"I was forced to leave home ten years ago." Miles began his story while Edward continued to eat.
Edward raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Why?"
"I'm from a wealthy noble family," Miles said. "My mother died when I was young. My father, Sir Richard, is a kind man. So is my older brother, Arthur. But my younger brother, Hugh, is evil and plotted against me. We—"
"I don't have any brothers, just one sister," Edward interrupted.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Miles continued the story. "We have a dear friend, Lady Edith, whose family is even wealthier than mine. Her parents are dead, and she has no siblings. So my father is her guardian. Beautiful, wonderful Edith!"
Miles paused and sighed. "I always loved her even though she was engaged to Arthur from an early age. And I know that she loved me."
Edward pointed his fork at Miles. "You're not supposed to be in love with your brother's fiancée. Even I know that."
"Oh, but Arthur didn't care. He was in love with someone else and wanted to break the engagement. He told us to be patient and that everything would work out." Miles sighed again. "Unfortunately, my father wouldn't allow the engagement to be broken. He felt it would reflect badly upon our family."
"So did Edith marry Arthur?"
"No, my brother Hugh declared that he was in love with Edith. But everyone knew he was really in love with her money. The only person he fooled was my father, who always treats Hugh like his favorite son."
Edward remembered how Miles had protected him. "I can't believe you let Hugh get away with that."
"I was a wild young man, but I wasn't a bad person," Miles said. "However, Hugh exaggerated my faults to our father. He bribed a servant to help him hide a rope ladder in my room. Then Hugh told our father that I was planning to elope with Edith."
"But Hugh was lying!" Edward pounded his fist on the table.
"Exactly," Miles said. "My father was furious with me. He made me join the army, thinking three years as a soldier would teach me a lesson. In my last battle, I was captured by the enemy and spent seven years in prison. I recently escaped and am on my way home after ten years."
"That's outrageous!" Edward jumped up from the table. "As your king, I will make things right. Now let me tell you my story."
Edward launched into his tale of switching clothes with Tom.
Miles listened in amazement. "For a pauper, Edward knows a lot about the royal family and the palace," he thought. "Poor child. I'll make sure he gets the care he needs until he's well again. And until then, I'll just go along with whatever he says."
Edward finished his story at the point where he met Miles.
"You saved me from shame and injury, and possibly saved my life and my crown," Edward said. "How can I reward you?"
"I just did what any loyal subject would do," Miles said. "I don't need anything in return."
But Edward insisted on rewarding him.
"Well, there is one thing," Miles said. "Back in history, there was a man who was not required to remove his hat whenever he was with the king. I'd like to have a similar privilege—I'd like to be allowed to sit when you sit."
"A reasonable request," Edward said. "And one that I grant not only to you, but to your heirs. In addition I will make you a knight."
Miles handed Edward his sword and knelt before him. Edward tapped him on each shoulder with the sword.
"Rise, Sir Miles! And sit down!"
"Thank goodness," Miles thought, "Edward is now permitting me to sit. Otherwise, I'd be standing until he was cured of this delusion that he's king!"
By this point both Edward and Miles were exhausted. Edward stood up and went over to Miles' bed. He seemed to assume that it was his place to sleep. Miles had assumed that Edward would sleep on the floor.
"It's time for you to help me get ready for bed." Edward sat on the bed.
Miles helped Edward remove his shoes. "And where am I to sleep?"
"You will lie in front of the door and guard it." Edward lay down and promptly fell asleep.
Miles watched the sleeping child and smiled. "He could have been born into the royal family—he plays the part so naturally. Sleep well, my little king."
Then Miles stretched out on the floor in front of the door and went to sleep too.