Chapter Five
Patin
Prince Jaq was nothing like Patin had expected, and he knew Serron was equally surprised. One of the things Patin hadn’t even considered as a possibility was that Prince Jaq would be so supportive of the bond he already had with Serron, even to the point of asking for friendship.
Which meant he had to answer honestly. Gripping Serron’s hand, Patin met Prince Jaq’s eyes. “I had always intended to leave Serron when it came time for him to marry another, even though the thought pained us both so deeply. But the alternative, in my head, was a scenario where I would only ever be seen as Serron’s bed partner, if that, and yet our relationship is so much more than that. I am Serron’s adviser, valet, bodyguard, and his friend. It never crossed my mind that someone Serron would marry would want to include me as an equal partner with an equal say – as a friend.”
“I don’t see how it could work in any other way.” Jaq was such an open man – his eyes wide underneath his dark fringe that fell over one side of his face. “If we assume that no one aside from our mothers would know of our agreement, then it’s vital for the trust you two have in each other and for me being in a situation where I already know I’m the third wheel.”
He waved a hand in Serron’s direction. “It’s not like this person is courting me, trying to get to know me, and hiding his relationship with you in the meantime. I would never have accepted, or even considered this proposal without honesty from you both.
“But for me personally, I don’t want to be in a position where I feel your resentment because Serron has to dance with me at an event because that’s what is expected of him. I don’t want to feel like an outsider if I have to seek Serron’s counsel for any reason, and I sense your bitterness because I am taking up his precious time. I want to know if Serron isn’t available, I can come to you for advice, or whatever it is I need at the time. I want to know if we can all be friends or at least have that possibility. Is it possible there would come a time when I could rely on you, outside of bedroom matters obviously, but in a way I could with a close friend?”
“I like that idea,” Serron said quietly. “It wasn’t something you and I had discussed, Patin, but if we’re going into this with a gentlemen’s agreement, then I agree that friendship is a worthwhile goal for the three of us. I don’t believe that will take away from the relationship you and I already have. It would merely add to a genuine, yet different relationship between the three of us.”
“As I’ve already said, I had never considered the possibility, but I find myself warming to the idea.” Patin inhaled sharply. “However, Prince Jaq, there is something further you should know. You are a prince of a realm, much like Serron, whereas I…I was a man on the streets, a jack-of-all-trades I suppose you would call it, when I came to Serron’s notice, working in a small market stall blowing glass figurines to pay my lodging, which was nothing more than a tiny room in a boarding house.
“Despite the title, which Serron gifted to me, I have no family roots to speak of. There’s no weight behind my title. Most people, society families and royals alike, prefer to treat me as Serron’s bodyguard or adviser than as a friend.”
“Which is why neither one of you thought to include the idea of friendship in this agreement of ours.” Jaq nodded as if he understood.
“If we are in the business of confessions at this time, then you two should know I have a few small, but unusual abilities. For example, I knew you two were a genuine couple the moment I saw the pair of you. I ‘see’ links, connections, nothing major or even useful in most cases. So you see, if Crown Prince Serron had come to me and told me he wanted to offer a contract for me without any of the context you’ve provided, then I would have refused him outright, because I’d have already known his heart belonged to someone else.” Jaq’s smile was gentle with just a hint of mischievousness.
“It was nothing we did or the way we acted toward each other?” Patin cast a worried look at Serron, but Jaq was shaking his head.
“No one else would’ve seen it, and your secret is safe with me whether we proceed with our agreement or not.”
“Thank you.” Patin looked down at their hands and then back up at the younger prince. “Sometimes I feel as though I am walking on a fine wire yards in the air, praying I don’t fall and take Serron with me. It would be nice to have a new friend who was aware of all that Serron and I are together, giving him and I another space where we can relax and just be.”
“There is a limit to the amount of time we can spend in our suite,” Serron added ruefully.
“I do have one question, Your Highness,” Patin said, “if I can be presumptuous and ask bluntly?”
Jaq’s laughter filled the air. “I think we can agree, this conversation in this time and place is a great leveler, rendering us equals. I, for one, would be thankful if we could dispense with formalities in private. Crown Prince Serron is a mouthful, as is Patin, Duke of Folkon, if I wanted to be formal about things. Please, call me Jaq.”
“Jaq, thank you.” It was Serron who inclined his head. “That is very kind, and I prefer to be called Serron.”
“And for myself, Patin without the trappings.” Patin patted his chest, his heart warming at how friendly and open the prince of Elembaum was. “I have to know, even though I am aware this could be one of those high wire moments that could derail our entire conversation, but why would you consider a marriage contract, like the one offered by Serron, when you could be courted and find a willing and less encumbered spouse of your own?”
