CHARLOTTE'S POV
Reginald was always trying to shower me with his masculine energy which I appreciate, but did not quite feel. And I kept gathering wood. Lord Lincoln was totally uninterested in me. He was always in a bad mood according to his servants. I complained to one of his clerks that I was tired of picking wood, and all the man could say was; 'you can grind grains then'...what a monkey.
Reginald also wanted to follow me about, and I certainly did not need someone lagging behind me. And he was not telling me anything about his assassination, and that was horribly wicked of him. I told him I was only trying to help, but he saw right through me and called me a filthy poke noser. Yes, I only wanted to feed my anxiety like I usually did whenever I made speculations. He was not letting me play my detective role. He blatantly refused to tell me anything.
****
Charlotte was about to head out of the house when Reginald dashed out of nowhere and stood in her way.
"Hey" she called offended "sooo..." he began "...I was thinking I could accompany you today Charlotte" he said shrugging. She let out a scoff "no-no, you should rest...so you can heal fully, quickly, and get lost. Leave my property as soon as possible Reginald" she said picking her pack basket and wearing it over her shoulders. He stared at her from head to toe then scoffed in mockery
"Really, I thought you wanted me to stay forever?" he mumbled, she gave him an irritated glance before asking; "why would I want that?" he strolled to the couch and laid on it. "You see...I know you've been making money out of me...which is the most witchly thing I've ever seen, and the girls in this province are the dumbest, most stupid things ever" he said, 'you are not exaggerating ' she said in her head
"What do you mean by that?...I'm making money out of you??... you really do overestimate yourself...I can't even make a quarter out of you..." "You really should control what you say when you vent your anger friend"
Charlotte darted her eyes about 'ohhh...I messed up, and who remembers such tiny detail if it isn't this hunk...' "I have to go" she said dashing out.
****
Reginald was lying on the couch in the living room when Apollo brought him a letter disguised as a person who just wanted butter.
" Good morning" Reginald greeted Apollo bowed only to receive a smack on his head "you idiot, what if someone sees" he berated Apollo rubbed his head 'which is more inconspicuous, me bowing in greetings or you hitting a customer ' Apollo thought.
"Give it" Reginald said, Apollo quickly handed him an envelope
"Who is it Reginald?" Maisy called Apollo widened his eyes appalled 'how dare she'
"Just a customer granny" Reginald called "what does he want?" she asked "two wraps of butter..." Reginald stretched his hand to Apollo who stared at it amiss before realizing and placing a pouch full of notes in Reginald's hand. It was Reginald's turn to be lost.
"You begged me the other day...I was heartbroken your highness" Apollo explained why he was giving Reginald so much money. Reginald smirked and shut the door going to collect the butter from Maisy.
Reginald peered at the bedroom door, and sat down finally. He opened his letter, and read through, he wore a content smile "finally" he said picking a pen and paper from the shelf. They were Charlotte's belongings and she would craze if she found out, but she was too nonchalant and he found it fun to make her upset.
****
Reginald hovered over Charlotte as she extracted venom from her scorpions. He picked up the lantern and held it up so she could see better, she heaved in relief. She tried to avoid direct contact with the scorpions, using two clips; one to pick the scorpion, hold it and another to grip the tail. It was risky business, and Reginald did not support it at all, but if Charlotte did not listen to Maisy who had been ordering her to stop for three years, who was he to be in a place to tell her anything?
"So..." he began "...it sells for expensive, hugh?" he asked Charlotte gave no reply. He inhaled "it's a long process...how long does it take to get one vial?" he asked, still no response. He gave her a long stare, before...
"Hey!..." He called jeering her she looked up at him with a poker face "I'm talking to you mate...don't you dare ignore me you tosser" he cussed she dropped the scorpion in the box full of other scorpions, and faced him
"Have'ya gone bonkers?" She asked he moped "no, have you gone daft?, could you not see how focused I was trying to be??, you think I like messing with scorpions, yeah?...or you think... you think...they don't sting me because we were born of one parent, even siblings bite each other...if this Scorpions sting me one more time, you will sit your arse here and do my job. You wanna care- go to hell, stop asking me silly questions you nutsack..." "I'm just concerned you..." I don't want your concern Reginald" she said firmly. He chuckled "I be buggered Charlotte...you should be chuffed that I give a darn... Numpty nutter..." " You think because you are dishy I'll be glad you are rambling in my ear...put a sock in it" she spat Maisy gasped "why are you so rude Charlotte?" She asked "tell him to get lost" Charlotte said to Maisy who turned to Reginald "I'm so sorry" Maisy said he nodded crashing on the couch "no problem granny, I know she doesn't mean that." Reginald said relaxed "I do, the next time you disturb me life, I'll offer you to the Norsemen who visit us every December" Charlotte threatened "Oi...be careful what you say" Maisy warned.
****
Mason tilted his head right almost like it would make him hear clearer Coffin stared at him amused, was something wrong?. It was clearer now;
"Your grace!" a servant girl called from outside "your grace!!"
