The Prince's Male Concubine

Chapter 15: Destiny's Ballroom

If it wasn't horrid enough, Father Hastings had found a job.. in the palace...

Now that would certainly explain why they had moved to the Solitude Square; Father Hastings had found a job as one of Prince Brandon's Coachmen. Ah, of course, Brandon organized this in order for Nathaniel to be closer to Archer. Very devious.

"If it was not hell enough that I had to live in constant fear of a collision with the man that I have been avoiding, your job... is to be one of Prince Brandon's coachmen?!" Archer screamed.

"Calm down, dear, now the prince needed more coachmen for his coach and we needed some more financial balance" Father Hastings tried to calm Archer.

"What could you possibly need more than 5 coachmen for?! Security from birds?!"

"Archer! You will not raise your voice at me, young man!"

"Ugh. Well at the very least we won't have a large ceremony on the horizon"

What Archer completely forgot was that the next day would be the queen's birth night, also known as the busiest day for all servants of the palace, veteran or new.

                          --

Dawn of the new day and trumpets blazed in the morning sunrise, waking the whole of Solitude Square. Happy 55th Birthday to her majesty the Queen, Angelique Hawthorne the first.

The streets however were especially busy. 

Preparations for the queen's arrival were underway, as she was to parade the streets of the city with her family all the way to Anruin Palace, where she would spend the rest of her birth night.

"Mother!" Brandon called out for the queen. "Now where might she be?"

"I am here, Brandon, lower your voice" the queen said as she walked towards Brandon.

"Finally! Let us make haste, the royal coach is ready for departure"

The two began to make their way out of the palace. Her majesty wore a gorgeous dark ruby gown with hints of gold on the exterior, with her hair cut in a majestic manner, fit for a queen.

"Morning, mother. You look absolutely dashing as always" Jonathan complimented, taking his mother's hand in his as they entered the royal coach.

(In Lendorrian tradition, during the birthday of any royalty, the first child must accompany the royalty in their coach, and the rest of the children travel in a separate coach during the royal parade.)

"Why thank you, Jonathan. The same goes to you and your brothers" the queen replied, and she was right. The three brothers wore gorgeous black and gold clothing, which contrasted her majesty's royal gown.

"To the streets of Solitude we parade!" Brandon exclaimed as he entered his coach with Nathaniel.

           
                           --

They cheers of the loyal citizens of Solitude could be heard from miles away ad the royal family paraded the streets. A brigade of horses marched in the front, an army of armed knights to both sides of the royal coaches and another brigade of knights mounted on horses at the back of it all. Flags of Lendorr raised highly and mightily all around.

"Long live Queen Angelique Hawthorne!"

"All hail the queen!"

"Long may she reign!"

"We thank you for your guidance, your majesty!"

Endless praises to her majesty hailed from the people. Her majesty would take her hand out of the window and wave to her people. A beautiful day indeed.

"Ugh, when can I go home? My feet are killing me" Archer thought as he stood in the crowd. He had promised his father to be at the parade while he fulfilled his duties as Brandon's coachmen.

Nathaniel, out of boredom, looked out of the window and noticed Archer in the crowd. "Archer? What is he doing in Solitude Square? What happened to Alodias?" He thought to himself.

"You should go to him" Brandon said, feeling flamboyant and proud of himself.

"Excuse me? I can't just waltz out of the coach in the middle of the parade, it's both humiliating and rude" Nathaniel fixed himself.

"Oh come on, Nathaniel. The love of your life is finally just a few feet away and you choose your honour over happiness?" Brandon reasoned.

"Yes, now hush down. We're about to reach Anrui-"

[G U N S H O T]

Nathaniel's sentence was interrupted by the sound of a pistol trigger. Everyone ducked in fear and were frightened by the sudden sound. Then a scream was heard as a woman saw a man holding a pistol, that was pointed toward her majesty's coach.

...