H̶e̶l̶l̶ Hail King || ONC 2021(Longlister)

XVII. Gossip and giggle

Often Edward wondered about 'sneaky infatuations' – the ones that came barreling in and swept away the rug from under your feet. He used to scoff at authors like Eliza Haywood for lacking reality because it could not be, should not be possible to develop feelings for someone so soon. Now, he can only shake his head at his naivety and look forward. When he looked forward, he found the object of his infatuation sitting in his chair.

Jupiter's face was cherry red and the pools of honey he had for eyes were downcast. Getting looked at admiringly was embarrassing. Edward had been gazing at him for the past hour. He was naive to the King's reluctance to speak, the royalty was not ready as he never got involved with a man. 

To Jupiter, the king had become a different person overnight. It was not even his shift, but a maid was sent to retrieve him two hours early from his quarters on the king's order.

"Stop," Jupiter mumbled.

Edward could make out his lover's shyness, although he could not let go of the opportunity to tease him. "Say my name first." At his demand, the boy turned redder and glared at him from under his eyelashes. Laughter bubbled up in his chest and slipped out in the form of a short chuckle. "It is nothing but a mere name."

"Your Ma..." Words died in his throat as Edward rose to his feet and traipsed his way. "What are you doing?" Jupiter queried after gathering enough courage.

"My hearing was failing me when the gap was large between us. Surely, it won't fail me anymore. Say it." Jupiter was only able to utter an argumentative "but" when Edward placed his index finger on the soldier's lips, shushing him. "Come on, listen to me and obey."

As if on auto-pilot, he spoke. "E-Edward."

"Was that so difficult now?" When he did not answer, the king prompted – "Hmm?" – And he cutely shook his head in negation. Edward retook his perch on the bed and they spent the rest of their time until Jupiter's shift in silence.

As Jupiter replaced Callum, the latter refused to budge and decided it was wise to linger. It was one thing about Callum; he could not help but be nosy once he was comfortable in someone's presence.

"What were you doing in the king's chamber for an hour and a half?"

Jupiter did not deem it necessary to correct his fellow soldier on his time-tracking skills.

"I was sitting in the work chair the whole time I was there."

"So, you were working." Assumptions either save the day or ruin life."What was the king doing?"

A sharp response along the line "None of your business" was on Jupiter's tongue, yet he refrained from delivering it for the fear of rousing suspicions in Callum's mind. He went with a safe answer: "He was watching over me." Whoops! It is almost the truth if I discard 'over.'

"People do not speak false, I gather. The king is indeed a tyrant."

"Shut your mouth," Jupiter hissed. "If anyone heard you, you will be an eye-witness to his tyranny."

Raising his hands in surrender, Callum gives the other soldier a sheepish smile. His action made him look like a young boy, younger than his age. Jupiter's mouth too, curved in a smile subconsciously. One peaceful moment in each other's presence and all the tension seeped out of their body. For a good fifteen minutes, they talked, smiled, and laughed. All of these things were done quietly to stay clear of the king and his scolding. How long did the calm last though? Honestly, not long. A too-hilarious joke by Callum and all the hard work went down the hill as Jupiter let out a peal of belly-clutching laughter.

Inside his room, Edward quasi-heard Jupiter's cackles. "Huh?" He wondered whether he was imagining the melodious sound. When the sound did not seize, he exited his room to check. The scene he stumbled upon made him see red.

"What do you think you both are doing?"

Callum and Jupiter sobered up immediately, both fumbling with their words to provide their king with a satisfying reply.

"Your Highness, Jupiter wa-"

"We wer-"

They were a mess, both speaking at the same time and stopping abruptly.

"Quiet! Are you getting paid to gossip and giggle? From my point of view, you were so engrossed in each other that you would be getting yourself killed first, and then me. So, do me a favor and do your actual job. Callum?"

"Yes, my king?"

"Keep guarding the door unless I say otherwise."

Callum barely kept his jaw from dropping to the floor. My beauty sleep, he whined internally. Sooner than later he was forgetting all about his sleep as the raging bull standing there turned his wrath on his fellow guard.

"And you get inside. We have unfinished business."

The last word was spoken in a tone that gave Callum chills. He was silently praying for Jupiter who followed the king inside without a peep."

As soon as Jupiter spun around after closing the door, a pair of lips were on his, attacking him with vigor.