I was hiding under my bed as Abelard frantically searched for me. He was so freaked out he couldn't find me that he was neglecting to search the simplest of places. I'd made sure to let him see me to get me ready for the meeting with Voltaire. When he fled the room, I made out from under my bed a few minutes later and opened the window. An old friend had taught me how to climb a cliff and a tree, a building couldn't be that much different right? And if I fall, nothing major happens… except I get caught. Gilbird was keeping guard.
I made it to the ground before I quickly wrapped my cloak around me. I'd made sure to get one that camouflaged with my surroundings. I ran to the barn and hid under the hay after letting my horse out. It would come back later. I needed a better plan. I also couldn't leave the grounds. So I needed a better hiding place. One I could hide at for a while. Gilbird came flying in.
"Gilbert, the coast is clear." I snuck back toward the building. I knew where I needed to go but I was kind of forbidden to go there. The Queens chambers. There's a plus to having forbidden rooms! I looked up to see Gilbird had successfully closed my window.
"Good job." I quickly whispered. He tweeted. He poked his head into one of the windows and I followed his order. He quickly led me down corridors and when I would have ran into someone he landed under a piece of furniture. It's not like this was deadly but it was still able to get me into trouble.
"Almost there." Gilbird tweeted.
"Gilbird, take me where I need to go. Then I want you to show that my horse is gone. It'll make everyone I need to hide from leave." He tweeted happily.
We reached a three way corridor. Fritz was standing right there in front of the Queens chambers. "I can't believe that boy. For his sake, I hope he's still on the grounds."
"Frederick, if Gilbert doesn't like Voltaire, why do you make him attend meetings with the man?"
"Because Voltaire seems to like him and he knows very well that one thing I ask of him is that he attend my meetings with me." Gilbird flew around Fritz and tweeting at Fritz. Fritz turned to look at the bird. Gilbird tweeted happily.
"I know where Gilbert is!" He tweeted and motioned the best he could for Fritz to follow. Fritz stared at the bird.
"Wherever Gilbert is, Gilbird is sure to follow." I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Gilbird led the King and Queen away. When they were out of sight and ten minutes had passed I quickly dodged into the Queens chambers. Fritz is going to kill me. Well maybe I outsmarted him. For once. Though never again. He is a battle strategist.
I quickly ran under the Queen's bed. I staid there for a while until I heard the door open. I froze, hoping to stay hidden. From the look of the shoes walking around, it was one of the maids. I smirked. I wonder if I might play with her. I shook my head. No, I can't! I'll be found for sure! I backed up.
"Huh?" Shit! I covered myself with my cloak. A few seconds passed and then I felt tugging on my cloak. "These must have fallen." I let go of my cloak and slid my arms almost motionless out of the arm holes. She pulled them out from under the bed. "These aren't covers." She walked off and opened the door to what was supposedly the Queen's wardrobe. "These aren't even her size." I saw her walking back toward the bed. I quickly scooted out from under the bed and when she looked down I stood and tried to sneak out of the room. I can't run because then she'd quickly look at me. Though this was clearly the worst thing to do. She screamed. I ran for the door, hearing footsteps. She looked over the bed and screamed louder before becoming quiet. "Gilbert! His Majesty is looking for you!" I had too far to go to get out of the Queen's chambers. I knew that when I ran into an already gathered group of servants coming to help.
"Gilbert! Oh thank goodness."
"What are you doing in here?!" screeched one of them. Some of them screamed and others were talking. They wouldn't let me out. One of them ran to go get the King. Shit. I turned and ran back into the bedroom and threw myself under the bed.
It took only a matter of minutes before I could hear Fritz' voice. I cringed. I never should of done this. I should of went to the dungeons instead! Next time I'll know better. Especially if I'm grounded. "You said you found Gilbert? In here?"
"Yes Your Majesty. He's under the bed." Bitches! I backed up as far as I could go. If only I were smaller!
"Gilbert, if you're there, come out right now." When I didn't make a move, he continued. "Or I'll count to three and you will be a very sorry young boy." I scooted away from him. "One." At least he can't fit under here. "Two!" Are you sure? "Three." I saw him bend over. "Gilbert, come out or I'll go get Abelard to drag you out." He stood up. I was the frantic one now. What do I do?
"Do I still have to attend the meeting with Voltaire?"
"Yes. This misbehavior of yours changes nothing."
"Can you get under here?"
"No, I can't ruin my clothes. We have a meeting with Voltaire. Gilbert, are you dressed?"
"I have my pajamas on." I answered.
