Three Fold

She was dead. I made sure to check her pulse twice. I locked the door and screamed; the burning in my veins made me realize what I had done.

“Charles!”

I saw the blood on my hands, and tasted the hot poison on my tongue. I couldn’t help it, the urge was to great. But this is for another time. I wasn’t always like this, I was calm, precise. Knowing who I wanted wasn’t a problem- being a Prince had it’s perks. I write this now to tell my three sons how I came to be; how their family came to be. It’s January the start of a new year…..

-January 18,1834-

“Charles!” the banging on the door woke me from my sleep.

“Who is it?” I yelled rolling off the bed wondering who could disturb the sleep of a prince.

“Your Brother.”

I opened the door and went back to bed.

“Charles, come on, your're late, you’ve missed your morning studies, and mother is furious!”

He pulled me from my bed and made me get ready; some big brother he turned out to be.

“Xavier Randolph Meyers. How I’ve come to love you so.” I pat him on the back as we made our way to the main court, our Mother was having tea with our cousin Anna-Bell who was just my age and wild as ever.

“Mother; Anna.” bowing, I took their hands and kissed them both Anna scoffed and my mother pulled away.

“Charles. I can not have you making a mockery of your father’s memory.” I took her words in as my heart broke into a million pieces the mere thought of my father sent me into tears.

“Now. Why can’t you be like Xavier he has already mingled into the social life, and so has Anna. I want to see you married off and happy.”

“mother, I just don’t like-”

“you don’t like women.” Anna teased.

My face burned and I looked away from my mother. Xavier took the time to insult Anna and pull me away into the garden.

“Charles don’t listen to Anna.”

We sat on the fountain soaking our feet in the water and talked before he asked.

“is it true?”

I laughed and just looked him in the eyes.

“I don’t know what to feel. Women or men. I’m hollow.”

I felt the air sucked out of me when Xavier hugged me. Pressing my face into his chest I listened to his heart and just smiled.

“I’ll help you out. Come on.”

The Stables were dirty and the horses out for their run, all but Henri who was relaxing in the hay.

“Henri!”

He jumped and got up.

“Prince Xavier and Prince Charles, how may I help you?”

He was shaking like a leaf; must have been terrified to see us.

Xavier smiled and looked at me.

“Henri... kiss my brother.”

I looked at him and shook my head.

“No. I don’t want-”

Henri followed his orders and did so. I was stunned as I felt heat from my face rush through my body. An instinct kicked in and I slapped Henri and ran.