Garden Bench ~A Prinxiety Story~

Chapter three

Virgil woke with a headache, he sighed and rubbed his head before getting out bed. He quickly changed into his normal, dirty clothes. He made his way downstairs and started breakfast.

He carried the tray of bacon, eggs, and toast with butter into his mother's room. The sat the tray on the table beside the bed. He rubbed his mother's arm till she woke up.

The feeble woman smiled at his son, patting his face with his pale hand. "Good morning, mama, are you ready to eat?" Virgil asked softly. The woman moved to sit up in bed, Virgil grabbed her and helped her. He moved the tray over to her lap.

As he fed his mother, they talked quietly. Virgil's mother knew about his sexuality, and she was completely fine with it. "Mama, yesterday as I was out at night, I saw this man." His mother gasped and smiled brightly.

"You met someone? When do I get to meet him?" She asked, Virgil just laughed at his mother and shook his head.

"No mama, I haven't spoke to him. We've just caught each other's stares. But he's so handsome, mama, he's tall, strong, handsome. He's perfect, he had the most wonderful smile." Virgil rambled on to his mother about the gentleman from the balcony, of course leaving out that he was in the garden and that the man was in the castle.

Virgil helped his mother lay back down, pressing a kiss to her forehead, he left to do his daily work. Virgil worked in the local suit maker's shop, helping with fitting of suits and dresses. The bell jingled above the door as Virgil stepped in the store.

An old gentleman looked up from a suit his was stitching and smiled at Virgil. "Hello! Hello! Are you today, my boy?" The man greeted.

Virgil returned his smile, "Hello, Mr. Linwood, I'm doing good I suppose. How are you?"

"Im doing best an old man can, kiddo. Hands have bugging me all morning, I'll have to get you to finish this suit." Mr. Linwood has arthritis in his hands and knees, and they take spells where they hurt and he can't work.

"Of course, mr. Linwood, but if I may, who is this suit for?" The suit was a beautiful, clean white with sliver detailing on the left shoulder and on the right side. It was paired with clean white pants. "The suit is stunning, sir, simply beautiful."

"Well thank you, son, it's for one the princes. Their coming by to pick up the suit later today. I need to finish the final detailing and stitching, or well you do." Linwood laughed has he handed Virgil the sewing kit.

Virgil took the stool and started carefully stitching the suit. Him and Mr. Linwood chatted about this and that. After about an hour or so, Virgil wrapped the needle and thread and set them aside. "Beautiful work, my boy, you have an act for this. I'll be leaving my shop to you, most definitely."

"Oh but sir-" Virgil began to protest but the Linwood stopped him short.

"No, no, none of that. My son ain't done a single thang for me since he's moved. I think of you more as a son then I do my own boy. So I'm leaving this ol' shop to you, my boy" Virgil hugged Mr. Linwood tight. "And don't be thanking me either, you've worked for this."

Virgil went to speak but the bell jingled. They turned to meet whoever walked in, and Virgil's throat went dry. Standing in front of him, dress in a dapper suit, was none other then the man from the balcony.

"Ah! Prince Roman, Prince Remus! Welcome! Welcome!" Mr. Linwood rushed over to the boys.

"Careful, sir, your knees aren't that good anymore, you might get hurt." Virgil grabbed Linwood's arm to keep him steady. Mr. Linwood laughed and patted Virgil's back.

"I ain't that frail yet, my boy, give it a few years still." Linwood winked at the princes. "Prince Roman, Prince Remus, I'm pleased to introduce you to my assistant, and basically my son, Virgil Darlington. He's worked for me for multiple years, he even the one who's finished your suit, Prince Roman." Virgil blushed as Mr. Linwood held him in front of the princes. He refused to make eye contact with either prince.

"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Virgil. I trust you did a good job on my suit?" Roman said, looking Virgil up and down. Virgil just nodded quickly and moved behind mr. Linwood, hiding himself slightly.

"Don't take his actions to heart, son, he's very shy till you get to know 'im." Linwood motioned for Virgil to pack up the suit, and Virgil did so quickly. He took the shit off the stand, folded it, and wrapped it in paper and tied it off. He placed it in a bag and closed the bag tight.

He passed the suit over to Mr. Linwood. "Here we go, boys, one fresh suit!" Roman took the suit from Mr. Linwood.

"Thank you, Mr. Linwood, it's highly appreciated." Roman said, the phone chimed and Mr. Linwood told Virgil to check them out as he went to answer the phone.

Virgil just nodded and waved them over to the counter, only Roman came. Virgil read over the paper of information about the suit, doing math in his head before speaking, "$21.87, your highness." He said not meeting Roman's eyes. Roman laid triple the money down on the counter. "Oh no, no, no, your highness-"

"Shush shush, no, none of that, Virgil. It's a small business, and I have plenty to spare." Virgil finally looked up at Roman, and immediately regretted it. He looked back down quickly.

"Well, uh, t-thank you, your highness." Virgil said, his voice hushed. Roman chuckled quietly to himself as he watched Virgil.

Roman leaned a crossed the counter and whispered quietly, "it's good to finally meet you in person, when will you be back in the garden? Hm?" Virgil looked up at Roman and stepped back away from him some, stammering.

Roman laughed and waved to him as he left. Remus got off the wall and followed Roman out of the store.

"They're gone?" Mr. Linwood walked out of back. Virgil just nodded, fiddling with his shirt sleeve. "Are you alright, son?"

"I-I just met the princes..." Mr. Linwood laughed. "Prince Roman was quite handsome." Mr. Linwood laughed harder at Virgil. He knows of Virgil's sexuality, and patted his back.