King Thrushbeard (mxm)

Chapter 27

Again, Thomas felt quite betrayed when Edward told him William didn't want to see him. He wanted nothing more than to see his beloved's radiant smile, yet William couldn't even be bothered to come up to the palace to see him.

It had been Thomas's plan to receive William in a large audience where he could tell his parents everything that had happened and declare his undying love for him (and beg for forgiveness, of course, though he had hoped that William wouldn't reject him with the entire court being present) but again, William had effectively ruined all his plans and good intentions.

How could William do this to him? Did he not care about him at all?
Over the past few weeks, especially since he had gotten sick, he'd been so sure that William cared about him. Even though William didn't ever say it with words, the prince's actions spoke volumes. He had never once complained about having to take care of Thomas, no matter how exhausted he was or how terrible Thomas's illness got. He had always been there for him... Had he just been doing his duty as husband? And now that he knew Thomas was being taken care of elsewhere, he didn't care about him anymore? Was the prince intending to go back home to his kingdom? What if he just left? What if they would never see each other again? What if Thomas had just missed the last chance to ever tell him the truth?!

"Trudy!" Thomas called, getting out of bed and grabbing his morning coat against the chilly air.

"Your Majesty, what may I do for you?" Trudy came in from the lobby in his chambers, looking concerned. "The doctors said you shouldn't get up," she mumbled awkwardly.

"I'm fine, Trudy. Could you please go get one of my squires for me?" Thomas began searching for his clothes in his giant wardrobe that was filled with more clothes than he could ever wear in a lifetime.

"B-but your Majesty..." Trudy said hesitantly.

"Go, go. I need to attend to some very important issues. And I'm feeling a lot better," He assured her. It was partly true – he had a new plan and it immediately made him feel better. He was determined to keep William from going back to Geraneia, no matter the cost.

Trudy hurried away while Thomas dressed as quickly as possible, in the simplest clothes he could find – it's not like he could just change into his rags in the middle of a freezing forest while being ill. Besides... those clothes weren't winter suitable, ill or not.

After making sure he put on enough warm coats, he waited around for his friends to finally arrive. By the time they did, he was so warm under all the clothes he was almost sweating.

"My King – what's going on here?" Edward asked concerned.

"No time to lose. Let's go," Thomas said determined, getting up and walking past them towards the door.

"But your Majesty!" Trudy and Gustav said in unison, exchanging an awkward glance afterwards.

"No," Thomas said firmly, shaking his head. "I'm leaving."

"Leaving?!" Trudy shrieked outraged, clapping her hands over her mouth and giving him a fearful look.

"Guys." Thomas nodded at them. Neither of them looked very convinced but they followed him out into the hall.

"You should be in bed, your Majesty," Gustav said quietly once they walked down the hall.

"Didn't you hear Edward? William said he would wait for me at home." Of course Thomas had no idea whether that was true or if William had just said that to get Edward off his back, but he was determined to find out.

"Your home is here. Especially while ill!" Gustav argued urgently.

"No!" Thomas said a bit loudly, earning a few curious looks from the guards. "You guys have to cover for me. I need you in this," he said earnestly, giving them a pleading look.