Chapter Twenty-Four
Patin
The knock on the door was soft but insistent. Patin slipped out of bed, grabbing his long robe and making sure it was knotted tight over his sleepwear before hurrying through their sitting area, and unlocking the door.
“Hunter, what’s wrong?” Patin moved into the hallway. His butler looked confused. “Has something happened to the crown prince consort again?”
“I wouldn’t say anything happened to him exactly, sir.” Hunter’s handsome face twisted into a grimace. “More like the crown prince consort has been making things happen. Sir, I am not sure if you’re aware, but the crown prince consort does not appear to have slept all night. He called for coffee just after midnight, and then again at two bells. At three bells he requested an urgent dragon messenger and sent off what looked like a package of paper. The footman, Jerry, said that the consort’s instructions were to get the package to the World Council without delay.”
“The consort does work for the World Council on some matters of policy,” Patin said slowly. “It’s possible he had a deadline, and his schedule was delayed due to the events of yesterday. I’m sure it’s nothing to be concerned about.”
“I would’ve thought the same thing, sir, and indeed that’s what I told Jerry when he reported it to me this morning at six bells, but there are now three…” Hunter swallowed hard. “There are three World Council officials in your office waiting on you, the crown prince, and the consort, all before breakfast.”
What the…? “You did right to come and tell me. I’ll let the crown prince know right away.” Patin let out a long breath. “Has the crown prince consort been informed?”
“That’s the other issue, sir. We’ve been trying to notify the consort. Brian has been knocking on his door, and when he got no response, he tried the door handle, but the door is locked. He came to find me, and I also knocked. Again, with no response. But sir.” Hunter twisted his hands, looking worried. “I…I don’t know what the protocol is for the consort. Should I use my master key, or…?”
“You were doubly right to alert me, Hunter.” Patin patted his shoulder. Hunter had worked at the same market he’d been working at when Patin first met Serron and as soon as he’d been given the estate, it was Hunter he sought out to run the place.
“Give me your keys, I’ll alert both the princes. In the meantime, please make yourself available to the World Council officials, make sure they have refreshments and are made comfortable. We will attend them directly.”
“Of course, sir.” Hunter made to move away and then paused. “Things seem to be looking up for you, P.”
Patin chuckled softly. “I’m not so sure, Hunter. This is all far too much excitement for me. I’ll let you know my feelings on that matter after we’ve met the World Council officials. Between you and me, they frighten the crap out of me.”
“Me, too.” Hunter nodded and then hurried away.
Letting himself back into the room he shared with Serron, Patin hurried over to the bed, grabbed a robe from the closet along with fresh pants, and hunted out Serron’s boots, putting them by the chair so Serron could see them. “Time to get up, my prince and make it quick. The World Council wants to talk to you.”
“Did you say the World Council?” Serron shot upright, his hair a mess, but his eyes wide. “What’s going on?”
“It seems our Jaq has been busy overnight. Get dressed. They’re waiting for all three of us in the office.”
“What? Why?” Serron groaned. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I hope this isn’t about Father.”
“You won’t know until you get up.” Patin threw off his sleepwear, and chucked on a more official robe, pants and boots. “I’ll go and wake Jaq – the staff can’t rouse him, but considering he was sending messages to the World Council at three bells, he’s probably slept in.”
“Three bells?” Serron scrambled out of bed. “Maybe we should’ve talked to him last night after all.” He stopped on his way to the bathroom. “Do you think he’s seeking to annul his marriage because of what happened last night?”
“No.” That hadn’t even crossed Patin’s mind. “He wouldn’t declare himself publicly as our husband if he didn’t plan on staying that way. Get dressed and be quick about it.”
Hurrying back through the living area, still tugging his clothes into place, Patin went back into the hallway and made his way to the door to Jaq’s room.
Pausing just long enough to knock, Patin used his master key to override the lock. Peering around the door, he couldn’t see Jaq immediately, so he went inside and closed the door behind him. “Jaq,” he called softly. “Are you busy?”
Patin strained his ears, but there was no reply. The curtains were closed and lamps that would’ve been lit the night before were still glowing. Patin glanced into the bedroom, but the bed didn’t appear to have been slept in.
“Jaq?” Patin looked around the rest of the room, finally spotting a foot sticking out from a large chair that had been turned toward the window. “Oh, Jaq.” Patin’s heart melted as he spotted him.
The prince was curled up in the chair, in what could only be considered an uncomfortable position. There were papers scattered on the floor around him, and Jaq’s face was resting on a pad of papers, his eyes closed. The pen is still in his hand, Patin thought fondly as he noted the inkblot beneath it.
Going over to the chair, Patin gently rested his hand on Jaq’s foot. “Jaq. Jaq. You need to wake up.”
“I’m awake,” Jaq mumbled. “I’m just resting my eyes.” He rolled his shoulders trying to get comfortable again.
“Jaq.” Patin tapped his foot again. “Did you summon the World Council officials? Only they are here to see you, me, and Serron.”
“They’re here already?” Jaq sat up in a flurry of arms, legs, and papers flying everywhere. “They got here fast. What time is it? I was working on my presentation.” His face fell as he looked at the mess of papers.
“Go and get dressed,” Patin suggested. “I’ll pick these up and…”
“Did I number the pages?” Jaq grabbed the nearest page. “I did. I did. All right. Can you try and put them into order for me… I really didn’t think they would get here that fast.” He rubbed his head and then ran his fingers through his hair. “All right,” he said, but Patin guessed it was more to himself. “I just have to put clothes on, give my presentation, and then…and then…”
“You eat something and sleep?”
“Maybe. Possibly.” Jaq yawned. “Actually, that does sound like a good idea. I’m going to get dressed. I’ll be as quick as I can.” He scooted off the seat and ran for the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Seconds later, he came running out, grabbed a shirt and pants, grinned at Patin, and disappeared into the bathroom again.
“What have you been doing?” Patin muttered as he bent over, picking up the various pieces of paper and putting them in page number order, making sure he had them all. The title page for the presentation was sticking out from under the chair, and as Patin straightened from picking it up, putting it on the top of the pile, his eyes widened in shock.
The title was long winded, the sort of thing Serron complained about at least once a month when he had to wade through new policies the World Council introduced. Patin read it through twice, and then again, and still the words didn’t make sense.
A proposal for the consideration of expanding marriage contracts to include more than two parties in royal relationships between spouses of the same gender, allowing them equal status in the eyes of the law and the people.
“Patin, thank you.” Jaq appeared by his side, buttoning up the last of his fasteners on a long jacket. “Did you find all of them?”
“All the numbered ones are there,” Patin said. He pointed to the top page. “Jaq, what are you doing here?”
“Hopefully making you a consort, the same as me.” Jaq took the papers and flicked through them.
“Jaq, how? Why? You don’t have to do this,” Patin protested. “I was born a commoner, and at heart, I always will be. You didn’t have to sit up all night doing this.”
“I’ve been working on this since we left Elembaum.” Jaq smiled, although Patin could see he was still distracted. “You could’ve encouraged Serron to marry me for the barest time and then used the piss-off clause to end our marriage so you and he could be publicly together when he became king.
“But you didn’t do that. You welcomed me as a friend. You agreed to our moving our relationship further as a throuple so that I could be as equal in your affection over time, in the same way you and Serron enjoy. In my head, it’s only natural that you share the same status as me. Now, let’s go and convince the World Council it’s a good idea.”
Patin was still shaking his head as he followed Jaq out the door. He still really wanted to give the prince a hug…it was either that or throttle him. Consort status?