Cendres

Chapter 3

"Matthew!" the screech came from the dining room.

With an apologetic look at Gilbert, Matthew scurried to answer the call. "Yes?"

"We need flowers!" Grelzda said around her mouthful of food.

Matthew furrowed his brow, pretending to seem confused. "From the garden?"

"No, you dumb boy. We need fresh bulbs, fresh flowers." Dorlas rolled her eyes.

"We have plenty of fresh flowers in the garden. Why would we need to plant more?" Matthew asked, silently enjoying the girls' frustration.

"Stop playing dumb and do what you were told!" the fat man bellowed.

Matthew jumped and quickly averted his gaze to his shoes. "What kind of flowers would you like?"

"Blue roses, to match his eyes." Grelzda sighed. Matthew didn't feel the need to tell her that blue roses, do to their meaning, would make marrying the Prince impossible.

"Go find me a striped carnation." Dorlas said. "Carnations are worn to weddings. Stripes will help me stand out." Struggling not to roll his eyes, Matthew had no trouble keeping the knowledge that stripes on carnations meant refusal.

Nodding his head as he made for the back door, Matthew was glad his mother had taught him the language of flowers before she died.

Gilbert floated lazily behind Matthew as he walked around the plant nursery. "So, you're telling me those witches want flowers that mean the exact opposite of what they want to tell the Prince?"

Matthew nodded minutely as he picked up a bulb for blue roses.

"And you have no plan on telling them what they mean?"

Nodding again, Matthew strode past Gilbert like he wasn't there. He was in no way ignoring the fairy, but people already whispered about him being abused, he didn't want to add crazy to the list.

"This is gonna be great." Gilbert cackled. His little golden bird chirped with pleasure.

Matthew smiled at the two as he left the flowershop, arms full with the bulbs he would need to plant right away.

As he walked, Matthew thought of different scenarios as to what could happen with the flowers. He could simply let them die, but that would mean he would get hit. He could also cut them wrong for a bouquet, but that would lead to the same result. Francis could misunderstand the flowers and think them beautiful. Francis could also get offended by the flowers and have the girls thrown in jail, especially when he finds out just how they treated Matthew. Maybe his stepfather could join them.

When he arrived home, Matthew bypassed the house and went straight to the garden. He really didn't want to be bombarded by chores until he got the flowers properly planted.

"What flower are you going to give to the Prince?" Gilbert asked. He sat beside Matthew in the grass and helped dig through the dirt.

"It's not exactly a flower." Matthew mumbled, not wanting the girls or his stepfather to hear him.

Gilbert had a look of confusion. Matthew raised his eyes and smiled. "It's a rose petal."

It took Gilbert about three seconds before his eyes widened. "The petal you have from the ball!"

Matthew grinned and nodded. "I think it was meant to be a trick, requesting the flower. Like to see if it really is me."

"Oh, Birdie, this is so exciting!" Gilbert said, flitting about.

Giggling as Matthew watched his fairy, he stood and dusted off his pants. Not that it did any good. "I have to go prepare dinner. Care to keep me company?"

"I would love-"

"Boooooy!" the rough shout shook Matthew to the bones. Gilbert quickly disappeared.

"Y-yes, sir?" Matthew called weakly.

"Did you get those flowers planted?" the man appeared at the second story window overlooking the garden.

"Just finished, sir. I was about to start dinner."

"Make it snappy!" the man glared and Matthew felt the heat of it even from so far away.

"Would you like anything in particular?" Matthew asked. He wished Gilbert could make himself seen and hold his hand, just to stop it from shaking so bad.

"Just make it good. We're having guests over." the man shut the window.

Matthew sighed and went to the kitchen. Guests ment he had to stay in the kitchen unless he was serving the meal. Then he had to clean the dining area, hide back in the kitchen and wait until the guests left to clean the parlor. He was going to be up all night.

"What a horrid man." Gilbert grumbled, appearing again.

"Tell me about it." Matthew washed his hands and began listing ingredients in his head.

Gilbert sighed. "If only there were other maids. You could posion them and frame someone else."

Matthew's jaw dropped, though he laughed. "Gilbert! I might hate them, but killing them is a little unnecessary."

The fairy shrugged.

"Not to mention that sounds very un-fairy like and you would probably lose your wings for murder." Matthew said softly. He went around the kitchen, gathering everything he would need.

"I'm not going to kill them!" Gilbert said, exasperated. "It was just a suggestion."

Matthew swatted at Gilbert who just cackled like a naughty child.

"Hurting someone or killing them is never the way to do anything." Matthew chided.

"I know. You probably know that better than anyone." Gilbert said, his voice now gentle.

With a humble smile on his bruised and dirty face, Matthew continued to cook dinner for the people who hurt him.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Arthur, royal advisor to Prince Francis, asked. Again. "I'm just saying, you met the boy for one night!"

"Yes, I am sure." Francis said. Again. "It might have been for a few hours, but he was different."

Arthur raised a large dark eyebrow, a shocking contrast to his blond hair. "How was he different? You say all these people are only after your title and money. Why is this one any better?"

"He didn't ask me anything." Francis said with a grin, begging Arthur to understand.

"What?" Arthur folded his arms.

"He didn't ask me how much money I have, or how much my outfit was, or how many jewels were on the crown. He teased me about getting lost in the maze, he didn't know how to dance, he was…" Francis waved his hands, looking for a word that described Matthew.

"Humble?" Arthur asked, still refusing to believe that this boy was going to be queen.

"Yes! That's exactly it. He wanted to know me. Not Prince Francis." the blond said, a beautiful smile on his perfect face.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "How do you know it wasn't an act?"

At this, Francis paused. Finally, he spoke. "I just know."

