Hi there. It's been a while. Sorry for the wait. Wednesday are the elections so after that I'll have more time to write. Not my favorite chapter, because after that amazing finale my Robert decided he wanted to be just as deliciously evil as the show's Robert and that just wouldn't work for this story. Thank you for bearing with me!
ACT II.
Lawlessness.
Part IV.
Exile.
Poppy's return to the Palace was so smooth that he hardly noticed. It was as if nothing had ever happened and perhaps nothing truly ever had. They slipped into the familiar routine of her annoying the fuck out of him and him utterly despising her.
'You're her boss,' had said Jasper wisely. 'Whatever happened, happened. Now let's get back to normal. She's not for you and you're not for her.' And if the man was overstepping his boundaries, Robert decided to let it go. Just this once. Some battles weren't worth fighting. Especially since the man was right.
It was easy, surprisingly so, because every time she opened that enormous mouth of hers, he had the urge to stuff a sock in it – preferably one of Liam's, because his sweaty feet were legendary – and push her down some stairs. Just like the old times.
Pestilent, little bint.
He felt like throttling her when she suggested he invite Kent over for lunch since she meets so many of the criteria your mother has set for your future wife. Actually had to physically refrain himself from doing so when she started reciting Bible verses during lunch while explaining to his family – extended and all and much to Beck's amusement – that it's quite Biblical to simply lay hold on a virgin and know her, because then she'd be his, resulting in his mother coming up with yet another list, this time consisting of the names of Eligible Celebates. He'd had Poppy removed from the Palace Admittance & Free Access List afterwards. It had been a bloody ridiculous move since she actually worked at the Palace, but at least it had given him two days of peace. To try to salvage some of this much coveted peace, he forbade the Palace employees to have breakfast, lunch or dinner with any of the members of the Royal family and he made sure any sort of contact between the commoners and the Royalty would be frowned upon.
Eleanor hated him for it. He couldn't care less. Jasper was extremely low on his list of acceptable people – he personally blamed the man for everything that was wrong in his life at the moment and the little shit had been belittling and criticizing Robert ever since that day at Poppy's house – so Robert felt like he hit two birds with one stone.
Splendid.
But in between moments – in between having Baker and Frost escort Poppy from the Dining Room and telling the latter he can fuck off as well, in between cursing at her and rolling his eyes as she stomped away displeased, in between agreeing to lunch with Kent and imagining murdering Poppy - Robert watched her – watched her more often and more eager than he was comfortable with – and he could do naught but conclude everything had changed, no matter how hard he – they – tried to pretend like it hadn't.
Everything had changed. Most of it wasn't even her fault.
And it had been hard before, but now he found it nearly impossible to be civil to her. He preferred vulgar, crude, lewd – preferred fucking her on his desk and fuck all who saw.
He groaned and they all – all - looked at him. Jasper knowingly. Robert scoffed at him. The ungrateful turd should be grateful he was allowed inside the study and wasn't forced to wait outside, considering the ban on Plebeian-Royalty-shenanigans. But this was a family meeting and Eleanor and Helena both had dubbed Jasper family – one sandwich short of a picnic, they were. Poppy and Rachel were allowed in because apparently his family meetings and problems were their main source of income.
Bloody proles.
Poppy glanced at him and he bared his teeth at her. She smiled, gently, but turned away when he narrowed his eyes. He wasn't falling for her tricks. Got done in once, but not twice. Never twice.
'What are you groaning about?' Liam snapped. 'You're not the one who has to put his engagement on hold because his older brother is too impotent to find a girlfriend on his own.'
Ah yes, the current issue at hand. The reason for this disastrous meeting. Because apparently his halfwit of a brother had proposed to his girlfriend who then - against all odds - had said yes - and in all honesty, Robert had truly thought Willow was better than that - resulting in the hissyfit Liam was currently throwing in the King's study. Because, no Liam, I will not bless this marriage. I do not sanction it.
'If you'd followed the rules and line of succession, Liam,' he replied, 'and remembered that you're just the spare there wouldn't have been a problem at all. Hashtag King Liam is long dead. Seems like you are the only one not accepting this.'
'Robert,' Helena hissed and he felt more than saw Poppy move closer.
'I am King, little brother,' he continued. 'Therefore you only marry once I already am.'
'So Willow is doomed to forever stay a Prince's Mistress?'
'Liam!' Helena glared at her two sons, seeking support from her daughter who had inconspicuously shifted to the far wall against which Jasper was leaning amusedly.
