King Thrushbeard (mxm)

Chapter 31

As William rode closer to the other side, he watched the trees and bushes around him, expecting some sort of crazy ambush, but the king appeared to be alone. Maybe it really wasn't a setup?

Just as he reached the last large rock, the one separating Geraneia and Begonia, he paused.
Next to the rock, together with his horse, stood squire Gustav. Great.

"Good day, Your Highness," Gustav greeted politely, bowing a bit.

William raised an eyebrow. "Hey... What's going on?" He asked a bit hesitantly. Gustav was always a bad sign...

"I'm just here to accompany the king. Who's waiting for you," He added with a movement of his head in the general direction of the king.

"What does he want?" William asked stupidly.

"Didn't he state that in his letter?" Now it was Gustav's turn to be surprised.

"Yeah, I'm just not sure I believe that." Now that he was here, William wasn't sure he was ready to have his life destroyed for the king's entertainment.

Gustav sighed. "Look... Prince William... I know you're really suspicious of the king and you don't really like him, but he's honest with his intentions. He's a good man – unlike you. Personally I would much rather see the king with someone who deserves him, but if you are the one who makes him happy, then I will support you both." Despite Gustav's rather harsh (and true) words, his tone was polite and gentle, and completely unlike the Gustav William had met so far.

That wasn't at all what William had expected from the squire and was momentarily bewildered. "I um..." William muttered slowly. "I can't do this," He finally concluded. "Please tell His Majesty that I'm deeply sorry about the misunderstanding between us and I'm very honored about the offer. However, I have to decline; I'm already married and no king in the world is going to change that." He couldn't even believe those words just came out of his mouth, ruining the last chance he would ever have to be royalty again.

"Pardon me?" Gustav asked in disbelief. "I'm quite certain the king can undo your current marriage."

"I don't want him to." 'I don't?' William asked himself astounded. He really didn't... Sometimes he thought he had only convinced himself he wanted to be with Tom because he didn't see a way out of their marriage, but... It was actually true. He would much rather be with Tom the beggar than Thomas the king. The thought nearly made him vomit.

Gustav just stared at him.

William pulled Fred around to go back to Begonian ground. "I'm sorry... I never meant to cause your king any grief. And you're right: he deserves someone a lot better."

"I've been wrong before." Gustav smiled an unusually soft smile that William felt compelled to return with a small nod.

"Thank you... Please send my warmest regards and deepest regrets to your king." And with that, he galloped home. Back to the cold, crappy cottage, kitchen job, wood chopping and... Tom. Whom he loved a lot more than he had thought.

Overcome with a delight unlike any he had ever felt before, William galloped all the way back to the cottage, anxious to see his husband again. Even though lately he had been 90% sure this was what he wanted, until right now he hadn't been certain – had the king made this proposal two weeks ago, William still might have said yes because somewhere deep down, it had been what he secretly wanted... But not anymore.

"Tom?" William burst into the cottage, only to find it empty. Where had Tom gone? Was he working again, now that he was feeling better?
Oh that was just perfect timing. William groaned internally.

But of course he could do nothing but wait. Which he did. For quite a while. During which he cleaned up, unsaddled the horse, fed him and Goat, and started preparing dinner.