Chapter Eleven: Titling Royalty
Early the next morning, the Mouseking awoke in the bed. Being surrounded in its warm softness and with the full meals, he had never felt so well rested. When he stretched his arms, he realized that his chest did not hurt. If the mouse wasn't wearing the bandage, he would have forgotten the wound was even there. The rodent grinned, thinking he would become stronger than ever; thanks to his Royal Nurse who was already up.
Bianca was sitting in her vanity chair that she had placed by the window. The girl had just finished braiding her hair. She put a violet ribbon to her lips before tying the end of her braid. The Mouseking rose up and walked near the edge of the bed without holding the left side of his chest, as Bianca was staring deeply through the frosted glass pane.
The Mouseking: Royal Nurse, your king is hungry.
The young girl who was always so willing to oblige, for the first time, did not respond at all. The mouse folded his arms in annoyance
The Mouseking: (Clears his throat) I said… your king is… (Notes she is not listening) Royal Nurse..? Hey nurse!
Bianca shook her head for a second and faced the awaiting rodent.
Bianca: Oh! my apologies, your majesty! I was somewhere else.
The Mouseking: Foolis-… Uh… silly girl! You didn't go anywhere!
The child gave a small smile, but not from the mouse not understanding what she meant, but rather that he refrained from calling her foolish.
Bianca: I mean I was not paying attention. Sorry again, your majesty. I was just trying to understand. (Stares back at the window)
The rodent's hunger for breakfast was soon overcome by his curiosity.
The Mouseking: (Squints eyes at the window) What are you looking at?
Bianca: At the home of my Aunt and Uncle; the place where I had found your majesty… in a dust bin.
The mouse recognized the house that the sad child was referring to. His mouth went agape. After a long pause, Bianca continued.
Bianca: (Sighed) I just can't comprehend why my sweet Uncle Carl would do such a thing. And it upsets me even more to wonder if my Aunt and cousins knew, too. I've always thought that my cousin Clara, was as fond of animals as I.
The Mouseking's pink eyes went from wide from shock, to narrowed red with fury. His paws were tightly clenched into fists.
The Mouseking: (Thinking and growling) So… that's why my Royal Nurse looks like that sneaky girl! They're related! And that sneak's Father tossed me… the Mouseking… in the trash?! No one gets away with disgracing the Mouseking! NO ONE!
The big mouse's heightening growls grabbed the attention of Bianca's ears and she quickly went over to the distressed rodent. She saw the mouse's bent tail swishing like an agitated snake. The girl folded her hands, worried for him.
Bianca: (Concerned) Your majesty, do you know my relatives? Do you know how or… who injured my king's tail?
The mouse's eyebrows arched in surprise at those queries. Bianca rubbed his back which helped calm his growls and tail, but not his anger.
Bianca: (Speaks softly) I know the king is not required to answer all his servant's questions, but perhaps telling your Royal Nurse what happened would help… your majesty.
Still clenching his fists, the Mouseking turned his face away from the worried girl. In the far back of the royal rodent's mind, he actually wanted to tell Bianca on how Clara and her enchanted Nutcracker doll ruined all of his plans. But he dared not. For if his nurse found out that he wanted retribution at her own cousin, she may halt with tending to his recovery, and he wanted to be in tip top condition for his revenge.
The mouse took a deep breath to relax and looked back at the caring child.
The Mouseking: I… I'm not sure. (Shrugged) One minute I was doing my… kingly mission, then the next thing I know… I woke up here.
Bianca was a little relieved. She couldn't bear to think that her favorite cousin was rudely indifferent to animals; never less a talking, sovereign one.
Bianca: So your majesty is frustrated from not recalling what happened?
Without even a glance, the mouse's lowered head gave a small nod.
Bianca: Please, no worries, your majesty. It's just as well that you can't remember. Too much stress isn't good for my king's recovery. (Smiles) Pardon me, your majesty, while I prep your royal breakfast. (Puts chair next to vanity)
The Mouseking watched his reliable Royal Nurse bow and curtsy and leave for his morning meal. Subconsciously, the rodent felt his bandaged. He looked at his clasped paw.
