The Courtier

22

THE COURTIER
♡ Josephine ♡

The festival was more alive than the grand opening, and I could not believe how many people showed up in honor of the King and Queen. Eyeing Arabella and Jaxson who are minding their own business, taking a stroll, looking upon their people who are happy to witness the royal couple near.

Beth and the group of other maids stand near, and they are all gossiping as they have done before and I grew bored of the same subject. Mr. Chesire was still here in Lockwood and Ugene still had his guard up, not wishing to speak further into this, but he had begged for me to trust him.

I did not know whether to trust him after hearing their conversion yesterday. I was rather appalled, believing Ugene would use me, but my heart wished to beg to differ.

Finally, I had talked Beth and her friends to join me in a game of pall mall, but the whole game they were barely interested. All they wished to do was stand around and gossip about the society when all I wished to do was have fun like a normal being and forget about my problems for the evening.

Beth joined in on the game, actually growing excited when she hit her ball into a goal. Once the game was over, it was a fun moment for a minute until Beth reunited back with her friends and I stood on the sidelines. I see a figure far off, and she waves to me. Ruth's long hair blows through the winds and her eyes twinkle with excitement when she finds me through the crowd. Her feet lead her to me, and I smile at her.

"I did not think you would show," I tell her.

She hums, shrugging. "I did not neither, but I felt like I could use some good sunlight."

"You must like the loneliness and being away from the society?"

She clasps her hands together, nodding. "I do, very much. Especially after my divorce from my husband. I cannot go anywhere without getting stares from others whom dislike me for accepting the divorce."

"I am so sorry." My hand finds her shoulder, and I earn a soft smile from her and her hand overlaps my own. I eye her bracelet, and smile down at my own that I have worn this evening.

I cannot help but feel someone lurking and when I look up to meet the culprit, it is my sister whom is judging me by the looks of her distasteful stare she brings along. Her friend besides her, hides her mouth, but I know she whispering gossips to her about Ruth and I.

"I am coming along to not caring anymore. Soon, I will be dancing along and frolicking with a gentleman as Serena says." She holds playfulness in her voice, mocking the way Serena had explained to us about meeting a gentleman. "What about you? Will you be joining me someday?"

"I go to balls, I just do not dance." I shake my head.

"Perhaps, we could stand and watch everyone together?" Her arm intertwined with mine, and I smile at her. I do enjoy this friendship.

Suddenly, we can all hear commotion in front of us and we hear King Jaxson yelling. The guards have led Arabella to safety as Jaxson runs down the hill and I finally get to see what the drama was about. The horses have gotten out and scattering all over the place. Ugene is in my line of vision, and he hops on a horse, whistling loudly, so loud that it could break anyone's glass if not holding onto it properly, and he chases after the horses as the King tries helping.

Everyone in the festival has stopped in their tracks to take in this moment of the King and his courtier trying to save the day. Ugene finally manages to bring all of the horses running back inside their gates, but I cannot help but feel weak at the knees when noticing his white shirt that has been unbuttoned and his chest is exposed.