Chapter 105:
Mid-Winter Arrival
A month had passed since Charlotte had been announced as Clarence's fiancée. Clarence's visits to the dungeon had reduced as more and more politically pressing matters began to arrive at this desk. This pleased Charlotte, which allowed her to keep her husband away from that treacherous, leeching elf. Though she had wanted the elf to be executed, there was no such order from Clarence, who would not allow even a blade of the elf's hair to be cut. Very few of the kingdom's staff knew of Silas's presence, but the many that did were not pleased with the arrangement, knowing they were in such close proximity to such a violent creature.
Yet, with the negativity surrounding the kingdom, happy news came too. The engagement period between Clarence and Charlotte was soon coming to an end, and many of the previous candidates who left for home were already making plans to return for the quickly approaching wedding. One who prematurely ended her trip home to help her friend with her upcoming wedding was Philomena, who traveled day and night in hopes of coming back as quickly as possible. She was filled with joy at the thought of Charlotte marrying the prince, and, though she would never say it aloud, she missed Alywin horribly. She had asked Charlotte to write her letters about his welfare, and Charlotte had kept her word at first, but after a week, her letters slowed to almost a halt, with only a sentence or two hastily written in each letter.
Philomena began to worry something had happened to Alywin, but she could not imagine Charlotte would keep such news from her. She then began to wonder if something had happened in the palace during her absence. Only by hastily returning to the palace would she find out.
As Philomena stepped out of the carriage, her patterned heels pressing against the small footstand as she exited the carriage, she looked up in awe. Every time she was able to see the Yursinean palace, she could not help but marvel at the extravagance and wealth displayed in the grandiose architecture. Massive buildings, delicate statues, winding towers. Every time Philomena was able to look at it, it took her breath away.
Philomena's marvel was soon over though, as servants began to flurry all around her. Without her noticing, carriages had pulled up behind her, with people exiting the carriages in droves, their hands full of wrapped bundles, and packages, the larger servants carrying trunks and barrels on their shoulders, as they all followed into the large castle doors. Philomena watched all this, feeling like a stone in a river, her head hardly above water.
"My lady." Philomena's maidservant called to her, curtsying slightly as Philomena turned to her, "Are you alright? I believe they are waiting for you inside."
"Yes." Philomena immediately said with a nod, snapping out of her trance as she collected her skirt in her hand. The maidservant stepped back in line as Philomena began walking forward, joining the end of the flurry, her stone finally moving with the river flow.
Hallway after familiar hallway soon brought her to Charlotte's new sitting room. The grand doors opened on her approach, and, with a fatigued smile, stepped out Charlotte.
"Char-" Philomena stopped herself, reminding herself of her new position, "Princess Charlotte!" Philomena cried out instead, hurrying to her friend's side. Charlotte's smile brightened by Philomena's appearance, and, letting her train that she was holding in the crook of her arm fall to her side, she opened her arms and embraced Philomena in a hug. Philomena was shocked by this display. Typically, Charlotte was not one who showed strong emotion or enjoyed physical touch.
"I didn't realize you were returning today." Charlotte said, releasing Philomena with a smile.
"I came back a few days early!" Philomena said with a laugh, "I did not want to leave you alone with all the fun wedding planning happening!"
Charlotte's brilliant smile dropped ever-so-slightly, "Good news for you then. I'm going to my dress fitting now. And then afterwards, my ladies and I are going to tour the wedding venue." One of Charlotte's ladies-in-waiting stepped forward and held up Charlotte's train as she slid it back into the crook of her arm, the ornate embroidery rubbing against her skin.
Philomena cried out in glee, clapping her hands together, "Oh, how exciting! I can only imagine how the prince will react when he sees you!"
Charlotte laughed, signaling Philomena to follow her as she began walking, "Yes, I can imagine his expression will be shocking." Charlotte smiled her usual smile, but something about her tone of voice made Philomena's stomach drop.
