I know, guys, I'm so sorry this took so long! But it's a long chapter to make up for it (I hope)!
Enjoy!
"My family isn't recorded." Eddie stated, falling into step with Jerome as he walked out of the castle, his head hanging, seemingly lost in thought. He was silent for a few seconds before he suddenly responded,
"What?" he looked up at him, as if just now noticing he was there.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just…a lot's going on." he shrugged.
Eddie noted that his voice was quiet, keeping a secret from him, and his eyes were dull, unhappy with whatever was going on. But Eddie didn't push the subject. He decided to get his cousin's mind off whatever was bothering him with his own problems. Selfish? Yes. Bad idea? No.
"Anyway, my family was never recorded under M. I don't know if they were erased or what, but it's driving me crazy. Can you help me?"
Jerome narrowed his eyes at him. "If you go behind my back and use whatever you find as a way to get out of the marriage, I swear, I'll kill you."
"Understood," Eddie replied easily and trained his gaze ahead of them as he spoke. "I just need to get some information on my family. I want to know where I come from; who I was before I came here. It's just curiosity."
"Curiosity killed the cat." Jerome pointed out with an arched eyebrow.
"Stupidity killed the cat; curiosity was framed." He scoffed and Jerome rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I'll help. I'll be able to get more information than you can because I know where to go."
"Yeah, whatever, while you do that; I gotta go. I've got a hot date." He wiggled his dark eyebrows suggestively as he began to walk away.
"With a princess or a maid," Jerome asked.
"That's my secret."
"Alright, you ready to go ride a horse?" Eddie grinned, leading Patricia through the stables. He stopped at one of the stalls and patted the black horse's neck. "This is Midnight, he's perfect for beginners."
Patricia nodded silently.
"You're not afraid of horses, are you?"
"No," she shook her head immediately, bringing her hand up to pet the horse's soft nose as if to prove herself.
He smiled softly and led the animal out of its stall. He showed her how to put the saddle on and then got his horse, leaving her with Midnight.
"This is Ra, like the Egyptian sun god." He introduced the golden stallion. He took the reins from her hand and tied it onto his saddle before he climbed onto him. He held his hand out to her and she mounted behind him. "We'll wait until we get to a field before we get you up there."
"Whatever," she shrugged nonchalantly and he shook his head with a chuckle, setting off at a slow but steady pace on the trail that led through the thick woods.
"Trudy, you have always been one of the most amazing people in my life." Jerome said suddenly and she raised her eyebrows expectantly.
"What do you want Jerome Clarke?" she asked suspiciously.
"Oh, you know me so well." His smiled faltered a bit. "Do you remember the day Eddie first came to the palace?"
"Yes, why; do you want to learn a little more about Eddie and find out more about his family?"
"That was way too specific to be a guess." He sighed, choosing to not even try to hide his true intentions.
"I've been sworn to secrecy, lovely." she patted his arm.
"Now, that just seems wrong. You weren't really…" he stared at her face and his blue eyes widened slightly. "Why were you sworn to secrecy about Eddie's past?"
"I can't tell you that either, I'm afraid." She sighed sadly.
"Why not," he whined childishly.
"Jerome, I can't tell you that either." She said with finality in her voice.
Jerome nodded sadly and bid her a quiet farewell, moving down the hall. He turned and climbed a narrow staircase to another floor of the castle. He knocked gently on the door at the end of the thin hallway that had purple flowers painted on the thick wood. From the other side of the door, he was admitted.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, but can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked, walking into the room.
Joan looked up from her sewing. "That's alright, love, while you're here you can help me." she smiled and patted the stool in front of her. Jerome sighed and sat down. She reached into a basket next to her rocking chair and held up a loop of yarn. He held his hands out and she wrapped the hoop over his fingers and began to continue spinning the ball she had already started. "So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" she spoke up after a few minutes of silence.
"Why is Trudy sworn to secrecy about Eddie's past?" he began.
"What do you mean?" she questioned, looking up at him confusedly.
"You didn't know that she's not allowed to tell anyone about Eddie's past. Because she obviously knows something about him; she's been working here since before I can remember." He watched her closely. "Mother, if you know anything about Eddie please tell me."
"Why do you want to know? You've never been curious about it before." she pointed out.
"Well, he's been trying to learn more about himself. He doesn't like the idea of getting married when he has no idea who he was before he became a prince." He explained quietly.
"Well, darling, I don't really know much about him I'm afraid. Trudy, your uncle and your aunt are the only people I know of that know so much about him. Peter and Clarissa had looked into his background before they adopted him, and of course Trudy was there through it all. She's been there for us when it comes to caring for you kids."
Jerome nodded in understanding.
"I'm sorry I can't be more help, dear." She said sympathetically and held the ball of yarn in one hand while she used the other to brush her son's fringe out of his eyes. "I know how much you care about your cousin, and I know that he wants to learn as much about himself as he can, but I just can't help. Peter and Clarissa know everything they can and Trudy does know some things I'm sure…"
"But why does she have to keep what she knows a secret? What's the big mystery?" he demanded. "Mother, there's something going on. There's a reason why Uncle Peter is making everyone keep their mouths shut. Or maybe it's Aunt Clarissa. I'm just hoping they're not doing anything to you or dad."