The Mouseking: (Thinking) I don't know why… my chest hurts again.
But it wasn't the stitched wound that was bothering the Mouseking... it was his once sealed away conscience, reminding him that he hid the truth… from her.
Being so early, Ms. Francis and Doctor Johnson were still sleeping in their quarters, so Bianca quietly made breakfast and brought it to the very intrigued mouse; whose mind and belly was now focused on the scent of the warm, fruit-filled food.
The Mouseking: (Sniffs the air) Mm, what are they?
Bianca: (Bows) Crepes, your majesty. My Father's favorite. I hope my king's palate likes them as well. I dusted them with confections' sugar. We are out of cheese so I hope your majesty doesn't mind that I wrapped the crepes around strawberries instead…
The Mouseking: (Slowly climbs onto the chair) Oh, stop talking already and gim-me! Gim-me!
Bianca smiled widely at the excited mouse marching in place on the seat. She was pleased he was improving and getting around on his own. Plus, she was amused of his child-like eagerness when food was involved. She giggled but softly, as not to awaken her Father and housekeeper.
Bianca: (Clears her throat) Yes, your majesty. Here is your royal breakfast. (Softly giggles) Please be still, your majesty. My hands are full so I won't be able to catch you if you fall this time.
While the rodent was enjoying breakfast, Bianca was contemplating about something. This thought came to her mind ever since the sorrowful conversation she had with the Mouseking, last night. She sat on the bed and waited for him to finish the last bit of the thin, sweet pancakes to announce her idea.
Bianca: Your majesty, may I inquire something that would be of great interest to you?
The rodent was in a better mood since his appetite was appeased. He patted his beige belly and gestured his paw, holding a strawberry half for her to go on. The young girl stood up, took a step closer and bowed for him.
Bianca: Your majesty, would you permit your Royal Nurse to suggest a title for the king?
The Mouseking was caught off guard from this request; the strawberry falling out of his paw and back onto the plate. He brushed the powdered sugar from him and stood up.
The Mouseking: Uh… the Mouseking doesn't take suggestions from servants.
The girl put her hand over her cheek and thought. She leaned over to the stubborn rodent.
Bianca: (Speaks softly) Well then, your majesty… May your friend recommend a name?
The mouse wondered at her. That was the second time this girl referred… that word… or was it the third time? And did he mention that word to her last night, too? Or did he dream that he did..? He couldn't recall since he was so sleepy that evening…
There was a long pause. The child knew he was deciding and she patiently waited for his answer. The mouse then motioned his opened paw in the air. Bianca smiled.
Bianca: King Arthur. (Goes to her cabinet) My Mother use to read a book to me all about him. He was my favorite king.
The mouse gave a soft growl while raising a black eyebrow.
The Mouseking: You're… 'favorite' king?
Bianca brought over to him the book and giggled.
Bianca: 'Was' my favorite; before I was graced by the King of Mice's presence, of course.
The Mousking: Hah! Of course!
The Mouseking cautiously climbed from the chair and up to its vanity desk, and Bianca removed the empty dish and sat down. She paused and blinked… Did her majesty give his servant his seat? She smiled towards him, again he arched an eyebrow.
The Mouseking: Huh? What?
Bianca: (Smiling) Oh, nothing. No worries, your majesty.
The young girl opened the book showing the interested rodent about her former-favorite monarch.
Bianca: You see, your majesty, not only King Arthur was a strong ruler, but was also a tough knight. He fought bravely for what he believed in and was respected by all his subjects and feared by all his enemies.
The Mouseking admired the battle illustrations and everyone praising the powerful leader. He put his limbs up and flexed his large arms.
The Mouseking: (Proudly) Just like me!
Bianca giggled and held up the opened book.
Bianca: Yes, your majesty. Just like you.
The child leaned to the vanity and happily retrieved the remaining strawberry half from the empty plate and held the sweeten fruit up for the mouse.
Bianca: Your strawberry, King Arthur.
The King of Mice tapped his pointy front incisors for a moment but then, gave his nurse a nod as he accepted the last of his royal breakfast… and his new name.
Bianca's smile could not become any prouder; for she just had titled royalty.
