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‘Jayden?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you asleep?’
Jayden didn’t answer and Samuel knew that he was fighting back the urge to shoot back a sarcastic retort which he appreciated very much.
He sat up from the covers and tried to make out his face in the darkness in an attempt to gauge his mood for his next question.
‘Can I ask you a question?’
Jayden’s eyelid cracked open slightly to study him. ‘What are you doing now?’
‘Another question then.’
Jayden sighed, apparently, he wasn’t going to get any sleep anytime soon. ‘What’s on your mind?’
‘Have you ever thought about what we’re going to do when… you know… the baby comes?’
‘No. I assumed you already have something planned.’
‘Well, Pearl and I were talking, and we agreed that for the first few months, it should stay with our parents, preferably mine, since we are in no shape to take care of the baby on our own.’
‘Makes sense.’
‘I was wondering how we are going to explain it all to them when they are old enough to understand.’ Samuel hesitated at this part of his sentence. ‘The whole thing about having two dads and a mum.’
Jayden was quiet for a few moments before asking, ‘Two dads?’
‘Well yeah?’ Samuel asked unsurely. ‘What else are they going to call you?’
‘I thought I would be more like the favourite uncle. You know, spoiling them with gifts and presents with the occasional card every Christmas.’
Samuel chose his next words carefully. ‘Don’t you think they should come and stay with us after we get things settled at wherever it is we’re going after school.’
Jayden wrinkled his nose. ‘Definitely not. Babies are disgusting creatures. It would be better to wait at least after it’s potty trained and can hold a decent conversation in more than three syllables. Teenage years are the prime years, they ignore us we ignore them, everybody gets about their own business, and…’ he stopped himself after catching the look on Samuel’s face. ‘I’m just kidding of course, if you want the baby to come live with us then that’s exactly what we would do.’
He leaned over to place a kiss on Samuel’s forehead and snuggled closer to him under the blankets, but Samuel didn’t notice.
This is exactly what he had been afraid of. Jayden only cared about the baby as far as it pertained to Samuel’s own happiness. He had been overjoyed at Jayden’s righteous anger when the baby had been insulted but it was clear now that he had only been angry because Samuel had been angry and hurt.
He looked down at his boyfriend who had once more closed his eyes and sighed. ‘Jayden…’
‘Hmm?’ Jayden hummed.
Samuel didn’t know how to continue. He didn’t want to ask Jayden to love the child because he knew that Jayden would try to do so because he wanted it and that wouldn’t be right. Jayden was already doing more than enough as it was.
He let out another sigh and ran his hand fondly through Jayden’s hair. ‘I know you are doing all this just to make me happy.’
He could feel Jayden stiffen up beside him.
‘You’re not mad?’ Jayden asked in what was barely a whisper.
‘Why would I be mad? If anything, I’m grateful to you for putting up with everything as bravely as you do.’
Jayden was quiet for a few minutes before asking, ‘You are not going to ask me to try and care about the baby?’
‘No, I am not.’ He could sense Jayden’s next question. ‘I am not going to because I know that once you two meet you won’t be able to stop yourself from falling head over heels in love. That baby is part me after all.’
Jayden snorted. ‘It’s part Pearl as well.’
‘True. Besides,’ Samuel reached down and placed a kiss on Jayden’s hair. ‘Look how hard I worked to win you over. Why should they have an easier time of it just because they’re a child?’
‘You were awfully persistent,’ Jayden agreed. ‘Can I go to sleep now? I’m tired.’
Samuel frowned and placed the back of his hand on Jayden’s forehead. ‘And hot.’
‘Why, thank you. You are not so bad yourself.’
‘Not that kind of hot, silly. Your temperature is a bit high. I hope you are not coming down with something.’
Jayden snorted as if he found the idea completely ludicrous.
‘I don’t get sick.’
‘You were sick the night you came bursting into my family’s cabin during a storm.’ Samuel’s tone turned wistful. ‘It was awfully romantic now that I think about it.’
‘I was running away from home not rushing to confess my eternal love to you. And besides, I got better the next day, didn’t I?’
‘Nevertheless,’ Samuel muttered still worried. ‘I think you should take something in case you’re having a fever.’
‘I’m not taking anything because I am fine.’
He was not in fact fine and it turned out that he was right to worry because Jayden started coughing as soon as they sat down in the school library the next morning.
‘I hope you are pleased with yourself,’ Samuel stated, completely unsympathetic.
‘What are you talking about? I am completely fine; I just have something stuck in my throat that’s all.’
Jayden’s voice was raspy as he took out a handkerchief to blow his nose. Samuel just shook his head at him as their friends joined them.
‘You look like death,’ Leo stated as soon as he laid eyes on Jayden.
‘You are not an object of beauty yourself.’
Leo turned worriedly to Samuel. ‘Is his sickness affecting his eyesight as well?’
‘Probably,’ Samuel answered amusedly.
‘You’ll soon be alright buddy,’ Leo stated gravely as he patted Jayden’s shoulder. ‘Just hang in there.’
‘He would be if he listens to me and sees the school nurse,’ Samuel muttered.
‘I’m not sick,’ Jayden insisted. At Samuel and Leo’s incredulous looks, he corrected himself. ‘I’m not that sick. I just need to rest, and I can’t do that with you two yelling at me.’
‘But we are not yelling,’ Leo stated.
