The Courtier

13

THE COURTIER
♡ Ugene ♡

A dinner with Serena and Bridger is hosted upon the King and Queen, and Josephine and I were invited. Though it would be a ridiculous subject to not be one step behind the King in order to keep him safe, and Josephine would say the same.

Serena shows Arabella and Josephine her newly decorated palace that Bridger had recently moved into. My eyes could never flicker off the petite lady behind the two sisters, she has her hands clasped together, a small smile plastered on her face as Serena speaks in such wonders.

Jaxson and Bridger find their way into Bridger's office, and he takes a seat against his desk. It was quite like Jaxson's, though it did not have paintings of Arabella all across the walls. The King had an obsession with his wife, and no one could disapprove.

The door of the office does not get shut. It reminds me constantly of the ladies' laughter in the other room, and it makes me wonder if I could take a peak of Josephine knocking her head back into a laughter that has anyone crying. She was breathtakingly beautiful tonight in a dress that I just know Arabella had sown for her.

"Have you spoken to the ruler of India? Any updates about the situation upon us?" Bridger questions as he pours the three of us a drink.

Jaxson takes his drink from his friend's hand, and sips. "Not a word. He is giving me the silent treatment, I am afraid."

"Let him," Bridger hums as if it is nothing, that has Jaxson looking up at him. "He is starting war for what? Just because you did not choose his daughter to wed?"

"It was much more than that," Jaxson shares. "He wished to overpower me and the kingdom so it became his. That was the sole reason why he wished for me to marry his daughter."

"What if we go to war?" Bridger downs his whiskey, eyeing his King.

Jaxson looks down at the rest of his drink, twirling it in his glass up. "We will fight." He looks up, so sincere that has him frowning. He is not afraid of the outcome, he is afraid of letting his men get hurt or worse... killed.

"And you have not spoken to Arabella about this? Knowing she is the Queen, and deserves to know this information?"

"It is wrong for me to keep this from her, but I have no other option. I cannot and will not have her worrying over this, and neither will Serena. Not when the two of you shall be married very soon, you two shall celebrate the love you two share, not getting ready for a miserable war," Jaxson's voice grows quiet, not wishing for the ladies to hear, but they do not seem to be lurking near when we hear a very loud Serena who screams out a laugh.

Bridger's head turns to the door with crazy eyes that would have him locked away. Serena did have her over dramatic ways, but neither of us spoke about that issue.

Bridget's jaw clenches, and he eyes me. "Serena has invited another for dinner this evening."

"Whom?" Jaxson raises a curious brow.

"Lord Timothy Hampton," Bridger replies in a tone that has my bones chilling.

"Hello, welcome. I am so happy you are here," Serena's voice shrills through the walls which has all of us gentlemen gazing towards the door. "You have met Josephine, Arabella's courtier?"

No. No, she did not.

The three of us gentlemen leave the office, and Bridger fixes his tie against his neck, eyeing how Serena touches the side of Timothy's arm, showing Josephine whom sends a small wave to the slim fellow whom has entered the palace.

My jaw ticks. My teeth grind in union when watching the way Timothy offers his hand, begging for hers with his eyes and he bows to her presence in a respectful way, but it has me rattling with much anger that divides my vision.