Chapter Eleven
Serron
“I am sorry, Jaq,” the queen said. “It was never our intention to make you uncomfortable. The king simply wanted to ensure that your marriage to our son is given the best chance of success.”
Serron was stunned his father would stoop so low, especially when he only approached Jaq in the first place because the king insisted on him marrying a royal family member. Admittedly, Serron wasn’t unhappy about it once he’d met Jaq. He and Patin were starting to get to know the young prince and found him to be a truly engaging, friendly, and most importantly, an honest person in every way.
What shocked Serron was that he and his mother had come up with the original plan. All three parties concerned – himself, Jaq and Patin – were aware of the reasons behind the marriage contract and agreed to live by it. Now it appeared not even that was enough for his father, and he wasn’t sure what to say. It appeared Jaq didn’t share the same problem.
“Your Majesty, Serron, Patin and I have all discussed extensively what my marriage to Serron will look like going forward.” Jaq inhaled sharply. “I didn’t ask for the changes the king is apparently insisting on, and even thinking about them is causing me concern. I was looking forward to deepening the new friendship I have with Serron and Patin and agree with Serron that any move to remove Patin from our lives, when he is one of the only two friends I have in this country - I confess that disturbs me greatly.”
“That isn’t the king’s intention at all, Jaq. We really want you to be happy here,” Queen Sophie said quickly. “It is just there has been some talk recently about the apparent closeness of Serron’s friendship with Patin that some persons - and I hope you’ll forgive me for not disclosing who they are – but they have insinuated that closeness is bordering on inappropriate. It is only gossip, but the king is genuinely concerned that any news of those rumors might tarnish your opinion of our country and the people you will rule one day. It wouldn’t be for very long.” Serron realized his mother was now talking to him. “You know this, Serron. Would it be so bad to acquiesce to your father’s wishes just a while longer?”
It was tempting to agree with his mother. Serron never wanted his actions to cause his parents embarrassment or concern in any way. But then he thought about the years of love Patin had given him, and more importantly, the genuine acceptance Jaq had of their current arrangement. It was his opinion that Patin’s absence from his life would cause more gossip, not less.
“In this instance, I am going to have to be the man my father raised me to be, and I have to disagree with Father’s wishes. You know very well that I have never behaved improperly with anyone, including Patin.” Serron rested his hand on Jaq’s shoulder. “Jaq is a royal prince. He listened to what Patin and I had to say when we approached him, and considered our story seriously, including any ramifications or implications that might be attached to such a contract. Jaq agreed to marry me anyway. That contract is now signed and already lodged with the World Court. It was Patin who lodged them for us.
“In the eyes of the law and anyone who counts, Jaq is already my husband. All that is missing is the vow exchange, and that’s not even necessary when it comes to the legality of Jaq’s position in my life. Just as importantly, he is fast becoming Patin’s good friend as well as mine. I don’t know what father believes is going on behind closed doors, but the only people our actions concern are myself, my husband, and Patin. In truth, I’ve heard no such rumors ever in the years Patin and I have been friends and can’t imagine why anyone would speak so disrespectfully of myself or Patin now. From where I’m sitting it appears the only person who has any concerns with this arrangement is my father.”
Queen Sophie shook her head. “There is more, I am just not in a position to discuss that further at this time. It should be enough for you that your father is very determined on this point. Jaq, again, I can only offer my apologies. I am sure you didn’t need to witness our family airing dirty laundry on your first day at the castle. But, the king is the king, and it’s his wish that Patin leave the castle…”
The smile disappeared from Jaq’s face, but then his frown cleared, and he clicked his finger in Serron’s direction. “Serron, didn’t you tell me the other night that when you gifted Patin his title, it came with land and a house as well?”
“It did, yes.” Serron was still reeling from what his mother had said. “However, the Folkon estate is at least an hour’s ride from the castle. It would be impossible for Patin to complete his duties for me or you if he was banished to live there.”