Jayden groaned and stood up while clutching his head. ‘I’m going to sit over there. Let me know when you are done doing whatever it is you need to do.’
Samuel shook his head in exasperation before turning to Paul. ‘You’ve been awfully quiet. Everything alright?’
Paul was startled slightly as he looked up. ‘Oh, I’m fine. I was just wondering if… do you think he would… nevermind.’
Samuel and Leo exchanged curious looks but neither said anything else as they were soon joined by Noel and Cam.
‘What’s up with the hubby?’ Cam asked in greeting, glancing over to where Jayden lay with his head on the table.
‘Ignore him, he’s just being Jayden.’
‘I don’t get why he doesn’t want to see the school nurse,’ Leo wondered aloud.
‘Why? Is he sick?’ Noel asked with a frown.
‘Yep,’ Leo answered. ‘Something to do with eyes. Poor fool.’
‘He isn’t a fool though he is acting like one now,’ Samuel muttered in annoyance.
‘He isn’t poor either, come to think of it,’ Noel added. ‘The problem is he doesn’t trust doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals for that matter. He thinks that people who benefit from your illness are not likely to faithfully cure the source of their income.’
‘But if you think like that, how are you able to trust people?’ Leo asked in confusion.
‘You don’t.’ Samuel answered. ‘That’s why he doesn’t trust anyone.’
‘Except you,’ Noel corrected.
‘Except me,’ Samuel amended. ‘Doesn’t mean he listens to me though.’
‘Relationships are tough,’ Leo stated in sympathy. ‘Could never be me.’
‘Because no one wants to be with you,’ Cam joked under his breath.
‘What?’ Leo asked, not catching what he said.
‘Nothing, just a little cough tickling the back of my throat,’ Cam said hurriedly, coughing dramatically for added effect.
‘Not you too,’ Leo moaned. ‘Must be an epidemic.’
Samuel and Noel sniggered behind the back of their hands which just caused Leo to look at them in confusion.
‘What’s so funny?’
This just caused them to laugh louder. Leo turned to Paul for help. ‘Paul? Hello? Earth to Pauline. Is anyone home?’
Paul blinked in confusion as Leo’s loud voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts.
‘What is it, Leo? And why are you shouting, do you want to get kicked out?’
‘Where were you?’ Leo asked sullenly. ‘The body is present, the eyes are open, but Mrs. Paul was nowhere to be found.’
‘I was thinking,’ Paul replied, pushing Leo’s worried face away from his own.
‘Yeah Leo, he was thinking,’ Cam intoned. ‘You should try it sometime.’
‘What are you talking about I think a lot.’ Leo protested. ‘I have a lot of thoughts. Matter of fact…’
Paul ignored them as they dissolved into another fit of arguments. ‘Can I talk to you for a moment?’ he whispered to Noel.
‘Sure,’ Noel mouthed back.
They stepped away from the table and went behind a large bookcase close by to give themselves some privacy.
‘What’s up?’ Noel asked. ‘You seem preoccupied.’
‘That’s the thing,’ Paul began hesitantly. ‘I was wondering if -and you are very welcome to say no. You probably should as it’s a stupid idea anyway and I’m not even sure why I’m bringing it up…’
‘Paul,’ Noel cut him off before he could veer any further off-topic. ‘What is it? It’s alright, you can tell me.’
Paul took a deep breath. ‘I wondered if you wouldn’t mind meeting my family.’
‘Oh.’
‘I knew it was a stupid idea. Just forget I said anything-‘
‘Paul,’ Noel cut him off again.
‘Right, sorry.’
‘Why do you want me to meet them?’
‘I know we can’t tell them about us – we’re not even sure where this is going,’ Paul said, gesturing between them.
‘But?’ Noel prompted.
‘But I would like the two most important parts of my life to get to know each other even if one side can’t know the whole truth just yet.’
Noel’s lips curved into a pleased smile. ‘Of course, I would love to meet your family. Why did you think I wouldn’t?’
‘Really?’ Paul’s face was visibly relieved. ‘Thank you. I thought I was going too fast.’
‘We’ve wasted enough time because I was a fool. Yes, we can handle speeding things up a bit.’
Paul touched his hand comfortingly. ‘Don’t blame yourself too much. The wait makes everything feel sweeter.’
Noel giggled. ‘If Jayden could hear us now, he would puke.’
The corners of Paul’s lips crinkled as he fought off a smile. ‘We definitely definitely should not repeat that in front of him.’
‘What do you think would happen if he saw us kiss?’
‘I don’t know but I’m dying to find out.’
Noel giggled. ‘Don’t be mean. We should probably be heading back now. If nothing else to make sure Leo and Cam don’t kill each other. How they are still friends is beyond me.’
Paul shrugged as he led the way back to their table. ‘It works for them. Even if Cam is a bit mean to him at times. But don’t tell Cam I said that.’
‘Don’t tell Cam you said what?’ Cam asked suspiciously.
They had arrived back at the table and Cam was eyeing them both with a curious gaze.
‘Where did you two run off to?’ he asked.
‘Nowhere particularly,’ Noel said, sitting back down. ‘Paul just had something he wanted to tell me.’
‘Oooh did he propose?’ Leo asked excitedly.
‘We are still in high school, Leonardo,’ Paul pointed out. ‘I just asked if he wanted to meet my parents.’
