Chapter 27 Fit For a Prince
Caleb
Even though Caleb already had come through the door, the announcement of his arrival almost set his teeth on edge. Maybe there was something about being with Jason that helped him forget, even for a short while. Jason saw Caleb for who he was, not just a Prince, and that meant more to him then he could ever say out loud. He could feel Jason stirring right beside him. Stirring or bristling, he couldn't really tell.
Music could be heard from the sitting room over to the left as he entered with teeth almost clenched. He held Jason's arm in his, or it was the other way around. Caleb's head moved from side to side, already slipping back into the role he never asked for. The music was meant to be soothing, but all that ever managed to was make him sleepy. He wondered if it was the same band who played before almost every formal dinner from back at home.
It wasn't.
Caleb wasn't entirely sure, but more than half the Parliament was present. Each with a wife strapped to their arm, similar to how he was strapped to Jason. Curious eyes met his, and Caleb made sure to meet each in acknowledgment. He was sure Jason was doing the same. Caleb felt like he could kiss Jason as a reward if he could! But that would have to wait until later. Like tonight later.
Right away he felt his member twitch, as if jumping the gun. He needed to find a quick distraction because the image of having Jason, no clothing, beneath Caleb, eyes squeezed shut, back arching, mouth wide open-
"Prime Minister," Caleb made sure to greet a man who looked younger than he actually was. In truth, the man was in his early sixties but looked like he should have been in his late thirties. It was a gift, as he always admitted whenever someone brought the fact up, and it was the truth. The Prime Minister never had to get any work done on his body, he carried it too well. Even with his job description, he never let the weight of his responsibilities show. If anyone could be Atlas, it should have been him. There was times when Caleb in past, became bitter about his title that he wished it could all go to the Prime Minister instead.
The Prime Minister had dark hair, in fact, most of the royalties shared this trait. Unlike most of the other royalties, it was hard to spot a gray hair on his head. He was also quite fit for a man his age. Caleb could feel Jason's body shift as he observed the Prime Minister with wide eyes. The Prime Minister also had a heart shaped face, kind light brown eyes, thin lips, flawless skin and a mini goatee. He took a respectable nod towards Caleb and spoke with a thick Swedish accent.
Caleb stirred, shifting his weight back and forth, caught between trying to comfort himself while also trying to stay in his role. He was in the spotlight and was already trying to think of the many ways for a good exit. Only this time, that wouldn't be possible. He was next in line to becoming a King now. With that, came all the responsibilities he dreaded since he was 12 years old.
Jason's arm squeezed Caleb's as if sensing this. That brought Caleb back to his senses that he introduced Jason has his fiancé. Caleb hoped he sounded as regal his two older siblings did. To Caleb himself, he thought he heard himself squeak, but nothing showed on the Prime Minister's face. No wince, meant it was a good thing.
The wife that was currently strapped to the Prime Minister himself was scrawny, borderline to being boney. She had a sharp nose with piercing gray eyes. The bottom lip was slightly fuller than the top. Her skin was porcelain and sleek. She was currently wearing a long gray dress that shimmered in fabric that was alien to Caleb. Caleb was used to seeing the woman wearing spectacles. Her face looked naked without them.
Caleb made sure to introduce her to Jason as well. Jason played the part remarkably well by giving more than a simple curt nod. He made sure to bow, even though it was unnecessary and left his soft lips over her left hand. It was enough to have the lady the evening herself blush as she held her other hand over her heart in response. Jason, as it seemed, could render even the chattiest of women Caleb had ever known, speechless.
The Prime Minister's took a shine to this and laughed. That was an even better sign.
Caleb felt like he could finally start to relax but... there was still a high number of introductions to be made.
Caleb made sure to see that they were excused before making all the rounds to the other members of the Parliament and their wives. Caleb was sure Jason's best friends, Caitlyn and Nicklaus, were standing with their backs against the wall, speaking with a Duchess of another royal family. Caleb couldn't see her face, but the tangle of long blonde hair was easily recognizable. It brought a pang of awkwardness because this was the same girl he once had tried to woo almost 2 years ago, but to no avail.
That was a different Caleb back then.
Jason seemed to notice, Caleb felt the tug before the tug actually happened, but Caleb remained firm, telling Jason with his eyes the best he could. They had to do this.
Jason complied but this was already starting to become more boring for Caleb. Caleb made sure to keep referring to Jason has his fiancé. Some gazes were curious, others were blank like they couldn't believe what they were seeing. Caleb tried his best to ignore this. So far, no one had regarded Jason with open hostility. Not they wouldn't, but behind their backs, now that would be a different story.