Another eye roll from the advisor. "This is ridiculous."

"Lets at least give him a chance. If he really wasn't faking it, he will present the rose petal." Francis said. He took Arthur's hands, pleading for him to understand. "I saw him grab one, he knows I'm looking for him now. I know he'll show that petal to the guards. They have their orders to bring anyone who has just a petal to me."

At last, Arthur sighed. "If you insist, your Highness."

"Oh, don't use that at me." Francis waved his hands. He made his way to the door of his office, Arthur hot on his heels.

"Is everything ready to begin the search?" Francis asked.

"All the letters were sent out. We're just prepping the guards who will go out. I'm making a few rounds tonight to scope out families. Make sure they aren't lying or hiding anything." Arthur said. "Should we change their instructions to look for young men though? I feel if they look for girls also, it could get troublesome."

Francis shook his head. "I don't want anyone to take extreme measures to prove who they are. People can get crazy."

Arthur quirked a brow. "Are you saying these girls would pretend to be men if you say you are looking for a male?"

"Quite possibly. Or even harming boys around them to boost their chances." Francis found his way to the guard's courtyard. The strapping men stood in rows, listening to their commanding officer.

"I don't know if that makes you intelligent or vain." Arthur mumbled beside him.

Francis smirked. "It makes me smarter than you."

Arthur scoffed. Despite being his advisor, the two had grown up together. Arthur's father had been the Head Guard for the King, and since both boys were the same age, King Leo had insisted the boys play together.

"Hardly. Unlike you, I had to study for my position." Arthur said smoothly.

Francis grinned as he watched the guards break for their afternoon meal. "You don't think being a prince is hard work?"

"Ah, yes. All this chasing around for a boy you met for an hour seems exhausting on you." Arthur mumbled. He then looked down at his schedule, which was quickly knocked from his hands.

"Francis!" Arthur roared, dropping all formalities as the two wrestled for the small book.

Finally, Francis handed Arthur back his schedule as the king made an appearance. "A Prince does not wrestle."

"Sorry, Father." Francis said sheepishly.

The king, an older replica of Francis just smiled fondly at the two friends. "I see you have my soldiers going on a wild goose chase."

"They'll find him." Francis said, suddenly serious.

"Are you sure you want to do this? What if you end up not liking the boy like you think." the king asked. He folded his arms behind his back and stood next to his son.

"I'm sure he's the one." Francis said confidently. "Prepare the guards to set out tomorrow."

"Let me hit him at least once," Gilbert whined.

Matthew was shaking with anger and fear. He didn't know the guest would be from the king's court. When he didn't bow upon entering and leaving the dining hall, his stepfather had come to the kitchen and gave him a swift blow to the stomach. Couldn't do it to his face, not yet. They had to look decent in front of the only man who could say if the two sisters got to marry Prince Francis.

"No," Matthew hissed. His stomach hurt terribly, it was sure to bruise. "You'll only make it worse."

Gilbert frowned. "Then let me see it."

Matthew glanced at the door and tenderly lifted his filthy shirt. Gilbert settled in front of him and laid his fingers gingerly on the already darkening spot. "I'm going to break a fairy rule, you must never speak of it."

"Wait, don't get in trouble on my-" Matthew was cut off by hot and cold bubbles popping on his sensitive skin. Gilbert had pursed his lips and blew bubble after bubble against the spot. It hurt like hell, then the pain was gone and the bubbles stopped.

"There. That should do it." Gilbert grinned and patted Matthew's shoulder. "Best get out there before I need to do that trick again."

Matthew smiled gratefully and pushed back his tears. "Thank you," he fixed his shirt and grabbed the next tray to be brought to the dining room.

"...you see my girls are perfect for a wife." the fat man was saying.

Their guest was a blond man with rather bushy eyebrows and bright green eyes. He had introduced himself as Arthur Kirkland. After witnessing the treatment of Matthew by the fat man, he had coldly told the family to address him as Sir Kirkland.

"Yes they are...lovely girls." Kirkland said with a tight smile. Matthew had to bite his cheek to keep from smirking.

The fat man didn't seem to notice and continued to slurp his soup. The girls batted their eyes and pushed up their bosoms as they ate. Matthew felt sick to his stomach.

"And these are the only candidates that went to the ball?" Kirkland asked, his eyes steady on Matthew as he slid a plate dangerously close to Grelzda's breast.

"Yes, yes. The boy wasn't allowed to go. Far too young." Matthew's stepfather said.

"Really? He looks old enough." Kirkland faced Matthew, a gentle smile on his otherwise stern face. "What's your name?"

Matthew swallowed thickly and looked at his stepfather. Should he answer? Would it be worse if he didn't? Maybe Sir Kirkland saw his situation and was trying to help?

"Matthew," he finally let out.

Kirkland paused. "I see. How old are you?"

Another glance at the fat man. His round face was red with anger.

"Seventeen. I'll be eighteen soon." Matthew said softly.

"And you didn't attend the party?" Kirkland asked, his large brows furrowed.

"N-no." Matthew felt his hands shaking and he wished Gilbert would make him disappear.

"How come?"

Matthew glanced at his stepfather. "I had to clean."

"Hmm. Well, that will be everything. Thank you, Matthew." Kirkland stood. "It was a lovely meal, Sir Williams, but I will take my leave now."

"The meal has barely started!" The fat man stuttered.

"I have many other meals to attend to. If you'll excuse me." Kirkland walked to the door, his guard close behind him. "I'll show myself out."

Once outside, Arthur looked at his guard. "I want a family history on all the residents that live here."

"Even the boy?" the guard asked, helping Arthur into the carriage.

"Especially the boy. I have a feeling that he will be our future queen." Arthur smiled and marked the address in his book. Francis was going to have a fit.