The room was noisy, all princes having a word or two. Especially Gadot, who could not stop talking about about the fact Reginald went on tour and he did not.
"I heard he was nagging...tour?? I wish 'I' could experience such a delight" Gadot drawled "you wish" prince Arthur the second prince said rather mocking (he is older than Reginald, but since Reginald bears the crown, he is the second prince). "Humph...them grand princes. Ingrates... how dare him complain?, what do you expect from people who never knew luxury until their mother got a crown that doesn't fit her big head..." Gadot retorted, he was the sixth prince. He continued his drunken ramblings "... even Mason, yeah...I heard the putrid schmuck kept nagging, and rambling..." "eh-eh-eh-eh" prince James the fourth prince cut Gadot off, the latter did not hesitate to show he was pissed by wearing a frown full of irritation, James went on "you want to be cut a slack I see...do not refer to the grand prince by his name, neither should you say the crown prince nagged when infact you only heard the rumour from your maids, nor should you call anyone names like 'putrid'. " James ended "oh come on James, we called them that all the time didn't we? What has changed now?..." well...no one had an answer for Gadot, the young man had a terrible drinking habit and was clearly not in the right frame of mind. Seeing he was ignored, he turned to James.
"Besides...isn't being cut a slack a good thing?" He asked James nodded in agreement but said "yes...but not if you check the conditions" he replied Gadot nodded slowly and full of thoughts, but barely important ones. Infact, Arthur felt it was a waste of time explaining anything to the thirsty man on his right.
"Oi...perhaps thwarting all my rights to get any mistresses...". "really??" asked Arthur disappointed "all you care about are mistresses??" Gadot nodded in agreement, but it seemed like his head was just unstable. It wobbled uncontrollably "Oi? you certainly must think women are of no importance, but ask him how many he has...it's almost like you and Reginald are in a competition for who gets more women..." "hey..." called James, 'I had just warned this man...' but Gadot held his hand up as if he knew James thought was going to leave his head.
"Well Arthur, I deserve a woman of my own. I am nineteen...I am tired of whores and..." "Grand prince Mason" a servant announced Mason's arrival even if he was only a hall away. The men adjusted, but Arthur's forehead still rested on his palm in frustration 'Is this really my brother??'
"I am tired of trying to build a bond that I can't feel Coffin" Mason muttered "I think you have not tried enough, your gra..." "I swear I have tried"
Mason walked in with his aide, only to meet the gazes of his hosts. There all had smiles on, except for Gadot who could not understand the situation in his drunk state, so smirked instead 'if it isn't world wide beautiful...'
If Mason was not careful enough, those smiles could turn into the fiery mouth of beasts and swallow him.
"Your grace" Arthur called his a broad smile never leaving, but Mason did not patronize him at all, casting his face away as he sat down.
"Come on brother, we are happy to see you" Icarus the seventh prince said shrugging "yes!" agreed Gadot loudly giving Mason no choice but to turn to the young prince who still smirked, Gadot's smirk pissed him off immediately. But Mason wanted to keep cool. At least for Coffin.
"You barely sit with us, we are pleased that his highness organized this." Arthur said ushering Coffin to sit. 'An aide...this is (scoff) should we pin this on him??...what is his purpose? Since he couldn't bring a soldier based on the king's order, he brings an aide... putrid indeed...'
"Thank you" Coffin said pleased as he took his seat.
"Well, I know when we were younger, we had a habit of vexing you..." "just six of you...I was never among..." Icarus cut Arthur off vindicating himself. Archer gave him a hard glare "sorry..."muttered Icarus
"But you all know you are apologizing because the tables turned in our favour. So you are little schmucks despite your age." Mason cut in Gadot gave a very wicked smile. of course he understood that one. Mason continued less bothered about their expression, he was going to step on their ego today and make a huge...
"You should have been wise. Did you ever think Arthur, that sons of lowly women like you could bear the crown and sit on the throne of England?. Sons of mere whores, dancers and whatever that got lucky think they can rule England, isn't it?" Mason asked Arthur still had his smile although it was full of mischief now 'not sure bastards are allowed as well'. He simply just gave a soft smile .
"Certainly not. But we shouldn't continue a journey on sore feet. I say we settle our differences." Arthur was being reasonable as the eldest in the room.