Jason continued to woo, mostly the women. Only a couple of the Parliament members gave him a sharp look. Caleb found himself standing straighter, chest thrust out and gave a small throat adjustment. That seemed to put them back in their places. Besides that, Jason seemed to be winning most of the Parliament members over easily enough, through the influence of the wives he was betting.
Caleb tried not boost too much about Jason, but it was becoming tedious to having to keep telling everyone that he was his fiancé, as if they didn't know that already, because why else would they all be here?
Karrishea and Jasper were also sighted, unlike Caitlyn and Nicklaus, they were standing by themselves by one of the large windows that looked out over the backyard. Caleb didn't get enough time to look long enough, but he could have sworn they looked awfully happy being left alone. Though he was certain there was more to the story. Jason waved but they didn't seem to notice. Whatever deep conversation they were in, was far more interesting to them then what went on around them.
Constantine was around, sometimes watching from a distance while in some deep yet friendly debate with another young member of another royal family. The crown had really changed him. It was the way he stood, the sharpness in his eyes intensified, but Caleb was almost finished making his rounds. Soon he would be able to bring Jason back to his friends, his comfort zone. Caleb wouldn't have wished for more.
Constantine vanished after that.
After what felt like an eternity, they were finally finished with all members of the Parliament, but now it was time to introduce Jason to the rest of the guests. Everyone was dressed formally instead of casually as Caleb initially planned. He hardly noticed what anyone wore. It was all too dizzying to keep track.
First he had to come to Jennifer (also simply known as Jay once upon a time) Shulman. The very same Duchess he once tried to woo. Well, this was due to be awkward, he thought, but at least the worst part is over with... so he thought.
Jennifer turned, almost like a snake ready to strike at being approached from behind, but she was the closest guest, so she had to be first up. Even the very ends of her longish blonde hair seemed to prick up. Caleb almost swore that she almost hissed. Her eyes were like dark chocolate matching her brows. Caleb tried not flinch but failed. Jason blinked rapidly like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Pleased to meet you too." Jason said with a certain edge in his voice Caleb had faced a few times himself. Firsthand. Jason used his sarcasm as his own warning.
Caleb found himself at a loss for words. Jennifer had a scandalized look on her face as she looked at Caleb but now turned a piercing gaze towards Jason who seemed oblivious to the venom that seemed to float around in her bloodstream. Why hadn't he noticed this before.
Then it was almost as if a switched flipped. At this, Caleb noticed the girl twitched her nose. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. If anything, it appeared she wasn't as equally charmed by Jason like everyone else, but at least she wasn't openly lashing out.
"Pleased to meet you too." Her right brow arched so elegantly as she threw the words right back Jason, and Caleb felt himself in a breath. Screw being polite! If she so much as batted the wrong eyelash at Jason... but Jason refused to budge. Caleb was sure his ears and eyes were burning with a low fury. So what if it wasn't gentlemanly of him. He was not about to let someone disrespect his fiance.
Caleb was sure Jason threw something equally as sarcastic back but his ears were filled with the pounding of his blood.
He was able to start putting the pieces together enough. With some of the tabloids there was a lot of big talk about an American Duchess (not princess) some years ago. A lot of her so called friends and gone around telling all her personal business for a quick buck. No wonder she seemed so mistrustful. Caleb realized, he couldn't blame her, add to the attempts of trying to win her over, that didn't seem to help matters.
Caleb was busy trying to find any trace of Jason looking at least a little hurt, but Jason kept a brave face. He had to remind himself that Jason could fight his own battles. Because what could this girl do in a room full of people?
Jennifer had a hand over one hip, her slightly slouched and grouchy features coming into play at the same time. Her eyes were narrowing but they were directed at Caleb.
Okay?
Jason shook his head, as he looked from Caleb to Jennifer and back again. As Caleb pulled Jason closer to his side, locking eyes with Jennifer, his name was called by another royal member of a different family. So the mingling had to go on. Sometimes the conversation carried on in Swedish. Jason obviously tried to hang on every word, but it clear Caleb had to translate now and then.
"I'm starting to feel like a trophy wife." Not quite a complaint but not quite held with praise either. Jason made sure to whisper this shortly before moving on to the next couple. The last couple were so-called cousins of Caleb who didn't bother to hide their disgust. That was one of the drawbacks about these kind of settings. It was where everyone could openly share their opinion without much lash back as a consequence. Caleb and his siblings were taught to be above all that and learn not to react to negativity with negativity. Even Jason had to wince more than a couple times at the open hostility so Caleb made sure to point out the lesson he'd been taught.
