The World Cannot Know

Chapter 9

Matthew Wild

Kathy is the best match for Sebastian. It was a simple statement, one uttered with casual ease, yet it lingered in my mind long after the words had left Sebastian's lips. The prince's words echoed in my thoughts, stirring up a mixture of conflicting emotions.

On one hand, there was a sense of relief. Kathy was a my sister, someone I cared for deeply and this opportunity is everything and not just for her but my family too. She was kind, intelligent, and had a grace and elegance that seemed to suit Sebastian's royal stature perfectly. Our families had been intertwined for generations, and there was a natural ease between us that spoke of a shared history and understanding.

 The idea of Sebastian and Kathy together, sharing a future filled me with a sense of longing and loss. It was a selfish thought, one I tried to bury beneath layers of rationality and pragmatism, but it persisted, gnawing at the edges of my consciousness.

I couldn't deny the chemistry between them, the way they seemed to complement each other effortlessly. The world we lived in was not kind to those who strayed from the expected path, especially when it came to matters of love and desire. And so, I pushed aside my own feelings, burying them beneath the weight of duty and obligation.

Kathy was the best match for Sebastian, and perhaps that was how it was meant to be. As much as it pained me to admit it, their union made sense in a way that transcended mere practicality. They were two halves of a whole, destined to find each other amidst the complexities of courtly life.

And so, I resigned myself to the reality of their connection, pushing aside my own desires in service of something greater. For now, all I could do was support them, be there for them as a friend and brother, and hope that someday, I would find my own path to happiness, whatever form it may take.

...

Prince Sebastian has invited me to a gathering as, he called it.  A yearly occasion that is held, for whatever reason. As I stepped into the private quarters, the air was thick with the scent of smoke and alcohol. Sebastian greeted me with a warm smile, gesturing for me to join the group of men gathered around him. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls as the flickering candles cast an eerie glow.

"Matthew, so glad you could join us," Sebastian said, clapping me on the back. "We're just getting started."

I returned his smile, though my mind was elsewhere. "Thank you, Sebastian. What exactly is this gathering for?"

Sebastian chuckled, leading me inside. "Ah, my friend, it's simply an excuse for us to let loose, to indulge in the pleasures of life without a care in the world."

I nodded, trying to hide my unease as I took in the scene before me. The room was filled with men of all ages and backgrounds, their laughter and chatter mingling with the low hum of music in the background. In the centre of the room, a group of scantily clad women danced provocatively, their movements fluid and seductive.

The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and alcohol, mingling with the perfume of the dancing women. The flickering torches cast shifting shadows across the faces of the revelers, lending an air of mystery to the scene.

I glanced around, taking in the opulent furnishings and elaborate decorations that adorned the room. Gilded mirrors lined the walls, reflecting the pulsating energy of the gathering back onto itself. Velvet curtains hung in rich folds, concealing hidden alcoves where whispered conversations took place.

The men around me laughed and joked, their voices rising above the music as they indulged in the pleasures of the evening. Some lounged on plush sofas, while others crowded around tables laden with food and drink, their laughter mingling with the clink of glasses and the rustle of silk.