‘That’s a step in the right direction at least,’ Leo stated, undaunted.
Cam rolled his eyes at him before turning to Noel. ‘So, have you heard back from any of your college applications?’
Leo’s face dropped. ‘Applications?’
‘Yes, Leonardo,’ Cam stated sarcastically. ‘You know applications to get into college. Not all of us can aspire to be a bum.’
‘But, but, we haven’t even written our finals yet,’ Leo groaned weakly.
‘There’s a thing called early admission, I told you about that a hundred times but of course, you never listen to me.’
‘I thought you were talking about summer camp,’ Leo muttered. ‘I mentioned we should apply to be instructors.’
Cam gave him a look. ‘Why the hell would I talk about that?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe a small part of me still had hope that you would turn out to be more interesting than a dungball that no self-respecting beetle would even touch.’
‘Calm down, guys,’ Samuel broke in. ‘Don’t worry Leo, it’s not the end of the world. I haven’t even put in any applications yet as well.’
Leo brightened up at that. ‘Really?’
‘Why not?’ Noel asked curiously.
‘I’m waiting to know where Jayden is going. He is probably going to end up in some fancy art school though.’
‘Shouldn’t you have applied as well?’ Cam asked. ‘You know, to increase your chances of getting in the same school.’
Samuel wrinkled his nose at the thought. ‘I love him but if I have to spend my college years in an art school, I will probably kill myself.’ He shook his head. ‘No, I’m going to apply to whatever community college is near his school so we can be together.’
Leo whistled appreciatively. ‘Giving up your dreams for your boyfriend, that’s true love for you.’
‘I’m not giving up my dreams. After Jayden is done then it would be his turn to follow me to whatever vet school I choose. It’s not like we can’t afford it. We are lucky enough in that regard.’
Paul frowned. ‘Are you sure about this? What do your parents think of your plan?’
‘I haven’t told them and even if I do their opinion doesn’t matter in this.’ Samuel noticed the look on his best friend’s face. ‘I’m not naïve, I know most high school relationships don’t last but I’m willing to take this to the end and see where it goes rather than give up just because of a statistic.’
‘You’ve really got it all figured out huh?’ Leo stated. ‘Well, good for you buddy, and good luck. I truly wish that your story ends with a happily ever after.’
Samuel smiled at that. ‘Thank you. I mean it. That means more to me than you know.’ He stood up. ‘Now, I need to make sure my boyfriend doesn’t pass away on that poor table.’
Jayden had dozed off when Samuel came to sit beside him.
‘Jayden?’
‘What? Huh? I wasn’t sleeping,’ Jayden muttered drowsily as he blinked his eyes awake.
Samuel shook his head. ‘Come, I’ll take you to the school nurse.’
‘But I’m not…’
‘I know you are not sick. But I’m feeling sick just thinking you might be so for my sake, please go.’
Jayden’s eyes focused on Samuel’s worried face and he hesitated for a second before nodding. ‘Fine, if it means that much to you I’ll go to the bloody nurse.’
Samuel smiled. ‘Thank you.’
He put an arm around his boyfriend and helped him up. ‘Why do you feel so light? You didn’t eat anything, did you?’ he sighed. ‘It’s like handling a child. Now, I would have to put everything aside to monitor you 24/7.’
A small smile appeared on Jayden’s face at the thought. Maybe being sick wasn’t a bad thing after all if meant being the sole focus of Samuel’s attention.
‘Now that I think about it, my skin does feel a bit hot.’
Samuel frowned. ‘Maybe I should wipe you down to cool you off.’
‘That doesn’t sound too bad. My shoulders also feel a bit sore can you massage them for me?’
Samuel soon caught on to what Jayden was doing. ‘Sure, why not.’
‘And can you feed me as well? I don’t think I’m well enough to hold the spoon.’
‘Whatever you want, dear.’
‘And…’
Samuel let out a long-suffering sigh as Jayden went on. He was starting to think that he had bitten off more than he could chew.
~
The week crawled by and before anyone knew it Saturday was finally here. The start of the weekend found Paul and Noel at the school gates about to set off for their trip to meet Paul’s family.
Noel felt a bit nervous as he waited beside Paul. ‘Do you think they would like me?’
‘They would be stupid not to. Don’t worry too much, they’re all very nice.’
‘They are royalty.’
‘They are still normal people like you or me,’ Paul stated.
‘I wouldn’t call royals normal,’ Noel stated. ‘Maybe to you, but to the rest of us they are a different breed.’
‘Nevertheless, we still eat, breathe, laugh, and cry, just like you.’ Paul pointed out. ‘And in the end, we all must die just the same.’
‘What a comforting thought,’ Noel muttered sarcastically. ‘That certainly cheers me up.’
Paul smiled. ‘Are you ready now?’
‘I think so,’ Noel answered. He paused. ‘What are they like?’
Paul considered the question for a moment. ‘It’s honestly best you find out for yourself.’
The limo soon appeared up the driveway and slowly pulled to a stop beside them.
‘That’s our queue,’ Paul said encouragingly as a chauffeur stepped out and walked over to hold the door open.
Noel sighed and followed Paul inside as the door shut behind him.
A long car ride and a short helicopter trip later, they had finally arrived in the northern part of the country where Paul’s homeland was located.
