"Did you know him, my lord?"
Anger and grief almost brought tears to his eyes as he remembered Gaius and his kindness with the cloak. "You must be Helen."
A bright smile finally made her appear to be the young girl she was. "You did know my father!"
Styxx returned her smile. "Yes, I did. He told me much of you and your brothers, and baby sister, and mother, and how much he loved all of you." He placed the ring in her hand. "And he was a great friend to me. Now gather your items, Helen. Whatever you need or want. Have no fear of the cost. Now or later."
Tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, my lord."
He kissed her on the brow then stood while she quickly shopped.
The baker scoffed as he watched her fill her basket. "She's not that pretty, my lord."
Lowering his cowl to expose the gold laurel crown he seldom wore, Styxx arched a regal brow at the man.
The baker fell to his knees. "Highness ... forgive me. I didn't recognize you without your guard."
Helen froze then, eyes wide, gaped. "You're Prince Styxx?"
"I am."
She bowed then curtsied then bowed again.
Styxx laughed. "You don't have to bow to me, Helen. As I said, your father was a good friend to me, and I consider you and yours family."
That only confused her more.
Closing the distance between them, he brushed the dark hair back from her cheek. "Think of me like your cousin."
"I don't like my cousin very much. He smells, and insults me."
"Then think of me as the cousin who doesn't smell or insult you."
Nodding, she quickly finished her shopping.
Styxx passed an irritated look at the baker. "Have her bill sent to my scribe at the palace, and in the future, anything she or her mother needs or wants is to be billed to me. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Taking the basket from her, Styxx held his hand out for her. She bit her lip and hesitated. Then she wiped it off on her himation, and placed it into his.
As she led him to her home, he noticed the way she slowed down as they passed a fruit stand.
"Would you like some apples or figs?"
She bit her lip again. "May I?"
Styxx released her hand. "Absolutely."
Letting out a cry of joy, she quickly grabbed a single apple and cradled it with a smile. "Thank you, Highness."
He cupped her precious, innocent head to his side. She didn't even think to ask for more. He bought a sack of them for her then they continued on their way.
As soon as they neared her small, dilapidated home, her brothers, who'd been playing in the street, came running up.
"Did you get some bread?" the younger brother asked.
The older one eyed Styxx suspiciously. "Why are you here with my sister, my lord?"