Reginald stared down at Theresa, she had something to tell him but for now she was only spluttering and plaiting her fingers. She knew he was not kind, but did not know he lacked patience?
"What is it Theresa?" He asked, she curtsied
"Your highness...err..." "Get on with it already" he said impatiently. She nodded vigorously "I..it will be nice your highness, if you would spend the night with her Majesty, you have been away for long, I am sure you miss each oth..." " 'sure' ... that's far" he muttered
"Her highness will be pleased to have you" she said nodding
"Did she put you up to this?" Reginald asked
"No" Theresa replied. He kissed his teeth
"Lead the way"
Theresa smiled warmly "of course your highness... of course" she led the way happily
"I am not spending the night with you Theresa" he said not understanding the source of her joy. She laughed bashfully "of course not - certainly not, I am too old for that..." "And I wasn't serious"
****
"Your majesty, his highness is here" crystal reported who was at the door. Coral nodded gesturing that Reginald be welcomed, still reading the book in her hands. Crystal stared at her questioningly
"My lady, you are unbothered" she said
"Am I supposed to fret, Crystal?" Coral asked
"No, you should be excited..." "I am" Coral cut her off dryly "but you..."
The door squeaked open, Reginald must have gotten impatient from standing outside the door.
Coral stood up and curtsied and crystal followed suit.
"Your highness" Coral muttered glancing at Theresa who joined Reginald inside. He sat down on the floor cushion, and propped an elbow on the flat desk which he rested his chin on.
"I wasn't expecting you" she said sitting across him. Theresa ushered Crystal away when Crystal was gone she waved at Coral who gave her a thin smile. She left as well.
"Mhmm, I have no reason to be here" Reginald said moping "oh Theresa" Coral lamented "I am sorry that she bothered you" she apologized
"It's fine"
"Grand prince Mason informed me that you were assassinated, It really is a pity. I hope you are well now?" She asked "I am fine..." Reginald thought about Mason's words, they burnt him like coal. Reginald had thought if his hatred could not reach king Logan directly, it was only fair he placed it on Coral. But what was he doing now?
It was quiet for a long time, until Coral broke the silence.
"I am reading a book your highness, If you will like to join m..." "No"
She chuckled slightly "of course, you would rather not read romance novels..." She picked the book and stared at it blankly. "Theatres catch your fancy do they not, your highness?" She asked, Reginald did not reply. She went on nonetheless
"It has been long since I watched a performance, I would love to accompany you to your visit to one, if it wouldn't bother you" she said
"It would" Reginald said bluntly
"Of course" she continued reading her book like he had not turned her down so coldly. She let out a chuckle once or twice, enjoying the book.
"Let me see" Reginald said stretching his hand, she raised her head
"Let me see" he repeated to which she handed him the book. He glanced through it then returned it to her. "This makes you happy?" He asked, she smiled "yes your highness".
Coral never complained, cried, frowned or cursed because of Reginald. All she did was plaster smiles that came from the wrong place. At first she gave him stares that showed she knew he was being deliberately mean to her, but now she was too used to him.
"I prefer theatres although" she said, he inhaled
"Theatres?" "Yes, your highness"
"Why?" He asked, he continued "it is a den of thieves and whores who come to attract nobility..." "How you choose to see it, your highness. Back in Scotland, my brother and I would visit theatres to watch the actors perform, get stolen from and sometimes I just watched him get teased by the 'whores'. It was all part of what made it fun. The performers are there to perform, and entertain us, the thieves are there to steal, and the whores are there to gain customers who are heavy pocketed. Only heavy pocketed folks can afford theatres. We who want to watch the performance would watch the performance. You see only the whores because you go there for the whores." She ended. "That is fair" Reginald muttered "so...Mason, I hear he's been keeping you company" he said rubbing his face
"Yes...we drank tea together sometimes, I can't drink wine for now, so..." "Wine" Reginald almost yelled "you drink wine with Mason?"
Coral darted her eyes shortly "yes your highness, does it offend you? I shall stop seein..." "No-no" he cut her off
"Thank you" she said smiling, she returned her gaze to her book
"Am I mean to you?"
Coral stared at Reginald for long, she never expected him to ask her that. Besides, she took to observation how unnaturally calm he was. 'Did death bring him to chill?' she thought. Whenever he was in her boudoir he barely talked and only satisfied his needs.
"Well, your highness...it is only fair that you treat me this way considering how my father treated you..." 'and to think of how he sold me off without thinking of how Reginald would punish me as he cannot punish him...' she pushed the thought away
"... besides, you have never hit me..."
"So I am mean to you?"
She shook her head slightly "no; you feed me, clothe me, made me a mother, and crowned me, so - no." she replied
"But..." "If it is about the mistress you plan on getting after returning from your tour...I was born a princess, your highness. I am not some opportuned dancer who got lucky and now feels insecure..." Coral was indirectly mocking Lady Margaret who was Reginald's mistress gifted to him after her performance at king Henry of France's ball. "...as a princess I was taught, and I learnt that as you aspire to be the next king of England, you should build strong alliances and the common way of doing that is by marrying as much women from different nationalities as you can." She ended "but this book makes you happy, it is titled one true love" he pointed out
"Yes, but you should read the book your highness. They are commoners. Nobility and royalty aren't allowed the privilege to love. We can admire although, and I do admire your highness." She ended.
