Fairytale Love | Karlnap • Royal Au

Chapter 16

   Schlatt did not appreciate Wilbur's unexpected appearance in the Centre Court Stateroom. At least he had had the decency to wait until the council had dissolved, but the precious time after the meeting was when he best had the king's undivided attention and could swat away any untoward ideas his rivals in court might have tried to put in the king's head.

   They exchanged glares as he stepped inside, Will's eyes glittering like the sharp emeralds studded on his crown. A smug simper rested on his face.

   Good heavens, how he despised that man.

   However, Schlatt knew better than to show it. He stretched his lips wide, smiling until his cheeks ached. "Why, Your Highness. We were not expecting you."

   The king's head bobbed up, his bewildered expression echoing Schlatt's sentiments.

"Five minutes is all the time I require," Wilbur said, waving his hand at the Grand Duke with unconcealed distaste.

   A thick wave of cooking assaulted his senses, and he coughed. "I beg your pardon. His Majesty and I have business to discuss. We have much to review about the council meeting, and-"

   "And your sovereign could use a break after hours of listening to the ministers row and bicker with you," Wilbur finished for him. He turned to his brother, Techno, who was struggling to stifle a yawn, his eyes hooded with fatigue. He did indeed look like he could use a rest.

   But Schlatt would rather die before he ever yielded to the Duke of Orlanne. "I am afraid that is not how it is done. As the Grand Duke, I-"

   "As the king's brother, I must insist. I have urgent affairs to discuss with him. Family business."

   At that, Techno raised a thick eyebrow in curiosity. "Out, out," he said, tilting his head at Schlatt to leave the siblings alone.

   "But, sire, there is the matter of our with-"

   "That can wait. Later, Schlatt."

   Hiding a grimace, Schlatt bowed and turned on his heel, walking slowly and defiantly for the door. Once it closed on him with a resounding thud, he pulled on his moustache angrily.

   That man!

   What right did he have to claim the king's attention? He'd been away for years; now he expected to waltz back into court and usurp his hard-earned position? That was not how it worked.

   He gave the guards by the door his most authoritative glare, and they immediately looked to the other direction as he crouched by the keyhole, hoping to catch what Wilbur was telling the king.

   Alas. The monster had the cunning to keep his voice low. He couldn't make out a word.

   Waiting was agony. He watched the seconds tick by on his pocket watch, then gave up and reached into his pocket for a handkerchief.

   "Fuck, where is that blasted thing?'" he mumbled, checking pocket after pocket. While he searched, his fingers looped through a hole in one of his pockets, and he cursed. He'd have to send it to the seamster's for mending,

   The door behind him opened, and Wilbur sailed out. He looked insufferably pleased with himself.

   "My brother will see you now."

   Schlatt, straightening the tassels on his epaulets with a quiet grunt as he strode back into the stateroom.

   Inside, he found the king still in his chair, toying with two porcelain figurines of a boy and a girl. Perfect. Schlatt wanted to pick up where they'd left off: the topic of Prince Sapnap's marriage.