His Majesty (Slide Away)

15.

(HAPPY BDAY GEORGE)

For the remainder of that morning, Paul did not leave his bedroom. He refused to allow anyone to enter, telling them to leave him alone if they tried. Even John was not allowed access.

The alpha was terribly concerned, knocking on the door from inside of their empty shared drawing/living room over and over again as he wondered whatever was wrong with his fiancé. Paul had been perfectly fine the night before, at least from what John remembered.

Perhaps the phone call with Mike made him feel rather homesick.

John just wasn't sure.

Around half an hour after John had given up and sat himself down on the sofa to aimlessly watch the television, there was a knock on the drawing room door. John had an idea of who it was.

"Come in, George." John called out nonchalantly, but when his eyes met those of who had actually been behind the door, he found himself waking up a little.

"Your highness?"

"Stuart?"

"I have your dry cleaning here. Your clothes from last night, sir?"

"Ah, yes..." He nodded, stiffly. "Yes, just put them in my wardrobe, Stuart..." The young Beta nodded.

John watched Stuart closely as he made his way into his bedroom, wondering if Stuart would know what was wrong with Paul. He probably didn't of course, but he guessed he wouldn't know until he asked.

"Stuart?" He called back, rising to his feet.

"Y-Yes sir...?" The frail, skinny teenager appeared in the doorframe close after.

"Do you have any idea why Paul will not leave his bedroom?" He asked. He seriously expected a no, but the answer he got was quite different.

"Oh goodness..." The courtier muttered, and instantly more worry swirled in John's chest.

"Hold on there... What do you mean, Stuart?" One of John's eyebrows furrowed, his voice stern.

"Well... I-I spoke to George before, as I was collecting your dry cleaning. He looked rather worried, almost spooked, and so I felt I had to ask him what was wrong..." Stuart explained, talking to John as if he was a schoolboy who was being scolded for misbehaving. "And he said he had just led the O- Paul, to the main dining room, to have breakfast with the Queen."

Anger spread through John's body. He knew that he had originally had wanted Mimi to introduce herself to Paul, but clearly the woman had done more than just introduce herself. Why else would Paul have locked himself in his room, wanting everyone to leave him alone?

She had clearly upset Paul, and John was going to lose it with her.

"Stuart... May you do me a favour?" John asked.

"Yes... Yes, of course, your highness." He nodded, immediately.

"Will you stay here with Paul, just incase he comes round whilst I'm not here? I don't wish for him to be alone if he does decide he is ready to leave his bedroom." John explained, knowing deep down that Stuart would say yes. It was his duty to say yes.

"Of course, sir. I shall remain here until you return."

"Thank you." John smiled, patting the boy firmly on the shoulder before speeding towards the door.

His face was filled with anger and annoyance as he made his way down the halls. He ignored every servant that greeted him, not even sending a glance or a smile in their way like he usually did. His chest felt on fire with fury.