The blinding morning light invaded a spacious room when dark red curtains parted, jolting a young fair boy from his restless slumber.
He tossed and turned and raised a pallid arm to cover his face irked, before he barely lifted his head, pale locks standing out messily in all directions, and eyes slanted to discover the source of the intrusion.
"What-"
"It's time to rise, my prince." An elderly woman, dressed in simple, servile attire addressed to him. "This is an important day."
The young fair boy shortly gaped confused at the servant and opened his mouth, prepared to return an angry reply, when another female voice made its way to his ears.
"Get up, Ralph."
The boy enlarged his eyes and twisted towards the left of the room, his gaze meeting the identical green one of a fair woman, strikingly similar in looks to the boy. Long blonde locks fell down to a slender waist, her body covered in a sumptuous dress that was an ideal contrast to her paper-like skin.
The image was like a slap to the boy. He stood up in agitation and almost tripped over the thick covers, but managed to untangle himself in time. He would have left the bed, but he remembered his embarrassing nightclothes and so he remained still, eyes wide, trying to appear as lucid as possible.
"Good morning, mother."
The woman shook her head, almost amused.
"Your father arrives today from the Southern territories and a ceremony will be organized in the honor of his return." The woman's eyes bore into him and Ralph almost averted his eyes, although he forced himself to hold her gaze.
"Do you mean there won't be any-?" He trailed off, a vague smile slowly gracing his lips. The woman nodded, returning the smile, the same enthusiasm radiating from her.
"Yes, Ralph. He has apparently succeeded in his quest. The peace offering has been accepted and there won't be any disturbances. Not too soon, I suppose."
The boy released a heavy breath that he didn't realize he had been holding in.
"I expect you to prepare yourself for this evening." Her stare moved to the elderly woman that waited patiently near the window, and the servant bowed humbly, before she headed towards the fair boy, who obediently accepted the beginning of his preparation for the day. The blonde woman smiled at him one last time, then went out the wooden door, and it was not long before a large number of servants entered, each holding necessary materials for the prince's attire.
Ralph bravely stood the entire protocol, even though he snapped a few times at some of them, due to inappropriate touches. It was just a routine of course, an obligatory one, and the prince had to bear through many of this kind during his life, but he still wasn't too used to them. He especially disliked it because those people invaded his personal space in an improper manner, and even though his mother constantly told him that it was usual for royalty to receive special treatment, the fair boy still somehow found it unpleasant.
It was different this time.
He didn't even pay attention too much to his preparation- which was why he got slightly scolded by elder servants and told to be more attentive during the measurements of his clothes or during his bath time. His thoughts always drifted back to the previous day and especially to a certain someone's fire locks and icy eyes.
Ralph managed to free himself after Jack Merridew had left him there, on the stairs of the dungeons. He guessed the thief had not tied him too tightly, hence Ralph succeeded in untangling himself after constant struggle.
The fair boy refused to call for help, because he would have made a fool out of himself, for being tricked by a thief, and more importantly, people would have found out Jack had escaped and would have definitely been caught and executed this time, something that the prince didn't like in the slightest, despite the heavy disappointment that bothered him.
The only one who knew about Jack's release was the guard of the dungeons, who believed Jack was now his right hand. The rest of the world still thought Jack was rotting in one of the castle's cells and most people probably even forgot about him, which was for the best, Ralph concluded.
A tight, warm feeling consumed his insides every time his mind returned to the red boy and to the way he had held Ralph; how he had touched him. Ralph had tried to escape from those memories and forget about him, because they only provoked more confusion and pain, but he couldn't. He had never experienced anything like it and he hadn't even known that a person could cause such torment in him, just by committing such simple actions, actions that held so much meaning at the same time. The power behind them was frightening, and his thoughts floated to the previous, vague yet ridiculous idea that the red boy had indeed used unnatural forces, but he dismissed it quickly and deemed himself as childish.
It was too unusual though, how the fair boy could still feel even then the fire mouth that had claimed his own and possessed it in such a twisted manner and the strong, fiery hands that had touched intimate parts of him in a way that no one, not even himself had done it before.
He was a lad and Jack was a lad too, so it wasn't normal for something like that to happen between the likes of them. Ralph tried with all of his might to release himself of those thoughts, but it was apparently too late.
Before he could suppress his impulses, the servant that was currently handling his underclothes adjusted his voice, coughing loudly a few times.
"Hm, my prince, it seems there is a problem."
