C4 The King of Hearts

Hugo

I walk up another flight of stairs, making sure not to look at her as she lingered on the floor.

Still her forest eyes and endless hair remains at the forefront of my head.

Even her annoying red mouth as she sassed through the conversation.

I'm halfway up when I hear the click sound, and I am sure the maid has finally succeeded in escorting Ephene to her guest room.

Glad I can focus, I clamber the remaining steps to the sixth floor.

There my marital chambers, personal library, study and all manner of rooms I, the king, had yet put to use.

A grunt leaves me as I bypass the nuptial chambers, to my beloved room where the same windows have given me solace and comfort.

Familiar beddings of silver and maroon greet me, but I opt for the side stool by the foot of the bed instead.

She has a sharp wit.

And more of the iron first of a queen than the agreeability of a princess.

There's no way she will sit idly by and give not thought to the state.

Which means I can't rule it alone. And I can't demote her unfit to Queen Consort when the time comes.

-Not without clever manipulation.

I glance at the bed behind me.

Surely that kind of intimacy would at least spark something for me to work with?

I strip out of my fancy garb ahead of the scheduled staff.

At that moment I hear a bell.

"Come in." I thunder loud enough for them to hear me.

Immediately attendants rush around me for bed preparations

It goes by in a blur and I'm back on my bed in less ornate clothing and a lighter robe for the night.

When I lie down the thought creeps on me that in a few days darker less fiery hair would be within arms reach, and instead of the scent of lavender a strange mix of enchanting spice would fill my nose.

Yes very soon she will become putty in my hands, and no longer rely on her mind's capabilities alone.

..........................

The sun is low in the sky, and day has not broken throughout the land when I'm sitting in a dim room.

Full of scrolls of all kinds and books littering a single wall, I turn my eyes from the mini library to desk before me.

Behind it a thin man with wisps of hair thinking in the middle, and regalia absurdly heavy on his tiny frame sat.

Much like his clothing an older woman with a rounder figure and plumpish facial features nods in affirmation.

"Thank you for you words of wisdom Uncle." He nods with eyes closed, letting the compliment sink in too deeply. "I would like to speak with Aunt Catrine for a moment, just a few extra words from a woman herself."

He waved his hand still high on being regarded able to give sound advice.

As the youngest of the two brothers he was always hungry for what crumbs of affirmation were left to spare since his older brother, my father, got the most attention.

Uncle Peta stalks to the door and turns back to look at us two. "I trust my wife will add to my brilliant counsel on embarking marriage. She after all is a woman and can speak much to the needs of her kind."

"...I will see you shortly in the dining dear." Aunt says and he nods, leaving the room entirely.

"You seek to speak to me?"

"Yes. I know you prize your husband with great affection, what does he do that pleases you?"

"Frankly marital relations have a way of endearing you to the other. But it is an open ear and considerate actions that have solidified it. It helps off course to tickle her ears, for who would not want to be thought of and pursued with the most enchanting of words?"

I nod hoping to retain all the foreign words.

It appears emotional affairs provoke women to affection...

"Thank you Aunt, you have spoken well."

She bobs her head and comes up with a smile. "You will not always get it right. But I am proud you seek to do well by her."

I nod, unsure what to do with her praise.

I never had a mother to acquaint me with maternal pride, for in the short time she lived her sights had been set on men beyond the castle.

"Let us go meet Uncle." I motion to the door and she follows to the room where breakfast and most likely Ephene sat.

Her cream neck was accentuated with a ruby medallion against a red dress that fell on her torso in pleasing places.

"Good morning." I say as I take my seat beside her.

Her green eyes flicker with surprise before she averts it to her plate of bread cheese and diverse sets of meat and fish.

"Same to you sir." she mumbles before stuffing another piece in her mouth.

I ignore her attempt to block conversation and dig into my dish, making a purpose of brushing my elbow against hers.

Immediately I feel her eyes on the side of my face but I drink from my glass of wine instead of acknowledging it.

Breakfast goes by in less chitter than yesterday, due to the fact that only my aunt and uncle now remained with us.

The servants clear the table and I leave to meet with the Royal advisors when a voice calls after me.

"I shall like to speak will you Hugo."

I turn to look at the pretty face with much apprehension.

Perhaps she wishes to continue the tongue battle of last night.

"Walk with me then." I say, taking ourselves away from public view.

"I seek to apologize for my rash behavior. I'm sorry."

I spare a brief glance at her and regret it instantly.

Wide remorseful eyes look at me, and it seems like her lower lip is jutted a little further.

I must mess with her bearings, not her with mine.

"I assume most kings are concerned with such so I don't take it to heart. I only ask that you will see me as someone worth confiding in."

Her feet stop and she looks behind the path.

I peer around unsure of what comes next.

"Even now?"

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"I..."