The Last Midnight

Chapter Seven: "Royal Decree"

Matthew's cheek burned and stung. He could feel it bleeding and kept his hand over it to hide it as best he could. His eyes watered but he managed to keep them from falling as he opened the door a bit shaky. Standing proudly on the other side was a young man of no less than eighteen years old in royal messenger attire. Matthew recognized him at once. Out of the many messengers the king had, this boy was the only one he had ever seen come to the house. Mostly because he was the Baron's informant. The messenger looked excited until he saw that it was him. His face fading a bit, he lifted his chin and asked him professionally. "Is Baron Tremaine home? I have an urgent message from his majesty." Matthew nodded and extended his hand out for the message. The messenger removed a large folded piece of parchment with the bright royal wax seal on it from his satchel to give him. Taking it, Matthew only got enough time to see the symbol in the wax seal. Two dragons rearing at each other with a crown between them. He started to turn from the door, when it was snatched from him, and he was shoved up against the wall.

Cowering against the wall, he remained still and unresponsive to the Baron's firm hand on his chest. The messenger perked up, grinning with newfound excitement. The Baron popped the seal with his free hand, asking the messenger coolly. "What is this about, Keith?" Keith smirked, leaning closer to whisper to the Baron. "The royal engagement is off, and the king is now having a ball in five days on the prince's birthday to find him a new bride from among the noble women near and far. It will be a masquerade ball that will last for three days. He has until midnight on the last night. After that... the king will arrange another royal engagement." The Baron smiled at Keith, then held up the letter in front of Matthew for him to hold onto. Taking it, Matthew watched the Baron remove some coins from his pocket. Leaning a bit closer to Keith, the Baron brought his lips close to Keith's ear and whispered to him in a purring tone of voice. "Excellent work. Now. I need you to find out who will be attending. What the prince wants for his birthday. What the prince will be wearing on each of those three days. And I want any and all information on his appointments and events that he'll be attending in the next five days."

The Baron placed two gold coins in Keith's hand, then started to straighten up. Keith glanced around the area, before quickly leaning back in toward the Baron to say with a coy smile. "Speaking of appointments. The prince will be fencing in a tournament today at noon to honor the knights. Since he isn't allowed to compete in the jousting festival with them. It will be quite a sight, I'm told. The rumor is that he'll be fighting his father." The Baron raised an eyebrow, then brushed his thumb over Keith's lips as he told him teasingly. "Really...? Thank you. I hope you understand how... fond I am of you. When my daughter becomes queen... Maybe we'll have to make a new deal. One where things will be so much sweeter for the both of us." Keith bit his lip, blushing out in a whisper. "We don't have much time then. Come find me at the festival. I have some connections. I'll get your daughter front row seats." The Baron traced a finger down Keith's nose, playfully purring out. "See you there." Keith bowed to him, then quickly walked away to his horse. The Baron watched him ride away from the house and out of the gates, before closing the door and grumbling out bitterly. "He'll be the first one my daughter beheads when she becomes queen. Teen boys... so easy to sway. The king should know better."

The Baron then locked eyes with Matthew. Matthew quickly lowered his eyes to the floor and turned his face away. He was shaking so bad that he had to press himself to the wall to keep himself from shaking apart. The Baron grabbed his jaw and Matthew flinched at his touch, even if it was light. He knew from experience how quickly a light touch could turn violent with him. The Baron turned his face to look at the bleeding cut on his cheek, then told him icily. "Clean yourself up and finish your chores. Since I don't have time to punish you... You just won't be eating today." Matthew gulped, then breathlessly trembled out. "Yes, Sir." Without another word, the Baron moved away and stated aloud. "Anastasia! Get dressed! We're going to see the prince!" Anastasia squealed from the next room, but Matthew slipped away to hide from them all. Stumbling outside, Matthew let himself sink to the ground and began to cry as he huddled himself up against the house. He wished his mother was here, but he didn't want her to see him like this, or what they did to her home. Once the tears started, he couldn't shut them off. He just had so much to cry about lately.