Chapter Twenty-Six
Serron
Serron barely controlled a flinch at being called out. He’d been sitting stunned at Jaq’s eloquence, at his mastery and recollection of laws and cases, never once referring to his notes. In that moment, Serron realized how much of a favor his mother had done for him, suggesting Jaq as a spouse – and that was without what Jaq was doing for Patin.
“Councilman Pope,” he said, slowly getting to his feet and nodding respectfully. “I have to confess the events of this morning have left me completely taken aback. Jaq had never mentioned this was a project dear to his heart or that he had been working on it so thoroughly. I do believe it was his intention to talk to Patin and me about it last night, until events made that impossible.”
“I do have a few questions about that as well.” Councilman Pope nodded in return. “However, we will get to that shortly. I’m interested in your opinion about having two visible spouses, both with consort status, especially once you become king.”
Serron flicked a glance at the truth sayer before focusing on the councilman again. “Up until we met Jaq, my dearest wish had been to call Patin consort. He has been a part of my life for so long, and I had actively petitioned my parents for two years for permission to marry him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t considered a suitable alliance.
“However, it was my mother who suggested we consider Jaq as a spouse. She strongly emphasized we needed to be honest with him in our approach, and to our surprise, Jaq accepted us. In my eyes, Jaq and Patin are already equal in every way, and it would be my dearest wish to see them both enjoy the same stresses and accolades that would come from being consorts.”
Councilman Pope leaned his elbows on the desk. “By your own admission, Patin, Duke of Folkon, has been important to you for twelve years, and you had spent the past two years hoping he could be considered your spouse. Yet, you’ve only known Jaq for less than a month. How can you guarantee that if Jaq’s petition was granted, you would not relegate the current crown prince consort to a secondary role, should the Duke of Folkon be elevated to the rank your legal consort solely enjoys now?”
“I can understand and respect your question, Councilman,” Serron said calmly, even as his mind raced to think of a suitable answer. It had never crossed his mind to push Jaq into the background. “If my legal spouse was anyone other than Jaq, it would be a very fair question. However, Jaq has intrigued me personally from the day we met him.
“When we explained our story, his first concern was for Patin – how Patin would feel when Jaq and I dance together publicly, which is something Patin and I have only ever done once, and that wasn’t a society event. But also, considerations like how Patin would feel if Jaq needed my time for some reason, even to the point of asking Patin if he believed they could be friends, which I admit, I had not believed would be a possibility prior to meeting Jaq personally.
“When we allayed his fears, or rather Patin did, Jaq was still insistent that we wouldn’t attend public functions without Patin or any event where Patin might feel excluded. At our wedding ceremony, just yesterday, I danced with Jaq, and then Jaq insisted on dancing with Patin as well. I don’t have the words to explain it. Jaq is already an integral part of our lives and none of that has anything to do with Patin’s social status or lack of it. I strongly believe those bonds will only deepen with time, regardless of what happens here today.”
“I appreciate your candor, Crown Prince Serron.” Councilman Pope paused for a moment. “Can you think of any benefit a petition, such as this one presented by your husband, might have on royal couples specifically?”
“Yes, actually.” Serron was pleased to have the opportunity to raise something he’d been thinking about while Jaq had been talking. “As you notice, we’re not at the Monce castle. Our wedding was not attended by the king and queen, although the queen has proven extremely supportive.
“But the reason we’re here, instead of Jaq getting used to life in my home, is because someone – another high ranking royal from another country – sent messages to my parents and to Jaq’s family, insinuating horrific allegations about me because of my known public friendship with Patin. They suggested I was basically co-opting Jaq into a relationship to cover the sordid behavior they believed me capable of.”
Councilman Pope frowned. “Those are serious allegations. Why wasn’t this matter brought before the World Council?”
“Honestly, for exactly the reasons Jaq specified in his petition.” Serron threw up his hands. “This man caused undue stress on numerous people, none of which was justified. It was done purely out of spite. But if I had taken the matter to the World Council, then I would have been asked about the true nature of my relationship with Patin, thereby forced to reveal a relationship he and I have kept secret for years. The embarrassment that admission would’ve caused to my family and Jaq’s, would’ve been immeasurable. But it is for precisely this reason that Jaq’s petition has merit.
“Patin and I went to Jaq and were completely honest. We explained what a life with us would look like, and how we would all conduct ourselves. There has been nothing underhanded in our interactions whatsoever, yet someone else in a snit because their own suit was rejected - not even that, he rejected Jaq himself – and took it into his head to besmirch my name and Jaq’s with his insinuations and innuendo.”
“I have reason to believe that same person was responsible for my attempted abduction last night,” Jaq said in a low tone.
Serron whirled around, looking at Jaq in concern. “He what??? Was that him in the hallway?”
“Not him, no. He clearly hired someone.” Jaq raised his chin. “You reminded me when you were explaining your position to Councilman Pope. The man said specifically when he was dragging me off, that he’d been told I was a pathetic innocent bookworm and easy prey. Emphasis on innocent.” Jaq met Serron’s eyes. “Do you think that could be him?”