The helicopter touched down at a military base and a car was waiting to take them to the palace.
They arrived at the palace in short order and Noel’s breath caught in his throat when he was suddenly greeted by the full splendour and magnificence of the royal palace.
A butler, flanked by several well-dressed footmen stood at the entrance of the doors as they stepped out of the car.
‘Your Royal Highness,’ the butler greeted with a deep bow. ‘It’s a great honour to welcome you back home.’
‘Thank you, Alfred. You didn’t miss me too much I hope.’
‘Your Highness hasn’t been away for long but to this loyal servant, it seems to have been centuries. It gladdens my old heart that you have returned to honour us with your royal presence once more.’
Paul smiled and reached up to place a hand on the butler’s shoulder. ‘I missed you as well old friend.’ He turned to Noel. ‘This is Alfred, he is the royal butler here and my second father.’
The butler bowed. ‘You do me a great honour, sir.’
‘You were the one who raised me while my father was away on his royal duties, weren’t you? That makes you a father to me.’
‘I simply did my duty, though it was a proud and happy duty indeed.’
Paul patted his shoulder with warmth. ‘Alfred, this is Noel. He is a good friend and one of the most important people in my life.’
‘Nice to meet you, Alfred,’ Noel greeted with a smile.
‘If you mean that much to our prince that makes you one of the most important people in my life as well. I shall do my best to serve you with honour,’ the butler said with a bow instead of taking the hand Noel had proffered to him.
Noel let his arm drop and looked awkwardly at Paul. ‘Erm…’
‘That’s enough, Alfred.’
‘Forgive me, sir. Please come in, their graces are waiting.’
The butler led the way inside the Palace and as they followed behind him Paul leaned over to whisper to Noel, ‘Sorry about that. He can be a bit over the top, I know.’
‘He seems nice,’ Noel whispered back.
‘I’m glad you think so though he’s a relic of a bygone age. He’s my grandmother’s man and I’m afraid you’ll find my grandmother just the same if not worse.’
‘Then she must be very nice as well.’
Paul didn’t say anything to that and in hindsight, that should have been a strong enough hint to Noel about the kind of woman he was going to meet when he stepped into the receiving room.
‘Your Graces, may I present the Crown Prince and his close friend,’ the butler announced before stepping aside.
The room was a large comfortable sitting room with tastefully decorated paintings and flowers and cushions that looked to be as soft as clouds.
Sitting on opposite sides of each other were two women surrounded by their attending ladies.
Noel recognized one of them to be Paul’s mother, the Lady Sylvia and he assumed the older-looking woman with a full head of white hair and the air of a matron to be his grandmother.
Paul stepped forward and gave a short bow. ‘Hello, Grandmother,’ he greeted before walking over to place a soft kiss on her cheek.
‘How are you my dear?’ his grandmother asked fondly. ‘We were afraid you wouldn’t make it.’
‘I’m not as unfilial as to miss your eightieth birthday celebration,’ Paul said with a smile.
‘Naughty boy, go greet your mother,’ his grandmother shooed him away.
Paul smiled gratefully and walked over to place a kiss on his mother’s cheek. ‘Hello, mother.’
His mother’s eyes were full of love as she patted his hair. ‘How are you, my love? I hope your journey wasn’t too tiring.’
‘Not all, I had great company with me which made the trip go by quickly.’
‘Yes, I noticed,’ Lady Silvia stated, glancing at Noel. ‘He looks familiar.’
‘I am Noel, ma’am,’ Noel said, stepping forward. ‘We haven’t met officially yet but I am one of Paul’s friends.’
The room immediately fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Noel suddenly had the uncomfortable feeling that he had made some sort of blunder though he did not know what.
Paul cleared his throat. ‘Grandmother, this is Noel. As he mentioned, he is one of my close friends. Noel, meet my grandmother, Her Royal Majesty, the Queen Mother.’
The Queen Mother’s expression was unreadable as she greeted him gracefully. ‘How do you do, young man?’
‘Nice to meet you, your majesty,’ Noel returned uncomfortably.
‘Mother, this is Noel,’ Paul went on hurriedly. ‘You’ve seen each other a few times though I don’t think you’ve actually spoken. Noel, meet my mother, her ladyship, the King’s Wife.’
There was a pleased look in Lady Sylvia’s eyes as she greeted him warmly. ‘It’s nice to finally meet. I apologize that we couldn’t have done so earlier.’
‘With your permission, Grandmother, we would excuse ourselves as we would like to freshen up before dinner.’ Paul interrupted before Noel could say anything. ‘I’m ashamed to say we are a bit dusty from our travels.’
‘Of course. We will see you later and you can catch us up on what you’ve been up to since we last met.’
Paul bowed and after a soft nudge, Noel followed suit. Paul let out a deep breath as soon as they were out of the room.
‘That went over nicely.’
Noel glanced worriedly at him. ‘I did something bad, didn’t I? What was it? Was it that bad?’
Paul struggled to hold back his laughter. ‘Not too bad, you only just insulted my grandmother.’
Noel’s face suddenly fell. ‘What?’
Paul chortled. ‘Don’t worry too much about it. I gather my mother was more than pleased by it. She warmed up to you nicely enough.’
An image of the Queen Mother’s tight face and Lady Sylvia’s gleeful expression filled Noel’s mind and he closed his eyes with a groan.
