The Courtier

4

THE COURTIER
♡ Josephine ♡

Family pall mall with the royal family was a new tradition that started when winter faded out and the birds swooped in and started chirping. Arabella wished to be closer to her sister now that the two had grown busy lives.

It had grown rather hot over the several days, and Spring was only present at this time. I stuck to a medium colored dress with no sleeves, and hoped for the best for today so that I did not grow too hot.

Serena and Bridger had come to the Lockwood palace early, and I was more than glad that the two sisters were no longer bickering any longer, and more thankful that Serena found her true love with Mr. Bridger.

Leaving my room, Arabella and Serena fall in line to get to the front doors of the palace. Their arms are crossed with each other and Serena sends a little wave to me in greeting.

"Evening, Josephine. How are you?"

"I am well. I hope you are?"

Serena smiles. "Grateful as I can be. Joining us for a game of pall mall?" With the tilt of her head, she questions.

"Standing on the side lines for Arabella," I tell her.

Arabella tilts her head. "Have fun today, Josie. You are our family too."

My heart warms at her words, and I am thankful for my job as her courtier because I could not think of anyone better to work for. Arabella was the definition of respect and beauty. She was the King's diamond.

Taps are heard behind me and the King has arrived with his right hand man, and Bridger whom stands beside him. Ugene is behind the two, lurking near and my eyes stray from his existence and follow behind the ladies that are almost out of the door.

We make it behind the palace where the Lockwood acres goes from 30 acres. Some guards are present, standing on the sidelines holding umbrellas in case Serena or Arabella requested shade.

The four find their mallet leaving two mallets sitting alone in their basket. Arabella looks up, eyeing me when realizing there is enough for Ugene and I to play as well.

"Josie, come. Please."

Jaxson stares at his courtier, waving him over. "Join us. Do not act as if you cannot join the fun."

"I assure you I am content with watching all of you play," I deny the request of Arabella and I can see a hint of hurt in her eyes from my words.

I could not play with Ugene, much less stand beside him. I was already shaking when he grew near, and blew out a breath from the view. My eyes follow his form, and accidentally meet his eyes. He's staring. Do something, Josephine. He's staring.

I look away as quickly as possible.

The four start their game of family fun, and I hold a smile on my face at their reactions of a win, or a pout from a loss.

Arabella raises up from her mallet as her ball hits her husbands, slicing her win, yet again. She hums out, teasing him as he grows near.

With the shake of his head, his roaming hands find her body and pull her close. "What shall you receive for your prize?"

"Mhh, I am in need of some more fabric for my room," Arabella mumbles, looking at him with such adoration that I have to look away. It burned. The sight of love.

I never once thought of the possibility of marriage for myself. Gentlemen do not look at me, much less speak to me. It was a tragic feeling of knowing no one wished for you, but I was okay with it. I liked being alone and in the dark.

Beth, she was another story. She loved attention, fought as hard as she could to be the center. When I asked Arabella to bring her along to the palace to work in hopes of rekindling our relationship, she simply hugged me and things went back to the way it was. Where I did not exist in her world.

It was growing weary hot this evening, and if I do not leave from my spot near the sun I will surely fall to the floor. Fanning my face from the heat. Suddenly, shade flows over my being and I am cooled down. Looking up, an umbrella is hovering above me and Ugene is the one holding the handle. He does not look at me though, he continues to watch the King.

It was a sweet gesture, and I wished to thank him.

"Thank you," I say, my cheeks growing red with how much of a mess I am with my words. Ugene does not reply back, he simply sends a stiff nod in response and does not meet my eyes.

What if this is it? What if I can find time to ask him to tutor the language of German? Would it be too much? Would I even be able to form a simple sentence to him?

Beth would be happy, and that way I can speak to him about her so he can realize that he has an admirer. I can learn German, she can find a husband and we would live happily ever after. My sister would finally be as close to me as Serena is with Arabella.

Talk to him. Ask him, Josephine.

"You know what sounds delightful?" Serena asks her sister, my ears picking up their conversation for everything to give to the Queen of Lockwood.

Arabella watches her opponent; her husband in a competitive game of pall mall, and he smirks at her as he shoots for her ball.

"What?" Arabella questions back, leaning against her mallet.

"Lemonade," Serena finally speaks.

"I shall get that for you," I hurriedly say aloud, and the ladies turn their heads to me.

Serena shakes her head. "Oh, you do not have to-"

"Do not be silly, Serena. I will be right back," I interrupt her, laughing off my nervousness. Running up back to the hill in an attempt to escape the talk to Ugene and dismissing that case to another day.

Lurking upon the kitchen, I am alone and in utter complete silence. I blow out a breath, closing my eyes.

Why was it so hard to speak to such a gentleman as him? We both run the same job, he would understand. He would surely be kind to me since I am the Queen's courtier.

Fetching lemonade, I do a little bit of studying which means writing words in different languages to help me understand them better. It was a learning mechanism I have learned.

I found comfort in being alone, away from the society where judgment falls, and titles were forced upon us. It was the way the world worked.

I fell into the line of not being important, but is anyone in this big world of ours?