Chapter Seven
Serron
Serron tapped on the door to Jaq’s suite, not at all surprised when it was Patin let him in. “Is our fiancé ready to go?” he asked quietly when he noticed Jaq wasn’t in the room.
“Jaq is changing his clothes in his bathing chamber.” Patin added what looked like undervests to a trunk, and quickly shut it and tightened the buckles on it. “He totally forgot to get clothes organized for his trip, so I said I would assist with that. It would seem Rupert is still keen on courting him – he has sent more gifts.” Patin nodded at the table.
“Rupert’s persistence is out of character for him.” Serron frowned as he wandered over to the table, flicking over the letter Jaq had dropped on the table and quickly scanning the contents. “If this was from any other person, then I would rescind our offer for Jaq’s hand immediately. As much as I believe he’s a perfect fit for us in our lives, I would never deny him the right to find an affectionate spouse of his own, especially one who expressed interest before we stepped into Jaq’s life. But this business with Rupert seems very weird to me.” He tapped the letter. “What’s your take on this?”
“Personally?” Patin shook his head. “I believe Crown Prince Rupert is suffering from a fit of pique. He was the one who rescinded his marriage offer in the first place, because he took Jaq’s natural inclination to ignore the passing of time as a personal insult. When the rescindment didn’t have the required effect he thought it would have – that of Jaq apologizing profusely, promising to change his ways, and convincing Rupert he is the most important person in the known universe and beyond – Rupert has set out on a campaign to woo the prince. Again, with no thought about how his efforts might be viewed by Jaq. Honestly, I believe as soon as Jaq was hooked or showed a modicum of interest, Rupert would likely refuse him all over again.
“Those gifts are not appropriate.” Serron tapped the letter although he didn’t actually pick it up. “Sending tokens of affection or items one might wear close to their person - especially alongside a note suggesting Jaq do exactly that – are more the sort of gifts appropriate for a fiancé or a spouse, not someone who is being courted.”
“Yet another example of Crown Prince Rupert showing he is not respectful of Jaq in any way.” Patin must have finished the packing because he joined Serron at the table. “I wouldn’t worry about it, though. The World Council was informed that the marriage contract has already been signed and has been duly recorded. Legally, Jaq is already your – and therefore our – spouse. It’s possible these packages were delayed in transit. I doubt the crown prince will be sending gifts to Jaq in Monce.”
“If he does, then I’ll be sending Rupert a seriously worded letter telling him to desist.” Serron shook his head. “I’m not saying that we’re better for Jaq than Rupert could be – even if I personally believe we are - but ultimately, I find I’m coming to care for Jaq and feel protective over him.”
“I understand that feeling entirely.” Patin chuckled. “Jaq has a very refreshing way about him, totally natural and unspoiled despite living among gossip mongers and society families. If we can encourage him to be himself, and protect his right to express himself no matter what others might think, then I believe this marriage of ours will be more balanced between us.”
“You and I think so much alike it’s uncanny at times.” Serron nudged Patin’s shoulder with his own. “We should make a point of buying Jaq more gifts on the trip home, however. Things he might actually enjoy and appreciate, like the book we gave him. It would be nice, don’t you think, to give him an example of what it is like to be courted properly seeing as it’s only going to happen for him the once?”
“I’d enjoy doing something like that.” Patin’s hand was a glancing brush against Serron’s back. “I never dreamed, when your mother first broached this idea, that someone like Jaq could accept us both so readily. I find myself wanting to do something nice for him in return, so gifts would be a good first step. His face, when he left the library just before…that wasn’t easy for him.”
“I guessed he might feel badly about leaving, especially with so little notice.” Serron glanced at the bathing chamber door and then lowered his voice further. “When I took my leave from the queen earlier, she said she despaired of ever dragging Jaq away from his books. I believe she hopes that once he’s married to us, that we might be able to show him other activities in life he could enjoy.”
Patin’s frown always seemed to make his eyebrows almost meet in the middle. “Did the queen give any indication why Jaq doesn’t have the social life that so many royal princes enjoy? Is there something amiss we haven’t considered?”
“No, at least not from what the queen shared with me. It appears that when Jaq was younger – coming out as a young royal and joining in social events – he voiced his opinion in a way that caused many people to gossip about him.”
“He was being himself in other words.”
“Exactly.” Serron nodded. “Word about some of the things he said reached the queen and she spoke to him about it. In her words, apparently, Jaq simply did not understand why people couldn’t be more honest in the things they said to him and that he didn’t see why he had to be duplicitous to fit in with others. You know for yourself, explaining concepts such as diplomacy to a person determined to be honest isn’t easy.”
Patin chuckled. “It’s not that Jaq doesn’t understand the concept. He’s an extremely intelligent person.”
“I think that is ultimately why his mother wasn’t worried about him. Jaq found it easier to be in the library and by all accounts, has written papers, conducted studies for the World Council magic department, and so much more. I think she was resigned to him remaining single as a permanent academic until we came along.” Serron nudged Patin with his elbow. “She wanted to know our secret for encouraging her son to accept us so quickly.”
“Your mother is going to be so pleased that her advice about being honest with him worked.” Patin groaned.
“She did us a huge favor. Jaq’s father, however…” Serron turned as he heard a door opening. Jaq stepped out of his bathing chamber, dressed in black riding pants, black boots, and a long deep brown coat that had gold accents around the collar and the cuffs.
“Will I do,” Jaq said, doing a quick twirl, his arms outspread. “This is about as princely as I get.”
“You look very handsome and princely.” Serron grinned as he went over, taking Jaq’s hand and air kissing on either side of his face. “Let’s get this trip started. I believe the sooner we can reunite you with your packed books, the happier you’ll be.”