Chapter Three
Jaq
“Prince Jaq. Your Highness. Oh, my goodness, where are you? You have an appointment.”
Jaq peered over the railing of the mezzanine floor, scowling at his personal aid, Templeton. “Libraries are meant to be quiet spaces where people can contemplate the written word in peace and quiet.” He glanced at the large time piece that took up almost half of a larger wall. “It’s barely lunchtime. I fail to see why anyone would make an appointment with me during the day. I’m also sure Mother assured me that there were no events this week, and I wasn’t required to attend any occasion or meet with anybody.”
“That conversation with the queen was over two weeks ago, Your Highness.” Templeton huffed his way up the stairs and Jaq noticed he was carrying Jaq’s “meeting” robe. One of the few items of clothing he had that wasn’t covered in ink stains. The mere act of Templeton bringing that piece of hallowed clothing into the library meant the meeting had to be important.
“Fine. Who am I supposed to be meeting and where?” Jaq stifled a yawn and cast a longing glance over the range of books he had spread out over the large table. “Will it take long? I think I am onto something here, but I just need to find…”
“I’m sure that’s all very important and interesting, Your Highness. I need you to put this on.” Templeton interrupted him, holding up his robe. “Crown Prince Serron of Monce has requested a meeting with you. He’s accompanied by his man, Patin, Duke of Folkon.”
“Why would the crown prince of Monce want to talk to me? Does Mother know about this?” Jaq stopped halfway through putting on his robe. “This isn’t marriage contract business, is it? Only I had enough trouble with Crown Prince Rupert about that nonsense.
“Honestly, I’ve never come across anyone who thought he was allowed to be rude, purely and simply because he outranked me, the way Crown Prince Rupert was. And don’t even get me started on my thoughts about him wanting to take me hunting. It was clear he didn’t do his homework about the type of person I am at all. I do not want to go through that farce again.”
“Neither the queen, nor the crown prince of Monce saw fit to confide in me as to the reasons for this meeting, sir, so I have no idea of why the gentlemen wish to see you. Put the other arm through.”
“I can dress myself.” Jaq pushed his other arm through the held-out sleeve and fastened his buttons. Then he took the brush Templeton pulled out of his pocket and ran it through his hair, before handing it back. “There. Will I do? Am I princely enough to meet a crown prince?”
“You look very tidy sir.” Templeton glanced down at his black pants and frowned. “If you don’t mind me saying so, sir, I am eternally grateful you moved past your love of brightly colored trousers. I do believe there is ink on the ones you have on. Perhaps I should…”
“You should go to lunch, that’s what you should do.” Jaq could be firm if he needed to be. “Just tell me where I’m supposed to meet Crown Prince Serron…”
“Er… excuse me? Prince Jaq?” Jaq and Templeton looked at each other wide-eyed and then Jaq peered over the mezzanine railing again.
“Are you Crown Prince Serron of Monce?”
“I am.” The tall man with jet-black hair and well-trimmed goatee had a pleasant smile.
“That must mean that is Patin, Duke of Folkon, with you.” Turning to Templeton, Jaq whispered, “You didn’t tell me they were meeting me in the library.”
“I was about to, Your Highness.” Templeton kept his voice low as well. “You go downstairs and start your meeting. I will arrange for refreshments to be served shortly.”
“Then you can go to lunch.” Jaq squared his shoulders. “I’ll be down directly,” he called over the rail. “Go on,” he hissed to Templeton who was looking indecisive. “I’ll be perfectly safe. Don’t forget to save me some lunch for afterward.”
“I’m surprised you’ve even thought about it, sire,” Templeton muttered, but he hurried down the stairs. Jaq followed at a slower pace, eyeing the two men with interest. It wasn’t often he met new people – purely by choice – but it was generally nice when he did. Crown Prince Rupert being the exception.
“Crown Prince Serron and the Duke of Folkon.” Jaq bowed low from the waist the moment he’d reached the ground floor. “If you would care to take a seat over here.” He led the way to a small seating area containing four comfortable chairs arranged around a low table. “Templeton will bring us refreshments shortly.”
