An Old Friend
Louis sits at the head of the table, opposite of me. His head held high, and a beautiful smile gracing his lips. He's dressed in fabulous robes, clearly trying to be impressive. "How was your day?" I ask politely, my hands fidgeting in my lap. I do not know why, but I am nervous, I have never held his attention for this long.
"Fine." He nods.
"I notice that you are excited....may I ask why?" I raise an eyebrow, trying to hold eye contact with his piercing blue eyes.
He pauses, then looks behind me as we hear gentle tapping of footsteps off the polished floor. Smiling he says, "Ah, you made it!"
I look behind me, it's a man. He stands tall, with chocolate brown hair slicked back and held with a ribbon. He has a charming smile I notice, I look back to Louis only for him to be gone from his seat. I frown, and turn my head to see him embracing this man in a firm, long hug. It lasts longer than it should, I clear my throat and say, "Don't you know it is improper to address the prince in such a manner?"
They pull away, but their eyes are still locked on each other, "Eleanor, this is Harry, the Duke of Victoria....and a childhood friend of mine. He has come to stay." Louis says with a gigantic smile on his face.
"Hello, nice to meet you, Your Highness." Harry draws out in a low voice, it's rich and dreamy. He bows and takes a seat next Louis. They begin talking, like they are in their own little world. I feel like an intruder.
I sigh, this is going to be difficult. Capturing Louis' attention was difficult enough, but now it seems impossible.
:::::......
Margaret wakes me up by drawing my curtains back, the sunlight pierces through my eyelids. I groan in protest, "Can I sleep for a little longer?"
I hear her giggle, "Your Highness, did you forget that Duchess of Wales will be visiting you for tea?"
I groan again, "I only invited her because I thought you were going to visit your family today. I did not want to be bored."
"You are insufferable, Princess. You cannot call on someone because you are bored. It is rude." She says as she begins to prepare my clothes. She looks at me impishly.
"I am the princess, I am allowed whatever I may want." I huff, I pull my lips into a pout.
"Aye, princess, whatever you say." She rolls her eyes playfully.
I don't know what comes over me but I suddenly grab her arm as she walks over to pull my sheets away, and pull into the bed with me. She lands on me with a quiet "oof". We stare at each other, her hair has fallen into her face. I never noticed her faint freckles before. I try to count them, but she moves her face away in embarrassment, "I-I am so sorry, Your Highness, I-" She begins to apologize, but I stop her.
"No, don't be, Margaret. It is my fault. I....just wanted someone to warm my bed." I can feel my cheeks begin to become heated.
She tilts her head, "Do you not-does the prince not do that?"
I shake my head, "He does not love me nor does he want to lie with me....is something wrong with me, Margaret? Does he find me unbearably ugly?" The tears begin to form a well.
Her head shakes firmly, "Princess, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes upon. Maybe something is wrong with him!" She wipes away my fallen tears, holding my cheek with her other hand.
I look up to her, "Thank you."
"Now, you must be ready. The Duchess will be here any minute."
:::......
"And I said, 'Oh dear, you are such hoddy doddy! Who let you serve in my estate?' She ran away crying!" Eliza laughed. She had an annoying high pitched laugh, it is nothing like Margaret's.
I pretend to laugh, "You are always such a laugh!"
"Ah, thank you, Your Highness."
I turn my head, pondering, as I see Louis leading Harry down the hall. My curiosity gets the best of me, "Excuse me for just a moment."
"Oh, of course." She smiles up at me as I get out of my chair.
I try to be as quiet as possible as follow Harry and Louis. They seem like they are trying to be quiet as well. I see them grasp hands, Louis bringing Harry's hand to his lips. I put my hand to my mouth as I watch Louis pulls Harry into a room by his lapels. I cannot believe what I had just witnessed. I move closer to the door as they disappear into the room. They had left the door just a crack open, and again curiosity won. I peer into the crack, and it is what I had feared.
I feel the tears fall from my face. Louis sat on a desk, legs wrapped around Harry's waist, their lips locked onto to each other's. This must be a nightmare, mustn't? This cannot be real.
"Princess?" I gasp as I hear Eliza from behind me. I quickly slam the door shut, my body immediately blocking the door from her.
"Yes?" I say, trying to seem as unsuspicious as possible.
"The tea is getting cold," Her eyebrows are raised in concern, "I can come back another day if you are not feeling well?"
I nod, "Um, yes, my head is throbbing."
"Very well, I do hope you feel better, see you soon." She gives a sympathetic smile.
What did I just witness? Is my husband-the prince-a sodomite?