Oh, oh, I forgot something. Shit! Well, now there it is:
Disclaimer: Nothing's mine, all belongs to Tamore Pierce!
Why you haven't told me, that this was missing? You could have told me in a review. ;-) Well, anyway, it's my fault, so why am I talking around like that?
Oh and thanks for the reviews!
Okay, on with the story...
Chapter 5: Delia's notions
Meanwhile...
Duke Gareth was walking back to the ballroom, unsure what to think about what he had just seen. He was very worried about Jonathan but he was also confused. Anyway, he was regreting that he had been so rude. Now he thought that he had probably done the wrong thing. Maybe he should have talked with Jon and Alan instead of shouting at them.
But it was more difficult than it would be if it were someone else. If it would have been one of the other guys like Raoul or Alex or even his own son, it wouldn't be that worse. But Jonathan? He'll have to produce a new heir some day in the future. How will he do this if he's gay? Something must be done about him, but what? He couldn't just wait and risk a civil war when Jonathan dies.
A few minutes later he reached the ballroom. When he heard the loud music and saw the many dancing people, he realized that he didn't want to be there right now. There was just to much to think about and so he didn't want to stay here, talking with some people, whom names he didn't even know. Then he saw Lady Delia again.
That was the second problem. He just couldn't understand how a man like Jonathan could become gay when he had had an affair with a woman like Delia. How could he help Jon, if he didn't even understand him a little bit?
But one thing was clear. The things he had said to the prince wouldn't help. He was sure about that. He was also sure that alone he couldn't help. Should I tell someone?, he thought, but then he remembered what he had said. "If you stop that now, I won't tell anyone..." Yes, that was what I have said. I can't break my promise, can I? Oh, boy, am I in a mess!
Duke Gareth just wanted to leave the ballroom, but then he saw that Duke roger was walking away from Delia and he changed his mind. Maybe she could tell me something that helps me to find out what has changed Jonathan's mind about girls and boys, he thought and went over to her.
"Lady Delia, it's a pleasure to meet you tonight", he said.
Delia smiled sweetly and answered, "The pleasure is mine, Duke Gareth"
Duke Gareth didn't want to waste his time with small-talk so he tried to come to the point as quickly as possible. "I wonder where Prince Jonathan is tonight. Have you seen him?"
Delia rased her eyebrows. "Yes, when the ball started, but he went away after fifteen minutes or so."
"Did he tell you where he was going?"
Delia shook her head a bit. "No, he didn't say anything to me tonight, your grace"
Duke Gareth was even more confused. He didn't even say a word to her? Well, that's weird, he thought. "He didn't? Do you have an idea why? It has seemed as if he liked you, hasn't it?"
It was hard for Lady Delia to stop herself from laughing out loud. The word "like" was just too funny. How naïve!, she thought, He loved me! That dumb guy!
When she had calmed down, she thought of a proper answer. "Yes, I thought he liked me, but recently, you know, he has...well, changed"
"Do you have any idea why?", Duke Gareth asked.
Delia suddenly became suspicious. Why does he want to know that? Is it really that interesting which girl Jonathan fancies? She was confused but she still thought it was better to answere. "Well, no, but I think it's kind of weird, because I haven't seen him with any girl lately. Wait! When I think about...yes, I haven't seen him with any girl since the war against Tusain. I was wondering about it and I wanted to find out why, so I have spied on him a little bit. But I saw no other girl or something. The only strange thing I discovered was that he was never with his squire. When they met, Alan always ran away. It was really weird. It looked like they are angry at each other. Maybe that's the reason. You know, they're really good friends and maybe Prince Jonathan is just upset because of that."
Duke Gareth wrinkled his brow. That was not what he had expected. They avoid each other? What I saw didn't look like avoiding. Alan runs away when he sees Jonathan?, he thought. To him, it didn't make sense. Then he remembered the look on Alans face as he was kissed by Jonathan. It didn't really look like he was enjoying that kiss. He looked a bit shocked. Maybe Alan isn't gay and only Jonathan is. Then an idea came to Duke Gareth's mind. That's it! I'll talk to Alan tomorrow! Now he was quite happy with himself. Maybe there was a way out of that "gay mess".
Happily he excused himself at Delia and walked to his office. He had to think about what he would say to Alan and what he would ask him,
Yeah, it was longer! Did you like the chapter? I liked it. Tell me what you think!
