Matthew Wild
Edited
The sun has now set and all I can say was, today was fun. I haven't had fun like this since I was a child. There is always joy being able to enjoy yourself like your inner child. The way your eyes sparkle in awe and amazement as they see love, magic and mystery in the most ordinary and mundane things.
The Prince and I certainly got odd looks from the servants and workers being all wet and leaving droplets of water after every step we took. Some more annoyed than odd, knowing they would have to clean up the mess.
There was a sense of calmness getting out of my wet clothes and stepping into the steaming hot bath. Letting out a much needed, deep breath, I lowered myself further, completely submerging myself into warmth. I closed my eyes and laid there for a moment and let my thoughts run wild. There were moments when I was little and my mother could always make me feel this calm in an instant by doing something as small as, stroking my hair, her pale, bony hands cool and jangling with jewellery, her hair perfect as ever and her perfume fragrant and light. If only we could turn back time once adult life got too much.
Wrapping a towel around my waist and taking out my night attire ready to get into, my door slammed open. Startled, I quickly turned to see Kathy quickly closing the door behind her.
"Kathy!!" I exclaim, stunned by her abrupt arrival.
"Matty" she said, turning around, then faltering in her steps. "Oh! I didn't know you've just had your bath"
"Is everything okay", I asked, grabbing my top and quickly putting it on.
"Get properly dressed, I don't know what to make out about what I had just seen" Kathy responded, shaking slightly. She turned around and I quickly put my trousers on then walked over to her, worry etched on my face.
"Is everything okay", I asked walking up to her "What happened?"
"I don't know what to say, I don't know if I should say. But it was wrong, so very wrong, what I've seen" she rambled, while taking quick breaths, and putting her hand on her chest. Clearly, she was shaken.
"Calm down, just breath then speak" I said, trying to reassure her a little.
Kathy never usually becomes like this; she is usually the tough sort of girl who is hasty when it comes to adventurous activities. She would always go first, and she will go like a wild child with a reckless mind and a rebel heart.
"I don't know, I don't know" She whispered, letting out a deep breath.
"What is it, what did you see" I said, grabbing her hands and forcing her to look at me.
Kathy was only slightly trembling now. She took a deep breath, then spoke. "Lady Alice, she."
As soon as Kathy uttered her name, I got a dreaded feeling. Alice was eccentric in her ways, and clearly the sort of women who would do anything to get what she wanted, and it is only understandable that Kathy would be her rival and the person able to get in her way of getting what she wants.
"Did she do anything to you, did she insult you?" I asked
"No, she didn't. She was too busy to even notice me" she said, beginning to shake again. I started to rub up and down her arms, trying to sooth her.
"What do you mean?" I asked
"She was having sex with a woman" Kathy exhaled, shoulders instantly drooping as she pulled away from me, while putting her hand on her head and began pacing up and down the room.
Shocked by her statement and frozen in my stead, I couldn't imagine what I was hearing. Maybe Kathy saw wrong, and she wasn't having.... I couldn't even say the word. But then again this was Alice. The eccentric Lady who philandered with any man she came across.
"Are you sure about what you saw, maybe they were doing something else" I said, taking a seat on my bed.
"Do you want me to tell you in detail what I saw?" Kathy said, raising her voice a little and her eyes overlarge. "There's a different between two people in presence of each other, and then two people, who one's face is in between the legs of the other person"
"Don't tell me anymore" I quickly responded, putting my hand up. Both of us, stayed quiet, taking in what everything that was just mentioned. I leaned forward, putting my hands on my knees and took a deep breath.
"The other woman was Elizabeth" Kathy let out. It was like she just dropped a bomb. My eyes instantly widened, and my jaw dropped.
"WHAT!!!" I exclaimed, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled with shock and disbelief. My hands beginning to shake. "You're telling me, both the women who could be potential wives to the prince, are actually sinners who prefer the company of the same sex?"
"I don't know, maybe" Kathy responded, her voice almost coming out as a whisper.
"Let's just leave it. It's late, we can go to bed, and I'll deal with it in the morning" I said, letting out a deep breath.
"Are you going to tell the prince?" Kathy asked, bringing her fingers to her lips, taking a bite out of her nails. A horrible habit that she's had as a child. Although since becoming older, doesn't do as much, only when under serious stress.
"I don't know" I responded honestly. "Look, don't worry, I'll deal with this. You don't have to say or do anything".
Kathy only nodded her head. Worry still etched on her face but left the room to retire to hers.
Still not knowing what to make out about what I had just heard. Or knowing whether I should inform the prince or not. I run my hands through my hair then slowly crawled into bed. It is only a courtesy to inform him, right? After all, he may marry one of them.
...
It's not always easy to stay positive all the time. They always say the term 'Never judge a book by its cover' and that is clearly something I did not follow when it came to Lady Alice. It's always so easy to walk by people and make judgments. I believe it's human nature to judge people around us. This could be on their attitude, flaws, and small passing details. But either way, without taking the time to get to know someone and hear what they've been through, you really have no right to judge anyone. The things we observe superficially are just that; they are false impressions that don't tell you anything about what other have experienced.
So, the moral of this is to take time to get to know a person and ask them what their story is. I have decided, I will inform the prince about Alice and Elizabeth. It will be a chance for him to confront them and be a good listener.
