by Kyle Baxter
His mother and father stepped up and were introduced to the king and queen. The king nodded stiffly as they were introduced. He shook both their hands, but the queen smiled at them warmly.
“This is a dream come true.” His mother put a hand over her heart and gave the queen a little curtsey. The taller woman’s eyes lit up with pleasure, and she took Mom’s hand and shook it with a kind smile. She was resplendent in an ivory sheath dress. They were a study in contrasts, red and white, short and tall. Joel thought for a moment that they had stepped out of some latter-day Alice in Wonderland adaptation.
Though the king barely looked at him, the queen gave him a sly smile as they were introduced. He blushed under her gaze.
When he got to Freddie, the man barely met his eyes. He looked stiff and panicked. Joel wondered where Lady Julia was. She usually stood with him at these things. Astrid gave him a warm smile, though their interaction was brief. They are at work, he reminded himself. It must be exhausting.
“I met an actual king and queen,” Mom squealed after they were through the formality and free to roam the Great Hall. Joel did see a passing resemblance between Freddie and his father, though the man was in his seventies. From what he read in the trades, Astrid and Frederick were a late surprise.
After making his apologies, Joel darted into a bathroom where he checked his hair and suit in a mirror. He pulled on the cuff of his shirt so it was just visible. He considered himself lucky to even find a shirt that fit his long arms.
He did want to look pretty for Frederick. They did not talk all day, and he felt the absence keenly. It was ridiculous, he knew, but he missed him. Though he knew Frederick was busy, he still hoped to have some interaction with him. Eyeing himself in the mirror, Joel took one last look and a deep breath, then returned to the party.
Whereas before the ballroom was elegant and understated for the business reception, now it was stunning and sumptuously decorated. On the walls, long banners with the royal crest and the tricolors of blue, white, and green stretched from the ceiling to the floor. Joel found it all a bit obnoxious, extravagance for the sake of extravagance. Again he wondered how Freddie ever lived here. What was that like?
The receiving line broke up and the royal family moved through the crowd. Suddenly people surrounded Freddie. Joel caught the panicked look on his face. He remembered Freddie telling him about his PTSD. An episode here would not be a good thing for anyone.
Just as he started toward the prince, Lady Julia appeared. Taking his arm, she pulled Freddie away and into another room. That was good. Joel was glad there was someone watching out for him. But I wanted to be that person.
He drifted around the room. Mother and Caty were in a group with two other women, chatting amiably. Dad talked business with a group of other men. Where was Mariah?
Looking back to the front, he saw Freddie return with Julia. Joel caught the prince’s eye and gave him a smile. The prince returned it with a nod. It wasn’t much. It may be all I get tonight. A wave of warmth washed over him. That’s the man for me. His stomach dropped. He never felt like this with anyone before. It was amazing, heady, and humbling all at once.
A quick look at the perpetually scowling Prince Karl sent a chill down his spine. Frederick was a prince with duties and obligations. They could never do anything as prosaic as date. This—whatever it was—wasn’t going to go anywhere. It can’t. They barely started to get to know each other when the news about Karl broke and everything changed.
Even if Freddie was just a regular prince—was there such a thing?—and not crown prince and next in line to the throne, it wouldn’t matter. Everything he did was under a magnifying glass. And now every decision he made was a matter of state. Etreustein might be a small country, but it was a wealthy one.
Besides, Joel could not be in love with him. They barely knew each other. It was ridiculous. Keep telling yourself that. You like him. As he struggled to keep his feet on the ground and his hopes in check, he reminded himself, Even IF you love him, there’s no future in this. He has to get married and have little royal babies.
Joel’s head spun, and he decided to go look for Mariah. She wasn’t in the Great Hall. He stepped into the corridor they had entered through. Did she go exploring? Walking down the hall, he turned a corner and found another hallway. Offices and rooms lay on either side. Voices came from one room, and he crept closer.
He stopped outside one as he recognized his father’s voice. Crouching, he peeked around the doorframe to see Prince Karl talking with his father. Karl sat in a chair, flanked by an aide. What was going on?