'Who even gave you permission to propose?' Robert said exasperated. 'What were you thinking?'
'Since when do I need permission to fucking propose to the woman I love?'
'Since you're the spare and not the King.' Jasper slapped a hand over Eleanor's mouth, but apparently not quick enough. Liam flicked her the finger.
'You're just jealous because you know he' – he jabbed a finger in Jasper's direction – 'will never marry you.' Liam hissed.
'And you're just bitter because you will never have a crown,' Eleanor spat back just as viciously. 'You cannot marry without the consent of the reigning monarch, Liam, and you damn well know it. And Robbie's not giving it, so get over yourself.'
He was grateful, immensely so, for his sister's support and he wondered if she'd still be this fierce had the roles been reversed. If her American vagabond had proposed to her – had finally grown some balls – only for Robert to tell him he disputed the engagement. Then again, he would never object to any marriage of hers. Never. He wanted her to be happy. But most of all, she mattered even less.
Less than a spare. A role of such unimportance she had always struggled with it. Not anymore, though. Not after Jasper.
'I cannot give you permission, Liam,' he sighed. 'You're next in line. It won't do for you to marry before the King. And since mother has already decreed I find a wife before the end of the year and the entire Kingdom is aware of my search, it would be a mockery to my people to have the first Royal marriage of this generation be not only that of the spare, but also to a commoner.'
'How dare you?!' – but Willow's hand on his arm cut him off.
'It's okay, Liam,' she said softly. 'He's right.'
'Are you kidding me?'
'She certainly is not,' Helena said. 'There've been enough scandals. It's time we do it right.'
'Scandals you created because you couldn't keep your legs together like some common slag,' and Father always said Liam was the emotional one.
The slap resounded and everyone was quiet all at once. Helena and Liam stared at each other, the Queen Mother's hand still raised, the imprint it made on Liam's cheek already burning red. James stared at the both of them stoically, while Baker did the same, albeit wide-eyed.
But Robert only felt anger. Surging white-hot through his veins. The outrage.
And his rise was like a roar, a lion exploding forward on its hind legs, and it was almost in slow motion that he saw his fist connect with Liam's nose, saw his brother's head snap backward, the blood spurting from his nose. He distantly heard Eleanor yelling, or maybe it was Willow. He couldn't care less.
'You will notspeak to our mother like that. Not ever!'
He wanted to move forward, was still fuming – blazing – but there was a hand on his arm, curled around his biceps and its touch was so familiar that he stopped in his tracks. Looked at that hand and the arm it belonged to, the body it was part of. This woman he knew so intimately yet casually.
'Out,' he bellowed. 'Everybody out.'
They all moved as one towards the doors – Willow supporting Liam, Helena already gone when he thought to look for her - and he placed his hand on top of Poppy's before she could retreat.
Stay.
Not that he would ever ask.
Jasper lingered by the door, James close behind him. Robert eyed his bodyguard and Jasper stared back, challengingly. His gaze flicked to Poppy's hand still on his arm. He could clearly see Jasper stiffen.
'You can go too. Close the door behind you.'
Jasper raised an eyebrow questioningly.
'You're not needed in here.'
But Jasper shook his head. 'I'm not letting you alone with her.'
Robert snorted, and perhaps this battle needed to be fought, because Jasper was overstepping his boundaries a lot lately.
'I don't think she wants me to leave,' Jasper continued and again Robert looked at her hand.
On my arm and not yours, Jasper.
'I think she wants you to leave,' Robert replied. 'Besides. I'm her boss. And I'm yours too. So get the fuck out of my study before you really piss me off.'
Jasper's hands curled into fists at his last words and Robert smirked at him. 'What?'
'She's my friend, Robert,' Jasper said hotly. 'The only friend I have outside of this godforsaken palace so please –'
'And I'm your King.' His voice was deep, resounding through the entire study and Jasper took a step back. 'Remember your place, bodyguard. You seem to be needing a lot of reminding lately and my patience is wearing thin.
'You seem to be forgetting that by the grace of God and I, you're shagging my sister. The only sister I have in this godforsaken palace. So just imagine the lengths I would go to, to protect that sister, were I to believe you've suddenly become a burden to me. A nuisance to be removed. I wonder who you'd value more then? Your friend or the girl you claim to love?'
He smiled, all teeth and no joy.
Jasper stared at him, mouth agape.
'Off you go, bodyguard. Make yourself scarce the rest of the week.'
Shifty son of a bitch.