"I hold no grudge against you" Mason said shrugging "than..." "Why then have you been hostile? And you should be purged...Lady Edna is no peasant " Gadot said, lady Edna was his mother as well as Arthur's and James. She had only one daughter and was said to be the luckiest of all the king's wives
Mason chuckled "nothing...have I been hostile?"
"A toast" James proposed raising the half full flute he held. The men focused on him. "To days full of love, peace, and unity in brotherhood" he said.
"So... Mason, what do you do to maintain this look?" James jeered Gadot trying to keep him shut, but Gadot went on unperturbed "I say, it impresses even myself..." Mason was aware Gadot was too drunk because in his normal state, he would never say such a least compliment. "Nothing in particular: eating healthy, and it is simply how I came" Mason replied with a soft shrug "ooohh...Mason here loves to gloat" Gadot said chuckling "stop calling him by his name" James whispered.
****
Charlotte walked inside of the house to meet Reginald who was awake already and loving the couch he slept on. He was not weak one bit, and barely looked injured, except for the bandage she had used in wrapping his wound. Just sitting dawdling shirtless... 'no his shirt is too soiled, and I have offered him none yet... why is this big fool so complicated...'
"Good morning" she greeted, Reginald turned to Charlotte with a smirk "morning" he muttered. She showed him a basket waving it in his face "what you should eat" she mumbled "ooohh...I see chicken, eggs, pota..." He turned to Maisy "granny would you be kind enough to cook it for me?" "Of course..." "no...no... granny is tired..." "I don't think so" Maisy said cutting Charlotte short, she stood up and took the basket from Charlotte and left to cook.
"Sit" Reginald ordered patting the space left on the couch he sat on, Charlotte scoffed "no Reginald, I have wood to fetch" she said "you sell charcoal as well?" He asked raising his brows, like... how many hard jobs could one girl do?. Charlotte frowned slightly then shrugged "no... Lincoln said for me to gather wood" she muttered "who's Lincoln?" He asked curiosity clear in his voice which Charlotte appreciated 'only one way to return the favour, right?' .
"I thought curiosity gets the fish in the soup?" She asked faking ignorance, Reginald nodded accepting it; his words against himself..."I can get a little curious, except it's something I should have no idea about..." he leaned closer and whispered; "...or granny shouldn't." He ended content with himself, or his smirk proved it right. She sat down reluctantly. Did Reginald think she was seeing a man?
'Is he really going to play this card?, I should just tell him... what if he's a spy? I still haven't been able to find out why he got shot, assassinated, or stopped from assassinating...' Reginald stared at her full of ick she was rubbing her chin like a drunkard who owed a lot of debts, and her mouth kept moving, likes she was mumbling something inaudibly. She came to a conclusion 'none of my business'
"Our patriarch" she said "Lincoln is our patriarch" she added "and you call him by his name??" Reginald asked she only chuckled "my bad then, Lord Lincoln" she corrected herself "wood for what exactly?" He asked "do you intend to join me Reginald?" Reginald frowned slightly 'Oh well...she calls me by my name as well...' Then he remembered he was only a commoner for now
"I could be of great help" he said shrugging his shoulders she moped, he was definitely useless in his injured state. He dropped his shoulders and relaxed "well, no..." "Yeah... cause you'll be off no help" she spat her tone clear that she was annoying him. He snorted, and ignored her... "what is the wood for?" He asked needing all the information he could get, none was trivial "a fest. The crown prince will be visiting our province, wood would serve a whole lot of purposes...so many things we could do with wood..." "Crown prince? Did he tell when the crown prince will be visiting?" Reginald asked Charlotte furrowed her brows, Reginald was one suspicious man, she answered him nonetheless "no... he only told us to prepare, as well as gave me a punishment..." Charlotte could not stop talking about her punishment. She continued talking, Reginald was not remorseful at all. "Thing is, other districts do not seem to be into that much of an ado as we are. I am not even sure they are aware that the crown prince is coming..." "your point exactly is??" Reginald asked "Lincoln is simply trying to distract us... especially me." She replied simply "and who are you?" He asked a mocking lit to his voice Charlotte shrugged "no one special... he just thinks I live to ruin his plans" she replied chuckling "really? You are sure that's what he thinks?" Asked Reginald moping Charlotte faked a smile "oh well, I can't say I haven't tried to...so..." He laughed "so you do it on purpose...you actually deserve something even worse..." "No, one time, he started a fake communicable disease, but he was only poisoning the province, so I found out..." "How?" Reginald asked inquisitive "well, he made wine, invited the district family representatives to an occasion, and gave them wine as souvenirs to give their families who could not make it." She said "wow..." Said Reginald surpri..."I don't see the wrong there" he said blatantly 'why then did he say wow ?! ' "The wine contained lead" she said finally Reginald widened his eyes "yes. Do not act so surprised...It was banned fifty years ago, but the palace women still use it. Rven they can't judge..." "no they don't. Why didn't you report to the king..." "the king? like he gives a fuck...I don't even know what he looks like, and I'm not walking to the castle to get kicked and insulted by guards whose purpose they could not find so they decided to di..." "So...gist me more on the lead." Reginald said showing full interest.