‘Oh my God. I’m so sorry.’
‘Don’t be. It’s my fault anyway, I should have coached you before I let you near them though it was quite funny to watch.’
‘How was that funny?’ Noel moaned. ‘I feel absolutely mortified now. Your grandmother probably hates me.’
‘She wasn’t going to like you much anyway,’ Paul said comfortingly. ‘The real person I wanted you to win over was my mother and you did so that’s a victory at least.’
‘That’s comforting,’ Noel muttered unconvincingly. ‘Does your mother not like your grandmother?’
‘Do anyone ever really like their mothers-in-law?’ Paul asked wonderingly. ‘They both despise each other though I could never tell you why.’
Alfred suddenly cleared his throat very loudly ahead of them.
‘Oh come of it, Alfred,’ Paul said. ‘You know it’s true.’
‘It’s not my place to say, sir,’ Alfred responded. ‘But I do think that is an appropriate conversation to labour our guest with, especially one as honourable as your friend.’
‘What Alfred means is that he disagrees with me airing our dirty laundry to strangers,’ Paul explained. ‘But you are not a stranger, are you?’ he asked Noel with a smile. ‘At least not to me.’
Alfred cleared his throat again. ‘Forgive me, sir. I seem to have come down with a nasty cough.’
‘Not you too,’ Noel groaned, mimicking Leo’s voice. ‘Must be an epidemic!’
Paul chortled loudly at that. ‘That was brilliant!’
Noel felt quite pleased with that reaction. He was soon feeling better about what happened earlier.
‘Your rooms, sir,’ Alfred announced, stopping before a closed door. ‘You’ll find that your luggage has already been brought up.’
‘This is where I leave you,’ Paul said. ‘I am on the floor above in the royal apartments. Alfred would see that you are looked after and brushed up on anything you need to know before dinner.’
‘I’ll do my best, sir,’ Alfred said with a low bow.
‘Why can’t you do it?’ Noel asked, feeling a bit crestfallen.
‘I wish I could but I have other things to do,’ Paul answered regretfully. ‘Princely duties and such. And before you ask, no, I’m afraid you can’t come with me. Alfred wouldn’t think it very proper and you need to rest, trust me you’ll need to if you are to survive dinner with my family.’
Noel sighed. ‘See you later, I guess.’
‘Alfred, count how many tiles are on the ceiling,’ Paul ordered suddenly.
Alfred bowed and turned around to begin counting. As soon as his back was turned Paul reached over and captured Noel’s lips in a long kiss.
‘You can stop counting now,’ Paul said after they broke apart.
‘Would you like to know how many I counted, sir?’
‘No need,’ Paul said with a smile before walking away.
‘How many did you count?’ Noel asked curiously after Paul had disappeared down the corridor.
‘None, the ceiling on this corridor is plastered not tiled.’
‘Oh…’
‘Would you like to come in, sir?’ Alfred asked, holding the door open for him.
Noel hesitated. ‘Did you…’
‘Did I what, sir?’
‘Nevermind.’
Noel walked into what would be his room for the rest of his short stay in the palace. The space boasted of a small dining room, a lounge, and a large bedroom. To the side were two doors which he guessed led to the closet and bathroom.
‘You don’t need to take care of me,’ Noel said as Alfred followed him into the room. ‘I’m sure you have many important things to do.’
‘As royal butler, my duty is to take care of members of the royal family and see that their wishes are catered for. I have underbutlers to handle the day-to-day management of the palace, which means I am at your disposal.’
Noel sat on the bed and stared at him. ‘Can you tell me what I did earlier that insulted Paul’s grandmother?’
‘You addressed the King’s wife before Her Majesty the Queen Mother,’ Alfred answered. ‘Not to mention you spoke without being spoken to.’
Noel blinked. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was a thing. So I should always address her first?’
‘Whom you should address first always depends on who is in the room at the time. If his majesty, the king was present he would take precedence over all. Next would be the Queen Mother, the Lady Sylvia, then his highness the crown prince.’
‘Sounds simple enough.’
‘Not really. The order changes according to the mixture of people in the room. For instance, if His Majesty, the king was absent then it would be the Queen Mother, the crown prince, then her ladyship. If the Queen Mother is absent then it would be her ladyship, then the crown prince.’
‘That sounds… complicated.’
‘And that is just the most senior members of the royal family. The crown prince has several aunts, uncles, and cousins of different ranks and titles and the order changes according to who is and is not in the room at the time.’
Noel felt dizzy. ‘Thank you.’
‘Would that be all, sir?’
‘I think so. Is there anything I should know before the dinner?’
‘Quite a few, but I doubt that we cover even a quarter of that before the hour is up.’
‘How comforting.’
Alfred’s gaze filled with sympathy. ‘Don’t worry, sir. I’m sure you’ll find that the members of the royal family are not ungenerous. And if at any point you find yourself overwhelmed, be assured that their elegance and grace would be more than enough to carry you through.’
Noel sincerely doubted that but he kept his thoughts to himself. Alfred left him alone and he was able to catch a few hours of sleep before the hour struck for dinner.
A refreshed Noel walked with Alfred into an ornate dining room where a few people were already gathered. A small piano stood by the side and a pianist was playing a soft tune as the people in the people made small conversation.
