To Wear The Crown

25

On two old wooden stools in a secluded outdoor area of the servants' quarters, Tao and Charlie are sitting down to talk about certain matters over some lunch. “Where would you like to start?” Charlie refers to talking about Ben as he takes the plate with a ham and lettuce sandwich from Tao.

Tao takes a bit from his sandwich before replying. “How you met, that’d be a good place. Especially since he arrived on the twenty-first for the funeral and today is the twenty-fourth.” Tao glances at Charlie and gently nudges his shoulder.

Charlie has the plate on his lap as he rests his wrists on either side of the plate leaving the sandwich untouched. “Well, you know when we went to see Isaac and Elle… and then you left when we came back,” Tao nods as he follows along. “Right after you left he was standing on the steps waiting for me. At the time it wasn't for me personally, kinda, he wanted to see me because he wanted to talk to the prince. You know, about the whole becoming a knight thing.”

“So if that’s how you met, then what the frick frack fuck happened afterwards.” Tao whisper shouts to not be heard by anyone who may be close by, his mouth also full as he speaks. “Like Charlie, how can your feelings change about the prince so suddenly? He didn’t force you to do anything because you’re his servant, did he?”

“What no!” Charlie interrupts Tao before he goes down the wrong thought path. “The prince hasn’t done anything wrong, and I still like him. How could I stop after so long? It’s just… Ben has come into my life and he-he talks to me in such a way that I can’t help but get butterflies and be happy. I think it’s also that I feel seen. The prince will never look at me that way. Ben even asked me to call him Ben instead of ‘your highness’ because he thought it was too formal for us.” Charlie ends with a sigh, knowing he’ll always be inadequate to the prince. Looking at the empty sky above, Charlie finally takes his first bite from his sandwich, whereas Tao only has a few bites left.

“Okay, I can kind of see your view. But that doesn’t explain why you're kissing each other. Oh, in case you didn’t know, you’ve been blushing this whole time.” Tao continues.

“Ah.” Charlie gasps and holds his cheeks, he can feel the heat as it warms his hands. “Ben’s been really sweet to me, like really really sweet. The other day when I was doing the prince’s laundry, Ben came looking for me in the servant quarters just so he could thank me for getting him a meeting with the prince.” Charlie’s voice is silvery as he talks about Ben. “He came looking for me, there! He was even meant to be in training at the time, but, he still came looking for me. He… he always speaks politely to me, as if I’m someone more than a servant.”

Tao hmms as he enjoys the last of his lunch. “Look, Charlie, I’m going to be suspicious of this relationship no matter what because I don’t want you to get hurt. Personally, I think you guys are moving too fast. Seriously, it’s been a few days, and you’ve had a few conversations. No one moves that fast in a normal relationship. I’m worried I’m going to have you come running to me crying because he’s been playing with you. Don’t forget he’s a prince, he has money and background, he can do whatever he wants. And on the prince thing, you’re a servant! We are servants Charlie. Things can never progress further than a hidden relationship between you too. You are going to get hurt no matter what.”

“I was going to get hurt being in love with fucking prince Nicholas. At least I can have this time with someone I like before I have to marry a woman, so I don’t get killed. Even if the king didn’t kill me, anyone in the lower town would happily enjoy the pleasure of caving my skull in.” Charlie is irritated that he’ll never be normal, it still hurts as much as the time he realised who he wasn’t like most people.

Tao puts a hand on Charlie’s back and gently rubs, soothing the other. “Final question I’ve got. Why were you two in the lower town kissing?”

“That… that was because I had some business in the lower town, and Ben thought I was going back to the castle, not home, so he came to walk me back.” Charlie puts his sandwich down with it only half eaten. “He cares. Not long after I spoke to you this morning, I was in the armour room when Harry and the lot came in. Harry was his usual douchebag self. But when the others left Ben said he would’ve punched Harry if he was me. I’m going to be going to see him again after lunch. Just really quickly and it’ll be in private because I need to continue with my business.” Charlie acknowledges the situation he is in and accepts it.

“Fucking hell Charlie, I never thought you’d do something like this. From now on, I want to know the details of what happens. Maybe not every detail…” Tao looks Charlie up and down, knowing there are some things he’d be happier off not being aware of. “However!” Shoving a finger in Charlie’s face, Tao's voice turns stern. “If he ever, and I mean ever, does something that you don’t like, tell me right away. I don’t care if I lose my job. I will land a nice solid punch across his jaw.”

The two go silent before immediately bursting into laughter. “Yeah right.” Charlie wipes a tear from his cheek.

“I’m being serious.” Tao’s voice cracks as he speaks which sends the two into another spiralling disaster of laughter.

“Okay okay.” Charlie gives in. “If anything happens, you will be the first to know.”

“Right away! Don’t forget that part.” Tao holds Charlie by the shoulders so the two can look each other in the eyes.

“Right away.” Charlie nods in response. “Now I’m afraid I have to go.”

“What!? You haven’t finished your lunch. Come on, just one more bite, if not for me, for Ben.” Tao raises a brow, knowing that Charlie will have one bite.

“You have the rest.” Charlie stands and brushes the crumbs from his clothes. “I’ll try and see you later. Otherwise, it’ll be tomorrow.” The two exchange a hug before Charlie runs off to continue what he needs to do and Tao spends the rest of his lunch quietly, enjoying the sandwich.