Charlotte was wary, every one kept coming to her for treatment, but she could not help much, and three people were dead already. But all lord Lincoln cared for was receiving palliatives from the king meant for the sick people who could no longer work for themselves. Charlotte had not attended the occasion, 'nothing good comes out of Lincoln' but it was fate for her. She could not leave granny who had sprained her wrist all by herself. The people who went for the occasion, started showing symptoms like gastrointestinal distress, they were weak, and pale. Shortness of breath was a part of it too. Then the people who took care of them, like their wives or husbands. Downcast, they drank the wine as well. It was a sweet drink, and could help avert one's mind from overthinking, so it was consumed in large gulps, all the adults fell ill. Most youths drank it as well, and stubborn children who never listened that children below eighteen should not drink alcohol. But the wine was too sweet and could not be ignored by those who tasted it. Sharing the same symptoms, and as they were around each other (the ail and well) for long enough, people concluded that the sickness was communicable, and the few nobles in this province decided it was best all the sick were piled up in one place. So they gave Baron Nicholas the task of building a quarantine home. There was no clinic even.
All running to Charlotte for help, she realized everyone had taken the wine. Even the children confessed not wanting to die or go to the quarantine home. Charlotte requested for the wine and realized it was not just any poison but lead. She informed the people and treatment began for lead intake. It was a hard job taking care of all the sick people who tolled in, but she could not back down, it was what she enjoyed doing so...
She confronted Lincoln, telling him it was lead he gave the people, and how much of a bad leader he was, having given them poison. Lord Lincoln was to be stripped off his office by the other provincial heads for poisoning people and trying to launder with the situation but he proved innocent as there were records of him importing the wine from Rome. One thing remained, did Charlotte really believe Lincoln was ignorant? , or was he just claiming innocence?
"That's one bad patriarch, am I right?" Reginald asked Charlotte scoffed "you can say that again" she muttered "what else?" he asked Charlotte shrugged "I never agree with him in general. He is a thief...a filthy one at that" she concluded, he chuckled "and you...the saint..." she burst laughing "ask around...I am a devil, don't get your hopes up for me. Heal and leave my property." She said standing up and leaving.
Reginald rubbed his chin thoughtfully "Lincoln... nice card" he stood up heading to the kitchen where Maisy was churning butter. "Let me help you granny".
****
Mason beamed with smiles as a lad ran into his arms, it was his nephew; prince Charles, Reginald's son. Coffin could not help but smile as well, the lad was always so glad to see his uncle. Mason crouched to the boy's level, and patted his head.
"Charlie" Mason called patting the boy's shoulder "uncle" Charles answered "did you miss me this much? you seem too excited...how did you know I was here" Mason "my mother's courtiers...let's go to my quarters..." "First and foremost; I have to go give my regards to the crown princess." Mason said standing upright "we'll go together then. After which you will visit my quarters." Charles said leading Mason. Coffin followed two feet's behind. The two conversed as they walked.