Ralph jumped, his meditation interrupted when the middle-aged man pointed at the area between his legs. Blood rushed into his cheeks as his face exploded under the harsh prick of shame.
"Not a word about this."
The man smiled politely.
"You can count on me, sire."
…
Ralph couldn't remember any day to be more tiring than the one of the king's arrival. People fretted, servants carried various platters with foods, peasants pushed into each other, forming an enormous crowd inside the courtyard; merchants yelled everywhere, trying to gather attention, children screamed and laughed and ran between people's legs, and Ralph thought he was going to go mentally insane from all the pressure that had been placed on him, as subordinates perpetually asked for his advice regarding the arrangement of the Throne Room or other problems that constantly emerged. He tried to dismiss and pass the more minor matters to those lower in ranks, as he mostly occupied himself with the organization of the room where the ball was going to be held, since his father particularly cared about appearances and impressions.
Everything went quite according to the plan for the fair boy, until he found himself observing that there were many guards scattered around the castle, especially in the Throne Room and the halls. As he discussed with the second-in-command of the ceremony preparation, he sensed a pair of eyes following him around the room, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, an eerie chillness enveloping him, as he swirled and took notice of the dungeons' guard, that had encountered him and Jack the day before.
A heaviness lodged in his stomach and he swallowed audibly, turning to one of the subordinates.
"Why are the dungeons' guards up here?"
The young man strangely looked at him as if he was a lunatic.
"You ordered to bring up as many guards inside and around the castle on this particular day, sire. To keep order and stop the mob from creating mayhem."
Ralph opened and closed his mouth, perplexed and uncertain, before he nodded heavily and parted from the man, who left with a baffled expression on his face. The prince didn't remember too well everything he had said and done on that respective day, due to all the commotion that had swallowed him up, but he knew he had wronged when he took that decision. He should have at least paid attention to that minor detail, and now he had to put up with the consequences.
That guard's stare had persistently been following him for a certain time, and Ralph hoped that there wouldn't be any serious inconveniences coming from him, but he knew he was deceiving himself.
He was well informed and the guard was as well, that a right hand and personal guard should follow his master, and yet Jack Merridew was nowhere to be seen around Ralph. He couldn't have expected the guard to believe that Jack was around there, but only went unnoticed, because every person, even the eldest and the almost blind, would have noticed Jack Merridew, his looks being a severe clash in those surroundings, where most people were simple in looks.
The fair boy knew he had to find explanations for Jack's absence, if he was to be asked on the issue, despite that he still rooted for the guard to eventually let it go.
He just truly hoped he wasn't going to inform more people about it, and as he held on to this will, Ralph went on with the day's troubles, intending to ignore the man's suspicious looks and acting as if everything was completely normal, despite that he felt as if he would burst out from the inside.
He continued leading the organization of the ceremony, and managed to focus his attention on more relevant issues, even though he sensed that the issue about Jack was too important at that moment.
Cold sweat coated the prince's skin at the mental images of Jack being caught and executed, and his limbs turned almost tremulous. Why did he care so much about that barmy thief anyway? He had tricked Ralph and had also committed numerous crimes, God only knew the kinds of, plus he had constantly jeered at him and used violence on Ralph to escape. He was worse than a madman and yet the fair boy cared about him. He wanted to rip his own hair out for being so bloody idiotic to like such low scum, just because he had touched lips with him.
It was a really immature thing to do and so the fair prince decided to free himself of this horrendous emotional torment, and not give a damn about what happened to Merridew. He couldn't even consider him a potential partner, because he was a criminal, a loon, and a boy too, and what confused Ralph the most was the fact that he wasn't even handsome. The prince's eyes had always searched the most gifted people in this aspect, because he was beautiful himself and so he needed a beautiful partner, not someone like Merridew. He had to maintain his high standards and not be continuously deceived by that red-haired nutter.
Ralph exhaled and carried on with his duties until dusk began to fall over the kingdom. He could sense the king's approaching stormy party, as the gradually growing noise and alarm on the castle grounds signaled the arrival of the group. The knights and guards used force and violence on commoners to make way for the coming carriages, and the court eventually lined up, leaving only a gap to serve as an aisle to the king's party.
Ralph stood next to his mother, throat constricted and heart beating fast, nails digging into his palms, while he struggled to maintain an image of calm and control.