“I need you to make certain that your son is not going to contact my brother again,” Prince Karl said. “We’ve squashed several stories in the media about their relationship, and no doubt there will be more.”
This was not good. Joel didn’t want his private life made public, especially as this was about a relationship that didn’t really exist. He and Freddie were sort of dating. But they only slept together once. It would be different if they were in a committed relationship. But they weren’t.
Prince Karl’s disapproval stung, but it wasn’t surprising. What a dick. I wasn’t expecting a welcome-to-the-family party or anything, but gosh, he sounds like the commander of the Death Star. The confirmation from this eldest brother that he and Freddie couldn’t be together was crushing. His chest was tight, and he felt dazed. His own reaction surprised him. Wow, I really did get my hopes up.
“What does this have to do with me?” Hector asked the prince. He sounded impatient—and nervous. “Your Highness.”
“If this story gets out, the media will hound your family.” And here, Karl’s voice softened, turned apologetic. “I know how they are. When my brother Alois died, they were relentless. It was terrible. You do not want that, I promise.”
“I don’t have any control over what Joel does. If you knew him at all, you’d know that,” Father said.
Karl snorted. “That sounds a lot like Frederick, to be honest. I wish it didn’t have to be this way. But if you can promise me you’ll do everything you can to dissuade your son from contacting Fredrick, I will make sure your company gets those contracts you want.”
“You must be desperate,” Hector said.
“We are. This is a very precarious time for us.” Karl paused for a long moment and took a deep breath. “My father is getting on in years and is ready to retire. We need Frederick’s transition to king to go smoothly—”
Joel’s phone chirped with an incoming text. Shit shit shit.
“Was ist—” came Karl’s voice as Joel rushed back to the main corridor. Getting away before they investigated the noise, he heard muffled voices and confusion behind him. Tears stung Joel’s eyes as he crept away, back to the Great Hall. His father’s deal, and maybe the survival of his company, was in danger because of his relationship with Frederick. This was not what he wanted.
We’re not even dating, really.
He looked at his phone to read the offending text.
Mariah: Where are you?
❖
Joel made his way back to the Great Hall and the food tables. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Mariah piling a large plate full. He looked heavenward. You’re supposed to nosh, not graze. He chuckled. It wasn’t her fault; no one had taught her party etiquette yet.
He saw no sign of Inga or any young people, really. Mariah was the youngest person in the room. He wondered if they were at a kiddie table, a separate event. He doubted that sat well with the energetic young girl.
He was on his way to Mariah when Frederick suddenly appeared beside him. Several people trailed him at a discreet distance.
“How was your day?” Frederick asked.
Joel stepped back a little in surprise. He eyed the prince warily, his head spinning. It was an official party; he couldn’t just walk away. But he wanted time to think, time to process what he’d overheard. And he could not do that here.
Joel dipped his head. “Your H
ighness, it is good to see you again.” God, he looks so good in that blue. It just isn’t fair.
“How was the museum?” Freddie’s deep eyes sparkled; the suit made them appear aquamarine.
He’s glad to see me. I can’t let him get to me like he always does. Not now . . . Maintain. “It was lovely. Thank you again, sire.” Joel struggled to keep it formal. He wanted to scream and wail and tell Frederick what he heard in the hall. And he wanted to tease and bait him like he loved to do when they were together. He felt dizzy. It was overwhelming. Too much. This is all too much.
“Sire?” A confused expression contorted Frederick’s face. A thought crossed his eyes, and the prince glanced quickly over the room. Joel followed his gaze. The king’s back was to them. Freddie reached over and, touching Joel’s arm, led him away.
Maybe we can talk. From Freddie’s caution and earlier stiffness, he assumed they had gotten to him as well. They’re trying to separate us.
Denis appeared in their path, blocking them. The Slender Man. “Hello, again,” the man said, and then to Frederick, he muttered, “Did your father have to invite everyone?”
Joel let out a grunt. He’d dealt with pretentious queens before and took it in stride. “My family is here on business with the Crown.”