What has happened since I've been away? Philomena wondered worriedly to herself as she walked by Charlotte's side, only briefly stopping to smile at the group of ladies-in-waiting walking attentively behind them.
"Oh, and Princess Charlotte." Philomena said, her voice hardly above a whisper as she leaned closer to her friend, "Have you seen Marquis Cyneric around at all?"
Charlotte hmm-ed to herself at Philomena's question, as if thinking about it deeply, "Now that you mention it, he has not come to the palace at all in the last few weeks. How strange. He's usually clinging to Clarence's side."
Philomena's eyes widened in shock, and her heart began to race painfully, "Is that so?" Philomena paused, her hands clenching in front of her, "Perhaps, is he ill?"
"I'm sorry, Philomena. I can't say." Cordelia said with an apologetic frown, "I've been so busy with wedding affairs, I haven't had time to keep track of him."
"Oh, of course, of course." Philomena said, laughing weakly as she waved her hand, as if she were shooing the question away. Charlotte caught the split second frown from Philomena, placing a hand on the young woman's arm.
"Would you like me to ask Clarence about Marquis Cyernic? He would know out of everyone where the marquis is."
"Would you?" Philomena asked excitedly. Immediately catching herself, Philomena blushed, turning her head away as she said shyly, "It's just that I would like to greet the marquis, now that I have returned."
"I understand." Charlotte said with a knowing smile, tapping her friend's arm playfully before returning her arm to her side, "Maybe I'll ask Clarence now. I believe he is at his own fitting currently. And I'm sure he knows the way to the Cyneric family home, in case Alywin is in."
Philomena's face reddened further, unable to hide her grin as she nodded appreciatively at her friend.
"Go to the dress-maker. Tell her I will be late." Charlotte said dismissively to the group of young women behind her, "And take your time coming back." The group of women glanced at each other, shocked by Charlotte's order. Charlotte did not give them time to ponder it; however, as she turned around and went the opposite direction she was going, Philomena following close by her side.
If he's home, maybe I can visit him today? Philomena thought to herself gleefully as she attempted to calm her racing heart.
…
"Your Highness, the tailor has delivered your suit for your final fitting." Without waiting for permission, a tall, lanky man dressed impeccably entered the crown prince's sitting room, servants obediently following behind him with arms full of blocks of cloth.
Clarence looked up from the paperwork in his hands, the corner of the paper crumbling under his grip. Clarence smiled, placing the paperwork down as he rose from his position of sitting on the corner of his desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him.
"My goodness, Your Highness, you look quite fatigued." The tailor noted, his tall nose quivering with his comment.
Clarence laughed in response, shaking the older man's hand, "Well, all this wedding planning is keeping me very busy. And then I have begun to take over my father's duties, so between the two, I hardly have time to eat or sleep at the moment."
"I will try to be as quick as possible then, Your Majesty." The tailor said, bowing slightly before he snapped his fingers. Within seconds, a servant approached with a velvet bag, as another beside them began to unbutton the velvet bag. Button by button revealed an elegant suit waiting within. The golden embroidery peeking out the opening slit impressed Clarence, but his irritation of having to tolerate these frivolous fittings and participate in the other wedding planning while taking over his father's work was festering.
But, as was his princely duty, Clarence bore it all with a grin.
As Clarence's wedding suit was removed from the bag and his clothes changed by quick, professional hands, Clarence's mind wandered. A first since a month ago, when he first became absurdly busy. The queen wanted Clarence and Charlotte married almost immediately. The sooner, the better, in her mind. It was the only way Clarence could be properly crowned; he had a proper wife by his side.
So all the wedding preparations had begun in full swing. What usually would take at least a year had to be done in a month and a half. That was the absolute soonest they could be wed.
As Clarence was tugged and pulled at, he wondered how his prisoner was. Clarence's frantic schedule had made it so he had not been able to see his prisoner for a month, and Clarence could feel the withdrawals from their extended separation.
