Brimsley and Reynolds

Chapter 21

Brimsley adored The Queen, don't misunderstand. She was smart, kind, and strong. But there were times when she just didn't know when to stop pushing. 

He had one week until he left, a fact that was most definitely due to The Queen's strong will. However, it was becoming increasingly clear that this week wasn't going to be the perfect, romantic few days he had pictured for him and Reynolds. 

Reynolds. Ugh. He was insisting on being completely stubborn about the whole situation, and it was hurting Brimsley more than he wanted to admit. 

It was bad enough that he was being forced to leave under these circumstances, but to leave with Reynolds angry at him? Brimsley didn't know how he would survive. 

He had only been back for a day, but Brimsley had already learned in order to avoid any repeats of what had happened last night, he had to be careful. He had been spending every second right by The Queen's side, and it felt quite strange that for once he was doing this for his protection and not the other way around. 

When he had to go off by himself, however, was another story altogether. Footmen, servants, and practically everyone in the palace gave him dirty looks and shouted names as he passed. He hadn't dared go outside or under the stairs. His face felt more or less numb, but it was his ribs that really hurt. He was pretty sure on of them was fractured, and it hurt just to breathe. 

Anyhow, everything had been an absolute disaster since he'd gotten back from jail, and he was hardly in the mood for anything, let alone The Queen's constant chatter. She at first had been talking about how much she despised being pregnant, and once she had worn that out she took to questioning Brimsley about his time in jail. After it grew clear he didn't have much to say on the topic, she began rambling on and on about places he could go once he left the palace. For the person who had convinced him to stay longer, she didn't seem to be too sad about the fact he was leaving. 

They had turned a corner, as they were on their way to The Queen's favorite library as she spoke of her time in Rome, when Brimsley saw Reynolds followed by some young man. At first he had just been confused, as Reynolds hardly ever spoke with servants he didn't know very well, but the look on Reynolds' face made it clear.

This was not any servant, it was the new Queen's man. Of course he would be training him, why hadn't he thought of that? And soon, once Brimsley left, the boy would move into his room, and they would share the rooms with the connecting doors. 

At this thought, Brimsley felt a lump in his throat and fought to remain calm. Reynolds whispered indistinctly to the boy and turned quickly around, walking away with the red-headed lad at his heels. 

The Queen snorted, "Reynolds didn't think to introduce me to the new Queen's man?" Brimsley clamped his gaping mouth shut, shaking his head as he tried to answer. The Queen sighed and continued walking, Brimsley following close behind. 

The Queen and Brimsley walked into the dining room. The King was already there, and they both sat in their usual spots. Brimsley made his was to stand where he usually did, next to Reynolds, but paused when he saw a glimpse of red hair. 

The new Queen's man. 

Brimsley had learned through speaking to a few servants that his name was Miller, that he was just a few years younger than Him and Reynolds, and this was his first job in the palace. He had to deal with snickering servants asking if he 'fancied' Miller just to get this information, but he was too curious to care. 

Instead of moving next to the two, he stood his ground, staying behind the Queen. It was a strange sensation, he never felt like the outsider with Reynolds. Perhaps when they had first met, and the whole business with The King was not disclosed. But since they had become, well, what they had become, they always knew everything about their lives. 

Until now. 

The King and Queen ate their meal, oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions between Reynolds and Brimsley. There was a brief commotion when the Queen felt her first kick, the King springing up from the table to feel it, but Brimsley had to fight hard to pay attention. 

The whole dinner, he felt Miller's presence. Felt him standing next to Reynolds. This was the same position they stood in together for so many dinners. The same place they stood, wishing to touch each other, to speak, to hold hands. And now he was replaced, the new Queen's man standing in his place. 

Reynolds glanced over, feeling Brimsley staring, and Brimsley avoided his gaze. Dinner ended, and Brimsley walked further behind Reynolds and Miller as they all followed the Queen and King to their chambers. When they entered their bedroom, the three were left alone. 

An awkward silence spread over, but Miller ended it, extending his hand out to Brimsley "Hello, I'm Miller, I suppose I'll be doing your job starting next week," he said with a smile. Brimsley nodded, "Brimsley," he replied tightly. He glanced at Reynolds, who was watching him with a strange expression on his face. "I'm....I uhh....have to go.....This way," he stuttered out, taking the route to his room through the parlor. This way, Reynolds would already be in his room by the time Brimsley got back. 

He winded through the long maze of hallways before finally making it back to his room. However, when he got back Reynolds was waiting outside, leaning against the frame of his door with a strange expression on his face. Brimsley scoffed, trying to push him aside to get into his room. Reynolds just moved in front of him, blocking his entrance. 

"So, what was that about?" Reynolds asked with a peeved smirk. 

Brimsley crossed his arms, "What do you mean?" 

"You, with Miller. You basically ran away, why?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he responded, making for the door again. 

Reynolds blocked him again, "You do. You were acting weird, like you were.....jealous,"

Brimsley knew exactly what he was getting at, and he didn't want to deal with this. All day, Reynolds had been ignoring him, treating him like he was doing something wrong for leaving. But now? What was this? What was he trying to do? Why was he trying to make it even harder for the both of them to move on?

He pushed Reynolds away from the door, moving into his room. He stared at Reynolds' shocked face, "Why don't you go talk to Miller, Reynolds," he spit out, and slammed the door shut, leaving Reynolds standing outside alone.