MARCUS
They’d departed from the winter lodge early the next morning. The horses were transported by trailer, while the ladies and Marcus shared a quiet car ride back to the palace.
Sofia seemed distracted, thoughtful maybe a better term, and Marcus had felt that to fill the silence with anything less than meaningful conversation would sully the closeness they had started to share last night. Before this current chasm had opened between them. No, shallow conversation would not be the bridge he needed to cross to the other side of this disagreement. Only action would build that connection. He hoped.
So, he’d let the silence stand and contented himself with taking in the view Sofia provided. As the sunrise started to sparkle against the snow-covered trees that lined the backroads, he observed her as she took in the landscape, awe on her face. Her eyelids fluttered closed intermittently, and she took deep breaths.
Marcus was enchanted by the serene smile that touched her lips when her eyes closed, and it was only the belated thought that she was perhaps praying that kept him from reaching out to hold her hand and join her in the moment of joy that shone from her eyes when she opened them.
Instead, he gave a small nod and regarded the landscape passing his window for the remainder of the ride. Mercifully, neither Eloise nor Grace felt the need for conversation either.
His private secretary, Burton, had been waiting to receive them when they arrived at the back gate. The efficacious man pounced Marcus the moment he stepped out of the car with a torrent of details about appointments and the week’s schedule.
Zeke had received Sofia and the others and ushered them into the palace efficiently. Marcus had time only to glance her way before Sofia disappeared and he’d had to focus on the duty at hand. Namely, officially stepping into his father’s role as the Crown Prince.
“And then Thursday –”
“Have the arrangements been made?”
“Yes, your highness, I was able to clear the morning but the afternoon –”
“The whole day Burton. Stack the rest of the week however you must, but that day is a holiday for my wife, and I will be spending it with her.”
My wife. Marcus’s heart leapt a little at the claiming of her, he hadn’t meant to say that. But he felt the rightness of it. Even if things were not yet settled between them.
“Lady Arabella responded to my request to speak with her?”
“Yes, your highness, she’ll be here after your first appointment.”
“Good.” Marcus wasn’t looking forward to the conversation, to disappointing Bella, but neither would he continue to string her along. His heart had made its decision, and it wasn’t right to keep her waiting on the answer.
He glanced at his watch. The Queen would be having breakfast alone, reading the assortment of newspapers before moving on to answering mail. That is, if she was feeling up to it.
Marcus changed direction, heading for the Queen’s suites. Burton struggled to keep up.
“Sir, the Counsel –”
“I won’t be long.”
Burton muttered under his breath as he typed out a message on the tablet in hand. Shifting things around, no doubt. Marcus couldn’t blame the man for his furrowed brow, but his secretary had known him long enough to know that once Marcus’s mind was made it was futile to try to dissuade him.
He left the man outside of the Queen’s suite and walked in alone.
Marcus was gratified to see Granny sitting at her usual dining spot enjoying her breakfast with a paper in hand. Her skin appeared pale, and her movements were slower than usual, but nothing got past her keen eyes.
“You’ve chosen?”
Marcus nodded, a hint of a smile appearing at the two-word question, as he approached the table and planted a kiss on her cheek. They’d never been affectionate, or even that familiar before, but … that was before. Something had shifted within him this past week and he found himself wanting to make the most of all the moments that were available to him. “How are you feeling, Granny?”
“Better. I’m told my energy will not always be reliable, but today is a good day.”
Marcus nicked a piece of bacon off her plate and got a playful slap for his thievery. But it was a light, frail swat. Her translucent skin was stretched over the bones in her hand. He couldn’t help his scowl as he chastised himself for leaving her, even for a few days.
“None of that my boy. Each moment is a gift, we live them without sorrow. Now sit, your hovering has me guarding the rest of my bacon.” Marcus sank into the chair beside her with a small laugh, as she no doubt had intended.
He toyed with the edge of the abandoned newspaper as he regaled her with the weekend’s adventures. Committing to memory, the joy glowed from within his granny as she listened. Despite the battle waging in her body, Marcus thought she was more striking and serene than he’d ever seen her. “The fire spot is a treasure, granny. Thank you for suggesting the getaway.”
The Queen’s eyes got a faraway look as she lost herself in memories, the ghost of a smile graced her lips. “Granny?”
“All these years, I let pain, and perhaps anger, keep me from a place that housed so many wonderful memories with my Herbert.” She refocused on Marcus and placed her hand on his. “He would be devastated that I never took you or your father there for holiday. That I didn’t allow those halls to be filled with the stampede of your young steps as you charged through pretending to slay dragons. Perhaps if your Sofia liked it, you both will correct my error someday.”