“We appreciate you taking the time to see us at short notice.” The two men took the seats Jaq indicated, sitting side by side, so Jaq took the seat across from them. “We brought you a gift.” Crown Prince Serron handed over a thick, brightly wrapped present. “We hope it’s to your liking.”
There’re a lot of “we’s” in those sentences. Jaq smiled and took the parcel offered, quickly unwrapping it to reveal the old cover of a book.
“ The Treatise of Magic as written by Martin Dumfrew.” Jaq smiled his delight as he quickly opened the front cover, tracing over the front plate. “It’s an original edition, written over a hundred years ago and yes” - he turned another page - “it has the forward written by Councilman Godings back before the World Council started to discourage the use of magic among society families. This is very thoughtful of you.” Jaq looked up to see both men smiling at him and felt his cheeks heat. “Thank you very kindly for your gift.”
Putting the book down on the table, Jaq sat back, resisting the urge to start reading it straight away. “So how can I help you gentlemen this afternoon? I am sure you haven’t traveled all this way simply to bring me a gift, no matter how wonderful that gift might be.”
The two men glanced at each other, and Jaq quietly smirked. They made a very lovely couple and were clearly close, although it was likely only he could see it. It was one of his few skills.
“Would you be offended if we just made small talk for a few moments until the refreshments arrived?” Crown Prince Serron asked quietly. “The matter we wish to discuss is highly confidential, the details of which could not be allowed to leak to any castle staff members.”
“Oh, my goodness. That sounds serious indeed. I’m sure I remember how to make small talk.” Jaq cast a longing look at his new book and then chuckled quietly as he looked at his visitors. “Although the lure of the written word tugs at my brain most days. Believe me, I will wait to hear what you have to say for no other reason than you were kind enough to bring me a book I’ve been actively trying to source for myself. Crown Prince Rupert wasn’t so thoughtful. He sent me a horse!”
The crown prince and Patin chuckled. “Do you ride at all, Prince Jaq?” Patin asked, and Jaq was pleased to hear how he sounded. Patin was a big man with long auburn hair and a gentle tone, which boded well for Crown Prince Serron.
“I do.” Jaq nodded. “I ride every morning, rain or shine – the length of those rides determined by just how much it might be raining on any given day. But I felt Crown Prince Rupert’s gift was superfluous and hardly thoughtful at all. I have a perfectly good horse of my own, chosen by myself, who has a temperament that suits the way I like to ride.
“The big brute he sent me was pushy, did not fit in well with the other horses in the stable, and honestly, would’ve probably bitten me if I’d gotten within a foot of it. I have no objection to riding, but I prefer to ride a horse I am comfortable with, not what some personage believes I would look better on.”
Jaq shook his head. “Crown Prince Rupert is becoming a bit of a nuisance with his persistence. Oops.” Jaq slapped a hand over his mouth and then quickly took it away again. “I am so sorry. It is not seemly to disparage a person who is not here to defend themselves. I do hope you will forgive me and disregard my last remark.”
He was saved from having to say anything else as Templeton arrived, huffing as he usually did, pushing a refreshments trolley. “Just leave it with us, please,” Jaq said, jumping up and taking the trolley from the older man. “Enjoy your lunch.”
“Sire, I’m not sure it’s suitable for you to be left with two unmarried gentlemen without a chaperone,” Templeton said quietly, turning to one side as if sharing a secret.
Jaq patted his aide’s arm. Templeton definitely came from an older age where such things were considered important. “I am confident that neither the crown prince nor the Duke of Folkon have designs on my person,” he said quietly. Then he said in a louder tone. “I believe I heard Chef Sarah mention that she was making sticky toffee pudding for dessert today. Could you be sure to save me a slice with some custard when you go for your lunch, please?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Templeton bowed low toward the table and then inclined his head at Jaq before shuffling off. Jaq followed him and closed the library door behind him, quietly snipping the lock.
“We should have some privacy now for at least an hour, or for as long as Chef Sarah can tempt Templeton with her sticky toffee pudding, which could stretch into most of the afternoon.” He smiled, reaching for the teapot. “Did you want tea?”