Alfred led him to the head of the table and pointed at a seat to the side. ‘The Queen Mother would sit at the head and at her left is the King’s wife and at her right the crown prince. His Highness has requested that you be placed next to him so you would sit here. When I ring the gong you’ll stand to welcome them in and you can only sit after the Queen Mother has taken her seat. Should the Queen Mother or Lady Sylvia rise before the dinner is over, everyone else must stand to show respect. Do you have any questions?’
Noel shook his head as he tried to commit all the information to memory.
‘Good, then if you’ll be so kind as to excuse me, I will leave to ring the gong.’
Noel stared down at the sophisticated cutlery and dinnerware as he played over Alfred’s words in his mind.
The gong sounded and everyone at the table stood as the most senior members of the royal family entered the room.
‘How are you feeling?’ Paul whispered as he came to stand by Noel.
‘Like a fish out of water,’ Noel whispered back as the Queen Mother stood at the head.
Paul squeezed his hand in encouragement as the Queen Mother began to speak. ‘I’m sorry to say that his majesty the king, would not be joining us tonight. Alas, his royal duties have called him out of the palace so you would have to suffer to be entertained by this old woman.’
‘Old, Grandmother?’ someone spoke out. ‘Why you don’t look a day over thirty!’
‘Flattery would get you nowhere, James. But I am pleased to hear it all the same,’ she gestured with a smile. ‘Please sit.’
She took her seat and chairs scraped forward as everyone else did the same. She nodded her head and the footmen came in with the first course.
The dinner party broke off into their own conversations and a cordial atmosphere soon settled over the table. That atmosphere, however, didn’t last long, as suddenly the doors burst open and a middle-aged woman walked in.
‘I hope I’m not too late. It was a nightmare on the roads. I think some drunken fool even dented my car!’
There was an awkward silence as Lady Sylvia smiled at this newcomer. ‘Of course not, Carol. Alfred, would you please find a seat for our guest?’
‘My lady,’ Alfred bowed.
‘Oh thank you, darling,’ Carol said as a chair was quickly procured for her. ‘I wasn’t sure I could make it.’
‘And we’re very glad you could, aren’t we, your majesty?’ Lady Sylvia directed her question to Paul’s grandmother.
‘Of course, we are,’ she answered back. ‘What’s a family gathering without all the family?’
‘Really, mother? I’m so pleased to hear you say so if you really mean it. I was afraid we had fallen out.’
‘Water under the bridge, it’s my eightieth birthday after all. I’m just grateful I can spend it with all of you.’
‘Who is that?’ Noel whispered to Paul.
‘My aunt Carol,’ Paul answered. ‘Everyone thinks she is quite mad but if you ask me she is probably the only sane member of this family.’
‘And who is this?’ James, the person who had spoken earlier asked. He was staring at Noel with undisguised interest. ‘There can’t possibly be another cousin we haven’t heard about.’
‘He’s one of my closest friends,’ Paul answered.
‘So not a family member. Interesting that “a close friend” would be invited to such a private gathering. I couldn’t get my girlfriend invited but I suppose it is one of the perks of being crown prince.’
‘What’s your name?’ a young woman who was about their age asked curiously.
‘Noel,’ Noel answered shyly.
‘Noël,’ James repeated softly, with a stress on the accent. ‘That’s a pretty name.’
‘Stop flirting with him, James,’ Carol scolded in a joking manner.
‘What an unpleasant thing to say,’ the Queen Mother stated. ‘They are both men they can’t be flirting with each other. What a wild mind you have, Carol.’
Carol rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything else.
‘Where are you from Noel?’ the same young woman asked. ‘You’re not from around here, are you?’
‘He’s a southerner, Lily,’ James said. ‘Can’t you tell from his accent? I fear our writ does not extend to his hometown.’
‘A southerner?’ someone who appeared to be one uncle or another said. ‘I always felt there was something Johnny foreigner about the southerners.’
‘I have many southern friends,’ Lily exclaimed excitedly. ‘Which family do you belong to?’
‘You wouldn’t have heard of it,’ Paul answered. ‘They are not part of la noblesse des cinquante-deux but they are a good and honest family which matters more in my opinion.’
‘Here, here!’ Carol declared, raising her glass in salute. ‘Finally, someone with common sense. Sometimes I think I am the only member of this family living in the twenty-first century.’
‘Yes,’ James mused. ‘You are a republican, aren’t you Aunt Carol?’
‘James…,’ Paul cautioned in a warning tone.
‘If you mean, I wish for the people to have a voice in government then yes, I am.’
‘A princess as a republican,’ the Queen Mother stated. ‘What an oxymoron.’
‘I forgot mother, that in your view the people should have no voice whatsoever.’
‘And not for the first time, you would be wrong. The people have a voice, and that is the voice of their king.’
‘Surely, you don’t object to the people having thoughts of their own,’ someone said.
‘They have no right to think. It is the job of their king to tell them what their thoughts are. Thinking only leads to dangerous thoughts such as reforms or worse revolutions.’
‘There is nothing wrong with a bit of revolutionary fervour,’ Carol stated. ‘I say hurrah to them.’
The Queen Mother’s face grew cold. ‘Need I remind you that revolution plunged this country into a civil war.’
‘I think we should all take a deep breath and take a step back,’ Paul said anxiously. ‘Maybe turn to more pleasant topics. I heard you are garden is to be featured on the cover of Home magazine, Grandmother. You must be excited about that.’
