“At least something is eating the meat, which is my point exactly.” Winter looked back at Bakersfield and Percy. “The animals you slaughtered yesterday, rabbit and deer, I believe you mentioned, would make fine food for any table in the local village. I know for certain that any donations of that meat would be appreciated.”
It’s like talking to a horse – although I believe a horse would be more aware.Winter put on his party smile. “But, of course, I am new here and I’m not yet familiar with your customs in Simigile. I am just offering my opinion because it was asked for.I will hunt for food, if necessary, but if it’s not, then I don’t see the point.”
There was a moment’s silence, and then Percy said, “So I take it we won’t be seeing you on the back of a horse, accompanying His Royal Highness on his many hunts? Your Highness, I understand that the Lattis hunt is next week. I take it we’ll see you there as we usually do?”
“I haven’t made my decision yet,” Rupert said, throwing a look in Winter’s direction that Winter could not interpret. “There may be matters I need to attend to for my father.”
Winter was just about to let Rupert know that he had no problems if Rupert decided to go on his hunt after all, when there was a sudden commotion by the door.
“This is my home, damn it. I can go into any room I want to.”
“Oh, no,” Rupert muttered as Tristan came stumbling in, pushing past four people who were leaving as he made his way over to them.
“You! I can’t believe you’re here in my house.” Tristan was yelling. “Why are you here? Rupert didn’t even want to marry you.”
Rupert’s face went white, and his fists clenched, although he didn’t move.Another situation my dear husband isn’t familiar with.Winter glanced around quickly. His husband wasn’t the only one stunned. Everyone was standing like statues. Lord and Lady Middlethorp had already retired for the evening, and there were no guards around that Winter could see.
“You’re in an unseemly state, Tristan,” Rupert said sharply, seeming to get over his shock. “Leave immediately and pull yourself together before you say or do something you’ll regret.”
“Unseemly like you believe I behaved two nights ago, you mean? My life ended the moment you rejected me. I’ve got nothing left to lose.” Tristan glared at Rupert and then pointed his finger at Winter. “You have no right being here at Rupert’s side. You had no right becoming Crown Prince of Simigile.”
“I believe my husband is the crown prince,” Winter said calmly. “I’m simply the crown prince consort. As I recall, that wasn’t my decision, it was Rupert’s as is seemly and right in these situations. Now, if you’ll excuse me. Rupert and I will be leaving now.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Somehow, despite his inebriated state, Tristan managed to pull a sword out from behind his back.
“Rupert was with me,” he snarled, stabbing the sword in Winter’s direction. “You can ask anyone here – they’re his friends, but he was closest to me. He should have married me. Instead, all he would go on about was marrying someone like you. Tiny, unsubstantial, quiet, and pretty to look at in your fancy clothes.”
Tristan’s blade was getting closer to those fancy clothes. “You are aware that it’s a capital offense to attack a royal family member,” Winter said, still keeping his calm.
“I. Don’t. Care.” Tristan’s yell threatened the stability of the chandeliers hanging above their heads. “You’re looking at a man who has lost everything. I followed our crown prince around from dawn till dusk. I held his hand. I cheered his hunting. I was the companion he deserved, and instead of marrying me, he kept looking at the likes of you. You weren’t the first by a long shot, but you will be the last. I will see to that myself.”
“Have some common sense, Tristan!” Rupert snarled, although he didn’t move any closer. “Put that weapon away. You there” - he pointed to Percy - “get the guards in here. They must beaware of this disturbance, so I have no idea why they aren’t here already. This man needs to be restrained.”
“By the time they get here, it will be too late.” Tristan giggled and then hiccupped. “Why do you think I was late to this little shindig? The Middlethorp guards were sent out ten minutes ago to investigate a disturbance on the far side of the estate. It’s likely a wild animal, but we can’t take any chances with royal visitors at the estate, now, can we? They won’t be back for ages.”
“Regardless of when they get here, you will go to jail for this," Winter interrupted. If there was one thing he couldn’t stand, it was a man monologuing. “I would caution you against making the situation any worse.”
“It won’t make any difference to me what happens next. You’ll be dead, and that’s all I care about. Don’t you see? I’m doing Rupert a favor. My beloved will have done his duty by his father by marrying somebody, but his father never said he had to stay with you.”
“That’s what getting married implies, and I believe that’s why there was no piss-off clause on our contract,” Winter said. “From my understanding, Rupert has every intention of staying with me.”
“He never intended to have anything to do with you, married or not. He told me, at least a dozen times, he wasn’t going to spend any time with you at all, no matter how long you were married.”
“And yet, here I am.” Winter spread his hands wide. “Having an enjoyable time with my husband – or at least I was until you came along.”
“He won’t stay with you! I am Rupert’s Patin.” Tristan stabbed at his own chest, unfortunately not with his sword hand. “We were talking about it. He was going to set me up with my own estate where we could be alone. We would’ve been together in everyway, and unlike that mealy librarian King Consort Jaq, I would not have agreed to opening our relationship up with you. Rupert wanted me.”
There were horrified gasps all around the room, and Rupert looked like he was wishing the floor would just swallow him up.
“My husband has already explained to me how you came close to forcing yourself on him and how disgusted he was by your idea. You are the reason why he left the hunt early. I believe my husband when he tells me he has never so much as looked at you in any intimate way, and never would. You were a convenient friend – someone who ultimately betrayed his trust, but that will never be a reflection on dear Rupert’s behavior. This is all on you.”
“You’re not even armed,” Tristan sneered. “You’ll be dead before the guards get here. I’ll leave this world knowing I did my beloved Rupert the biggest favor anyone ever could.”
“Aren’t you the dramatic one? You seriously shouldn’t have underestimated me.” Winter laughed before putting two fingers into his mouth and blowing a long whistle. “Pippin!”
“Incoming, Your Highness. Mind your head, everyone. The guards are on their way.”
Winter and everyone else in the ballroom watched as a sword rolled in a graceful arc above their heads, a slow circle through the air. As it got close, Winter jumped, grabbing it by the handle, so it was secure in his hand as his feet hit the floor.