“I am aware.” Denis eyed him up and down, then took Joel’s arm and led him away from the prince. “Frederick told me so much about you.” He sneered down his long nose at Joel, a feat at their height.
Joel fought the urge to pull him into a headlock. “Funny, he doesn’t talk about you, like, ever.” Feeling the man stiffen beside him, Joel smiled despite himself. YASS queen, I can give as well as I get.
“Yes, well, let me introduce you to Prince Frederick’s friends.” Denis pulled him along. Joel looked behind to make sure Frederick was coming. The prince was stopped by someone, but his eyes followed them.
They walked into a side room. A small circle of men and women were talking and sitting. To a one, they were fit and handsome, Denis the least among them. It was like a green room for pretty people. Joel suspected he was about to be hung out to dry.
Shit shit shit.
“This is Stanford, Duke of Zursteig.” Denis gestured to one man, who raised a hand in acknowledgment.
“Never heard of it,” Joel shot.
“No one has anymore, but that’s hardly the point,” Denis continued through the circle, one after the other. “All that matters is a title or at least an achievement of some kind. You have to be accomplished. For example, this is Gil Kensington, Olympic skier and gold medalist. That’s Marc de Villefort. He’s from a very old family, Peers of France—”
“Didn’t they get rid of the Peers?” Joel asked.
“Hence the ‘were.’” Denis tightened his grip on Joel’s arm.
De Villefort laughed and said in a thick French accent, “I like this kid, Denis. Leave him alone.”
“Marc and Frederick had an affair ages ago. He is tall and dark too.” Denis stepped back and scrutinized Joel with a hmmm. Joel got the implication. Maybe he was just this year’s model. “Now, that over there is Eben Clark, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, and finally the Duchess Julia von Torven. She works with Amnesty International.” Denis leaned over and whispered to him, “She’s Frederick’s date tonight.”
Joel froze upon seeing the gorgeous woman from the other night. She was with Freddie? No, that can’t be right. They’re old friends. Denis is messing with me . . . Wish it weren’t working. His stomach churned.
Julia offered a warm smile. “It’s good to see you again, Joel.” She turned to the Slender Man. “Enough of this, Denis. He’s a friend of ours.”
“Everyone,” Denis announced to the group, ignoring her. “This is an acquaintance of Prince Frederick’s, Mr. Joel MacKenzie.”
“Denis, you’ll regret this,” Julia said.
“McIntyre.” Joel’s face burned. “Joseph McIntyre II. Get right. What’s the point of all this?”
“Why, to introduce you to Frederick’s circle of accomplished friends, of course.” Denis squeezed his arm. “What do you do, dear?”
Joel cleared his throat and stammered, “Uhm . . . I’m an event planner.” He shrank a little inside. “I work in catering.”
“He’s a waiter. Isn’t that a scream?” Denis bayed but everyone else shifted uncomfortably. No one enjoyed this. “You really don’t belong here, now do you?” Denis asked unnecessarily.
A shiver ran down Joel’s spine. The message was loud and clear. He wanted to crawl under a rock.
Glancing over, he found Freddie walking their way in a fury. He must have seen it all. Their eyes met. Joel shook his head and mouthed no. Behind him, he heard Denis cackle.
Frederick stopped in front of him. Joel searched his eyes. Confusion clouded the prince’s face. “Don’t,” Joel said under his breath. “Getting into it with Denis won’t help me.”
Freddie’s eyes watered, and over his shoulder, Joel saw Prince Karl. He’d entered the room and watched them carefully.
“Entschuldigung, Your Royal Highness,” Joel said to Frederick. He stepped around him and made for the door.
His face burned as he stormed out of the room, away from Denis, Freddie, and their very photogenic group of friends. After darting back into the bathroom, he hid in a stall. Sobbing quietly, he raked a hand through his hair. God, I just want to punch Denis. How is he even a friend of Freddie’s? This on top of Karl threatening my father? It isn’t fair. Fuck this, I’m going back to the hotel.