‘You must understand your mother, Carol,’ Lady Sylvia interrupted, ignoring the exasperated look her son shot her. ‘She is a product of a time and simply hankers for a more familiar world.’
‘She hankers for the days of empire,’ Carol stated stoutly.
‘I hanker for a simpler world,’ the Queen Mother corrected. ‘Where the people were united by the monarchy and their king.’
‘The world has changed mother, and you must change with it or be left in the past.’
‘The past is not such a bad place to stay,’ her mother answered calmly.
‘Your solution to everything has always been to bury your head in the sand. You were just like this when I married Jason.’
‘You are a princess of the blood. What good had ever come from mixing ranks? And besides, I welcomed him with open arms in the end, didn’t I?’
‘What do you think about that?’ James asked suddenly, looking pointedly at Noel.
Noel blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by having everyone’s eyes on him.
‘Well… I… I don’t think my opinion matters much,’ Noel stammered out. ‘This is a private family matter.’
‘You’re here, are you not?’ James pointed out. ‘I think we are already far past all that.’
‘Well,’ Noel stuttered as he thought of what to say. He glanced at Paul who just smiled encouragingly at him. ‘Paul once told me that royals still eat, breathe, laugh, and cry, just like normal people. And in the end, we all die just the same.’
Silence descended on the table.
‘He said what?’ the Queen Mother asked, breaking the silence in a voice that was barely above a whisper.
Noel looked around in confusion. ‘I…’
‘How interesting indeed,’ James said. There was an amused look on his face as he turned to face his grandmother. ‘The crown prince breaking the illusion of royalty to commoners. Not a fitting behaviour for a future monarch, is it Grandmother?’
‘Certainly not!’
‘Tread cautiously James,’ Lady Sylvia warned with a deadly edge to her tone. ‘He is your future king.’
‘Are you forgetting, dear aunt that the line of succession isn’t set in stone. Any son of the royal family can ascend the throne.’
Lady Sylvia’s voice was cold as ice as she said, ‘But it won’t be you.’
‘I have the last say on that, my lady,’ the Queen-Mother interjected. ‘Do not forget your place.’
‘Forgive me, Your Majesty,’ Paul’s mother apologized with false sweetness. ‘But do not also forget that he is the only son of your only son.’
‘As Queen Mother I must do my duty without bias for the good of our glorious empire.’
Lady Sylvia let out a humourless laugh. ‘Empire? Look around you, we haven’t been an empire in years. Your precious empire is gone, and with any luck, you will soon follow.’
Stunned gasps broke out across the room and there was a loud clang as a waiter dropped down his platter in shock.
‘Treason!’ someone gasped out.
The Queen Mother was non-plussed as she met Lady Sylvia’s eyes. ‘What would your husband the king, think about his wife calling for the death of his mother?’
‘You mistake me, your majesty,’ Lady Sylvia replied sweetly. ‘I was overeager in my desire to make you happy and was just wishing you a quick reunion with the empire you love so dearly, even at the cost of your family.’
‘I’m touched by your concern, but you needn’t worry yourself. As long as I draw breath, the empire lives on with me.’ She turned to her daughter. ‘And you, forgive me for not being enthused at the idea of a revolution when our heads would be the price to pay.’
‘No one said anything about that,’ Lady Sylvia stated, reaching over for her glass of wine. ‘You can keep your head, but not your crown.’
Another stunned silence descended on the room and there was a soft thud which suggested that some poor waiter had collapsed in shock.
The Queen Mother’s lips curved into a pleasant smile. ‘That’s the second treasonous statement you’ve made, my lady. Would you like to see what happens at strike three?’
Lady Sylvia said nothing causing the Queen Mother to sneer in disgust. ‘I thought as much.’
She stood up and the whole table jumped to their feet. ‘Well, this was an eventful dinner but at my age, one can’t have too much excitement. I am sure we shall have the pleasure of an encore tomorrow at brunch. I am afraid I must now bid you good night.’
The room bowed as the Queen Mother filed out with her attendants. Paul glanced at Noel as he flopped back tiredly in his seat. The whole dinner had stressed him out so much that he was almost a hundred percent certain a few strands of his hair had turned grey.
‘How are you feeling?’ Paul asked sympathetically.
Before Noel could answer, Lady Sylvia had walked up to them. Noel immediately stood to his feet and bowed but she paid him no attention.
‘What were you thinking by uttering those words? Now you’ve upset your grandmother.’
Paul snorted. ‘That’s rich coming from you, mother.’
‘That’s different. I don’t really have a choice, my very existence offends her. You must go to her tomorrow and apologize before one of your cousins cozy up to her. Remember, you must be the one she appoints as the next king.’
Paul avoided his mother’s earnest gaze. ‘It most likely wouldn’t matter. She is eighty years old and father is at the prime of his life. She would not be around when it is time to pass on the throne.’
Lady Sylvia scoffed. ‘Have you seen the old bat? She looks as if she would bury us all. It’s the spiteful ones that live the longest. Now be a good boy and apologize to your grandmother tomorrow.’
‘Yes, mother,’ Paul muttered.
Lady Sylvia finally turned her attention to Noel. ‘I think it’s best if you leave with your friend tomorrow as well. The old shrew is going to be extra spiteful and I have to be even nicer to her to make up for my sharp tongue. He shouldn’t have to witness that.’