As Clarence smirked, imagining his prisoner's face when he dropped by his cell after a long month of them being apart. Clarence would have to do it soon.
"What do you think, Your Majesty?" The tailor asked as a mirror was placed in front of Clarence.
"It's perfect." Clarence said with a nod, an artificially smile on his face.
"Then, shall I call for Her Majesty, the Queen? I am sure she would be delighted to see her son in his wedding suit." The tailor asked, making minor adjustments to Clarence's suit as he spoke.
"There's no need to bother my mother. She is already busy enough with the wedding preparations." Clarence said resolutely.
"Of course, Your Majesty." The tailor said with a small bow, leaving the subject alone.
As the tailor and his assistants made a few final, artificial changes to Clarence's suit, a servant slipped into the room, whispering to one of the guards at the door. The guard nodded, then approached Clarence, bowing deeply as he did so.
"Your Majesty." The guard said, waiting for permission to speak. Clarence nodded at the guard, so he continued, "Your fiancée, Princess Dupont, is waiting outside. She would like an audience with you."
"How absurd." Clarence said with a mocking laugh, "That is my fiancée, of course she can come in. Next time, just allow her entry."
"As you will it, Your Majesty." The guard said, raising his back as he nodded to the servant, who slipped out of the room.
"What a lucky opportunity." The tailor said with a sly smile, "The princess must have been curious to see your suit in its final stages. It will provide a close image to what your suit will look like on your very special wedding day."
"She is quite the curious lady." Clarence responded with a smile, the door to the sitting room opening as he spoke. A head of curls, pearls, and beads slipped into the room like a swaying fall leaf, her fan covering the lower part of her face, the coverage emphasizing her downturned eyes.
"Is it alright if I look?" Charlotte asked, keeping her eyes downturned and her face turned away.
"Of course, Your Majesty." The tailor said, stepping away from Clarence as Charlotte glanced up, her eyes brightening as she looked at Clarence. With soft steps, Charlotte approached Clarence, who turned to face her. Gently, she lifted a hand and ran it down the embroidery of his front pocket, letting her fingers glide over the bumps and dull edges of the tightly wound thread.
"Remarkable work." Charlotte mumbled, smiling at the tailor, who glowed in response, saying an appreciative "thank you" with a heavy bow.
Clarence was silent through this, watching Charlotte's performance.
Quite the actress. Clarence thought to himself, "Could my fiancée and I have a moment alone?" Clarence asked the tailor, who bowed deeply.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Please call for us when you are ready." The tailor said, snapping his fingers at his employees, who cleared the room within seconds. The guards remained within the room, but Clarence dismissed them with a flick of his wrist.
Finally, the room was empty.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure for my dear fiancée's sudden appearance?" Clarence asked, looking down at his fiancée, who smiled up at him.
"I can't be curious how my fiancé will look during our wedding day?" Charlotte asked, placing both hands on Clarence's chest as she leaned into him.
"You're not being very discreet about keeping an eye on me." Clarence said, his hand wrapping around Charlotte's as he brought her hand up to his face. To any outsider, they would look like the epitome of love.
"You haven't gone to see that elf, have you?" Charlotte asked, ignoring Clarence's statement.
"You've been watching me so closely, I know you already know the answer."
"It can be anyone, but him." Charlotte whispered, looking deeply into Clarence's eyes.
"No one else will do." Clarence responded.
Charlotte released her hand from Clarence's grip, sighing as she pulled away from him, "Why do you love that elf so much?! You are jeopardizing everything by keeping him!"
Clarence laughed harshly, shaking his head in disbelief, "Love? Is that what you think?" Clarence shook his head, amused, "What an absurd notion. Do you have any idea what that elf did to me? This is revenge!"
"If it was truly revenge, Clarence," Charlotte rebutted, turning to glare at her fiancé, "Then why don't you just kill him and get it over with? Why do you refuse to let anyone else see him, and let the royal physician's best assistant treat his wounds? That is not the actions of a man who wants revenge."
