruth if she knew any of your allergies!"  Nicodemus panicked, he patted Micah's back holding an empty bowl under his chin. Micah looked around at all the dishes trying to find the single culprit. His stomach was fine just a few hours ago, until he took in the dessert. There he saw the milky goodness ooze out, the whipping on top of all the mini cakes and caramel drizzled ice cream.

  "No, no it's my fault. I should have mentioned it, milk has always managed to upset my stomach."

  "Allow me to call Ruth-"

  "No, please-- I'm," Micah got up, he covered his mouth and ran to the washroom. Nicodemus ran right behind him, it was definitely an embarrassing time for them both. Nicodemus grabbed Micah's hair and patted his back, Micah cleared the entire dinner out. They cleaned and washed the floor, a few maids walked in changing the bath waters moments after. The two of them sat side by side once again, Micah held a small bucket in front of himself in case of emergencies.

  "I do fully blame you now for what happened." Nicodemus said.

  "Forgive me, your majesty. I wish not to waste any food." Micah rolled his eyes.

  "A grown man are you not? You could have fully avoided eating something you know would cause you pain. There is plenty of staff in this palace, I could have had something made differently for you."

  "Why am I being chewed out for? I am the one who almost spewed my stomach out."

  "Because it could have been avoidable!" Nicodemus looked really mad now, Micah turned his head to face the other. He did not know whether to laugh or argue back. The face the other had made was one he had not seen, it showed so much concern and worry. 'So your face does show more emotion, other than just sadness or loneliness." Micah thought.

  "I did not mean that. I just did not want you to think I meant to poison you." Nicodemus got up, he finished picking up a few plates and poured Micah some more water. Micah looked up at him from the floor. The statement itself was ridiculous, the way the emperor said it seemed almost too genuine.

  "Your Majesty, if to poison me is what you wish, that you have already done. Dead is what you do not want me." Micah got up holding his bucket and cup. He walked over to his bed and sat down, he placed the bucket back on the floor and took a sip of water. Nicodemus sighed and sat next to him.

  "I do not want any deaths in this palace. One of my closest friends is currently sick, and I do not know what's going on. I will admit, I did want you dead the day we met, I should have killed you right there and then. You are arrogant, disrespectful and just up right childish."

  "..."

  "You alone have become a huge spoiled, loud mouth guest."

  "Prisoner." Micah corrected.

  "What do you want from me? You get mad when I do not visit, you get annoyed when I try to show slight hospitality?" Nicodemus had not raised his voice once, he kept his composure. Micah huffed. He pushed Nicodemus aside and pulled his blanket over him.

  "I am tired. Leave." Micah ordered.

  "As you wish, Ruth will come in and check on you first thing in the morning."

  Micah felt Nicodemus get up, how to respond was something he never had to think about. He had always been quick with his mouth, having a clever come back or using it to distract. He caught himself being unguarded, being called names had never once affected him. His father perhaps was worst of all when it came to name calling. As a child, Micah was used to being called names or words, kids would often pick on him because of his wild hair or his two toned eyes. Comments made to him would enter the one ear and escape right through the other. When Nicodemus called him those words, it felt like pin needles in his chest. He flinched a little when he heard the door close. He was alone again, turning around he saw his cup was filled again, a plate of figs and crackers too. Nicodemus' words echoed in his head, he did not know what he wanted, the whole situation was weird for the both of them.

  . . .

  He did not notice when he fell asleep. His cup was changed and new fruits were brought in place of the old. Feeling upset about the whole interaction from yesterday, he perhaps wouldn't be seeing Nicodemus for a while again. His room felt too big now, the maids would be walking in at any moment to have him bathe, his hand cuffs were never taken off unless to shower. There he would move his wrist around and enjoy the slight freedom he had.

  A few older women walked in handing him a drying cloth and a change of clothes, they brought along a few gallons of steaming water and poured it into the bath, Micah extended his arms out. A thin and dainty silver key set his hands free, the metal cuffs hit the floor and a loud THUD was heard . He had become used to wearing the cuffs by now, his forearms felt almost ten times lighter once removed. He picked the cuffs up and handed them to a maid. She took them and set them down to be polished.

  Bath time was still an odd feeling for him. He did not have a door for privacy, there was only a curtain that would go around the bath. Micah walked to a corner where he set his drying cloth on a small chair and began to undress. The maids spoke amongst themselves with flushed cheeks, Micah had only removed his shirt, he began to unwrap the bandages and walked over handing them to whoever was closer. There they would be sanitized and washed, along with the cuffs. Although a prisoner, Micah had luxuries he had back home. The warm water to bathe in, he was allowed fresh clean clothes to change into and his meals were always brought to him. Of course there was still the big issue, his imprisonment; he knew it could be a lot worse.

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  Micah opened the curtain to cover himself, finally removing his pants and getting in. The water felt like a complete delight on his body. He took a seat and his muscles relaxed, and there was plenty of room for him to spread his entire body out, he sunk into the water only about chin length. The soap had made a few bubbles which he used to rub on his skin. Once lathered, he reached for the loofah and rubbed at the dead skin on his back. He felt around, the skin was starting to scar over, it annoyed him how itchy healing skin could be. He moved his arms around a bit more, fulling letting his body soak into the warm water, it felt nice. He pondered a little about yesterday's conversation with Nicodemus. Nicodemus was lucky Micah didn't try to attack him when in private, he had so many opportunities to kill the emperor yet, he never once acted upon it! That alone, deserves better treatment right? Realistically, it wouldn't be wise; however that does not mean it wasn't possible.