A few smaller carriages passed with lean stallions at the front, the strongest knights riding the first horses, before the carriages turned bigger and bigger as they entered the courtyard, until the largest, most decorated carriage appeared, made a turn, and stopped in front of the two fair-haired royals that waited patiently at the front. A minor protocol was held by a sophisticated, young boy, who stood to the side and loudly announced the king's titles, before a broad-shouldered man with golden hair descended the stairs of the carriage. People held their breaths in, as he cast a quick look upon the entire court, before he finally settled his blue stare on his two family members.
"Laura," He nodded towards the queen, who slightly bowed with perfect elegance.
"Your grace." They embraced, and a heavy, ardent sigh passed along with the warm hug. When they parted, they both had smiles on their faces. The king's steely gaze shifted then to the slim boy, who stood unyielding next to the woman. He offered Ralph the same warm smile, but Ralph could see that the warmth didn't reach his father's eyes. The fair boy was prepared for the apparently humorous comments that always hid different, much harsher meanings.
"I see you haven't changed much in a year, Ralph. Slightly taller, but other than that, you are still the same pallid boy." The king spoke with heavy irony. He lifted a large hand and patted the boy's cheek, and Ralph had to seriously strain himself from wincing. "Still as fair as ever." He chuckled bitterly, and the fair boy's humiliation burned his insides, especially as he felt the entire court's eyes on him.
Even after all those years, Ralph still wasn't used to his father's critical and disappointed jokes regarding him. He was aware he had never reached his father's expectations, but it was still painful to hear it disguised from the king's own mouth all the time. It was still painful to be seen as a failed version of another person, as someone that he should have been, but wasn't. Ralph gritted his teeth as he remained further behind the king's party that entered the castle, knuckles white from the strength with which he had been clenching his fists during the entire meeting of the king.
He didn't know what he had expected. Perhaps something different, even a slight change in his father, after being so much time away from his family; perhaps a change resulted from the pain that the distance between them had brought. Nothing was different. Nothing was ever going to change. His father was always going to treat him as if he was from glass that was about to break at any moment. As if he was incapable of anything.
The boy sighed tired and walked through the gates along with the crowd, waiting for the ceremony's announcement. The second-in-command of the party walked on the podium where the royal table of the king and queen resided, and waited for a signal that would give the start of the celebration. The king admired the room, with all of its impressing arrangements, and gave a nod of approval, grinning and congratulating the people that had occupied themselves with it, and they all glowed with gratefulness, before everything commenced.
Singers began their wonderful melodies, knights, servant-girls, and commoners started dancing and laughing, already drunk with the euphoria of the party, while the king and queen remained in their place for the time being, often exchanging words with people from left or right. Ralph knew he should have sat to his mother's left, but he permitted her handmaiden to accompany her during that evening. He wanted to be as far away as he could from his parents, and so he mingled with the party-goers during the remaining day and the rest of the night.
Ralph had always loved ceremonies. He loved dancing, he loved listening to people's jokes and stories and conversations about various topics regarding the kingdom, and the gossip within its limits. Most people thought royalty was unaware of the rumors spread about them, and the fair boy wanted to laugh at their ignorance. He was the ears of the walls, the unknown eyes that followed them everywhere; he knew too much, especially for a sixteen years old boy. Or perhaps it was because he was just a young boy, that people considered him almost too naïve to comprehend anything about scandals and secrets. But he knew.
He knew how some people sneaked out at night and roamed around the castle grounds and dealt with scandalous treacheries, he had vaguely heard even before his encounter with Jack about how some people preferred the company of both men and women, but he had always considered it just a rumor. He had never thought that such a thing was possible, until he had experienced it himself, and even then he felt his blood boil at the memories of it, at the fact that he had actually liked it.
Still, as attentive as he was, he couldn't understand why he hadn't been more careful about the events that were about to unfold.
People started staring, older men, women, and a few young people around his age, who threw him wary looks and quickly turned away their gazes when Ralph caught them. He believed at first they admired his appearance, as he was used to unexpected looks in his direction, especially during ceremonies. Whispers flew around him and he caught words.
"I don't see any personal guard or right hand with him…", "The king must be very curious…", "I am too…", "But where is the right hand?", "A warlock? But that's outrageous!"
The fair boy froze on the spot when he realized what they were talking about.
They had found out. They had found out about his presumable 'right-hand'. They had found out about Jack's release. The knowledge had spread faster than lice. And he felt as if the sky had fallen right over his head, over the castle, and the people. Their stares seemed crushing and menacing, and they all looked like animals that threatened to tear him apart.
A rugged, weary voice caught his attention.
"My prince?"