“Not if we went with him,” Jaq suggested, his eyes as bright as his smile blossomed once more. “I’m sure neither you nor I would want to cause the king any distress while he’s going through a difficult time. But we are married already – our union is lodged with the World Council and will stand up in any court of law. Despite the lack of vows shared, and I’m sure we can do that at a later time, you have met your father’s wishes and assured your position as crown prince.”
“That’s what I believed as well until this morning,” Serron said, flicking a glance at his mother, who was watching them both closely.
“We don’t need to know the specifics of why our friendship with Patin is causing the king any stress at this time,” Jaq continued. “It is important to simply recognize that it does. You and I both know gossips come and go, and I am confident your behavior has never caused anyone to genuinely think badly of you. But the king’s illness and your mother’s obvious concern about him, which is only proper and understandable, are causing issues in the castle.
“It’s my belief that it might be more prudent and considerate, if you and I, along with Patin, moved to his estate. As your mother said, it wouldn’t be for long. Just until such time that the king and the society families of Monce can be satisfied that our marriage is genuine and will endure, as the king clearly hopes it will. I feel we’d be doing your parents a kindness in that way.”
Oh, you clever, clever man. Jaq had managed to take Serron’s idea of storming out of his mother’s dining room and moving to Patin’s refusing to have anything more to do with his parents, and twisted it in a most delightful way. Serron genuinely felt blindsided by what his mother had said. But Jaq’s solution, and the way it was phrased, had the effect of putting the king’s needs first without Serron having to let go of his relationship with Patin. Serron wanted to hug Jaq in that moment and bequeath him every book in the country. By the goddess of wind and magic, I’d even write one for him. Instead, he could only nod in agreement.
“If the king and queen were agreeable, we could even host a quiet vow ceremony at the Folkon estate,” Jaq added, “and hold a reception for the Monce society families there so that any disruption to life at the castle would be minimized.”
“I thought you didn’t like parties,” Serron said with a small chuckle, although he thought Jaq deserved one.
“I’m not keen on them,” Jaq agreed, flashing the queen a quick smile as well. “But it would only be for one night. I am the crown prince consort of Monce, so it would be expected that your society families would want to meet me and get to know who I am.”
He turned to the queen who was watching them both closely. “I am sure you would’ve rather hosted the party yourself, Your Majesty, and I hope you don’t feel I am overstepping in any way. But with the king’s illness, it is understandable his health needs must be the first priority and your main concern. I am sure you’ll agree that our leaving for the Folkon estate will work for all parties concerned, including the king, don’t you think?”
Now it seemed it was Queen Sophie who wasn’t sure what to say. Serron decided to take her silence as an agreement. “I’d better get ahold of Patin and tell him not to take those book trunks of yours off the carriage. The footmen will be clamoring for a week off if they have to move those heavy trunks into the library and then back out to a carriage again,” Serron said, as he went to stand up, but his mother stopped him.
“Could I speak in private with you for a moment, please, Son?”
Jaq was quick to take the hint. “I’ll go and find Patin and let him know our change of plans,” he said, standing up as Serron leaned back in his seat again. “It was a true delight to meet you, Your Majesty. I can see where your son acquired his good manners and where he got his striking looks. I hope the next time we spend time together that you and the king will both be well, and we can discuss more frivolous matters the way family members are prone to do.”
Bowing quickly, Jaq left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
“Jaq is a very unique and pleasant man,” Queen Sophie said, glancing at the door Jaq had gone through. “Not what I expected, but don’t take that as a disparaging remark. He seems genuinely kind and very intelligent.”
“He is also unashamedly honest, Mother, and I deeply apologize if what I say next is disrespectful, but I don’t believe you’re being honest with me.”
