Chapter 11 Alfrie
Chapter eleven
Alfrie
I’m all too happy to be relieved of my duty as physician to the spoiled princess and escape to the solitude of the courtyard.
Masseda is not like Lanray in the slightest. There’s greenery here.
Vibrant peonies and tulips and beautiful blue lakes surround the palace, joined together by charming stone bridges.
Lanray is blanketed by a layer of fog, damp and gloomy, and the sun rarely shines there.
It’s a wonder it became a choice location for one of the Seelie courts in the first place.
Seelie Fae are known for being lovers of rainbows, blooms, and happiness.
Lanray is home to none of those things.
As I relish in the peaceful quiet, the late afternoon sun warming my face, a twinge of guilt settles in my gut about how I treated the princess.
I should’ve been kinder, but seeing her there, completely oblivious to the events of the night before, was triggering.
How can these Royals not have any clue of what everyone else around them goes through to clean up their messes?
It seems she doesn't remember me at all or the fact that her betrothed pretended to be me only to see if she would betray him before they even met.
I wonder if she remembers her poor bodyguard being there to make sure she was safe and to sweep her mistakes under the rug.
It's all so infuriating.
“What are you doing out here?” Leer approaches me on the bank near one of the lakes. He takes a seat in the grass next to me, picking up pebbles and skimming them over the surface of the water.
“Taking a break. Playing nursemaid your betrothed was tasking to say the least.” I follow suit and chuck a pebble into the lake. “She's better, by the way—if you’re interested.”
Leer chuckles and a smile plays at his lips, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Of course I’m interested. And thank you. For taking care of her.” His tone isn’t convincing.
I nod anyway. “Are you sure you want to go through with this marriage? Though I don’t agree with how you did it, you tested her last night, and she failed. She’s immature and clearly not ready for this commitment.”
“Perhaps, but the wedding is happening either way. So, I figured, what was the harm in having some fun last night?” Color floods his cheeks, and a genuine grin lights up his face. “She’s something, though, isn’t she?”
Yes. She is. Truly something. Probably the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. But I don’t say as much. I stare at the ripples flowing out from the stones we toss into the water. “If you say so.”
Leer’s smile lingers and he gazes ahead, as if recalling an intimate memory. “I wanted to get to know her, but she didn’t seem at all interested in me as…well, me.”
“So, you decided to become me instead?” I toss another stone and watch as it splashes and leaves more ripples in its wake.
“I’m sorry for using your name, but it’s the first thing I could think of. You understand.” He slaps my back and rises to his feet. “Did you make sure to cover my tracks last night with the patrons at the tavern? The last thing I need is for father to find out about my indiscretions.”
I stay seated on the grass, staring out to the lake for a moment, and recall what happened behind the scenes the night before.
Alix carried the princess home with a stumbling Emlyn following.
I stayed behind at the tavern and paid off most of the patrons who were still in their right minds to forget they saw any Royals.
When I escorted the prince home just before dawn, I saw him to his rooms then took the heat from his father, telling him it was my fault Leer went missing.
Hardin believed my fabrication, and I only received two lashings with his whip.
And a night in the stables. Which, in retrospect, was less punishment than I’ve received with past incidents.
“Alfrie? Did you take care of things?” He looks down at me, his smile fading.
“Of course, Your Highness. You asked and I delivered. I told your father I made an error in judgement and let you explore the town without proper directions or your personal guard. He believed me.”
“Good lad.” He leans down tapping me on the back again. I swallow against the pain from last night’s gashes and lower my chin, so he won’t see me wince. “Thank you, Alfrie. Now, come help me get ready for the official meeting of my bride.”