'That was a bit unnecessary.' Poppy quirked an eyebrow at him and he shrugged. 'I don't care much about your opinion, Calliope.'
She sighed, smiled sadly. 'So this is how it's going to be?'
Her fingers rested in the hollow of his elbow, softly squeezing. Determined.
'This is how what is going to be?' he asked stubbornly. He turned slightly away from her, but not too far. He liked the feeling of the heat of her skin burning through his shirt. His heart sped up when she let go, afraid to completely lose contact, but then he felt her fingers softly brushing the inside of his forearm before settling possessively around his ring and little finger.
'James,' he said and if the man found the touching of their hands curious, he did well to hide it. 'Make sure Jasper knows he's not welcome in the Palace during the remainder of this week. Inform my sister as well and then keep her away from me until next Monday. Watson seems like a decent replacement for Jasper.'
James knew better than to question his King's orders, especially when he was in a mood. He exchanged a quick glance with Poppy, who shrugged. Robert caught their looks and lifted an eyebrow. Finally moved away from Poppy, jerking his hand from her grip. Suddenly annoyed.
'Something the matter?' he asked sharply.
'Apologies, Your Majesty,' James said solemnly. 'I'm on it.'
'Good,' he said, turning his back on them both. 'You can leave.'
He walked towards his desk, where a crystal decanter of whiskey stood waiting. He didn't bother using a glass, just pulled the stopper out and pressed the entire thing against his mouth. Took a deep swig and sighed. His family was a fucking mess. Always had been. And it seemed there was nothing he could do to fix it. They were all bloody idiots.
Me the biggest of all.
But his hands were tied. It simply wouldn't do for Liam to marry before him and after the boy's display earlier – he gritted his teeth, because how dare that insolent youth?! – he was of a mind to never sanction this bloody marriage. A fucking fool, that Liam was.
'I swear to God, Liam,' he grumbled. 'You'll be the death of me, you fucking prick.'
He took another swig, and then one more. When he sat down on the leather sofa, he was surprised to see Poppy hadn't left yet.
'You're still here.'
She shrugged and only for a moment he saw uncertainty plain on her face. Then it was gone.
'What are you doing, Robert?' she asked gently. She moved closer and he felt like she was stalking him. Like he was her prey. He swallowed deeply.
'Teaching him a lesson. Teaching them both a lesson.'
He assumed she was talking about Jasper, but perhaps he was wrong. Liam?
She sat down in front of him, between his legs and he was appalled at her lack of reserve, her casualness. Her right hand rested on his knee, while the other sought his out. He avoided eye contact when she curled her fingers around his, pulled his hand closer. Pretended not to notice. The recovered contact made his breathing hitch, though.
'You're angry at me,' she said softly. 'Don't take it out on them.'
He narrowed his eyes at her. 'This has nothing to do with you. This is about my brother acting like a bloody idiot and Frost being an insolent, little bastard. He needs this time off to do some thinking.'
He ran a hand through his hair, pinched the bridge of his nose.
'Frost is as stubborn and stupid as my brother. You know he's been walking around with an engagement ring? Probably worth not even a quarter of what my sister deserves. She's lucky I've already accepted that she's into that third-rate shit.'
'Yes, clearly you've accepted that,' Poppy murmured. He scowled but ignored her comment, continued speaking.
'If he thinks he can run his mouth to me, he needs to get his own life in order first. So this is the King doing his bodyguard a favor. He has to man up and commit to my sister. Make it official and slide that ring on her finger. And I will deal with the repercussions later. Because that's nothing less than what she deserves.'
'You just told Liam you wouldn't sanction his marriage,' she said softly.
Robert rolled his eyes at her. 'That is Liam. My heir. This is Eleanor. There's a difference there. Liam and Jasper know this damn well. They act like it, but both my brother and my bodyguard are not complete idiots. Besides, Eleanor deserves this. She deserves a man who irrevocably chooses her. If Frost cannot do that, he needs to get back in line. Eleanor can have any man she wants and for some reason she chose him. He's been loitering around the Palace like he owns it. Trying to tell me what to do. It doesn't work like that. Nobody tells me what to do. So Jasper needs to get his head out of his ass. Stop messing my sister around like she's just some random lay. Make an honest woman out of her and maybe then he can give me advice on how to live my life.'
He sneered.
'The two of you are good at that, you know. Casually fucking royalty.'
Her fingers tightened on his knee as she looked away.
She didn't let go off his hand, though.
For some reason he was relieved.