Serron leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “We’ve only been gone eight days. Eight days since you and I sat at this very table and Father was raging about me being married to someone with royal blood. I’ve done that. I had every reason to believe he’d be pleased, yet I come home to even more restrictions on my life. He didn’t even show up to greet Jaq and welcome him to his new home, and that’s without what happened here this morning. It’s as if Father is trying to tear my heart from my chest and stomp on it and I don’t understand why. Has his health deteriorated that badly already?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” his mother said simply. “Two days after you left for Elembaum and I sent you that message, your father had numerous seizures and had to be heavily sedated. By the following morning, he was covered in large red lesions that cover at least two-thirds of his skin.” The queen shook her head. “He didn’t meet your lovely Jaq because he refuses to allow anyone to see him in his current state. The only ones allowed in his room are Mortrin and his valet, Tinker.”
“Does Mortrin have any idea what’s caused this?” Serron felt sick – angry at himself for being upset at a man who was suffering so badly. “Surely there must be something he can do?”
“I trust Mortrin explicitly. He is exceptionally devoted to your father. His explanation, as best I can understand it, is that the blood disease has spread into your father’s bones, and his body is effectively shutting down. When I said any separation from Patin wouldn’t be long, I meant it. Mortrin estimates a week, maybe a month or so at the most.”
“My gods.” Serron rubbed his face with his hands. “I am so very sorry. How are you coping? Is there anything I can do for you?”
The queen shook her head. “My husband is refusing to see me, too. Mortrin and Tinker keep me appraised of everything that is going on, and I spend my time in the king’s private sitting room so I can be close by at the end. Those were his wishes, and I will abide by them.”
Guilt seared through Serron’s guts like a knife. “Mother, I realize my actions are coming across as selfish – hanging onto Patin as if I was a child with a toy I didn’t want to let go of. But having Patin here in the castle has no impact one way or the other on Father’s prognosis or the outcome of his illness. Indeed, I will need Patin’s strength and presence going forward and I know Jaq will appreciate it, too.
“If I had known how badly Father was faring, I would never have suggested a wedding or reception – either here or at Folkon – but you said earlier Fenton is already on his way to attend a vow ceremony here at the castle. How can that be if Father won’t be attending anyway?”
“I will send word to Fenton that the event has been postponed for now. He doesn’t need to know why. It might surprise you, but I believe Jaq’s suggestion of having a small ceremony and reception for some of the society families at Folkon would be a good idea – if it can be arranged quickly. An event like that would distract our public from what’s going on at the castle, especially as the king is refusing to see anyone.”
“It feels wrong celebrating an event when things are so dire with father. Surely, that is something that could be done, next year for example.”
To Serron’s surprise, Queen Sophie reached across the table and touched the back of his hand. “How serious are you in remaining married to Jaq going forward?”
“Surprisingly, very.” Serron managed a smile. “When Patin and I were first talking to Jaq, he brought up the idea of Patin and I being able to marry at a later stage. He was so certain I would include that colorful clause used by others in the past to leave marriages they weren’t happy with. But Patin and I had already decided that if Jaq was going to commit himself to us, then we would ensure he would always be protected and cared for, as the crown prince consort and later as king consort. To do anything less was to use Jaq in a way neither Patin nor I were comfortable with.”
“I am glad you took my advice in approaching him then. However, when I mentioned someone gossiping about your closeness with Patin, I was being truthful. Although perhaps it was more a case of someone complaining to the king rather than gossiping in a corner at a local party.”
“Who on earth would have the audacity to approach the king about my closeness with Patin? Mother, I have no enemies and neither does Patin. He’s never presumed upon his relationship with me, never lorded over others, always quick to help people of all stations in life where he can. We have socialized many times together in the past, as friends and in his capacity as my adviser obviously, but no one has ever questioned his presence in my life since we first became close.”
“I didn’t say the complaint came from anyone in Monce,” Queen Sophie reminded him quietly. “It would appear Crown Prince Rupert is not impressed with the news that Prince Jaq accepted a contract from you. He wrote a lengthy letter to the king regarding what he considered your unhealthy closeness with Patin. It arrived mere hours before you got home.”
“By the goddess, no! How could Rupert do such a thing?”