"Then you aren't even ready for the meeting. It's in an hour Gilbert." Okay I really should come out. Anything else and he's going to be furious. Something I've noticed is he's never really yelled at me. As soon as I was out I got smacked three times.
"Ow! Fritz!"
"I will handle this later. Right now you need a bath and to get dressed." He smacked me one more time before leading me out by my ear. I yelped and grabbed onto his hand.
"Fritz!" I whined. "That hurts!" He ignored me and dragged me into my room before beginning to set the water himself. I think he's already furious. When he was satisfied he began undressing me. I yanked away. "I can do it myself." He headed out of the bathroom but I could hear him digging around in my room for my clothes to wear. I quickly took a proper bath.
When I went into my room, I was quickly handed clothes to put on. I waited for Fritz to leave. He left but he didn't go far. I quickly got dressed and opened the door to be dragged to the front doors by my forearm.
"I want you to apologize to the guards." He stated and I noticed that they were bringing back my horse. They spotted me and seemed to relax with relief.
"I'm sorry. I was hiding." You fell for my trap. A few minutes passed and I noticed a carriage coming up. I squirmed to get away from Fritz but he seemed to have a much stronger grip than I thought he did on my arm.
"You will be polite." He let go when Voltaire stepped out.
"Ah. Frederick. So glad to see you my friend." He quickly approached and hugged Fritz. I glared at him. He did that weird French thing and Fritz returned it. I grimaced. Poor Fritz. Voltaire let go and looked at me. "And young Gilbert." He reached for me but I glared at him. He stiffened before heading in. I smirked. Until I met eye contact with the King. I looked at my feet immediately.
"Sorry Fritz." Fritz turned inside and quickly headed off after Voltaire.
"You'll have to excuse Gilbert. He's still not used to the way the French greet each other."
"What is the usual greeting for him?"
"A smile and a hello. I've seen it many times with his two friends. Francis and Antonio." What I wouldn't give to have them here. Voltaire turned around. Great! I stared at Fritz, pleading.
"Hello Young Gilbert." I smirked. I bet this man couldn't speak our language. Even if Fritz could speak French. I mean, Fritz was a King. He'd have to know how to speak those languages. I held out my hand.
"Salve, meum nomen est Gilbert. Quid agis?" He stared at me for a minute. That's simple to understand. 'Hello, my name is Gilbert. How are you?'
"Bene sum. Tibi gratias ago pro petis. Quid agis?" He can speak Latin? (I'm fine. Thank you for asking.) I scoffed and looked away. Fritz sat down in his usual chair and Voltaire sat down and I sat down close to Fritz but thought better of it and sat far away from him. They started speaking French. I knew French, from hanging out with France, but I ignored them. I also knew Spanish.
"Gilbert, Voltaire asked you if you find it fun here." Fritz said. I looked at him.
"Tell him I find it amazing because Your Majesty is here." I can't tell him to tell Voltaire something rude.
"Can the boy not speak French?" I glared at him.
"I can speak French just fine, you French bastard. For your information, I'm friends with the most French guy you can meet. Francis Bonnefoy. I also know Antonio Fernández Carriedo." (Je peux parler français très bien, français enfoiré. Pour votre renseignements, je suis un ami avec le plus français que vous pouvez rencontrer. Francis Bonnefoy. También conozco a Antonio Fernández Carriedo.)
"You know Francis Bonnefoy? I know him too! He's the personal assistant to the King of France. Well that's what he calls himself. Louis thinks of him almost like a son, if not exactly like one."
"Good for him. No one can be as awesome as Fritz. Except me."
"You have quite an ego."
"And you don't? You write about things that you shouldn't really be writing about. Like religion. I don't see a sign on you that says 'I'm a Pope.'"
"I believe the same as Frederick. One should be free to choose their own religion."
"Yeah but you seem to think that Fritz should have less power. You talk of separation of the church and the state!"
"That I do. I don't however think that power should be taken from our loved Frederick." I shut up, refusing to talk to him anymore. I hate adults. They never fucking listen. I don't believe anything Voltaire says. Fritz is both the state and the church. Isn't he? I mean he holds all the power over Prussia and it's decisions. Though that might be because he has power over me. I smirked at the beauty of that thought. Besides, I don't want anyone if I can't have Fritz.
Soon the meeting was over and Fritz had me get up with him and Voltaire and lead Voltaire to the door. When he left, Fritz dragged me over to my room. "Gilbert, I asked you to behave. You were rude to Voltaire and you cursed at him. I'm very disappointed in you." I gaped in shock.