  A knock on the door startled Micah awake. The water splashed a bit outside of the tub, he drained it and rinsed himself off with a cold bucket of water. There was another knock a bit more eager this time around.

  Thus, sarcastically Micah replied, "Unless you are his sweet and caring, handsome majesty. I'll be out in a minute. You can wait."

  "Handsome?" Little did Micah know, in fact, Nicodemus was the one outside the door. "If a minute is what you want, I'll be back."

  Micah felt chills down his spine, he had made so many comments before with the servants and the one time he jokingly calls the emperor out, he's the one on the other side. He waited in silence until he heard the door close, drying himself off he walked back to the room where a few maids helped him put the cuffs and chains back on, once again feeling an old and familiar weight. They finished cleaning the bathroom and picking up his old clothes from the floor. He noticed his sheets were different and a small table was added into the bedroom. He was a bit pleased that his bed no longer had the smell of dried blood and that his room was a bit cleaner then he had left it.

  "I brought new bandages." Ruth's voice startled him.

  "Well, then get to it. I am cold."

  Ruth shot him a sour look, she walked close to him and gestured him to turn around, she pulled out a cold gel and slabbed it on his back, Micah straightened his back, a small groan escaped his lips. He felt her fingers tracing his wounds. She grabbed a bit of his hair and made a small braid placing it to his side. Micah looked down at it and a smiled creeped in. He always enjoyed getting his hair played with or braided.

  "Is the emperor coming?" he asked out of curiosity

  "No."

  "..." Micah felt his smile disappear, "He said he would be back."

  "He was. I think there are more important tasks at hand." "Do you know why he won't be returning?"

  "No."

  Micah bit the side of his index finger, Ruth was awfully short with him today. He thought for a moment on how he could make her speak more, perhaps the wrong questions were being asked. Micah knew that every time he opened his mouth nothing good came out of it, yet he still took his chances in asking the most inappropriate questions.

  "Do you like Nicodemus?"

  "..." she was caught off guard and dropped her scissors.

  "HAHAHA, So you-"

  "I do like him. except for not in the way you think-"

  "Mira Preciosa, it's okay to be infatuated with his majesty!" he teased her "Besides, I do not think you're bad looking at all! We are both friends here-"

  "I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH THE EMPEROR!" she protested slapping his back. Micah winced at the pain, he quickly turned around to grab her arm before she struck him again. Her entire face was red and her brows frowned. Micah couldn't help and laugh, Ruth made her hands into fists clutching the scissors in them.

  "HAHAHA! Okay! Okay! You will re-open my cuts, and your face is red enough I do not think spilling blood would be necessary." he let go of her arms, she pulled her arms forward as if to guard herself again, still not letting the scissors go.

  "I mean it. I like Nicodemus a lot, I would even put my life out for the emperor; apart from that, I am seeing someone else." she said in a shy manner. 'oh!' Micah thought, He was used to the way the ladies loved to beat around the bush, and give little to no information. Ruth was no different than the ladies he would talk to or go on previous engagements with. They would always get so shy and giggly when talking about a man or sometimes woman they adored. He did not know the rest of the staff by name, and he had plenty of time to kill.

  "Okay, elaborate." He said nonchalantly

  "Huh?"

  "I want to hear more? Tell me who this person is, what they look like, have I met them?" Micah didn't care, stalling entertainment was better then sitting in silence. He noticed Ruth looked hesitant, her cheeks flushed and she couldn't hold eye contact, typical. Her head was lowered like a shy dog who was too afraid to bark, this felt a tad familiar, especially with her body language. He was a slightly hesitant to ask although it wouldn't hurt.

  "Is it me?" Micah didn't realize the moment she raised her hand and made contact with his face, his cheek stung and his eyes were wide in shock. This time she looked even more offended, 'I need to learn how to shut up.' he thought. He was shocked at her reaction, it should not be that hard to just say 'no.' she was pretty good at it earlier. He rubbed his warm cheek, and saw her now really angered face.

  "Well, at least you have high standards." He said

  "I do! Besides, I would never fall for a man who is locked up for being blasphemous to our passed empress. I am currently engaged to a royal guard."

  "A guard?" Now Micah was intrigued, "A maid and a guard, how cute."

  "I am no longer just a maid. Besides, Being a servant or maid for the Emperor is really not that bad. We get days of rest, and paid. We have freedom to start a family and even be married off. You truly have no rights to speak poorly about the royal family."

  "I would highly agree, sweetheart, except I have these." He raised his hands showing the cuffs on his arms, then turning around further proving his point. Ruth rolled her eyes.

  "Yes, however the emperor also gave you a room. He fought to keep you here and not locked in a cell." She sighed, Micah had just about enough of the conversation, his back and cheek ached. Singing Nicodemus' praises also was not something he would do. Sure he did have some more luxury than the average person, except, because he still had cuffs on his wrists, what more was he than a bird in a cage.

  Even back home this was not the usual to him; at least a pet would be allowed to go outside on walks. Ruth got up picking up her supplies, she finished bandaging his back and left without another word. She also seemed annoyed and upset. Micah felt bad for the way he reacted, Ruth was the only other person besides Nicodemus he would speak to on a casual basis.

  "I hope you can marry him one day." he said trying to soften the air, he didn't see the look she gave him, or even care to turn and watch her open the door. He hoped she wouldn't be so upset and perhaps cool off before they were to meet again. If he lost his only other form of entertainment in this palace he would lose his sanity.

  "Marriage? Trying to court my staff, Micah?" Nicodemus responded.