“There’s more. The letter further suggested that you were using Jaq whom he described as an inexperienced young man ill-equipped to deal with the needs and urges you were apparently sharing with Patin. Indeed, in his opinion, your only reason for going after Jaq in the first place was because you knew that Rupert was interested in him as well. Rupert was concerned for Jaq’s moral safety and mental health, especially as he’d been told Patin had accompanied you to Elembaum.”
“Has Rupert been to the World Council with these concerns?” Serron’s stomach twisted itself in knots imagining both Jaq and Patin being subjected to an investigation of a personal nature. But Queen Sophie shook her head.
“Rupert doesn’t have any proof, otherwise I have no doubt he would’ve done. But you can see now why your father, who is already bordering on paranoia over anyone learning about his illness and what it has done to him physically, reacted so harshly in relation to Patin in your life. Your father knows his life is being measured in mere days. He desperately wants the transition of power from him to you to go smoothly.”
“What a mess.” Serron rubbed his face again, hoping the mere action of hands on skin might wake him up from his current nightmare. “Mother, I am at a loss,” he said at last. “As much as I can’t bear the thought of being separate from someone I’ve committed my heart to, causing harm to Jaq was never my intention, either. What would you suggest I do?”
“I suggest you follow your new husband’s advice and go to Folkon. Have your wedding ceremony there. Make sure you take staff from the castle to ensure that happens quickly. Exchange vows with Jaq in front of witnesses, including Patin if that is your wish. Hold a reception. Be sure to include representatives from at least ten of the top of society families. Introduce Jaq. Show people how proud you are of him and make sure to include Patin as well. Jaq’s willingness to be friends with Patin will go a long way to dispelling any nonsense Rupert might come up with.”
“Are you sure that’s the best idea?” Serron thought of his mother coping with his father’s illness and impending death.
“There is genuinely nothing you can do here, so yes. If your father was lucid for any length of time, he would agree with me, too. Once your father has…” Queen Sophie’s breath hitched. “Once the end has come, World Council policy dictates that no one might marry in the Monce royal family for at least a year after the king’s death. I believe your position with Jaq would be a lot more secure if those vows were said before that happened. If Rupert can prove to be this disruptive in a week, can you imagine what he might achieve in a year?”
“Nothing good for Jaq that’s for sure.” Serron stood, bowing at his mother. “I am so sorry my persistence with Patin is causing you and Father so much concern in this difficult time, but my heart…” He trailed off as his mother smiled.
“You are exactly the man your father raised you to be,” Queen Sophie said fondly. “Passionate, committed, and steadfast. Those will be good qualities in a king, especially with two good men by your side.”
“Thank you.” Serron was touched. Compliments weren’t exchanged that often in his family, either. “I had better take my leave, see if I can find out…”
There was a harsh knock on the door and seconds later, Jenkins, the head of the stables came barging in, bowing low. “A thousand pardons, Your Majesty, but this couldn’t wait. There was an incident at the stables. One of the footmen told the Duke of Folkon he’d been banished to his home estate. He took off on his horse and has left the grounds.”
“The duke has not been banished and that definitely wasn’t something a footman should be repeating to my adviser.” Serron was furious on Patin’s behalf. “Jenkins, have you seen the crown prince consort?”
“That’s what I came to report,” Jenkins said, wringing his hands in front of him. “Begging your pardon sir, but the Duke of Folkon is a big man, capable of looking after himself, and he’d be the first to tell you so. But the crown prince consort arrived at the stables not long after the duke left. When he heard what happened, he saddled his own horse and disappeared after him. Sire, he’s taken no guards with him, and I fear he doesn’t even know the way to Folkon. He seemed very distressed.”
“I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.” Serron bowed at his worried looking mother. “I promise I’ll send word when both men are found safe and well. When you are able, please convey my duty, respect, and admiration to my father.”
Ducking his head one last time, Serron hurried from the room. With his mind a mess, Serron focused on the one thing he could handle – finding his husbands.