"Fritz! I didn't mean to make you disappointed! I'm sorry. I just got so frustrated with him!"
"You were losing your temper, but Voltaire was trying to have a civilized conversation." After a few moments of silence I looked up at him.
"Your Majesty Fritz?"
"Yes Gilbert?"
"Is it a bad time to tell you I lied?"
"Excuse me?" He was shocked. I never should have said that.
"Never mind. Forget it."
"Gilbert Beilschmidt! What did you lie about?" I flinched at the use of my full name.
"I might have lied about the time with Hungary and Templar."
"Was it Hungary's dog?"
"Yes. And the sword fight. You see… we kind of… sort a… had a…"
"Gilbert, spit it out."
"Wewereattackedbywolves." I said quickly.
"Slower."
"We. Were. Attacked. By. Wolves."
"Go stand in the corner Gilbert."
"But-"
"Now."
"Yes sir." I squeaked and ran to a corner. I heard him leave. I sighed as the door closed. I heard the door open and turned to see Prince Frederick George.
"So what happened?"
"I'm in trouble." I told him.
"Again?" I looked away from him.
"Yes."
"What was it this time?"
"Disrespecting Voltaire, cursing at Voltaire, and lying-"
"You lied to Dad?! Are you crazy?!"
"It was a one time thing!" I yelled back.
"One time is bad enough!"
"It was a small lie! It was a white lie. Nobody ever gets hurt by those!"
"Your lucky this is your first time. I have a bad habit."
"… He probably thinks I got it from you." Since we kind of are growing up together anyway.
"Gilbert, turn around." He hissed. I obeyed and the door opened.
"There you are Prince Frederick. Come with me. Her Majesty wants to see what you've learned." Prince Henry said.
"Prince Henry, can you help me?" I asked.
"No, I'm sorry but I can't." They left. I banged my head on the wall. Damn it!
"Gilbert, come here." I gasped. That had been quick. I turned around to see him sitting in the chair. I went over to him. He laid me over his lap. He started immediately.
"OW!" It was that paddle.
"Gilbert, I want you to write an apology to Voltaire for being disrespectful and for calling him a name, using inappropriate language. I also would like you to sit in the corner when I'm through with you. I don't approve of you lying to me. I know you know I don't approve it as well. Am I right Gilbert?"
"Yes Your Majesty Fritz. I know you don't approve. If it helps, I planned from the beginning to tell the truth eventually."
"The eventually part should come immediately Gilbert." I yowled at the swat the paddle delivered to my thighs.
"Yes sir! I'm sorry Fritz. I won't lie to you again! I swear!"
"And Voltaire?"
"He deserved-" I was cut off by another yowl and a yelp. I threw my hand back to try to protect myself. He pinned it to my back. "Fritz! Nooo! Stoop! It hurts!"
"Will you disrespect Voltaire?"
"I won't disrespect you. Ever."
"Don't make me get the belt Gilbert." I whined, kicking my legs.
"Noo! Not the belt! I'll be good!"
"Will you swear at Voltaire again?" I put my hand under my chin, crossing my fingers afterwards.
"No. I won't." He snatched my hand and pinned it where he could see it. "No! I won't!" I kicked harder but he just threw his own leg over mine. I went limp. I needed another way out. I felt my breath hitch at the next swat that landed.
"Will you disrespect Voltaire again?"
"Fritz!"
"Yes Gilbert?" I went through many things I could say. All would end up with the belt! All for saying yes and not meaning it? All opposed! Lying is wrong! There is no cover story here! "Well Gilbert?"
"I love you!" I heard him sigh.
"Do we need a time out? I love you too Gilbert but I'm not playing games right now." I know. I also knew if I said that you'd stop.
"I love you and therefore, since I just got scolded for lying, I cannot say that I will not." Let his brilliant mind decipher that for a minute. However, he didn't need that long. I was swatted on my sit spots and then led to the corner.
"I shall let you have a time out right now and I will go get my belt."
"Wait! Fritz! I will not disrespect Voltaire again!"
"Just to make sure the lesson got across." I groaned when he left. He's really getting it. Damn it! Me and my sassy mouth! He came back a few minutes later. "Gilbert, come here please." I obeyed immediately. I was over the desk this time. "Five with the belt and then we're going to talk about earlier this morning." I nodded and he started. I had hoped he'd forgotten about this morning. He would swat me and then wait a minute before swatting me again. By the time he was done, I was sobbing. It hurt. How many times do I have to tell Fritz that it hurts for him to understand? He turned me around to face him. "What were you doing in there? Did I not forbid you to go in there?"
