In love with royalty 👑

Ten

"Don't tell me you guys came together in the same carriage" Jayson said looking at the court lady and his brother who stood beside him. "We did, and both of you might want to explain some things to me, but that'll be when we're done greeting the king" Jayden said and walked towards the court ladies that had come to receive them.
      King Desmond had always been a cheerful man and he received them with warmth. He was so happy that they could make it. "Its been quite long since I saw you Jayson, you're all grown now" he said rubbing Jayson's cheeks. "How have you been my lord? Jayson asked. "I'm doing well, I'm very fine, I'm looking forward to adopting a son soon, how about you guys, I hope you guys don't fight anymore?" he asked pointing to the princes.
"Oh, of course we're not kids" Jayden said holding Jayson's arm, who was smiling sheepishly.
"You don't know how happy I am, Your room is ready, I'll have the court ladies take you there, I still have some guests to welcome, feel free okay, this is just like your second home."
The princes bowed. "Thanks so much for having us sir" Jayden said. "what are you talking about?, If anything, I'm the one who should be thankful that you're here. I'm very happy you're here. I need young people to keep me sane, not all these old kings you know, the elder said. Speaking of which, the king continued, Rebecca is coming with her father, I hope everything has been going on well between you two?" He asked Jayden.
The latter looked away. "It's okay I understand, the king said patting his back. We'll discuss later during dinner, feel free okay?"
"Thank you my lord" they said and bowed again as the king left.
"Whew, so much acting" Jayson said shifting from Jayden. The older rolled his eyes. " you better keep acting, people are very observant".

Two hours later and they had settled in completely.
"Get Elena for me" Jayson said to the court ladies standing outside his door.
"Yes my lord" a distant voice replied.
Some seconds later a knock was heard.
"Come in" Jayson said.
She walked in briskly and bowed to the both princes.
"I'm still angry with you you know, Jayson started."
"I'm sorry my lord" she replied. She hung her head low.
"How could you just leave me alone all through the ride here, I was so bored and frustrated this morning" he whined.
"I'm so sorry my lord" she said raising her face so their eyes could meet and lowered it quickly.
"And to crown it all, you're here acting all royal, I need my friend Elena, not some court lady that won't even look at me for godsake."
She looked up and gestured to Jayden whose face was hidden behind the paper he was holding.
"For goodness sake why did I even have to share a room with him" Jayson cried.
Jayden lowered the paper. "Because we're brothers and almost like king Desmond's children and the least we can do is help him save some space by staying in the same room, I never wanted to share with you either."
"Whatever,the youngest replied sitting on the bed. Take me to your room Elena"
"What?" Elena asked. She was in shock.

Jayden lowered the paper again and looked at the duo. From Jayson who was pouting to Elena who was looking at him with shock clearly written all over her face. At least she's sensible. He thought. She seemed somewhat taken aback by his request. He noticed
the way she folded her arms and whispered something to Jayson, Which made him smile. Ahhh,she makes him smile too, nice. He smiled. What the hell! Jayden, that's creepy he said to himself. He wiped the smile off his face and cleared the throat,causing them to look at him.
"I believe you owe me an explanation Elena."
Elena gulped visibly. She opened her mouth and closed it yet no word came out.
"Cats got your tongue?"  Jayden asked.
"What happened?" Jayson asked.
"I thought I was sitting beside you in the carriage,Elena whispered. I might have said some things that are meant only for our ears" she whispered again.
"Please tell me you didn't say mon...."
"I did" she whispered again.
"Oh Lord. Listen Jayden, it was a mistake, she taught it was me, we have some things we say to ourselves, just to make me happy, that's all" he said trying to convince him.
"That doesn't explain why she tried cupping my face or holding my hand or even rubbing the back of my palm, is that what you guys do?,who is the monster by the way?" He asked calmly.
"You don't need to know" Jayson replied.
"I'm sure it's not dad, so who else could it be? Jayson couldn't face his brother. Jayden widened his eyes in realization. Me?" He asked pointing to himself.
"No no....." Jayson tried speaking but he was interrupted again.
"You go around talking about me with a court lady that can't even recognize you? I'm a monster to you?
Jayson looked at his brother's face. Jayden was hurt. He rarely saw this kind of expression on his face. He felt so bad. Jayden wasn't supposed to hear that. It was all fun and jokes, he never meant it. "Go ahead" he whispered to Elena.
The poor girl was almost in tears. She hesitated for some time and left the room.
Jayson walked closer to Jayden. "Please jay, we don't mean it the way you understood it" he said.
Jayden chuckled. "Jay? I guess no one has that name here." He sighed and went back to the papers he had been holding earlier.

Jayson and Elena ate dinner together in the corner of the room,when Jayden went outside to greet other royals.
"I'm sorry" Elena said for the hundredth time.
"It's okay, I'll have to beg him,Jayson said. Why didn't you recognize him tho?"
"He looks so much like you. Plus he wouldn't look me straight in the eye like you always do, I just assumed that he got you angry, he even drew the curtain to separate both of us" she complained.
"Ahhhhh, that'd good, that way you'll only be my friend" he said.
Elena just eyed him. She walked towards the window at the side of the room. "Everyone is so busy downstairs" she said.
"Obviously, I can't wait to go home, I don't want to meet the other royals."
She was about to reply but a knock interrupted her.
"Come in" Jayson said.
It was a court lady. One of Jayden's court lady.
"Prince Jayden requests your presence downstairs" the girl said.
"Alright. Clear this up" he said pointing to the left over food and plates.

Elena helped Jayson to dress up properly and they headed downstairs.
Jayson smiled and greeted everyone as if he'd known them personally. Moving from princes' to princesses' and kings' and queens'. She just followed saying nothing and only replied when Jayson whispered how much he hated what he was doing at the moment or when he would insult or particular prince which them snicker.
"Oh hello my lady, Jayson said taking a princess's hand and kissing it. How are you doing?"
"I'm doing good, the princess replied batting her lashes. I didn't expect to see you here"
Jayson smiled. A fake one. Elena could tell. " a prince's got to do what a prince should do" he replied.
"I understand, the beautiful princess replied. Have you seen Jayden anywhere? I haven't seen him for a long time and I assumed he'd be here today" she asked.
"Ohhh. Speak of the devil" Jayson said as he saw Jayden walking towards them.
"Hi milady, he said when he got there. He kissed her hand, letting his lips linger while the princess smiled sheepishly. How have you been?" He asked.
"I missed you so much, I know you're so busy at the palace so I didn't want to disturb you at all" she said. She was facing Jayden now and had completely forgotten the other prince.
Elena huffed at the scene and tugged Jayson's clothes from behind.
He got the signal.
"Oh now that you've seen each other, you guys must have a lot of catching up to do. I'll take my leave now. Do have a pleasant night" Jayson said and walked away with Elena.
After some greetings,they walked back to the room and bade each other a good night.