After he gathered himself, he crept out. The washroom attendant wouldn’t meet his eyes. I don’t blame him. What could you say? In the mirror, his suit now looked cheap and tawdry. What was he thinking? He rushed out to look for his parents and leave.
Julia intercepted him. “Walk with me,” she said. After a look to make sure Freddie was not there, he followed her into the corridor. She turned to face him. “Frederick asked me to speak to you.”
“This is the second message I’ve gotten today. Why doesn’t he contact me himself?” Joel looked down at his feet. He felt abandoned and lost. He desperately wanted to talk with Freddie about what he heard Karl tell his father.
“They took away his cell phone—for security—and he’s been instructed to avoid further association with you,” she said softly. “It was a direct order from the king.”
There it was. They were trying to separate them. This confirmed it. “Why are they doing this?”
Julia let out a deep breath and glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “The king feels that you are distracting the prince from his duties.”
Joel nodded. That was true. They’d spent a lot of time together since Frederick returned home. “I suppose it doesn’t help that I’m gay, that we’re . . .” He made a limp-wristed gesture.
Julia’s perfect mouth frowned. “No, it doesn’t. Etreustein is still a very conservative country and the king has archaic sentiments sometimes. But even if you were a young lady from a suitable family, it wouldn’t matter.”
Joel cringed at the word “suitable,” and a look of distaste flashed over Julia’s face as she said it. She didn’t like it either, and he liked her more for it. I’m glad she’s here for Freddie. But he knew what she meant. Denis spelled it out. He was nothing and a nobody to them. They only deigned to allow him here as a courtesy to his father. I have to get out of here before I scream.
She clearly saw all that pass over his face and took his hand in hers. “That is not how Frederick feels. He adores you—”
“But he has his duty,” Joel said.
“Yes. He has a strong sense of duty, both to his country and the Crown. It was instilled in him at a very early age. His family . . .” She took a deep breath. “They want—they need—Frederick focused on the task at hand. He’s being groomed to become king. And soon. His father is ready to retire.”
Joel’s mouth dropped open. This was the second time he heard that. It wasn’t just idle talk. Wow, it’s reall
y happening. He knew as crown prince Freddie would become king one day, but now it sounded like that day would come sooner rather than later. There will be even more pressure on Freddie than ever. I can’t add more to it. I won’t.
He looked around, eyes frantically searching for a way out of this. Only one came to mind. He put a hand to his head. It was warm and he felt shaky.
“Frederick and I need to break it off,” Joel said. He could not see Frederick again, at least not for a while. It wasn’t good for either of them or their families. He would not come between Freddie and his family, and he did not want to hurt his father and their family.
She grabbed his hand again. “No, that’s not what he wants. But you do need to talk. He wanted me to tell you he’ll call you later.”
“Thank you, but it’s probably best for both of us that he doesn’t,” Joel said, his voice cracking and strained. He added in a whisper, “I assume they’re watching everything we do now?”
She only nodded.
“Please do me a favor and tell him not to call me.” This was hard enough. He wasn’t sure he could take a phone call and hear his voice. Joel gave her a little bow and walked away. “Thank you.” As he returned to the Great Hall, he worried he might pass out. This was too much. I may throw up.
His father had Astrid in a corner and talked about his business, loudly. She looked miserable. Where was the rest of the family? I need to get away from here. I’ll let Mom know.
In a hallway, he found his mother. A drink in each hand, she was engaged in an animated conversation with a security guard. Oh my God, what are you doing? Could this get any worse?
He returned to the banquet hall just as Caty burst in from a side room with a storm of giggles, chased by two handsome young men. Caty, did you have to do this tonight? The heat rose in his face. It was like the entire family was going out of its way to make fools of themselves. I’ll just text them I’m leaving.
In the background, he heard Denis’s cackle, again. That damn laugh. He’s not the Slender Man; he’s the goddamn Joker. Looking back toward the green room, he caught a glimpse of Freddie and Julia huddled together, talking. He fired off a message to the family group text, letting them know he was leaving.