Paul opened his mouth to protest but his mother cut him off.
‘That was not a suggestion.’
Paul nodded though he seemed quite displeased by it. Lady Sylvia smiled and stroked his cheek fondly.
‘I would be there to say goodbye tomorrow, now get some rest.’
Paul turned to Noel after his mother had left them. ‘I’m sorry but it looks like we have to leave tomorrow.’ He sighed. ‘There were so many places I wanted to show you before we leave….’
Noel bit his lips as he considered something. ‘I mean you still can.’
Paul looked up. ‘What?’
‘Your mother just wants us out of your grandmother’s way which means we can leave the palace tomorrow and spend the day in the city without ruining anything.’
Paul broke out into a smile. ‘I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.’
‘That’s because you are a goody two shoes.’
‘So are you,’ Paul pointed out.
Noel gave him a droll look. ‘I’ve had Jayden as my roommate for three years. That does things to a person.’
Before Paul could reply, another person interjected themselves into their conversation.
‘My, my, you two are quite cozy together, aren’t you?’ James observed.
‘What do you want James?’
‘Don’t sound so curt, I just wanted to how our guest was handling the aftereffects of one of our famous dinners.’
‘Most of it was your fault,’ Paul pointed out in annoyance.
James raised his hands in surrender. ‘Guilty as charged.’ He glanced expectantly at Noel. ‘So what did you think of dîner avec la famille royale?’
‘It was…’ Noel searched his brain for the right word. ‘Interesting.’
James burst out laughing. ‘That’s one way to put it. We may be royalty but no one can ever accuse us of being boring.’
‘Are all your get-togethers like this?’ Noel asked curiously.
‘More or less,’ James answered with a shrug.
Paul had not let go of his irritation. ‘Did you have to goad Aunt Cora into talking about politics? You know it never ends well.’
‘It’s always so frightfully funny though,’ James mused. ‘Poor grandmama, one mention of revolution and she hears the blasts of guns.’
‘You can’t blame her though,’ Paul stated. ‘She was a little girl during the first revolution and she had to experience her family being dragged out of their homes and shot in the street. Her mother was gunned down trying to protect her.’
James nodded. He turned to Noel. ‘Well, it was interesting to have met you First Noël. I do hope we meet again. It’s not every day one gets to meet the boyfriend of the crown prince.’
Noel’s mouth dropped open in shock as Paul said calmly. ‘You know.’
James chuckled. ‘My dear cousin, unlike our grandmother old age is not affecting my eyesight.’
‘You are not… you are not going to tell anyone are you?’ Noel asked hesitantly.
James looked highly offended by the question. ‘What do you take me for?’
‘Don’t worry,’ Paul told Noel. ‘He won’t say anything.’
‘You know me so well cousin. Anyway, I am afraid I must now bid you adieu.’
Noel’s expression was thoughtful as he watched him walk away. ‘Your family is quite something. On the surface, it appears to be the perfect family but when you dig further it is quite dysfunctional underneath and if you dig even further you would find out that they are extremely loyal and devoted to each other despite their words and actions…’
His voice trailed off as he glanced at Paul. ‘Why are you smiling at me like that?’
Paul shook his head. ‘I knew you would get it. Come, let’s go to bed. We have a big day of exploring tomorrow.’
~
They did as he promised and after they said goodbye to his family, they spent most of the day roaming around the city and exploring his favourite haunts.
It was quite late in the night when they arrived back at Lumière but strangely neither of them seemed tired as Paul walked Noel back to his dorm.
‘How much do you want to bet that Samuel is sleeping in Jayden’s room?’ Noel asked as he opened the door.
‘Quite a lot,’ Paul answered as he followed him inside. ‘They are definitely in Samuel’s room because Jayden can’t get enough of his teddy bears. Don’t tell him I said that though.’
Noel poked a head in Jayden’s room and called out. ‘You’re right. I guess I owe you now.’
Paul smiled and pulled Noel closer. ‘How do you plan on settling the debt?’
Noel placed a kiss on his lips. ‘There, paid in full.’
‘Hmm, what about the interest?’
‘Interest?’ Noel asked with a frown.
‘Every loan needs to be paid with interest, you know that. How else am I to make a profit?’
Noel rolled his eyes and kissed him again. ‘There.’
Paul smiled and reached over to capture his lips in another kiss. Their kiss slowly deepened and before long they had found themselves in Noel’s bedroom.
Paul broke the kiss and pulled himself up. ‘Maybe we should stop here.’
Noel grabbed his collar and forcefully pushed him back down, flipping them over to straddle his hips.
‘But I don’t want to.’
Paul looked up into his eyes. ‘Are you sure?’
Noel rolled his eyes and answered with another deep kiss, this one fiercer and more passionate than any other they had shared.
They slowly lost themselves in each other as their senses suddenly flared to life. It seemed as if their souls had been waiting for this moment to exhale.
Outside in the soft grass of the lawn, Valentina smiled as she looked into the camera screen where two figures locked in each other’s embrace could clearly be seen. To others, it wouldn’t seem like much but to her, it was the key she had been waiting for.
It was time for her to finally claim her happiness.
Author’s Note:
Maybe it’s a lucky thing that the universe has a sense of humour even if it is an unusual one.
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