The Courtier

8

THE COURTIER
♡ Josephine ♡

I am running possibly far too late when gathering Arabella's clothes and wishing to escape the basement, but my foot get tripped up from under me and I fall.

I do not hit the ground though. Hands press against my hips, holding me up but the basket in my hands hit the ground and I am staring into the eyes of Ugene Chesire.

Gasps are heard, and I just know Beth has caught onto the action. The whole basement falls into silence, leaving nothing to be heard in the background around us.

"Entschuldigen Sie," I squeak out.

My apologies.

My chest is against his, and his hands still have a hold onto my hips.

A small smile lifts upon his lips and my knees now feel wobbly. Goodness, what has gotten into me?

"Nice German," he praises me, letting go of my body when noticing I am alright. "Are you alright?" His eyes fall to the floor to where my book lays and the basket. He bends, earning more gasps and lifts the basket and my book, handing them over to me.

His hands are on the handles, the same handles that I have to touch as well. I gulp, reaching for the handles and my touch feels for him. He is warm, and his eyes pierce through me- striking me. What is that feeling?

"Thank you," I breathe out, sharing a small smile and rounding his form to escape out of the room. My back hits the wall once I exit the basement and reach upstairs.

My chest heaves and my heart is pounding.

What is happening?

                                                 ♡ Ugene ♡

The ladies in the basement are still gawking when Josephine exits the room. Beth Castings, Josephine's older sister, straightens her position and sends a small smile. I ignore the young girl, spinning on my heels and leaving the room.

Josephine's scent still lingers in the air, and I watch her brown hair disappear up the stairs to Arabella. I must say, being around her was harder than expected. When telling her that I would help her study the German language, I thought I would be able to go through with it without the obsession falling into line and the dark side of me to come out, but I was slowly slipping.

I keep my composure when I arrive at the King's office, and make my presence known. There is a new face, someone that has been joining us for quite some time.

Timothy Hampton. A viscount from the city whom had riches that make a blind man see. He was new to this game though, he had taken over his father's position after his sudden death and the ladies of Lockwood lingered around him in hopes of getting picked to be his wife.

He never took a glance at them though. He did not even flinch a move their way, it was like he had someone else on his mind.

"Ah, and here is my trusting courtier. The man of the hour, Ugene Chesire," Jaxson tells Timothy whom's attention is solely on me now. Jaxson stands from his seat with his whiskey seat in his glass cup. "If you wish to find a loyal friend, he is the one you shall run to."

Timothy now stands from his seat, nearing me and reaches for my hand. "It is a pleasure. I have heard a lot about you and your father whom used to work for Jaxson's father."

I grow tense at the speech of my father whom I never speak of. My hand falls into his and gives him a firm shake because he means no harm.

"His father was a loyal courtier to my father, I remember him bringing Ugene around the palace." I do indeed recall memories of traveling to the kingdom of Lockwood, meeting Jaxson when we were young boys. Jaxson did not have the same spark he has now when he was a child, he was much more saddened and did not spare that light he carries now.

When Miss. Arabella came into the picture, everything had changed. A changed man had grown into the kingdom and it was the King.

The door of the office opens, and Bridger arrives. I cough, earning his attention and he gazes upon my soul with furrowed brows. I nod to his neck, and he hurriedly wipes the lipstick stain on his neck that only further smears.

"Wild evening, you would say, Bridger?" Timothy greets.

Bridger playfully glares at the gentleman. "You would not know the feeling, would you say, Timothy?" Jaxson gives a confused look, and Bridger rounds his arm over Timothy's shoulders. "Lord Hampton does not have a wife. Perhaps, he cannot receive one?"

Trust me, Lord Hampton could have one. The slender man was dashing. Even I would say that. He was charming, I have seen him speak to ladies, his smooth words going through them and having them all beat each other over him.

He was a wanted man, but something has stopped him from seeking a wife.

"Aw, it is alright. Do not tease him, Bridger. The gentleman is charming, he will find one," Jaxson orders his friend, and Bridger releases Timothy from his hold. Jaxson and Timothy now take a seat, Timothy grabs ahold of his whiskey, taking a sip.

"I do recall you having some trouble with wedding Serena," Timothy mumbles, sipping on his drink, earning a chuckle from Jaxson.

Bridger falls into the seat beside his friend, scoffing. "That is only because the Houstings sisters are the most stubborn women on the planet."

"Do not let her hear you say that," Jaxson scolds, shaking his head in amusement.

Bridger tilts his head. "Now, you know Arabella is too. Hence why I said the Housting sisters."

"I am not saying a word. One thing about a lady is that they can hear through concrete. They will slice your throat in the middle of the night if you say the wrong thing."

"Besides, I love my wife," Jaxson adds with a giddy smile.

"We have a lot of beautiful ladies that come in and out of the palace. Perhaps, you could take a look around-"

"This is not an auction center for ladies. These ladies work hard throughout the palace," Jaxson interrupts, hitting Bridger's shoulder.

"I never spoke anything bad to the ladies here. I simply complimented them."

"He did," Timothy agrees with a chuckle.

"Ugene, please sit," Jaxson offers, and Timothy scoots himself over to make room. I take a seat beside him, and Bridger pours a drink for me.

"What do you presume, Ugene? Are the ladies of the palace eye-catching?" Bridger sits back into his seat, smirking against the glass of the cup he is drinking from.

All eyes fall upon me and expect words to fall from my lips.

"I am not in this conversation, simply here for support," I murmur, taking a sip of my drink and Jaxson's eyes find mine in amusement.

"He does not wish to marry," Jaxson explains to Timothy whom nods in understanding.

Tapping my leg against the floor of the palace, I listen in.

"Thank you, gentleman. When I do find the lady to marry, I will be sure to let all of you know," Timothy says.

"And that is greatly appreciated." Jaxson is humble, he is kind to his new friend, whilst Bridger is obnoxious, irritating, but above all, he is a loyal friend.

A man like him shall need a wife to keep him calm, and that would have to be Serena's job as a duty to him to keep him sane, because without the person who drives you to obsession is the only person who can keep anyone sane that point.