Reginald covered his face with his palm, he had made Coral so numb. The guilt made him feel sour immediately.
"Are you alright, your highness?" She asked showing concern. He nodded standing up, he walked to the door and opened it, Theresa crashed into his arms. She wanted to eavesdrop, but it was wrong timing. Crystal stood struck with nervousness. They watched him walk away before rushing inside to join Coral who wore an amused expression.
"What happened my lady?" Theresa asked
"His highness must fear death a lot Theresa."
****
"Do not worry yourself Edna, you were never a part of it even. And all evidence has been destroyed" Luther assured Edna who breathed heavily, she nodded.
"Good..." Luther turned to Penelope "...no one especially the king must know she fainted" he ordered "as you wish my Lord".
Edna accompanied Luther to his carriage, on their way they came across Helen, her ladies in waiting and bodyguards. Luther made sure to take off his hat and how fully. Helen furrowed her brows
"Lord Luther..." She called he stood upright "my lady..."
"Paying your sister a visit I see...how delightful" she muttered touching her chest, Edna gave a dark chuckle
"It is normal your highness, that family visits you even in your marital home..." She chuckled again "...I mean you won't understand..." Luther gasped he bowed again "I apologize for Lady Edna's rude behavior. She is currently unwell, I think that made her grumpy" Luther apologized on Edna's behalf
"I do understand Lord Luther, it is quite obvious..." Helen muttered scoffing "there is certainly no reason Lady Edna would refer to me like that in her right senses" Helen said faking a smile, Luther chuckled dryly.
"Of course, your majesty" Luther muttered. He widened his eyes
"I heard his highness has returned" he was faking ignorance, Helen nodded
"He was assassinated actually, Lady Edna didn't inform you?" She asked Luther shook his head vigorously and turned to Edna
"How could you leave out such important detail?" He asked sounding upset Edna only cast her gaze away. Luther turned to Helen
"I am only just learning, your highness. I shall pay his highness a visit" Luther said bowing his head. Helen nodded wearing a mope "you should apologize when you do...very important, it was your idea after all that took him to the brink of death" she suggested pointing at Luther, Edna wore a fiery look
"How dare you..." Luther was quick enough to stop his sister "I will, your majesty" he bowed fully and Helen took her leave. They watched herself and her train until they were a distance.
Luther turned to Edna and squinted his eyes, he was surprised at her change in character and did not hesitate to talk about it
"You, my Lady have changed." He said calmly. Luther made sure to never raise his voice at his younger sister. It was what he owed her for taking the big step and marrying into the Hanover dynasty. Edna looked away "how?" She asked Luther who inhaled
"Try to condone her some more, it will all blow over. We might have failed now, but we still have our heads..." Edna moped, she wanted to say something but held herself together
"...We shall give it time and resume with full force. The Harvard dynasty must regain what we once lost." Luther ended, he opened his arms for a hug which Edna gave him. They hugged tightly "do make sure to write whatever you learn to me." He ordered still wrapped in the hug, she nodded as they parted. His carriage rode to where they stood and Luther immediately highlighted it.
"Remember to take the medicine I brought you" he ordered sliding the curtain of the cart.it rode away noisily.
Edna nodded watching the carriage ride away, she inhaled. It felt good to have her brother always backing her up, and she understood the importance because of Helen. Helen had no one behind her, she was all alone in the world. It made her the perfect prey. Not anymore although, now she had her crown prince, Grand prince, and her title. To make matters worse, she also had the king. Edna had her sons as well, but only her sons were not enough. That was where Luther came in. Infact Luther had always been there, even before she married Jonathan he was her rock. To others Luther was a villain, but to her; he was the best brother in the world and she could not lose him.
****
CHARLOTTE'S POV
The man Apollo brought to me on behalf of Reginald is indeed a survivor. He had lost so much blood, and Apollo didn't even have enough time to donate some blood for a transfusion to the patient. I could not give my precious blood as well, so I had to make sure I fed him even though he could hardly swallow. I mixed beans, oats, kale and ground beef into a light pudding which I fed him through enteral nutrition.
In two days, he started sitting on his own. When I inquired his name, he told me he had no actual name and could be identified as 'five' . I wondered why I was meeting a lot of mysterious patients lately. Based on everything I got off from him, my new patient was an assassin. it made me think about why Reginald would want me to treat an assassin who once attempted to take his life, and I got it. He told me before he left that he would be making sure lord Lincoln and the Grand duke paid their debts. This man was going to be Reginald's evidence against them.
Lord Lincoln was still comfortable I am sure, he gave up searching for Reginald and was now in search of the doctor who treated him in order to hand them imperial favour. But Lincoln was Lincoln, and he had his own ulterior motives.