"Well Fritz, think of it like this." Because otherwise he's going to think I directly disobeyed him and those never go down well. "I didn't directly disobey you because I staid on the grounds of the castle. Yesterday you told me I was grounded, so it counted today too. You said nothing about her bedroom."
"That makes no sense to me Gilbert."
"I obeyed you. I staid here. That's the point and it's the truth."
"I have told you numerous times you're not allowed in there. I would have thought I didn't need to tell you every day not to go in there."
"…" He sounded disappointed. "You don't!"
"You might as well admit it Gilbert." Gilbird tweeted. I sighed.
"You're right. You have told me numerous times."
"So you admit you did wrong?"
"Um… yeah. I didn't directly disobey though." He waited for a further explanation. "If I had directly disobeyed, or deliberately disobey, then you would have said it today, and you didn't, so I only disobeyed. Which is still bad of course."
"Gilbert, are you trying to talk your way out of punishment?"
"No! Of course not! I'm only trying to talk myself into a lower category of punishment." At least I'm being honest? He turned me back around and bent me back over the desk.
"Mannn." I wrapped my arms over my head. Until I felt him pull down my boxers. I turned around quickly. "Fritz! What are you doing?"
"I wastrying to finish your punishment. If you wish, I can leave this for after your time out." I shook my head and turned back around. I felt the first swat and bit my lip. The second one I cringed at, I'd already been punished! He continued to fifteen. Five each for my ass, sit spots, and thighs. I felt him fix my clothes before turning me around for a hug. He sat down in the chair. I clung to him.
"I'm sorry Fritz. I didn't mean to… I won't ever lie to you again. I know it's wrong and I know I shouldn't have done it."
"Well as long as you don't make a habit out of it." I nodded.
"If I had a habit of lying, I would deserve every swat I got."
"You deserve every swat for every punishment you have received." I smiled weakly, chuckling.
"Yes Fritz."
"Gilbert, this time out will be different from your others."
"How?"
"I'll show you when you're ready." I waited until I stopped crying before standing.
"I'm ready Fritz." He grabbed my wrist and led me to the bathroom. He grabbed a bar of soap… I think I know where this is going. I yanked and pulled and squirmed as Fritz got it wet. Then a great idea came to me. I laid on the floor with my mouth towards the floor and my back towards the wall, with Fritz still keeping a hold of my wrist.
"Would you like to write lines too?"
"I won't be writing lines! Unless I'm allowed to write about how awesome I am! Or how cool it is for you to be my King. Those lines would be awesome! Can I write lines?"
"You would be writing 'I will not lie' fifty times." I chuckled.
"With the blood of my enemy?" I asked, curious. He looked down at me, a brow lowered and the other raised. I smiled at him. I had the bar shoved in my mouth and held there until I stopped trying to spit it out.
"No. Of course not. Now go sit in the corner. Your time out doesn't start until you do." I grimaced but obeyed His Majesty Fritz. I sat down and laid my forehead against the corner. "I'll stay in here to make sure that soap stays where it's supposed to be. I assume you know why I'm doing this?" I took the soap out and looked at Fritz.
"Because I lied." I put it back in my mouth.
"That and your disrespect. Now keep it in there please." I nodded but stopped as I felt the taste beginning to seep in. I lowered my head to try to help the taste stay out. "Three minutes and I'll let you out."
"Tree mimfuph?!" I asked, astonished.
"Yes." Eventually Fritz let me out and let me spit the soap out too.
"I'm very sorry for lying to you Fritz. I won't let it happen again."
"Now if you write your apology to Voltaire, I will gladly play with you. Any game you wish."
"Fritz? Do you use games to teach me things? Because the Prince and I have talked it over and he says that you do."
"Sometimes there is a lesson and sometimes I'm just playing with you. I would let you know by the end of it if there were a lesson to be learned from it."
"Why do you teach me different than you do him?"
"Because you would have a short attention span if I were to teach you the same way as I do him. I used to teach him the same way. However he grew older. Not that you haven't. I've always taught you this way. Do you remember the time I tried to teach you differently?"
"… No."
"I was talking about how people used to tell time compared to how we tell time now." I chuckled.
"I thought you were lecturing me on being punctual. That whole week I tried to be on time to everything. Then I realized I'm usually the first one there anyway. Unless you're present." He smiled.
"I love you Gilbert."
"I love you too Fritz." I gave him a smirk and he smiled right back. Like I said. I don't want anyone to be my King if I can't have Fritz. We may not get along at times but… everything was fine. Especially if Fritz were there.