Relief filled Asher's chest at the prince's words. He hurried over to where the bucket had fallen as carefully as he could, not wanting to slip and make an even bigger fool of himself than he already had. The hall would have to be mopped as soon as possible to avoid any more accidents, and Asher knew Spencer wasn't going to be the one doing it. He ran a hand through his hair to get his wet bangs out of his eyes and picked up the bucket. The lightness of it now almost seemed to mock him. 

Steps heavy with dread and water, Asher made his way back to the kitchen. He was expecting Spencer's howling laughter to punctuate his entrance, but the man was nowhere no be seen. Asher's relief was short lived as David's voice sounded from behind him. "Asher, you're soaked! What happened?" David's tone belonged to a worried yet disappointed mother. 

Asher turned around to face him, shoulders slumped in defeat. "I was on my way to dump out the dishwater, but I ran into someone in the hall." He chose not to mention who it was he had run into, knowing David's reaction wouldn't be very pleasant.

David raised his eyebrows, a bit of anger sparking behind his glasses. "I told Spencer to take care of that. Did he make you do it for him?" His voice was controlled, but Asher knew if he told David that Spencer had  made him do it, he'd be giving him the most disgusting jobs he could think of. David was as tired of Spencer's arrogance and lack of respect as everyone else.

Asher wouldn't lie though. Bad karma wasn't something he could afford at the time. So he told David about the bet, and about running into the prince. "You did apologize, right? Asher, please tell me you at least remembered you manners." All Asher could do was shake his head. David let out an exasperated sigh and took the bucket from Asher's hands. "Don't you understand these things reflect poorly on me? Go change your clothes and properly apologize to the prince. I'll take care of the hall."

David started to walk off, but Asher grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and met his eyes pleadingly. "You won't tell Spencer, will you?" David uttered a few words of agreement before shooing Asher out of the kitchen. He got himself a dry set of clothes and put the drenched ones out to dry before making his way to the the prince's room. He'd had to ask a maid the way, and hesitated once he reached the door she had described. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the wood and took a a step back.