Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Empress
As the hours of the day ticked by, Alaric and Kastiel remained on high alert, their eyes darting nervously towards the door at every creak and groan. The specter of Carlton’s unexpected intrusion from the previous day loomed large in their minds, casting a pall over their every interaction.
Alaric found himself feeling strangely unsettled, a gnawing sense of unease settling in his gut. He couldn’t shake the notion that after having slept in his arms last night, Carlton would prove insatiable, returning to disturb him again with an unquenchable desire for more intimacy. Yet as the minutes stretched into hours without any sign of Carlton’s distinctive nose bridge appearing in the doorway, Alaric’s tension only seemed to ratchet up another notch.
Despite Carlton’s adamant declaration that morning about forsaking his ducal duties and responsibilities to Rowan in favor of remaining at Alaric’s side within the palace walls for a few days henceforth, Alaric couldn’t help but feel that this was all terribly misguided - if not downright foolish. And yet, compelled by his concern for Carlton’s apparent mental state, Alaric had reluctantly agreed to the arrangement, even as every fiber of his being screamed that this was a colossal mistake in the making.
The eerie calm that permeated their surroundings only served to heighten Alaric’s sense of impending doom. It was like the lull before the storm, an unnatural stillness that boded ill for what lay ahead...
Just then, Kastiel’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere like a knife. "Your Highness..." he began hesitantly, still clutching the sheaf of papers meant for review but clearly struggling to maintain focus amidst the maelstrom of tension and uncertainty that had settled over them both.
Alaric turned to face Kastiel, his expression a mask of barely contained anxiety. "Yes?" he replied tersely, his voice tight with strain. "What is it? Have you heard something? Seen something?"
"Huh? I’m just saying it’s late afternoon, Your Highness... it’s time for your scheduled afternoon tea with Her Imperial Majesty the Empress," Kastiel replied hastily, acutely aware of the underlying meaning behind Alaric’s paranoid query.
He felt a pang of sympathy in his heart as he contemplated the immense suffering his beloved prince had endured over the past two days at the hands - and words - of Duke Carlton. The duke’s actions defied all logic and reason, pushing the boundaries of what even an eccentric nobleman might be capable of.
Without missing a beat, Alaric sprang to his feet and strode purposefully out of the study chamber. "Then let us make haste," he declared firmly. "We must not keep Her Majesty waiting."
"Yes, my prince," Kastiel affirmed dutifully as he quickly fell into step behind Alaric, their footfalls echoing through the palace corridors as they made their way towards the empress’ wing.
As they arrived at the empress’ wing, a few of Her Majesty’s ladies-in-waiting seemed to be expecting their arrival, Lady Maria among them. She ushered Alaric and Kastiel towards the secluded garden that lay beyond, a sanctuary filled with an abundance of vibrant blooms in every hue imaginable.
The sound of lively conversation drifted to their ears as they approached the center of the garden. Alaric’s steps faltered as he took in the sight before him - Empress June seated at a table laden with delicate pastries and steaming teapots, engaged in animated discussion with... someone. Someone whom Alaric had not been expecting to encounter under these circumstances.
"Ooff!!"
Kastiel, once again colliding with Alaric’s back in his haste to keep pace, silently vowed to maintain a more prudent distance of two meters henceforth whenever walking behind his prince.
But it was not merely the presence of Empress June that gave Kastiel pause - it was rather the identity of her companion that left him utterly flabbergasted. "Duke Carlton...?!" he exclaimed incredulously at the sight before him.
Alaric felt a fresh wave of agony crashing over his skull as he beheld the very last person he had expected - or wanted - to see in this sanctuary. It seemed that his dear mother was about to catch the dreaded ’Carlton Virus’, an affliction that would leave her stressed, traumatized, and burdened with an ungodly amount of mental anguish... all thanks to whatever preposterous ravings were surely pouring from the duke’s lips at that very moment.
Alaric let out a heavy sigh and continued his approach, his face breaking into a gentle smile as he drew near to Empress June. "Mother," he greeted her warmly, inclining his head in a respectful bow. "I trust I am not too late to join you for this most delightful afternoon repast."
"Alaric! You’ve finally arrived!" Empress June exclaimed with unbridled joy, her eyes sparkling with the warmth of a mother who had been longing for the company of her eldest son after his return from the battlefield. "Three days have passed since your triumphant homecoming, and we’ve scarcely had a moment together beyond that brief encounter at the victory celebration and last evening’s dinner... please, do sit down..." she urged him kindly.
As Alaric took his seat beside her, Empress June reached out to gently grasp his hand in hers. Though she was renowned for her strict demeanor and rarely displayed outward affection - save for those tender moments during Alaric’s youth - he understood that his mother’s tough love stemmed from an unwavering desire to instill a sense of responsibility and character in her heir apparent. Even so, she still found ways to show her devotion when the occasion called for it.