"You'd think everyone else was raised the same." Jason said in return once he was sure they were out of earshot. "And was it my imagination or was that a bad nose job? She couldn't seem to make any normal face expressions, like she just stared at me with her head up and eyes looking down the side of that god awful nose at me."
As if that wasn't enough, someone had asked them which one of them was the guy and which was the girl in the relationship. Caleb never struggled so hard in his life, but Jason managed to offer a straight faced response, reminding a woman that both Caleb and Jason himself were both men.
Now if only there was a corner they could go hide in. To let at least some chuckle worthy statement out, but privacy was a privilege not gifted. Not for tonight anyways.
When they were finally able to relax, more than a whole hour had gone by. At least the time wasn't entirely wasteful in Caleb's opinion. He did have Jason practically glued to his side the whole time. That was more time spent together then at school.
"So what was up with that girl, the one we met before your cousins. Why was she looking at you like that? Did you stick gum in her hair in the 4th grade or something?"
Now that Caleb was remembering, he thought about changing the subject, maybe put off the topic for another time, but Jason gave him a look. That topic was going to happen now.
"Worse. I stood her up."
"Caleb." He hissed while keeping a careful eye at their surroundings.
Caleb found himself doing the same as he said, "I was an entirely different person back then." A pitiful excuse, but at the same time it also kind of the truth.
"Jeez Caleb I know how silly and easy it might be for you to forget, but that is something-"
Caleb felt a sudden urge to silence with Jason with a kiss. Anything that could help set his fiance at ease, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Though he wanted to.
"Look. I was a jerk. I know."
Jason stopped, seemed to take another quick look around with just his eyes this time before saying, "How long?" Caleb had to admit he didn't like seeing the fear, the uncertainty in Jason's eyes, but he knew he was going to have to him the truth. "How long ago did this happen?"
"Two years ago."
Jason started to pull away but Caleb wasn't having it. He made to place both of his hand gently on each shoulder to look him in the eyes. "What's wrong?"
Jason's face changed expressions, but with stone like eyes, he said, "My ex did that to me once."
Now Caleb felt like shit. Maybe lower than dirt. "Saying I'm sorry would be pointless."
"He wasn't my boyfriend at the time, but that should have been the red flag. Had I just up and moved on instead of forgiving him like I did, then maybe I could've spared myself a whole lot of pain."
"Jason." Caleb was trying to make Jason meet his eyes again but everytime he did, Jason kept looking the other way. "Jason. Don't. Would you stop trying to-Jason. Jason look at me?"
When Jason finally did, Caleb had to get the words out. "If you want me to march right back over there." He didn't care if anyone was watching by the point. He was currently pointing in the direction they previously held a standoff with Jennifer. "I will apologize again and again and again. Whatever it takes to earn your trust back."
And Caleb simply let the words sink in for a bit. Jason blinked a couple of times but Caleb couldn't be sure if the softening in his eyes meant what he thought they meant. "Are we good?"
Jason didn't answer right away but he simply gave tert nod to say, "Yeah we're good."
Caleb wasn't daft because he continued to search Jason's eyes. Anything, and he meant anything that show that they were still better than good. "I still have you as my fiance?" He gave a head tilt his british bulldog would give. That was bound to make him forgivable right?
"Yeah." Though he sounded slightly dejected.
"I still get to see you tonight?" Caleb made sure to hold each hand in his own and gently swung them.
"Yes." This time he looked feverish. Desire burned in his eyes, and Caleb was finally sure.
They sealed the end of their argument with a kiss.
The room itself was starting to get very crowded, with royalty and friends alike. Jason was only too happy when Caleb started to steer them towards Nicklaus and Caitlyn. Jasper and Karrishea were still huddled over by a book shelf and looking very cozy with each other. Caleb made a small mental note not to bother them.
When they finally reached Jason's best friends, Jason let out a large exhale of relief. Not that Caleb could blame him. He found himself looking at Jason with admiration. Jason handled things really well tonight, so far, but there was still dinner ahead of them.
Caitlyn looked like she hadn't noticed them approaching, so she acted a little surprised at their approach. It was like, something out of a black and white movie. A young southern belle with the back of her hand placed over her forehead, pretending to swoon into Nicklaus's adoring gaze and into his arms. It was like seeing a more natural Caitlyn. The Caitlyn only very few saw. Caleb figured he liked this Caitlyn best.
