*Queen Belinda*
"Nicoli," Belinda forced her smile to be extra warm. It had to be. It was the only thing that seemed to work on him nowadays.
Otherwise, the boy was barely there.
"Eat some."
She pushed the plate towards Nicoli.
"It's your favorite. I had it specially made for our tea time."
Nicoli glanced at the cake, but it didn't spark any reaction. Instead, he looked back to the toy in his hands.
He had brought it along again today. Nicoli was never attached to his other toys. But the little bear was different. It held some particular importance.
However, Belinda didn't have the energy to guess whatever it was. It was already tiring enough to do with him as it was.
"Ah," Belinda sighed and leaned back. It was undoubtedly a trial to deal with him nowadays. She loved Nicoli dearly, but enough was enough.
Her patience was running out.
"Nicoli, do you want to return to your room?."
"Yes, please." Nicoli quickly left his chair and ran up to kiss her on the cheek before retreating.
"So quick?" Belinda watched him disappear between the doors before Julia closed them. They were alone, and she relaxed her features into an evident scowl.
"He's been at this for weeks." She sipped her tea.
"I've not seen him so…."
"Stoic and studied, my queen?" Julia offered to move to her side. Belinda shot her a knowing look before taking another sip.
This all was very off-putting for her.
"I can't imagine that girl would so alter my Nicoli. But he hasn't been the same since that child's visit."
Belinda cradled her cup.
"Perhaps the incident was too much for him?" Julia spoke, mindful. "We might have taken things too far."
"Too far?"
"To have him wake and see the head?"
"It wasn't nearly enough as I planned." Belinda snapped, but her anger was half-hearted. She was more disappointed than angry.
She added more cream and sugar to her cup.
"But, it had the desired effect all the same." Belinda stirred.
"For now, at least."
"Your Majesty?" Julia blinked. But Belinda didn't speak. Instead, she only sipped her tea.
She was trying to enjoy what little pleasure she could from the taste.
All this talk has fouled my tongue.
But even there, she had no reprieve. Belinda lowered her cup and eyed the table.
She had made efforts to make Nicoli's favorite cake and tea, but it was a waste. His plate and cup were still untouched.
Their tea party had been another disaster.
And Belinda's mood only soured as she recalled his readiness to leave. He didn't even fake wanting to stay any longer.
Why did both men in her life so quickly want to leave her?
"Take all of this out of my sight." Belinda tipped her cup over to cover everything in tea.
"Yes, my queen." Julia bowed and pulled up the tray. Some tea splashed on her, but she did not react. Her lips only whitened as the tea burned her skin.
"Bring me, Thomas."
"Prince Nicoli's manservant?" Julia clarified. Belinda only fluffed her sleeve. It was a delicate dress she had just bought to get the king's attention.
Another waste. Belinda only soured.
The king had not paid her a visit in so many days, and her bed had been left cold for many nights. But still, the King was civil enough to talk when others were around.
But in private, Belinda wanted more.
"I need to talk with him." Belinda turned her hand to admire her rings.
"He needs to be more vigilant. I want to know everything and anything going on with my son. So he'll need to be watched daily."
"My queen?"
Belinda lifted her eyes to make Julia swallow.
"Yes, my queen." Julia bowed and dashed as quickly as her old body could go. She didn't want to set her off with any more delay.
*Thomas*
Thomas stood by, watching the prince from the doorway. He tried to miss nothing the boy did if he needed to report it later. But today was looking like a waste.
Since coming back, Nicoli had taken to drawing on the floor. Thomas had seen him draw before, but he was doing so more frequently. Nicoli would sit and draw and do nothing else for hours.
All with the sole companion of a little stuffed bear. A toy that Nicoli seemed very protective of and wouldn't allow him even to touch. Thomas thought it was odd but not enough to talk about.
"Your Highness," Thomas started. "Shall we walk the maze today?"
"It's bright today. Perhaps you'd like to build a snowman?"
Thomas ventured a smile. But it was weak and easily dissolved under Nicoli's sharp eyes. He seemed to always be on guard with Thomas.
It is like he already knows why I am here. Thomas frowned. It irked him.
He's just a child. Children should be slow. But the boy seemed to be anything but that.
Although he could hide it well.
"Did you…hear me, your Majesty? I said-"
"I don't want to." Nicoli returned to his coloring.
"Ah," Thomas had to breathe through his nose and not snap. So, instead, he tried to think of something else to coax the boy.
"Then…" Thomas thought with a smile.
"How about your letters? You have mail-"
"Letters?" Nicoli popped up at the question.
"From Nocheten? Is it from Sister Ana?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Oh," Nicoli's face fell.
Seriously? Thomas flexed his hands as, yet again, his ploy was foiled. He needed to think up something else or be doomed to spend another day in his room.
"Do you want to see them?" Thomas pushed.
"Lord Philp and Tommy have written-"
Nicoli shook his head.
"Later, Thomas." Nicoli returned with disinterest. He moved to switch colors. Thomas could see he was drawing a figure. It looked like a girl in a purple dress.
Does that mean something? Thomas wondered with significance. Nicoli had been drawing her in many of his pictures.
"Are you expecting a letter, your majesty?" Thomas ventured to make him pause again. But this time, the effect seemed to last longer. Nicoli lowered his pencil.
"I…I hope so." Nicoli spoke quietly. His blue eyes focused on the paper. Then, absently, he reached for his little bear.
"How many weeks has it been now?"
Is that what this is? Thomas smiled to himself, figuring Nicoli out.
So he is waiting for her to reply first-
The rushed footsteps made Thomas look back to spy on the old maid. Julia was heading straight for him.
Upon seeing him, Julia only quickened her step.
"Thomas, her majesty is calling for you." Julia pounded over. Her breath came out forced, and her face red.
"You must see her now."
"Is that right?" Thomas voiced cooly. He looked back to Nicoli to see him still lost in thought.
It looks profoundly odd to see a five-year-old do so.
"I said to make haste." Julia urged and turned on a heel. Again, she was pushing herself back towards where she came from.
Thomas watched her move with some pity. But, on the other hand, he was secretly thankful. He was glad he did not have such a demanding master as her.
The poor woman is in her sixties and running around with her head cut off. Thomas tsked.
Though Nicoli was not warm towards him, he never made Thomas his lackey either. But that was the only positive in their relationship.
Still, Thomas sighed and bowed. He couldn't refuse the Queen either.
"Goodbye, Prince Nicoli." Thomas farewelled to see Nicoli shoo him off with a hand. His face was still focused as he held the bear close.
"Where ever did he get that little thing?" Thomas whispered under his breath before turning. It was not something he could recall the boy having before.
But Thomas nearly forgot the thought as he turned to more important things. The queen needed him, and Thomas could only steel himself for what was to come.
The bear, though important to Nicoli, was probably nothing. And he would get tired of it and throw it away, like any other toy.
It couldn't be anything more than that.