"Excuse me? Run away?"
Oliver's heart pounded from the words. He couldn't tell if the king had been serious when he uttered the question.
Fennel's shoulders slumped, and he shook his head side to side. His ears drooped, and his tail was tucked between his legs.
"I'm joking."
"That's a terrible joke,' Oliver groaned.
"Yes," Fennel agreed. "Well, I'll be on my way. I shall see you later."
Oliver didn't want the king to go, but he realized time kept moving even as they were in there together. If the king didn't prepare for the ball, they may both never hear the end of it from Anise.
"Wait, Fennel!"
Fennel looked up at Oliver when he approached. He could sense the feline felt a bit shy.
"May I hug you before you go?"
The king smiled brightly. His heart swelled at such a wonderful request.
"I want nothing more." Fennel nodded, his tail swishing with excitement.
Oliver closed the distance between them, then gently wrapped his arms around the feline's waist. He pulled his smaller body against his and rested his chin against his shoulder.
The overflowing warmth coming from his body made him feel immense amounts of happiness, though he wondered how often he would be able to do such a thing in the future.
It didn't matter. Fennel could be a king, have a wife, or even have a child, but it would never change how Oliver felt about him. The man he embraced in the moment had captured his heart. It was his. Even if the prospect of needing to share the feline with another was painful, he would loyally offer his affection.
Nothing could change that fact.
Fennel purred lightly against Oliver's chest and returned the embrace. He could hear the man's heart beating wildly as they stood there. It made him wonder how the bard actually felt about him.
As much as Oliver didn't want to let go, he tried to pull away, but his arm got stuck in Fennel's extravagant cape.
"This thing is dangerous," Oliver laughed as he looked down at his sleeve caught in an attached embellishment on the fabric. "I think I'm permanently attached to your cape now."
"I would be fine with that," Fennel said. "I enjoy your company more than anyone else's."
"While that may be true, I don't think the royal court would be pleased if you attended to official duties with a bard stuck to you."
Fennel sighed. He moved his hands to Oliver's sleeve and unhooked his arm from the robe. He nodded, then walked to the door.
"I'll see you soon," Fennel said as he left the room.
Oliver placed his palms against the mattress of his bed. He wondered if he could muster the courage to tell the king how he felt about him, how their situation didn't change the fact that he cared for him deeply as more than a friend.
Oliver's ears were folded. He made the decision to examine the sheet music. There was no way to practice for much longer. It was already late, and his presence was required at the ball.
The curiosity of who the king would choose to enter an engagement with peaked his interest. She would no doubt be blissfully unaware, she had to compete with the court bard.
An hour passed before Oliver decided it was time to head out. He collected his precious belongings, then left the room.
The castle was bustling with life. Servants and other guests rushed to and fro. Their footsteps echoed against the hard flooring as they moved.
He entered the ballroom, his silver ears wiggling as he heard indistinguishable chatter among the palace guests.
A group of women were standing close by. They looked up as Oliver entered the room. He recognized a woman as one of the maids from earlier in the day. They must have gotten lucky to be rewarded with an evening of leisure as the rest of the palace servants attended to the guests needs.
He edged closer. He could hear the younger one, Lysse, gossiping with a group of women.
"Why do you think that bard was in the king's closet?" She asked the group of women.
"He's probably a creep," a brunette chimed in. "I've heard of creepy men making their way into the royal court to stalk the family."
"Ugh," Lysse groaned. "Do you think he's, like, obsessed with the king?"
"He probably is," the woman replied. "It's so strange."
Oliver chuckled to himself. Lysse seemed to be one of the gossip-loving women. He would make sure he was careful about what he revealed around her.
Oliver's ears flicked forward. He could hear someone approaching the group. He didn't need to look to see that it was Anise, who was dressed in a gorgeous lavender ball gown.
"Is it true that the bard was in his closet?" She asked the group.
"Yes," Lysse nodded.
"Is he really here to watch the king?" Anise frowned.
"It looks that way," the woman shrugged.
"How can you allow yourself to speak of our king like that?" Anise huffed. "He would never be anything more than a companion to the bard, and the bard is polite enough to not try anything."
"We were just saying-" the woman said, shaking her head.
"I will have you removed if you don't hold your tongues," Anise threatened.
The woman nodded and quickly hurried away. They weren't about to defy the former queen.
Anise turned her attention toward Oliver. She looked him over, then sighed.
"Oliver," she addressed him. "Are you ready to play once the king arrives?"
"I am," Oliver replied.
"Good," Anise smiled.
"I must warn you, the king requested something a bit different tonight."
"Oh?" Anise's brow raised. "How different?"
"I cannot say. It is a secret," Oliver replied.
"Ah," Anise's lips curled into a frown. "I see."
Oliver bowed. "Please excuse me."
"Of course," Anise nodded, then watched as the bard walked away.
Oliver grinned. He had actually written a short song about the life of Sir BaldTail. He was sure it would be a hoot to see the reactions of the uptight nobles who attended.
Oliver hummed as he took a seat near the front of the room. He placed his lute on his lap.
As he sat there, he had a good view of the crowd. There were countless attractive women around, many of whom he saw as having the potential to seduce Fennel.
Oliver's ears jerked forward. The doors had opened. He noticed that the king had entered the room.
Fennel wore a simple green tunic with matching slacks underneath. His tail swung behind him. ears twitched slightly as he examined all over the room.
The confidence Fennel displayed in the throne room during the coronation had returned, like magic.
Fennel waved, then moved toward the stage. It was the last place he wanted to be.
"Your majesty, is there anything we should be aware of?" Anise asked.
"No, I can't think of anything," Fennel shrugged.
"Are you certain?"
"Just one question: how exactly do you want me to find a wife?"
"Well, I will be watching all of the noblewomen who are attending. You may wish to talk to the ones who catch your eye and have a conversation. It will give you an opportunity to learn more about them."
"I see," Fennel replied, his gaze turning toward Oliver.
"I suggest you make an announcement that you seek a queen."
"I guess."
He was grateful for her help, but at the same time, she did seem a little overbearing about everything.
Fennel stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Oliver's. Those yellow eyes were perfect.
"Hello!" Fennel smiled. "It's good to see you here."
"Good evening." Oliver nodded, his heart aching.
"I cannot wait to hear you play," Fennel replied. "Especially that special song I requested."
"Yes, of course," Oliver smiled. "I didn't forget."
Fennel turned and stepped up on the stage. He looked over the crowd of people who were staring at him with adoration. He could tell some were already plotting ways to catch his attention.
Fennel sighed. He wasn't ready for this.
Fennel walked to the throne and took a seat. He tried to keep himself from appearing too anxious. He kept his posture straight and his gaze serious, even though he knew the song Oliver would perform was anything but serious.
"Welcome," Anise addressed the crowd.
"Hello," the crowd replied in unison.
"Please enjoy the performance by our esteemed royal court bard," Anise announced.
"Thank you," Fennel nodded. "Our court bard is a true talent."
"Good evening, everyone," Oliver greeted, his voice echoing in the grand hall.
"Good evening," the crowd replied.
"First, I will begin the evening's entertainment with a song titled, 'Sir BaldTail and his Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day'."
The crowd erupted in laughter. They couldn't believe the bard would start off the night with such a terribly titled tune.
This was the only portion of the night that Fennel had looked forward to.