Even weak, the Queen didn’t miss the change on Marcus’s face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Are you aware you have the habit of asking two-word questions?”
“Do I?”
The Queen smiled mischievously as she raised her teacup to her lips, sipped, and waited. Marcus chose his words carefully.
“There are … matters that are unresolved between us.”
The Queen regarded him thoughtfully and Marcus wondered what her advice would be if he shared all of it. With her recent conversion, he thought she would take Sofia’s side, and would likely continue to hound him about God if he revealed what the issue really was. Then again, maybe she would have an insight that could help. After all, she’d been married to a religious man while not buying into the fairytale, and from all accounts they’d been happy.
The Queen took another sip, then purposefully placed the cup down. “I have faith that it will all work out as it should.”
Marcus found himself oddly bereft that the moment for unburdening passed. But the Queen was on to the next matter at hand, “You’re speaking with Arabella today?”
“Yes, even without Sofia’s decision, I’ve made mine.”
The Queen rose, her movements feeble but the glint of steel in her eye when he stood to help arrested him immediately. She would not be treated as an invalid. Not while she had breath left in her.
Once on her feet, she approached him. Marcus stood a foot taller than his granny and peered down into the eyes that saw so much. She lifted her hand and patted his cheek, understanding and compassion infused her words. “Send her to me once you’ve spoken.”
Marcus wanted to refuse; Bella was unlikely to want an audience with the Queen right after their conversation, but the hard look granny gave him brooked no argument. “Yes, your majesty.”
“Cheeky boy. Off with you now, I’m sure Burton is wearing a hole in the rug outside my suite waiting for you. And you know how your father would’ve felt about that.”
Marcus grinned as he opened the door and saw his secretary stop mid-pace.
“Ah, your highness, I wasn’t sure if I should move the nine o’clock to later but no matter. The Counsel is waiting, this way.”
Marcus glanced once more into the Queen’s suite. She was moving cautiously towards her own office, gingerly holding on to the edges of furniture as she went. She tested each step before she took it, like a woman who doubted the strength of her legs to hold her up. If there was a God, how could He allow such an ignoble end for such a stalwart leader?
Marcus felt anger simmer in his belly at the thought. Doing his best to dismiss both the useless emotion, and his helplessness in the face of Granny’s illness, he turned and followed the retreating back of Burton down the hall.
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
The droning of the officials before him was like a bee buzzing near his ear, the urge to swat away their false platitudes and lightly disguised jockeying for position rode him all morning. But Marcus did not give in to the urge.
Instead, he resolutely played his part. Stoic mask in place. Nodding at the appropriate times, gently redirecting them back to the topic at hand when necessary. Time crawled as he fulfilled his duty and waited.
Bella was due shortly and all he could wonder about was Sofia.
How was her morning going? What lessons would Zeke be putting her through under orders from the Queen? Had the blackthorn blooms made her smile when she’d returned to her suite? Was their brief time together at the lodge enough to make her want to stay or was she already packing her bags and running for the hills again?
Burton cleared his throat discreetly, bringing Marcus’s attention back to the conversation at hand. But he needed a few minutes to himself before speaking with Bella, it was time to adjourn.
“Ladies, gentlemen, your counsel will be taken into consideration. Leave your briefs with Burton and we’ll send word on the course of action by end of week.” He stood and nodded regally at the lot. An action he’d seen his father do from behind this desk more times than he could count.
It was a dismissive and demoralizing gesture, ensuring the receiver felt lower than low, while still maintaining the appearance of respectability. It’s how his father had sent him to bed every night of his life. On the rare nights that Marcus caught a glimpse of him.
Only a day in his father’s role and he was already reverting to the same playbook.
Self-loathing warred with disgust as Marcus realized that Sofia would’ve scolded him for causing the crestfallen looks before him. These people were just looking for assurance during a change of leadership. Marcus intuitively knew that Sofia would give them a chance to prove who was sincere and who wasn’t, and so should he.
The officials were making an odd assortment of curtseys and bows as they rose to take their leave. “Wait.”
With one word, everyone in the room halted. It was daunting how much power he wielded now. Something he had never truly understood when thinking about his future position. He’d always fixated on the rules, the restrictions, but as the occupants in the room held still awaiting his next words, he felt the mantle of responsibility settle within him.
The desire to be the man Sofia deserved was affecting his aspiration to be the Crown Prince, and soon to be King, that his people deserved. Marcus consciously let his stoic mask fall and infused his words with pride and warmth, meeting the eyes of each official as he spoke. “The Crown recognizes your service and devotion. It is evident that your dedication to Ducklenburge is matched only by the deep love you have for her people.”