Clarence's mocking smile soured with Charlotte's words, his eyes hardening, "I hate him. I want him to understand what I felt for so many years. I can't do that if I let him die immediately. The pain I want to inflict on him is immense. That isn't love."
"No, it's an obsession." Charlotte muttered to herself, refusing to meet Clarence's cold, hardened eyes any further. Charlotte cleared her throat, lifting her voice as she said, "Philomena is back. She wants to see Marquis Cyneric. Have you seen him? He hasn't been tied to your side like usual."
Hearing Charlotte's words, Clarence still found himself angry at such an absurd notion, but he could only frown as he said, "Alywin has been at home." He thought for a moment before he added, "He was ill after the engagement ball and has been recovering at home ever since."
Charlotte sneered, clenching her fists by her sides, "Have you checked in with him? Aren't you concerned?"
"That-" Clarence was dumbfounded, "I don't know."
The prince did not have an answer to give to the young princess. As Charlotte sighed, annoyed, a welling premonition grew in the bottom of Charlotte's stomach.
"I'm leaving." Charlotte said abruptly, finding the answers she had expected. Clarence did not say another word as the young princess held her Yursinean dress train in the crook of her arm, appearing much like a Yursinean-born noble. Though she did not feel any comfort from the country she would soon call home. "I do hope you prepare yourself for the wedding, Clarence. That elf will not intrude on our happiness" Stepping out the door, her heels trailed away as the door was shut behind her, leaving him to stand alone in the quiet room, feeling a belly full of regrets.
I wonder how Alywin is? It's been nearly a month since the incident with Theo. Clarence had been neglecting his friend for too long, focused only on his royal duties and the elf. I'm sure Alywin will understand when I talk to him. I've just been busy, that's all. The prince thought with a hmm, looking out the window as he turned back to the door of the office.
On the table to the left rested a letter table full of various colored inkwells and pens. A stack of fresh parchment had recently been replenished, leaving a faint smell of fresh paper and ink hanging in the air. Looking at the pen, the tips of Clarence's fingers itched, and he found himself walking over to the table with two short strides, holding the pen in his right hand.
He pushed aside the various documents he had been reading before and leaned over the table, using the pen in his hand to write a letter to Alywin. He wrote the young man's name, thinking only for a moment before he continued to write, ignoring the tailor waiting outside the door as he continued to write in his freshly-tailored wedding suit.
"Your Highness, may we continue the fitting?" The tailor asked from the door, knocking with the side of his hand.
Clarence frowned, looking at the half-finished letter full of wet ink. He pushed it aside with a sigh, rubbing the space between his brow as his head began to throb. A headache was coming. "You may enter."
The tailor pushed open the door, followed by his two assistants, ready to finish the prince's tailoring before the wedding preparations were finalized.
Philomena would have to continue to wait to hear about her dear Alywin's welfare.
…
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Oooo, Charlotte, tell your future husband (lol)! Clare, I think you need to listen to can't say I'm in love (Hercules song), hon. I am really looking forward to discussing more about Clare's feelings and how we will react later. I think he will surprise you all how he behaves later >y< I do love Philomena too! She's going to be playing an integral role with Alywin later (not romantically). No spoilers, but it's spicy stuff :D We love palace drama.
Hunny and I are still looking at getting next week's chapter done in time (we're going to be leaving for the con later next week ;; ), so I'm trying to dip into it and get it done ahead of time and schedule post for Friday. If not, you won't see an update ;^; I've been exhausted dealing with work things (now it piles up, F), same for Hunny, so we dragged into this week I feel ahaha
Thank you all for reading! >u<~~ We always enjoy seeing your thoughts! And... I may have a spicy new art piece up on my twitter from my "Return to the Candy Realm" series (already got a spicy Will print from Hannibal done now~~)! I'm working on selling prints in the future, so keep an eye out if you would like to snag a special YMtK print when those become available! :D Thanks again, all!