Chapter Ten
Serron
Serron knew there was something wrong the moment he and Jaq joined Queen Sophie for breakfast the morning after they’d arrived in Monce. Due to a problem with one of the horses, they didn’t arrive at the castle until after dark, and Serron was informed the queen had already retired for the night. She had sent her profuse apologies and a note indicating she would meet Serron and Jaq for breakfast the following morning.
Jaq’s rooms had at least been organized and there was food available, but Serron still felt a hint of disquiet, as if something was going on. It wasn’t unusual for Patin not to be invited to a private breakfast with the queen, and he had headed down to the stables to oversee the movement of Jaq’s trunks to the castle library. But when Serron escorted Jaq into his mother’s private dining area, he could feel the tension in the air. I wish Patin was here with us.
Queen Sophie greeted Jaq warmly, asking after his mother and father and exclaiming with delight over the vase Jaq had bought her as a gift. They sat, they ate. From the outside, everything looked fine, but still, Serron’s nerves were starting to fray. It wasn’t until they were sharing a final coffee that he realized his instincts were right.
“We really should discuss the wedding.” Queen Sophie was smiling, but Serron could see how much more tired she was than the week before. “The king and I felt it should be a family affair, if that’s all right with you, Jaq? I am sure Serron has informed you the king has been under the weather lately, and while our healer Mortrin is very supportive of our crown prince marrying, he felt the king would be unduly stressed by a large gathering.”
“I’m aware that you’ve been corresponding with my mother for years, Your Majesty,” Jaq said with a ready smile. “I’m sure she’s informed you I prefer smaller gatherings myself, so I don’t take any offense at a family-only wedding. I am only sorry my own family couldn’t attend because of the short notice, but I know my parents send their blessings.”
“Who will be invited, Mother?” Serron asked, refilling Jaq’s coffee cup before filling his own. It sounded like it would barely be a ceremony at all. The Monce royal family was very small.
“At this stage, it will be simply the king and myself, and the king has asked your cousin Fenton to stand as your companion for the ceremony itself. His wife and brother-in-law will be the only other ones in attendance.”
“Mother.” Serron tried to keep his tone civil, but it was difficult. He knew exactly what his father was doing, and he didn’t like it. “It would mean a lot to me if Patin could attend as my companion. That was always my intention, as he is my closest friend.”
“Fenton is already on his way, dear.” Queen Sophie smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “The king was most insistent Fenton will stand as your man. It is only for the ceremony, and then a small dinner afterward. We will, of course, host a larger reception… later… when the king is able.”
“Does that mean Patin’s free to stand with me?” Jaq looked up from his cup, and his smile definitely shone all over his face. If he could feel the tension in the room, he was deliberately ignoring it. “Queen Sophie, I realize this might be a huge imposition and I do hope the king won’t take offense at my asking. But with no one from my own family available to stand with me, in truth, your son and Patin are the only people I know in Monce. It would mean a lot to me if Patin was invited to stand with me as Serron and I exchange our vows. You don’t mind, do you, Serron?”
Serron silently applauded. “I think that’s a very fair request seeing as we’re not even hosting a ball for our wedding, don’t you Mother?”
“I am sure the king will agree.” Queen Sophie’s lips tightened for a moment. “There was one other matter. Jaq, I hope you find the suite you’re in comfortable and suitable for your needs, however after the ceremony, there will be an expectation that you will take the rooms currently occupied by the Duke of Folkon. Serron, perhaps you could arrange alternative accommodation for your valet…?”
“The rooms I occupied last night are more than adequate,” Jaq said quickly as Serron glared at his mother. “Please, Your Majesty, I appreciate you wanting to ensure that I am comfortable in my new home, and I am truly grateful. But insisting your son and I share the same suite would not be suitable for me at all. I am often studying late into the night, so my comings and goings would be an inconvenience to my new husband, and…”
Jaq winced as if he was truly in pain. “I am not casting aspersions on your son, Your Majesty, but he snores dreadfully. During our trip here I had my own room next to his, as is only proper, and I could hear him through the walls. I would far rather prefer to remain in the suite you arranged so beautifully for my arrival, if it’s no inconvenience to you or the king, of course.”
Queen Sophie nodded, although she still looked concerned. “The king felt it wasn’t seemly for Patin to continue sharing your private space especially after you are married, Serron. It still might be advisable for you to make alternative arrangements for him.” The queen tilted her head slightly, but Serron met her eyes steadily.
“In public, Patin is my valet, my adviser, my bodyguard, and my friend, Mother,” he insisted quietly. “He will also be acting in a similar capacity for my fiancé until Jaq has the time to find someone suitable for his own needs. His own valet retired from service once he learned of our marriage and did not make the trip. It would be highly inconvenient to both Jaq and me if Patin was not as available as he is now.”
“The king is concerned that having Patin here will undermine the chances of your marriage being successful.” The queen sounded apologetic but just as firm.
“There’s clearly some tension here,” Jaq broke in quietly, “although I’m failing to see why. It was never my intention to make any changes to the way the castle was run with the exception of asking for use of the library. As for Serron and Patin’s living situation, if I am comfortable with their current arrangement, then I am failing to understand why it would impact or concern anyone else.”
Serron was asking himself the same thing.