“This is a delicate way of asking about intimate matters, isn’t it?” Jaq’s smile never faltered. “You’re wondering whether there might come a time when I might want to seek more from a person than my marriage contract allows.”
“Words to that effect, yes.” Patin nodded, feeling his cheeks heat. “You are, and I’m sure Serron wouldn’t mind me saying so, but you are an attractive man with a lively mind and an engaging humor. It is highly plausible that you would attract the interest of another person, which would effectively be blocked if you were already married to us. Have you considered how you might respond in such a situation, because it would be remiss of us to ask for you to dedicate yourself to a marriage where you slept alone without having respect or consideration for your own natural urges.”
“Hmm.” Jaq seemed to be taking the question seriously, which Patin was pleased about. Patin knew why Serron had to do what he was doing. He knew why he was doing what he was doing. It seemed important to Patin that the man who offered to be his friend after barely making his acquaintance, at least had his own feelings and urges considered.
“Please excuse the delay I am taking in answering your very valid and beautifully put question,” Jaq said at last. “I am struggling to find the right words – words that would explain the depth of certainty I have that such an issue wouldn’t be a problem.”
He leaned forward, cradling his book that was still on his lap. “I confided in you two that I see connections and that is part of why I don’t see this being an issue. If we take Crown Prince Rupert as a prime example, purely because he was someone who wanted more with me. He spoke the words, he writes them too at times, although it’s highly possible the letters come from his personal assistant…but, regardless I don’t see a connection.
“Likewise, on the odd occasion I attend social functions, because despite what my mother will tell you, I’m not a hermit. I just like my books and keeping my mind busy. But when I am out and about at a gathering, I will have people talk to me, flatter me, saying words…ugh. I’m not explaining this well. But they say things that have no depth, there’s no meaning behind what they are saying, there’s no connection.
“It is my turn to be presumptuous about a friendship we have yet to develop. I can say to you with a sincere heart that I would rather have and be able to rely on a solid, deep, warm relationship with two men who are in a committed bond with each other and who then extended their friendship to include me, than have a harem of young men from Huditit at my beck and call, or any of the social climbers who seek to attract my attention at social events. After consideration, I believe that the friendship and accompanying marriage would be worth more to me and be more valuable to me, if it was offered.”
“You are sure of this?” Serron asked. “Only you mentioned the piss-off clause earlier, yet any contract we’d considered would not include it. I believed, and Patin agreed, that if you were prepared to take us both on, within the framework we’ve described, then it was only right that we, as your spouses, would support and honor our commitment to you, as well as each other, for the rest of our days.”
Jaq looked sad for a moment, but Patin realized it was him Jaq was concerned about. “You could be married to Serron within a year, if the clause was included. I hate the feeling you are missing out on the rights and recognition your affection deserves, when your bond with Serron is so deeply ingrained in who you are, and him with you.”
“You appear prepared to join with us and help us in a time of our greatest need. My only other option was to leave the man I have devoted my life to, and that would break me…”
“And me, too,” Serron said his weight heavy on Patin’s shoulder.
“We would take care of you, and to be honest, if I could address your earlier concerns. When I see you two on the dance floor, I would smile quietly to myself because I’m not the one avoiding those sharp elbows of other dancers. When someone pulls you aside and complains, for the umpteenth time, about something they feel you should deal with as consort, I will be glad it’s not me that has to put on the socially polite face and listen to it all.”
“Ah, I see what you’re saying.” Jaq erupted in laughter again. “You’d better remember our friendship agreement, then. If there are elbows coming near me, then I expect you, Serron, to move me away as you lead our dance, and if I’m trapped in a corner with an entitled personage I can’t escape, that’s where you, Patin, are expected to come and let me know in a very respectful tone that I am needed elsewhere. That’s what friends would do for each other. I deserve nothing less.”
He's right, Patin thought, finally allowing his hope to burst free. He deserves all that and more. He reached over and patted Serron’s knee, meeting his eyes as he nodded. He smiled when Serron nodded back.
Both men stood, as Jaq watched them with a gleam in his eye. Bowing low, they both spoke at the same time.
“Prince Jaq of Elembaum, we would be honored if you would consider engaging in a marriage contract with us.”
His hand on his chest, Jaq said softly, “It is you two who honor me. The bond between you runs so deep. It is truly beautiful to see.” He heaved a big sigh. “Let’s go and see if my mother is available and find you gentlemen some lunch. I wonder if Templeton kept me any sticky toffee pudding. I will need the energy as I have a whole stack of books to pack.”
Then he laughed and Patin realized he’d been caught glancing around at all the books the library held. “Not all of them. Just my favorites and the ones I absolutely can’t do without.”