Alaric squeezed his mother’s hand in return, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that endured between them. "I must apologize, Mother," he began, his voice tinged with genuine remorse. "For not having sought your presence sooner after my return, despite the myriad duties that have kept me occupied. I should have made time to see you before now..."
"It’s quite alright, my dear Alaric," Empress June reassured him with a gentle smile, patting the back of his hand affectionately. "I understand that you’ve had your hands full attending to kingdom matters upon your return. I’m simply relieved to see you dedicating yourself so diligently to your responsibilities."
The empress beamed at her son with unabashed pride, her eyes shining with maternal adoration. "Your majesty," Carlton interjected smoothly, "if it pleases Your Highness, I could assist Prince Alaric in managing some of those more mundane paperwork duties. This would allow him to carve out more time for personal matters... and for visits with his devoted mother."
Alaric felt a fresh wave of pain lancing through his skull as he recalled the presence of this peculiar creature who insisted on referring to himself as a man capable of childbirth. Now here he was, casually nibbling on pastries and crossing his legs like any other guest - all while purporting to aid Alaric in governing the realm? The prince couldn’t help but feel a twinge of amusement, considering how Carlton had left the management of his own duchy’s affairs to Rowan as of late.
Alaric forced a smile onto his face, the corners of his mouth twitching with the effort. "How very kind of you to offer, Duke Carlton," he managed through gritted teeth.
Empress June turned her attention to Carlton, chuckling warmly at his words. "Indeed, it seems that my dear friend’s son has undergone quite the transformation since the return from war," she remarked with amusement. "Carlton appears more attentive, loquacious, and expressive than ever before."
Alaric and Kastiel exchanged a furtive glance, both striving mightily to maintain their composure in light of Empress June’s observation. They yearned to speak plainly about Carlton’s condition - but they feared that doing so would only provoke him into uttering something utterly nonsensical or inappropriate. Moreover, though they knew full well that Carlton’s claims were patently absurd... there was an inexplicable part of them that found themselves wanting to believe him against all reason and logic. It was a most perplexing sensation indeed.
Carlton took a refined bite of his fruitcake, chewing slowly and deliberately before speaking. "I assure you, Mother - I mean, Your Majesty," he corrected himself with a slight smirk, "that I have not undergone any significant changes. The sentiment of a mother yearning for their absent child is one that I can certainly comprehend."
Empress June’s smile faltered momentarily as Carlton addressed her "mother". However, she was even more taken aback by his next statement - the implication that he already had offspring of his own. It seemed almost impossible to fathom.
Alaric felt beads of cold sweat forming on his brow as Carlton continued to speak about children and the future with such conviction. He knew all too well that this was an utterly taboo subject for Carlton; any mention of the supposed seven non-existent offspring would inevitably lead to a delusional tirade.
"You seem to be implying that you have a child already," Empress June remarked cautiously, releasing Alaric’s hand and taking a sip from her teacup to mask her surprise and unease. "Speaking of children... I must confess that I’ve heard some rather peculiar rumors circulating about the two of you," she continued, her gaze shifting between Alaric and Carlton.
"Strange rumors about a child? Is it regarding our child who-"
Alaric’s cold sweat turned into a veritable downpour as Carlton began to elaborate on these baseless rumors. He knew he had to intervene quickly before things spiraled out of control.
"That’s just idle gossip!" Alaric interjected forcefully, his voice tinged with desperation.
Empress June frowned disapprovingly at her son’s brusque interruption. "Alaric, it is most unbecoming for a crown prince to be so rude as to cut off another speaker mid-sentence," she chided him sternly. "As royalty and an adult, you are expected to conduct yourself with far more decorum and restraint."
Alaric bobbed his head vigorously in agreement, eager to derail the conversation before Carlton could divulge any more of his fantastical delusions about their supposed child. Better to endure a stern lecture from Empress June than risk her learning of Carlton’s wild claims regarding their non-existent offspring and its alleged harassment at the hands of the Marquis Dorian.
The empress sighed and took another dainty sip of her tea, clearly still unsettled by the strange turn their discussion had taken. Though she chose not to pursue the topic of children further, it was clear that other rumors were weighing on her mind.
"In addition to those peculiar speculations about your... family situation," Empress June began delicately, "I have also heard whispers of another matter that has compelled me to summon you both here today... and someone else too..."
"Pray tell, Mother," Alaric replied with feigned nonchalance as he leaned forward in his seat. "Who is this mysterious individual whose arrival you’ve been heralding?"
Just as Alaric posed his question aloud, Lady Maria announced the arrival of their guest with a melodious voice: "The person you requested has arrived."
As Alaric laid eyes upon this new arrival, he initially assumed no connection between them and Carlton. He maintained an air of nonchalance, confident in his initial assessment. However, as fate would have it, Alaric could not have been more mistaken. The very presence of this individual seemed to unleash a force of nature within Carlton - a veritable Godzilla of rage and chaos that threatened to upend the tranquil afternoon.