"What is that?" Coffin asked the office maid furrowing his brows , she shook her head ignorant "I do not know my lord, if you excuse me, I will go check." Coffin wobbled his hands gesturing for her to go. She curtsied leaving. "What do you think it is?" Mason asked "I am unsure".
The maid returned with an envelope, she handed it to Coffin curtsying, he looked at the envelope, it said 'junior'
"It is a letter from his highness, but it does not bear his seal..." Coffin muttered "let me see" Mason Said cutting Coffin short and. Coffin handed him the letter bowing slightly, but before he could finish with his show of respect, Mason took the letter from him.
"Leave!" he ordered loudly. The maid scurried about, before finally finding the door.
"Is it really his highness?" Coffin asked, Mason nodded in affirmative. He inhaled heavily
"Lincoln...that jerk" he cussed grimacing "what does the letter say your highness?" Coffin asked lost. Mason chuckled full of mischief "I've never liked lord Luther, now is our chance to rip him into many shreds" Mason said walking out.
"Where are you headed, your grace?" Coffin followed him trying to keep up " to my brother's barracks. It is time Coffin, to eat who's been eating off us..." Mason laughed shortly "oh boy...I sound like my brother" he said "which one?" asked Coffin in a mutter. Mason shot him a stony glare. "I am just asking to be sure...you have ten bro..." Mason's glare got uglier "of course"
****
Reginald laughed heartily, even Maisy was enjoying the whole thing, it was interesting to see Charlotte at loss of words. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out.
"You are a total mingebag to yourself...I've never met someone so stingy...try being nice to yourself at least Charlotte. Do not worry granny, when I make it, I'll buy you fancy hairpins." Reginald said assuring Maisy who nodded."see?, I told you Reginald will make a good son-in-law" Maisy said laughing dryly. Charlotte was clearly irritated and even though she tried not to be rude, a mope crept up her face 'you told me nothing granny'. Reginald only chuckled.
"Yeah..." agreed Charlotte "...his mother-in-law must be so proud of him. He is a son-in-law already granny, and he has two children, right Reginald?" Charlotte asked Reginald nodded slowly in agreement. "When would you even go back to your family?" Maisy asked Reginald who shrugged "very soon" he muttered "you must miss them so much" she said, he plastered a smile, and she patted him assuringly. Charlotte who was churning the butter stopped and was thoughtful for a while "how old are you even Reginald?" she asked, he wanted to scoff, but ended up laughing shortly "twenty six..." Maisy widened her eyes, Charlotte tried to hide her shock, and ended up looking like a crazy person "granny don't act so stoked..." Maisy smacked Charlotte's back, the girl almost crashed into the churn. "You" granny said hitting her again, Charlotte rubbed her back
"How was I supposed to know?..." she grimaced grasping her back 'for an old woman your hands hurt like hell...how should I know he is that old, he looks around my age' . "You are six years older than Charlotte" Maisy observed, Reginald nodded in agreement "yes" he confirmed "wow... apologize for always being so rude" Maisy ordered Charlotte who shook her head 'you'll definitely have to break my back '
"No" Charlotte refused, Maisy gasped "apologize you little maggot" she ordered "he insults me too" Charlotte said firmly.
"Leave her be granny, it's how friends are" Reginald said "what frie..." "yes granny, we are friends, see...I have a friend" Charlotte said pointing at Reginald "are you mates? he can birth y..." "that granny, is totally wrong" said Charlotte nodding. Maisy stood up leaving "friends my foot...pork pies" she mumbled as she left
"For a grown bloke, you act like a toddler..." "Oi?" "Whatever".
****
Lincoln shuddered under Luther's gaze, Luther chuckled evilly glad to see the effect he had on him.
"I see you have a death wish Lincoln, and I will grant it..." he grabbed Lincoln by the neck. "All of my plans futile, because you could not carry out a simple task given to you... you deserve death!!" Lincoln shook vigorously, Luther let go of him, and sat down breathing heavily. He did not look at Lincoln who was rubbing his neck and catching his breath.
"How are you sure he is alive?" he asked turning to Lincoln. Lincoln nodded indistinctly "the natives of Garrigill, they recognize him...he was there three weeks ago, as well as last week. They said he met a man who according to their description, I think is commander Apollo." said Lincoln. Luther wore an ugly frown confused "who is that?" He asked "he commands the crown prince's army" Lincoln replied "oh..." muttered Luther in realization "why... nevermind even, asking you is no different from asking a dog; you both know nothing." Luther said standing up, he sighed "I am certain you made sure to destroy all evidence" he said, Lincoln nodded "there is no problem then...we are safe."
****
Mason heaved laying on the bed, he stared out of the window, the moon was full and beautiful. He could hear wolves howl although the sound was almost not there. But he was a good listener, and a great observer.
'Friends'...
Reginald claimed he was safe and oblivious as he was staying with a friend. When did Reginald start keeping friends?. Reginald did not trust people, he could barely eat or drink outside, and there was his letter saying he had made a friend. As far as he knew, he was Reginald's only friend.
Well, he could not make too much speculations. Reginald would come back and explain himself