Chapter Four
Serron
Prince Jaq of Elembaum was a pleasant surprise. Serron and Patin had talked a lot during their three-day ride about what type of royal person seemed to prefer to shut themselves away in a library all day. Serron pictured someone who was likely pale, thin, perhaps with correctional glasses, who was probably going to be shy, and would find it difficult to hold a conversation with someone who ranked higher than himself from a societal perspective.
The reality was very different. Jaq had very definite ideas and didn’t seem to have a problem voicing them. Serron was still quietly chuckling about Jaq’s comment about Rupert. Although he was surprised that Rupert was still in contact with the prince of Elembaum.
“My mother told me that Crown Prince Rupert had offered a marriage contract for you a while ago,” he said cautiously, accepting the tea Jaq offered with a smile and passing it to Patin, taking the second cup for himself. “My mother confided to me there had been a misunderstanding and that offer was rescinded. Is that correct?”
Jaq laughed. “There was no misunderstanding, at least on my part, but yes, Crown Prince Rupert did rescind his contract offer, and then when I didn’t fall into a fit of vapors or send him letter after letter outlining numerous apologies for upsetting his royal personage, he started sending me gifts which I find most strange. The only explanation I can consider is that he is unused to having people not fall all over him, and so is persisting in his attentions in the hopes I’ll change my mind.”
“I can see why he might think that.” Serron nodded, handing Patin a plate of pastries before taking one for himself.
“I have no interest in Crown Prince Rupert.” Jaq shook his head. “He is like the horse he sent me, not in looks, obviously,” he hastened to add. “His temperament though. He didn’t want to fit in with me or even consider I might have a life I enjoy. He just wanted me following him around probably flapping my non-existent eyelashes at him.”
“I wouldn’t say they were non-existent, but I see your point.” Serron chuckled. “I did have an ulterior motive for asking about Rupert, though. We, that is Patin and I, have a dilemma, and it was suggested you might be able to help.”
It wasn’t easy getting out the words to a relative stranger, but Serron appreciated how Jaq listened intently. He frowned and shook his head when Serron mentioned his father’s illness, looking sad when Serron explained the bleak prognosis.
“I am so sorry to hear things are so dire,” Jaq said softly. “And I am honored you have shared that confidence – a confidence I will keep. I do have some medical books in my collection. If I can find any literature that might help in any way, then I’ll gladly look. Mortrin, your head healer, has a strong reputation, but perhaps if I correspond with him, I might be able to offer an alternative method of treatment he hadn’t considered, if I could find one. I’m not saying I could, but I would definitely do my best.”
“That is exceedingly kind, thank you.” Serron was touched. He hadn’t expected anything like that. “However, our favor is of a more personal kind.” He inhaled slowly and then reached and took Patin’s hand in his – an action he would never generally do in public, but Serron needed to let the prince know the strength of his feelings for the man he already considered his husband. Jaq didn’t seem surprised, which was astonishing in itself, but Serron pushed on.
“Patin and I have been in a relationship for many years. We live as married although no vows have been said, simply because my father insists I marry someone of royal blood. With the king’s time on this earth limited, I am being pushed to make an overture I confess I don’t have the stomach or heart for, and yet, because of my position, I am being told I must. It was suggested to me that if I found a royal partner who was apprised of the situation, and could not only accept it, and the sacrifice such a move might cause, knowing that the marriage would be contract based only… Well, your name was mentioned as a possibility.”
More surprises. Jaq’s smile grew. “Our mothers,” he said, pointing his finger in Serron’s direction. “That is why my name came up. Tell me I’m wrong. Your mother and mine are close friends, and I swear my mother thinks I will die in this library – of old age, obviously, not falling bookshelves - but she despairs I’ll ever leave this place.”
“You are not wrong.” Serron glanced at Patin, who was wearing a half-smile, but his grip on Serron’s hand was solid. “I realize now, after meeting you in person, that our suggestive offer is presumptive and more than a little arrogant. There is no reason why you shouldn’t make an excellent match with someone…okay, someone other than Crown Prince Rupert, but an excellent match where your own feelings were paramount nonetheless.”