Joan shook her head silently.
"Can't dad order Peter to tell us about Eddie? He's the king; he can make him do whatever he wants him to."
"You know that's not what makes you a king." Joan scolded, taking the yarn from him.
Jerome took that as his instruction to leave. He stood up and opened the door. He turned back to her one last time, pleading with her with his shimmering eyes. "Can't you at least tell me why you betrothed Eddie?"
"That has nothing to do with his past, son." She murmured as she started on her sewing again.
Jerome rolled his eyes and left the room.
"Okay, climb up and we'll start." Eddie instructed, untying Midnight.
Patricia nodded and grabbed onto the reins. She picked up her skirt with her free hand and planted her right foot in the stirrup. Bouncing on her left foot a few times, she tried to swing her left leg over the horse's back but failed and planted her foot again.
Behind her, Eddie covered his mouth, chuckling under his breath as she tried again. When she had tried the third time, her skirt causing most of the problem, she turned to him and pushed his chest. Surprised by her lashing out, he stumbling backwards, grabbing the first thing his fingers could grasp, which just so happened to be Patricia's arm. They fell to the ground, Eddie's fall breaking Patricia's as they landed in the tall grass, Eddie on his back. He blew out a slow breath, resting his head back after having the wind knocked out of him.
"That's what you get," Patricia scoffed, trying to push off of him, but he grabbed onto her waist, rolling them over so he was hovering above her.
He stayed silent for a second, considering whether or not he should retort, but he decided against it. He slowly leaned forward and let his lips brush hers, almost hesitantly, like he was testing the feeling. After a moment, as her hand cupped the back of his neck, the kiss deepened.
"I have some chores to work on, so I'll see you later, yeah?" Patricia arched an eyebrow, already walking backwards toward the castle's servant entrance.
"Yeah, bye, Yacker," Eddie smirked, green eyes following her to the door as he made his way toward the side entrance of the palace. He closed the door behind him and ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair, just as Jerome suddenly grabbed his arm and whisked him to the throne room.
"Jerry, wha—"
"Don't ask questions," he hissed sharply and pushed his cousin in the direction of Amber, who sat beside his chair at the dining room table. Jerome took his seat between his wife and his father and Eddie hurried to his spot, bordered by Amber and Peter.
"Eddie, where were you? We almost sent out a search party." Clarissa smiled tightly, eyes flitting to Amber's father briefly.
"I went horseback riding; I guess I just lost track of time." He replied as servants shuffled into the room to spread out food for them all.
"Why didn't you invite Amber? She loves horseback riding." Andrew stated.
"He did ask me, daddy, but I wanted spend time with Mara. After all, she's going to be my sister-in-law." Amber nodded convincingly. It wasn't a complete lie; she and Mara had spent a majority of the afternoon talking.
Andrew nodded in understanding and Eddie leaned over to Amber. "Thanks, I was out with Patricia," he whispered to her.
"I know," she said back and Eddie pecked her cheek for good measure, which caused Clarissa to coo adoringly.
Eddie looked up when a platter was set down on the table loudly. Patricia. She lifted the pitcher of water and forced a smile onto her face. "Water, King John?"
"Yes, thank you, Patricia." He nodded once and turned to Andrew. "Patricia is one of our most trusted and respected maids here at the palace; we consider her family."
"Actually, sire, I wanted to talk to you about me quitting." She spoke up, pouring his glass of water and then Andrew's.
"Why?" he questioned in shock and the others looked up at her.
"I just didn't want to get fired, your majesty."
"What would ever get fired for? We would never want to let you go."
Patricia sighed and turned to Eddie. He stared at her sadly for a moment before he suddenly frowned, staring at Jerome across from him. As she stopped next to him, Jerome covered his mouth, holding back his guffaws of laughter, and Patricia tipped the pitcher of water over Eddie's head. Amber squealed, jumping out of her chair before her dress could get wet and Patricia slammed the picture onto the platter and bowed her head to the king. "I'll be back with more water in a moment, sire."
As the others stared, dumbstruck, she had walked through the door back to the kitchen, and Jerome burst out laughing, standing up and heading for the door, which led to the hallway. "Excuse me for a moment, please..."
"Why on earth did she do that? Patricia always seems to be so composed." Joan wondered in shock.
"Yes, I can see why she's the most trusted and respected maid in the castle." Andrew said, nodding slowly.
"Edison, what did you do?" Peter demanded in a low voice.
"I guess I upset her without meaning to." He mumbled, running a hand through his dripping hair. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go clean up."
"Of course, dear," Clarissa allowed with a small nod.
As Eddie left the room, Jerome was entering it, chuckling under his breath with occasional glances back at his cousin.
Review?
See, when I was finishing the chapter, I just thought, "No, something's missing..." And then I realized, Patricia needs to dump something over someone's head! And I thought that Eddie would be the perfect victim! So...ya. Anyway, they've kissed, Patricia is angry, Eddie's sad, Trudy knows a secret, Jerome's gonna help- this is great! :D
"I don't wanna fade away, yet the days go so quickly..." -Fade Away, Automatic Loveletter
-Rachel