“Oh, Jaq, I’m so sorry, but now you’ve mentioned that, then yes, I do.” Ignoring the fact that they had an audience, Serron went to the side of Jaq’s chair and hugged him close. “We will resolve this. He had no right and on our wedding day, too.”
“That’s another point.” Jaq managed a smile. “The abductor would’ve been here sooner. I believe he planned to snatch me up before the wedding, but he got lost just like I did when I tried to find this estate. He said it took two days to find me. You seriously need road signs in Monce.”
“No, actually, now you’ve told me that, I don’t think we do.” Hugging Jaq’s shoulders once more, Serron stood up, catching sight of Patin who was sitting on the edge of his seat, looking equally concerned. “Do you see what this need for secrecy is costing us as a throuple?” he asked Councilman Pope.
“Patin can’t offer comfort to Jaq when he clearly needs it, despite the fact that in private, we all consider ourselves equal. I can’t lay a complaint against the person who is now resorting to abducting my legal husband in an effort to get his own way. It’s almost as though this person is determined to bring us to the notice of the World Council so he can demand my secrets be exposed in an effort to undermine me and my marriage.”
“Instead, your husband did that for you, for positive reasons this time.” Councilman Pope tapped his papers, clearly thinking. “Duke of Folkon, I believe you were born a commoner. What do you think of all of this?”
Serron sat down next to Jaq, his eyes following Patin as the bigger man stood up and bowed low. “In all honesty, sir, and I say this with the deepest respect, but I believe my husbands are nuts. I never aspired to be consort. I don’t love Serron because he’s a crown prince. Indeed, I have often wished that he wasn’t in that position. But the heart doesn’t consider things like social position.
“I owe Jaq so much. When we met him, I was overwhelmed by the man’s honesty and his willingness to help us without knowing us at all. He accepted my position in Serron’s life without question. That acceptance struck a chord in me.”
Patin glanced over to where Serron was sitting with Jaq. “In just what, the ten days I believe it is we’ve known each other, there have been two occasions before today where I wished I was equal in status to my husbands so I could offer the comfort Jaq deserves without damaging his reputation or Serron’s. If I have to be a crown prince consort to do that, then I’ll accept it, for those reasons alone.”
“Thank you,” Serron said softly, smiling at his longtime lover before looking to where Councilman Pope was gathering his papers.
“You are very articulate, Duke of Folkon,” Councilman Pope said with a smile. “I also appreciate your honesty in this situation. If you had fallen to your knees blathering on about how much it would be an honor and all that guff, I would’ve refused Jaq’s petition.
“However, in this instance, I believe you are all as you claim to be – a genuine throuple whose ability to interact fairly and honestly is being hampered by the limitations of rank. It is my ruling that the petition will be granted.”
Serron let out a long breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Jaq made this happen.
“Going forward the policy will be implemented on a case-by-case basis. But from this moment forward, it is decided that the crown prince of Monce will have two legal husbands who will both be considered crown prince consorts – Crown Prince Consort Jaq and Crown Prince Consort Patin – on the understanding that in the fullness of time, both Patin and Jaq will become equal in their positions as king consorts. I trust you will all be happy in your union.”
“Thank you, Councilman Pope.” Jaq was beaming. “I’ll be sure to get in touch the next time I am at the World Council offices to see if you are free for dinner.”
“Councilman Pope.” Serron stood up and bowed. “Thank you so much for your fair and considered ruling.”
“Ah,” Councilman Pope chuckled. “So, you’re the one with all the manners and flair for speaking, Jaq is the intelligent one who knows the facts to back up your decisions going forward, and Patin is the one who keeps you both grounded with his commonsense attitude. A very well-rounded throuple in my opinion. I look forward to seeing what you all do for Monce going forward.
“And incidentally,” he added, “should the matter with this unnamed royal nuisance continue to be a problem, I do trust you will come to the World Council with your concerns. There should be no barriers to you doing that, going forward.
“In the meantime, our scribes will have a full declaration made and messaged to the necessary interested parties today, including the kings and queens of Monce and Elembaum. The decision will also be publicly displayed in the next newsletter, which goes out tomorrow to all royal households. With luck, this will solve your nuisance problem. Until we meet again, I wish you all a happy marriage.”
There was a shimmer and then the three figures just disappeared.
“Did that just happen?” Patin slumped back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. “Just like that? One minute, I’m Duke of Folkon and the next, I get made a crown prince consort?”
“Now we get to hug,” Serron said, standing up and pulling Patin to his feet with one hand while holding onto Jaq with another. “Jaq, will you…?”
“Finally.” Jaq jumped up and seconds later, all three men were sharing their first group hug. In that moment, something settled deep in Serron’s soul. Meeting Patin’s eyes over Jaq’s head, he smiled at his bewildered husband. He’ll get used to it. Out loud, he said, “It might be time to plan another party. We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”