He turned and saw his mother's handmaiden, humble and cautious.
"The king and queen have summoned you to the royal table."
The boy widened his eyes and looked in that direction, only to see his parents and several nobles gazing at him curiously. Coldness rippled through him, his pulse quickened with fear, when he noticed the blasted dungeons' guard standing right behind his father, a stony expression planted on his face.
He swallowed dry air, before he nodded and followed the handmaiden, stopping at a considerable distance in front of the table. He remained rigidly straight, face morphed into stone, a façade that covered his internal chaos. Drops streamed down his brow as his father and mother veiled him with their inquisitive stares.
"Yes, father," He slightly bowed in respect, briefly turning then towards the queen, "Mother." He finished, before he fully faced the imposing man. The king stared at him for a moment, then burst into laughs, taking everyone at the table by surprise.
"Look at my boy, how he is so calm and deceiving, trying to fool everyone with his 'I did nothing' demeanor." The king chuckled into his short golden beard. He exhaled deeply and shook his head. "Why, Ralph, I think you are very well aware of why we have called you here." He continued, now startlingly still compared to his previous cheery behavior. He scrutinized the boy with an almost accusing stare, and Ralph stared back, quivering on the inside, but balanced on the outside. "It's about the Merridew heir."
A flash of fear passed over the young prince's features, his heart pumping so loudly, he almost thought everyone could hear it at that point, despite the loud noise in the room. He truly believed them capable of sensing his fear, his anxiousness. But his appearance still remained as tranquil as a rock in the middle of a storm.
The king continued when the boy confirmed that he was aware of the subject that they were about to discuss, through his short reactions. "I do appreciate what you have done about the ceremony. Yes, I actually know you are the head of it." He confirmed, when Ralph appeared briefly surprised. "And contrary to everyone's belief, I actually am pleased that you have taken matters into your hands for the first time in your life. Important matters, nonetheless. Regarding both the ceremony and the fact that you have chosen a right hand for yourself."
Ralph enlarged his eyes as people around started talking, confused and impatient. The king dismissed them and ordered for silence.
"Albeit quite early for you to have a right hand, but I'm actually proud of it." A pause. Ralph fidgeted for the first time under his heavy glance. "At first, I wasn't too sure about the Merridew heir." He gesticulated and made a few unclear motions with his hand in the air. "Yes, of course, the fallen Merridew family is indeed made of criminals. They are outlaws, accused of murder and theft and sorcery. Merridew's wife was executed, after being accused of witchcraft." Gasps and whispers at the rumors being confirmed and spoken out loud by the king himself. Ralph bit his lip in apprehension, while more people gathered around and listened in curiosity. "Silence, I said!" He boomed then carried on. "I was scandalized indeed, but the more I consider the option, the better I find it. A person with such reputation will definitely inspire fear in other monsters that lurk within the shadows of this kingdom and keep them away from you. I have reached the conclusion that it is probably the best choice as your protection, despite the appearances. But what I am curious about…"
The fair prince waited, his heart on his sleeve, an unfamiliar happiness filling him after hearing his father's words, after his father had actually told him he was proud for the first time in his life, but still too restless to affect him pleasantly, since there was more. He knew everything was too good to last, because the greatest problem still remained unsolved. And it was voiced by the king in the matter of seconds.
"Where is the Merridew heir? Where is your so-called right hand?"
The room burst into whispers and words, people talking between them with fervor, as the air suffocated Ralph like a living entity. Guards and those higher in command ordered for the party to go on and for people to mind their own business. There were some protests, but most returned to their own fun, while others kept listening, even though no meaningful words were exchanged anymore.
Because the prince assured his father to bring his right-hand in an instant.
"He is in his chamber, father. He hasn't felt too well."
"Well, bring him immediately. I am really curious about this Merridew boy, accused of so many crimes." The king grinned, before drinking from his cup with careless joy.
Ralph quickly bowed, then turned and went out the room in silent panic, his frantic steps echoing in the almost empty halls of the castle, as he hurried to find the cause of his damnation. He searched with his eyes for any sign of the red boy, absurdly imagining that maybe he was around, perhaps hidden between those people, and that he had somehow sneaked in again, but not even Jack Merridew would have done such a mindless thing, after everything that had happened.
The prince shook his head as he hurried towards the entrance that led to the outside world already revealing the night sky. As it dawned on him that he was in the deepest trouble he had ever been in, his mind cursed Jack Merridew in all the possible ways that he was aware of.