"I miss him so much, when is he coming back?" Charles asked Mason arched a brow "I thought you missed me as well? I am right her..." "My dad is different..." "Of course your highness" Mason said making Charles furrow his brows"I am not even a recognized prince ye..." "Mhmm, but you are the crown prince's cohort, you deserve all the respect...your highness" Mason said "oohh" went Charles amused "so I can give orders like my father can?" he asked Mason who nodded on agreement "yes!, lick my feet civilians!!..." Charles said loudly "no-no-no, that's misuse of power, you should only give orders that defend and help your nation..." "Does having a mistress help the nation?" Charles asked quickly like he was trying to confirm something "I dun...does it? who said that?" Mason asked "no one, but the courtiers say all father orders for are new mistresses..." Coffin widened his eyes, and Mason gave a dry chuckle "well..." he began dryly "...err...it depends, you see...it is good for international peace. Once you take a wife or a mistress from a kingdom, they can hardly fight you as it will be like fighting their own. Also, trading is opened between the in-laws." Mason replied proud of himself, it was not easy. But Charles had another important question "what about 'getting rid of it'?" he asked "getting rid of what?" Mason asked back looking back at Coffin amiss, then Charles who shrugged "once, father ordered lady Ivara to get rid of it. She was really sad, she wept infact, I felt sorry...she has always been nice to me. How does making a person cry help the nation?" Charles sounded really sad. Mason shrugged "sometimes..." he breathed heavily 'this lad will be full of trauma before he becomes a teenager ' "... sometimes we have to make hard decisions we do not really like...." ....
****
"Grand prince Mason" princess Coral the crown princess, Reginald's wife and Charles's mother called "my lady" Mason muttered bowing slightly "how are you?, long time... it's almost like you have been avoiding us" she said. Mason wore a honest smile "I have just been... hibernating..." "Really?" Coral muttered "yeah..." "tea then... to warm you up."
"Sooo... how does the grand palace fair?" Coral asked "fine, your majesty...I have heard rumours; they say you are pregnant. The crown prince's palace holds no secrets" Mason said picking his cup of tea and sipping from it. Coral chuckled, Mason was quite different from his elder brother. Reginald was impatient and could barely hide his emotions, but Mason is a big bad pretender. Also, whenever Reginald discovered something and was sure of it, he did not need to confirm, he was rash and ruthless, whilst Mason was cool headed, gentle and steady, making him look kind, whereas he was the devil, and Reginald was just too plain. But Reginald's large appetite for women could not suffice.
****
Jonathan peered at the letter on table, he picked it up reluctantly. It was in Floyd's handwriting, and it contained a lot of formal language for how usually Reginald wrote to him. To Reginald he was old man, and not 'father' or 'your highness' . The letter was assuring,still he did not feel assured.
****
Princess Eunice put the last pin in Amelia's hair, she wore a smile immediately
"All done"
"Thank you sister" Amelia appreciated "you are welcome my dear..." Mason walked in, he sat down thusly.
"My my...look who we have here" Eunice was being sarcastic "hello" Amelia said waving . Mason glanced at her then Eunice.
"I heard you paid the crown princess a visit..."
"Yes..." Mason was almost uninterested in whatever Amelia had to say. She smirked
"Yunno, the rumours never cease" she said in singsong "what rumours?" Mason fired
"I would say prince Charles looks a lot like you" she muttered shutting one eye.
"Oh my goodness...first I'm gay and now I am what? Charles's father?" He answered his own question. "You are gay?"
"You have my support brother..." "You always support his ordeals" Amelia said resentfully
"Why did the king summon us?" Mason asked "I heard from Wilfred that he received a letter from Reginald written by Floyd. He thinks it's not from Reginald. Always treating Reginald like a god... what could possibly happen to him?" Eunice asked rhetorically
"A lot" Mason replied
"Lest you forget, you are talking to Mason... Reginald is his messiah " Amelia said nodding. The two burst laughing immediately.
"Speaking of, how was your meeting with our brothers?" Eunice asked Mason who shrugged
"Just alright, I was lucky they did not poison the wine" Mason replied "and father keeps making such arrangements...you should get a poison tester" Amelia said nodding "I don't know..."
"You should get a poison tester" Eunice agreed enthusiastically "I was only joking Eunice" Amelia muttered quietly "but I see it's importance, how come non of you do..." "I do not see need for a poison tester." Mason was adamant. Eunice shrugged, Mason could do however he liked as long as he did not end up dead.