Jason's best friends and acquaintances weren't the only ones present. Caleb was sure he'd seen a familiar blonde head moving about, working the crowd, surely overwhelming anyone who dared to speak with her. Zoey stuck out like a sore thumb. There were of course some young men attempting to either seduce or get to know Zoey. Zoey was seen flipping her curtain of blonde hair irritatingly over a shoulder. Whoever her pursuer was, they would not be sitting next to her at the dinner table, but then again, they might not have a choice. There was sure to be seating arrangements.
Caleb made sure to make his way over, despite one of the rejected cousins of his didn't bother to whisper low enough in Swedish, "Already switching teams huh?" Caleb made sure to act like he never heard the words but Zoey, took his arm with her arm, seemed to catch the gist of things. She shot an angry look over her shoulder, then very stereotypically, stuck her nose in the air, walked lighter on her feet and leaned into Caleb. Only, she was leaning so deeply into Caleb that Caleb felt himself veer off course and almost bumped into a bookcase.
Jennifer was the first to peer over her slender shoulder at the commotion, brows knitted together.
Zoey let out a little 'whoopsie' and made a big deal out of straightening any wrinkles she might have made on Caleb's suit jacket. That was made more of hard slaps to the collar and breast bone. That nearly got the whole crowd's attention but at least they had the common sense to look away. Zoey didn't look at all that flustered but she did thank Caleb for saving her. Caleb made sure to answer politely back and made sure to bring her back to the fold where she was most likely going to be to comfortable.
Unfortunately, she was a bit too comfortable. She told loud jokes, even Nicklaus had to blink rapidly to keep up with her. Caitlyn looked slightly weary but that might have been the sparkly silver heels she was wearing. Jason was probably the only one amused by Zoey in the crowd. Karrishea and Jasper were now over in a corner bent over the same book together, still in their own little world.
Caleb was used to Zoey's boisterous behavior by now, so instead of shifting his weight from one foot to the other nervously, he watched Jason. He watched Jason from the side as Jason laughed, features lighting up along the way. The lines on his face evaporated every time he laughed that Caleb stared openly in wonder. Jason finally looked more at ease then he'd ever seen him, and it was nice. Real nice!
Of course that was when some man wearing a chefs white coat topped with the hat announcing dinner was served. That had everyone walking towards the dining room. A room not even Caleb had eaten in yet. So even he was curious to see how it would look.
Obviously, no expense was spared.
The chairs, tablecloth, table itself, curtains over the windows to very silverware and the plates they were all due to eat off of. A meal fit for a Prince, but these were meaningless details to Caleb. Caleb longed for a time when he could be arm in arm with Jason again instead of walking side by side. The whole time, the Queen herself hadn't been present. Neither had Samantha. So when Caleb entered, of course his name was announced, but Jason's wasn't, at least until his title was officially reinstated.
The voice announcing Caleb's arrival also happened to be on Jason's side. Since Caleb was used to it, he hardly acknowledged it. Jason on the other hand yelped and Caleb could have sworn he saw Jennifer across the table look smug. Then again, maybe it was because she'd been where Jason was once. Caleb made sure to place a hand on the back of each shoulder of Jason to hold him in place. Regrettably, he had to steer him away from his friends again.
The names placed over plates meant there was arranged seating after all. None of this was in the original plan but since a bunch of royals decided to show up unannounced, Caleb was once again surprised at how efficient the staff here was. Jason was to sit next Caleb, Caleb's right. Samantha was to sit Caleb's left. At the end of the table was where the Queen herself sat and that's when Caleb finally remembered Constantine. He hadn't seen much of the guy since their conversation upstairs.
The answer to that question came quickly when Constantine's arrival was announced. He took a seat straight across from Caleb. There was no doubt that Jason noticed him. The thing about Constantine, his piercing eyes made him very noticeable and unfortunately making him very handsome. Caleb hoped that unlike himself, Constantine better be straight!
Constantine had indeed changed clothing. The only way to tell was that he was now wearing a blood red tie. Caleb heard Nicklaus though way on the other end of the table say something about an Agent 47. Whatever that meant. Jason was still staring, obviously trying to get a read on the guy. Caleb silently wished Jason luck because Caleb had tried getting a read of the guy for as long as he could remember, unsuccessfully so. Constantine seemed to notice this, a rare habit of his to show it, as his now piercing gaze locked with Jason's.
And he winked.