****
"Ohhh..." Helen exclaimed hugging Reginald who was stiff. He felt good in her embrace, but did not want to be hugged like he was five.
"It's must be the prayers paying off" she said quietly. Reginald furrowed his brows
"What prayers, mother?" He asked
"I've been going to church more of recent, I put you all in my prayers" she said nodding. Reginald scoffed and crossed his hands to his chest, he scoffed again and walked along the table where he took a seat.
"Actually, whiskey saved me" he said shrugging
"H-how?" She asked lost
"The doctor drank a whole bottle before pulling the bullet out" Reginald replied like it was normal
Mason and Helen wore horrified faces as they took their seats.
"Ohh" she muttered in realization "yes"
Eunice and Amelia walked into the dining hall giggling they stopped abruptly on sighting Reginald. Amelia rushed behind his chair and leaned against it.
"You are back and you didn't even think of paying me a visit." She said accusingly. "Did you visit me?" Reginald asked in riposte she shook her head "so what did you bring for me? You must have seen something that catches my fancy..." "If you like medicine..." "You got me nothing" she said standing upright
"Yeah?"
"Mason always brings me gifts whenever he leaves the castle and returns" she said upset
"I am sorry, my lady..." "Not fair" she walked to where Helen sat and took the seat on her right. She held Helen's arm and began to fake tears.
"I don't think your brother had the time to get you anything, he was assassinated..." "He should have died out there" she spat Helen chuckled "what do you want?" She whispered, Amelia began whispering what she wanted in return.
Eunice sat next to Reginald, he glanced at her
"So?" She began "when are we making them pay?" She asked "I'm waiting on something, I can't just stand up in court and accuse Lord Luther of assassinating me without any concrete evidence" Reginald said shrugging
"We should find evidence then" Mason said shrugging. Reginald nodded "let us relax, okay? "
"I can't" Eunice said shrugging "me neither" Amelia chirped, Mason glared at her from head to wherever was not covered by the table
"You aren't involved in this conversation"
"Just look at how 'Grand prince Mason' glares at his own sister...I will start telling everyone that you are only a dirty pretender..." Helen chuckled surprised Amelia brought it up
"And for them to do what?" He fired
"They will be so disappointed to see you are not the angel you claim to be" Amelia said feeling contented
"And when did I ever say I am an angel?"
"Oh come on Mason, the smile that reach your eyes and the voice you use outside is just too different from the voice in here. I mean most people believe you have never yelled" she said looking away. "Would you look at tha..."
"That is enough now" Helen called them to order tapping the table. Mason nodded and Amelia wore a prideful smile.
"I am happy we are all here, exception of Jessica who is away from us, and for a good reason..." Jessica was Helen's first daughter who was married to France's crown prince. She was Helen's second born child.
"... Reginald was almost taken away from us. It is sad that whereas we desire peace, the lot in this castle choose to trouble us. I say we forget about what transpired, since there was no loss and look towards the future..." "Reginald was shot mother, how can we forget that?" Mason asked frowning slightly. Helen nodded "we can. Lady Edna is my co-wife and I would not like to see her and her children suffer. I do not want to put the king in a place where he has to choose between his family and something else." She said honestly
"Mother, it's Reginald... not 'something else' " Mason corrected "you act like if it was Arthur, they would be lenient" he said irritated "we are different, Mason. We are kind, and forgiving..." Reginald chuckled, then wore a broad smile
"I am not, even if I am; when it comes to Luther I refuse to be, and that future I'm looking at is you weeping at my grave if we don't get rid of those monsters" Reginald said pointing at nowhere in particular. Helen inhaled
"Reginald is right mother, If we don't stop Lord Luther now, what is to stop him from hurting brother again?" Eunice asked. They all stared at Helen expecting an answer
"Can we not just let him off with a warning without humiliating him?" She asked soberly
"I can't" Reginald said shaking his head. Helen took a deep breath and plastered a smile.
"I am sure Coral was glad to see you, did you notice? She is pregnant. She is keeping it a secret for now, but told me" she said her smile was honest now. Reginald inhaled and scratched his head. His siblings exchanged glances and Helen narrowed her gaze at him
"Do not tell me you have not seen her yet" she said shock clear in her voice. Helen's head lady in waiting walked in with the maids who carried their dinner. It was later than expected, but the conversation had kept the royals distracted and they were not the type to complain for food served thirty minutes late.
"Thank you" Eunice muttered to the maid who served her.
Helen's gaze remained fixated on Reginald, she wanted an answer.
"I have bu..." Reginald blinked as if surprised by the reality, and his words remained stuck in his throat
Mason cleared his throat "We should eat, your highness" he said to Helen picking the cutlery. She glanced at Reginald once more.
"I hope Mason is not corrupting your thoughts about your own wife? He visits her every now and then" she said nodding. Mason dropped his fork and knife
"That should mean??" He asked
"It means you are gaslighting your brother into hating his wife while you play saint around her" Helen said blatantly
Amelia poked a piece of chicken dramatically, raised it and stared at it "dirty pretender" she muttered to the chicken, but everyone at the table knew it was directed at Mason.