Sugar And Spice

Chapter 9

Nicholas's POV

“Then once we're done here we can finally vacation in Scotland, and get some bloody peace during the holidays.” My father grunts, as I put my tea down.

“I was thinking of staying this winter.” I said, watching as my father's eyes squinted.

“Why on earth would you do that?” He sat forward in his seat. “I was told your schedule was clear as the sky outside, I had everything arranged so we could all be together.”

I hated when he did this, out of the blue, like it was my fault he didn't ask me what my plans were because he couldn't be bothered to even ask.

“What for now?” His voice became cold. 

“You need to pack this in Nicholas, a future King must always put family and country first, whatever plans you have just cancel them.” Is all he said, before he got up from his seat.

“The sooner you find someone to settle down with, the sooner we can stop this nonsense.”

Nonsense? “I didn't recall my happiness being nonsense.” 

“You are hardly one to talk, with mother-”

“Hold your tongue!” He snapped, as I released a sigh, stood up from my seat, and buttoned up my blazer.

“Do you think I enjoy seeing my only surviving son spread out across every newspaper in the country with a different woman every week?” He shouts at me, as I make my way towards the door. “I thought this was all behind us!”

“God forbid the next time it's a man! That's just what this country needs!” He scoffed loudly. “That'll be the day, I assure you!”

I stopped in my tracks and felt the blood rising inside of me, and even though this wasn't the first time I had to sit and listen through such spiteful lectures.

This time was different.

“You're a bastard, a cheat and a poor excuse for a father.” I turn and glare at him, as his eyes widen in shock.

“Who I choose to spend my time with is none of your business, woman or man, you have no say, as does this country.”

I turned around and opened the door. “Nicholas, get back here, right now!” My father stomped his cane, as I walked through the doors and left the room.

“Nicholas!”

Ignoring him, I kept walking down the hallway, ignoring those around me as I walk my fastest to get out of this place, this place that feels as though it has its hands around my neck, choking what life I had left inside me.

They say ignorance is bliss, but when you're me, it's a method of torture.

I thought being honest with my family might make us closer, especially since what happened to my older brother, Henry, but it's only opened a wound that may never heal.

Men, or women, what did it matter? Who's to say I needed to choose one over the other? The whole thing was ridiculous.

If my father had his way, I would be engaged to be married by now.

What nonsense, I'd sooner see myself out before that ever happened.

*****

“Daddy can be a little harsh, you just need to give him time, Nicky.” Anne says, as I couldn't help but scoff.

“He said nothing when you announced you were seeing a florist.”