My eyes opened, before the sun rose and I just laid there for a while, unable to move or have the will to get up. I wanted to see the prince before breakfast. It's better to get things you don't want to do, out the way with earlier than later. As the sun just began peeking through the horizon, it was time to get up.
Walking through hallway towards the prince's bedroom, my steps felt heavy, and my nerves began eating away my innards. I stopped in front of his door, my hand in a stance, ready to knock. I froze for a second, now, yet again, contemplating if I am making the right decision. Before I could think any further, the door open. I flinched and saw the prince standing there looking very confused to see me.
"Matthew? What brings you here?" He asked
The prince was dressed in his sports attire. Oh yes, I forgot he goes for daily exercise early hours of the morning.
"Erm, I was just wondering, if I can speak with you for a moment? If you're not too busy" I said, rubbing my hand together.
"Yes sure, come in. I hope it won't take long as I need my daily dose of exercise" He responded, with a friendly smile on his face. He moved back and allowed me to enter his room.
The prince's room was grand, exuding an air of regal elegance. His bed, a massive four-poster draped in rich, deep blue velvet curtains, stood majestically in the center of the room, commanding attention. The bed linens were a luxurious combination of crisp white and royal blue, perfectly pressed and meticulously arranged, hinting at the prince's appreciation for order.
The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting historical battles and serene landscapes, each telling a story of the kingdom's rich heritage. A large, ornate fireplace on one side of the room provided warmth and a cozy ambiance, with a fire crackling gently within it. Above the mantel, a grand mirror with a gilded frame reflected the room's opulence.
Near the windows, which were draped with heavy silk curtains, stood a beautifully crafted mahogany writing desk. It was cluttered just enough with books, parchments, and quills to suggest the prince's intellectual pursuits and creative endeavors. A half-written letter and a few scattered sketches lay atop the desk, hinting at his personal projects and thoughts.
"What bring you here, couldn't wait to see me again" The prince spoke, with a grin on his face.
If I wasn't too nervous or conflicted by the news that I'm about to tell him. I would have responded with a similar remark.
"Sure, if that makes you happy." I said with a strained smile, hoping would not give away my deeper feelings. Taking a breath before I spoke, the prince beat me to it, clearly seeing the worry on my face.
"Why what's happened?" he asked.
I exhaled slowly then began, "There was some disturbing talks, going around regarding both Alice and Elizabeth. I'm not sure if you've heard them?"
"What rumour is going around now" The prince said, rolling his eyes. "Alice, it's understandable that people might be question her peculiar, rather promiscuous behaviour. But what are they saying about Elizabeth?" he said with his eyebrows furrowed.
All I did was move feet to feet, as I thought before I spoke, to ensure I use the correct words. The prince, just looked at me, waiting, however he beat me to it. "Is it that bad, that it's made you become quiet and struggling to say whatever it is"
"Before I say, just so you know, both women should be able to explain themselves and everyone has a reason why they do something. It is only fair they are given a chance" I said, trying to sound a sincere as possible.
"Okay" the prince replied, putting his hands in his pockets. "Now I'm really intrigued, what is it, Matthew?"
"Alice and Elizabeth were seen having... well doing ...sexual acts" I let out on an exhale.
I looked toward the prince face expecting to see disgust, anger, or hatred. But it was the opposite. He threw his head back and exploded into loud guffaws of laughter. His shoulders shook and his body convulsed helplessly. The hearty sound echoed around the room.
Confused by his response, I only stood there and watched, while the prince laughed away. "Aren't you shocked? Sickened or angry?" I asked him.
The prince only looked at me, trying to hold in his amusement but couldn't help it. He let out a bellow of laughter again, and now wiping away his tears that had fallen. I stood, there utterly confused, while I waited for him to gather his thoughts.
"Come on, Matthew, don't you think this is rather hilarious" he said, with a grin as broad as his face.
"I think it's more worrying, then hilarious" I said, my face, still as confused as ever. "These are women who are here for marriage, but they deem unsuitable because they love the same sex, doesn't that worry you"
The prince just shook his head, his grin slowly fading. He looked up with a now unreadable expression. "So, what do you suppose I do? inform the King and Queen then have them locked up and most possible, be executed?" He asked, his voice suddenly every so serious.
"No, to confront them, and see their side of the story. I don't know give them a warning or something" I responded.
"Who was it that you heard this from?" The prince inquired, leaning against his study table facing the fireplace.
"It was just something that I heard as I was walking by" I retorted, not wanting to mention Kathy's name. "They looked like servants, couldn't see their faces"
The prince nodded his head while looking down in thought. "Okay, I'll confront them. Give them an ultimatum if the rumours are true, but I want you to be there when I meet with them" he stated now looking at me, face still expressionless.
"Surely, I'm not needed, the less people they think knows, the better" I replied, hoping that the prince will agree with me.
"My dear Matthew, remember our arrangement, I want you to come with me and you have no choice to oppose" he said, with his expressionless face now forming into a grin.
Pure dread was what I'm feeling. Just the thought of having this very uncomfortable conversation fills me with anxiety. I want to say so much, to demand no, that this has nothing to do with me. But I only could say so little, felt so much, but couldn't help but stay silent.
"When do you plan on meeting them?" I asked.
"I will send a letter informing them to meet with me tonight, after everyone has retired to their bedrooms. There will be less disruption".
I only nodded my head and left the prince's room. My heart feeling heavier than when I had arrived.