ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 114

Prince Cedric entered the main foyer of his godfather's house wearing the same clothes he had had on the night before and the first person he saw standing there in his usual crisply precise dark suit and well shined black shoes was the very one he had hoped to avoid for the remainder of his visit. Or his scandal ridden banishment if you wanted to be truthful about it, he thought as he tried to avert his gaze from the too handsome face of the butler Saunders whose dark eyes seemed to pierce through his very skin. It was like the man could see to his soul. Although he never truly believed he had a soul. Did a spare have a soul ? , he had once asked Nanny when he was just a boy ; only about eight. They had been walking in the gardens at their summer home in Willard. He still remembered the big widebrimmed summer hat she had worn that day. And, the basket she had held so he could put the flowers he picked for the nursery. He recalled her laughing so vividly and saying tenderly ," Oh , my little churl , you have a soul. You have a wonderful beautiful soul. Do not ever forget that, Cedric Randolph. " Then she leaned down to press a soft kiss to the top of his curly head. She was the only one in the family that ever had kissed him. Or hugged him. They didn't do such displays of affection. Public or private. He had never seen his parents kiss each other. Hold hands , yes , for a picture but not kissing. And, they certainly never touched him in any loving manner. Or his brother really although they tended to invest more in him. Rowen was the important one growing up and now. He had had the best tutors in subjects like history , the Constitution of their country, literature, arts and culture whereas Cedric was blessed to be given one. And , he had grown up in the nursery with Nanny ; only paraded out for occasional photo ops for newspapers and magazines. He understood it though. Rowen was more important. He would be king one day. Of course the focus had to be on Rowen. He just didn't like it.

( " Everything we do in our lives is for the good of the country, Cedric," The King instructed him at thirteen." Never forget that." )

( " Yes , Father, " he said most obediently as he bowed down before leaving the room. )

Saunders said firmly," Is there something you require, your royal highness, Prince Cedric? "

Cedric hated that title. He hated it as much as he hated being photographed and followed by paparazzi and others once they saw him. It was why he disguised himself as best he could when outside. Why he used the name Ric Ashton. People treated Ric differently than Cedric. Like how Jeff and Jimmy had treated him last night. It hadn't all been sex , he remembered. A lot of the time they had just talked about anything and everything, watched tv , listened to music. It had been so nice. Then they fell asleep in Jeff's bed.

( " Give me a call sometime," Jeff said as he slipped him his phone number before he had left the house. )

He idly wondered what it would be like to sleep next to Saunders and then cursed himself for the thought. Nonsense it was. Saunders would never be anything to him. First , in Eldermere LGBT relationships were not illegal but they were frowned on by the public, the parliament, the prime minister and ,  of course , the royal family. Second, he might be a spare but he could never fall into any relations with a mere servant. Especially a foreign servant.

" I.... I wish you would call me Cedric. And , I was wondering if I might receive a bit of food. Although I assume I have missed lunch. "

Saunders smiled softly at him and nodded. "Yes , your royal highness, Prince Cedric, you have missed breakfast and lunch but I shall see what our cook can prepare for you. I shall bring it to you in the guest house. "

Cedric suddenly felt rebellious. He lifted his chin and summoned all his royal lineage. "That will not be necessary. I shall eat in the kitchen. "

Saunders looked stunned. And , a little peeved. As well as intrigued. " The kitchen, sir? "

" Yes ," he smiled. " The kitchen. "