“You have been very open and honest with me, so excuse me while I get comfortable. This is a topic that requires serious negotiation and as you’ve already shown me who you two are together, it is only fair I do the same.” Serron’s eyes widened as Jaq kicked off his shoes and then curled his legs under him on his chair before undoing the top button of his tunic. “Phew, that’s better. Now I can breathe. All right. How do you see a marriage like the one you are proposing would work?”
“Er…are you seriously prepared to consider this arrangement?” Serron felt he had to doublecheck.
“I am not agreeing outright. I want details first. We can assume you’re going to continue to live with your partner, but where will I be expected to live? You will become king in due course. Will that change our public relationship in any way? Can we agree that your partner will be with us at all public events? Because I don’t want Patin to feel left out of anything we’re expected to do as a couple. Do you have a decent library and is it empty of people? Are there bookshelves in my suite, and how many trunks of books are you prepared to transport to Monce on my behalf? You know. Important considerations.”
Serron chuckled. “It is good to see where your priorities lie. I would prefer to continue to live as I do with Patin, yes. You would have your own suite of rooms in my wing of the castle, which you can use or decorate as you see fit.”
Jaq waved off the idea. “A bed’s a bed, but the bookshelves have to be included. Carry on.”
“If you accepted our contract, you would hold the title of crown prince consort, and when the time came, king consort. You would be offered all the respect and authority that position entails.”
Jaq wrinkled his nose. “Forgive me for asking, but would the position of consort be a very onerous one – very time-consuming? I would definitely accompany you to anything you felt I should and would happily share my opinion on matters you think I could assist with. But I do enjoy my own studies and pursuits – my rides in the morning, my studies in the afternoon. I am often still in the library well into the night.”
“It would be prudent if we had an agreement whereby we met up at least once a day,” Serron said slowly, looking at Patin, who nodded. “Perhaps for a meal? Lunch or dinner, perhaps. Solely for the purpose of keeping you updated on any matters that could impact you as a key member of the royal family.” He grinned at Jaq. “It might be one way we, as your husbands,” he indicated between himself and Patin, “could be sure you were at least eating regularly.”
“My mother has definitely been sharing secrets.” Jaq nodded, but his smile didn’t falter. “You’ve used the term ‘we’ numerous times, and have just now confirmed that you would both consider yourselves my husbands. I just want to clarify what you mean by that as I do appreciate any actual marriage contract will only be between you, Crown Prince Serron, and me. I don’t believe the World Council recognizes a three-way relationship for royal couples because of the issue with heirs and succession.”
“We did explore that possibility.” Serron hated the sad tone in his voice, but he knew it was imperative to be truthful. “As you said, it’s not a possibility we can pursue. At this point there is no way Patin could become my husband in a legal sense of the word.”
“Not immediately, no. But you two will be married in time, surely?” Jaq leaned forward and picked up the book Serron had gifted him, lightly drumming his fingernails on the cover.
“If the contract we devise includes a piss-off clause, then after… sorry, I am going to be blunt here, because that’s my way, but after you become king, you could invoke the piss-off clause in our marriage contract. After a suitable time which only you could determine, you and Patin could be married or at least be seen openly together. All I would need to know is how long you want the marriage to last before I do whatever it is we devise that causes you to invoke that particular clause.”
“That’s hardly fair on you.” Serron shook his head. Use of the piss-off clause, as it was colloquially known because the actual clause had a very long-winded name, was virtually unheard of among royal marriages. Society families used the tool often, but in every case Serron could recall, the person who had been effectively evicted from their marriage was never able to contract with another person again. It created a stigma and Serron never wanted that for any potential spouse.
“But wasn’t that your original intention? To include and then invoke the clause?”
Patin answered for him. “It was never discussed as an option. We already knew that what we were asking was going to be difficult for you or anyone to accept. I think I can speak for both of us when I say that Serron and I went into this idea confident we would always be together, and that together we would always ensure you were respected and protected in your position as consort.”
“But what about as a friend?” Jaq asked, and Serron realized the question was directed at Patin. “Could you be my friend, Patin, knowing that I was the one who held the legal position as your husband’s husband? That when dignitaries visited, it was me they would consider the consort. That when we traveled, anywhere we went, despite you being with us because I would insist on that, how would you feel knowing I was the only one acknowledged as Crown Prince Serron’s consort?”