And as he looked at them, Marcus was surprised, and then moved, by the longing that he saw on their faces. He had felt it himself. The hunger for affirmation, approval, encouragement, and belonging. “Your efforts are greatly appreciated by us.”
This time when Marcus nodded, it was with an abridged bow. Offered with respect and held for a moment to acknowledge his role in also serving them and the people. Marcus vowed silently to remember this moment and the lesson, that to lead well and not just rule, he must also be willing to serve.
It was a quiet moment. A sacred one. Which was unceremoniously broken when the office door irreverently swung open and Lord Belaye barged in, Bella at his heels.
A short, stocky man, Lord Belaye gave the impression of a bull charging into a China shop, that no amount of fine tailoring or jeweled cufflinks could dispel. “Just what game do you think you’re playing at you little –"
“Your highness, Counsel.” Bella’s controlled voice smoothly intervened. Her eyes swept the room and she dropped and maintained a deep curtsey.
Lord Belaye scoffed at his daughter’s intrusion and glared at Marcus, disregarding the other occupants. Marcus motioned to Burton and the Counsel, “I look forward to our next meeting.”
With curtseys and bows, the Counsel filed out of the room silently, but many cast disapproving looks at Lord Belaye as they swept past him. Burton was the last to exit, he paused on the threshold poised to speak, then must have thought better of it because he closed the door behind him with a soft snick.
Lord Belaye charged towards Marcus, stopping short mere inches away from the Crown Prince.
“You will fix this. Immediately.”
“My appointment was with Lady Arabella. If you wish to speak with me, Burton will find time on the --”
“You will do your duty, and honor your contract to my family or –"
“That is enough. Father.” Bella interrupted before Lord Belaye could finish his threat. Which only served to draw his wrath onto herself.
“And you. Can’t keep your betrothed leashed. Maybe what they’re saying is true. You’re not woman enough to catch and keep the crown.”
“Your daughter is correct. That is enough.” Marcus cut in sharply. “Your anger towards me may be warranted. But your abuse of Lady Arabella will not be tolerated.”
“I am not finished –”
“I’d prefer if you left on your own accord, but if that proves too difficult, the royal guards would be happy to assist.”
Marcus stood his ground against Lord Belaye’s glare, though he felt the sheer malevolence that sizzled there like a gut punch. This was more than a father worried about his daughter. This was hate fueled by ambition and greed and thwarted plans.
And Marcus understood his second lesson of the morning. He had officially taken his seat at the chess game inherent in the brokerage of power, and this game would never end.
From this moment forward every conversation with every person would have a transactional undercurrent. What would the Crown Prince give in return for what they’d rendered? Who would he need to defensively protect? Who would he need to preemptively destroy?
The glimpse of a future filled with endless moves and countermoves and ever-present wariness was wearying, but Marcus was unwilling to bend or break at the thought of it in front of this man.
So, Marcus did what he thought Sofia would do in this situation. Forget the game and deal with the bully. A bully who was still only inches away from Marcus’s growing grin, “Sir, the longer you stand there, the harder it is to shake the feeling that you are about to kiss me.”
Bella’s laughter rang out and Lord Belaye took a step back even as he unleashed his outrage. “The betrothal contract is binding. Two decades of expenses preparing our only daughter to be a consort fit for a King. You will uphold your part of the arrangement and marry Lady Arabella, or so help me, I will tear down your monarchy bit by bit. And I will relish every swing of the hammer.”
And so, the threats began too.
The Crown Prince reached for the phone on his desk, and calmly spoke into it, “Lord Belaye requires an escort from the east wing. It seems he’s lost his way.”
Marcus put the phone back in its cradle as Lord Belaye hissed, “I will ruin you.”
The door opened and two royal guards entered with Burton. “Tea is set, your highness.”
“Thank you, Burton. Lady Arabella, will you please join me?” He held his arm out to Bella, studiously avoided her father’s glower as she took it, and the pair exited the room.
Marcus didn’t miss the way Lord Belaye shrugged out of the royal guard’s reach and stormed down the hall in the opposite direction. Well, one tough conversation down, one more to go, he thought as he broke protocol and gestured for Bella to proceed him into the sitting room for tea served with a side of truth.
~~~
Author's Note: Hello, fellow wanderers! Thank you for your patience ... I admit this post is really just a tease to tell you Ever Always is still on my mind ... In the past 6 months, I have moved, started a new gig, and worked to set up my writer's nest and find balance with work and life and scribbles. I'm still on that journey (of finding balance), but I'm closer to having a longer runway to scribble more and I look forward to the tales and the interactions with all of you. I hope you and yours have been well since the last time you wandered onto this page. Cheers! ~W.A.
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