The Kings Love

Um..

( King Laurent )
( Day 71, January 1st )

I leaned back in my throne, gazing down at the townsfolk who came to petition for their own wants and needs in the annual court holding. I been at this for a good three hours and I was slowly losing my sanity at the ridiculous requests being thrown my way.

Man: "Your Highness, I really need a bigger space for my bakery. The people need this!" I rolled my eyes at the mans theatricals, he was really laying it on. Leveling him with a stare, I saw as he fidgeted just a tad bit.

King Laurent: "The people need this or do your overcompensating ass need it? You want to have high expectations and impossible goals, then reach them yourself. Do not come to me to help ease your job. Next!" Dismissing the man with a wave, a mother and her children were next.

Single Mother: "Your Majesty, I come to you to ask if maybe you can spare some extra cash for me and my youngins. We been down on our luck ever since their father was thrown in the prison." She wrung her hands together in what I deemed false sincerity. Sizing the woman up and down, I saw the designer clothing and shoes but on her children was nothing but tatters. I adjusted myself in my seat, sitting straight up now.

King Laurent: "Why of course, I will never let a single mother go without, not while I can help it. So here's what i'ma do for you ma'am. Both of your children will be given allowances from the Kings coffers. Only they will be able to touch the money, if I ever find out your greedy hands has even so much as look at their cash, I will have you thrown from your home and give it over to your children. Agreed?" I smiled brightly as the woman's jaw dropped and opened like a fish out of water. The two boys eyes lit up and eagerly nodded their heads. I dismissed them with a wave of my hands.

Four more hours later, I left the throne room utterly drained. God these people were far to needy and had no reason to be. I went easy on them I felt, I generally was much more strict but my head was currently in a fucked up status. Spotting my mom and Liara outside in the gardens, I decided to just speak with them. Making my way over to them, I saw that Snow was running along in front of them in his little obstacle course that we had set up for him. I made my presence known by clearing my throat but all that did was make my mom cast a glare my way.

Lidia: "Boy we know you there. Don't be clearing your throat like you somebody, what you want? Where my daughter?" She spoke in her no bullshit voice and I couldn't fight my smile, i missed her this past week. I could've really used her guidance but I wonder if she would've been okay with how I handled things. Pssh, she probably would've done worse.

King Laurent: "She's right there next to you, I don't know how you don't see Liara right there. Old age must be catching up to you mom." I tried to avert the discussion I knew she wanted to have, not ready to talk about it. The glare she gave me would've made lesser men cower in fear, good thing I wasn't less of a man. Placing her hands on her hips in true mother fashion, Lidia wouldn't be refused what she wanted to know.

Lidia: "don't get smart with me boy, I'd still beat ya ass like you two. You know who the hell I'm talking about. Where is Jasmine? I haven't seen her since you brought her home yesterday." I sighed, I really didn't want to talk about her right now. Not after last night.

King Laurent: "She's probably visiting Larry. She was worried about him so she been stuck by his side all day." I leaned down to pet Snow who bout damn purred at the attention.

Liara: "Why aren't you by Larrys side?" Her slim eyebrows rose up elegantly, similar in fashion to my own. Smacking my teeth, I stood back up.

King Laurent: "I had to hold the annual court holding, why aren't YALL with Larry since you worried about what the hell Im doing Liara!" I snapped without really meaning to, I was just irritated. Liara eyes widened and I saw the starting of her attitude. I exhaled a deep breath, running my hand down my face.

King Laurent: "My bad L, I'm just stressed. I didn't mean to snap at you like that." Her shoulders relaxed and I saw understanding dawning in her eyes. My mom gently gripped my shoulder in comfort. I shrugged her touch off, needing to be alone now. Her eyes were wounded but she let me be as I walked away to spend the rest of the day in my den.

( Jasmine )
( Day 71, January 1st )

I smoothed the blankets over Larry and fluffed his pillow as he watched me with suspicious and jagged eyes. Ignoring his pointed stare, I just continue about making sure he was comfortable. When I went to fix his ruffled shirt, Larry slapped my hands away.

King Larry: "Alright, enough damnit. What's your deal? Why you hovering over me like a damn mother hen?" He crossed his arms on his chest, with a slight pout like a child. I huffed and flopped down into the chair I had placed near him, glaring at him.

Jasmine: "Well excuseeeee me princess for taking care of you. Most would say thank you, your ungrateful brat." Larry rolled his eyes and a smirk overtook his pout.

King Larry: "Still not telling me what ya deal is Jasmine. I see it all in your face and in your eyes, somethings bothering you. So come on, fess up." He gently coaxed and I felt the facade I built up crack. I averted my gaze down to my hands like they held all the worlds answers. I took a deep breath and prepared myself.

Jasmine: "Laurent asked me to marry him." I peeked at Larry through my lashes but his face remained impassive.

King Larry: "And you said no?" His voice was blank and for some reason made me flinch.

Jasmine: " I didn't say...anything. I sort of froze up and left the room.." I mumbled under my breath and heard Larry sigh with exasperation.

King Larry: "I don't think you guys are ready to be married. I feel if you would've told him yes, it wouldn't have been because you love him. It would've been because of a hero complex. Plus I know you never even told Laurent you loved him, he's the only one in that deep." Feeling kind of hurt by his words, I couldn't help but think he was right. Gentle fingertips raised my lowered head to look into the warm brown of Larrys eyes.

King Larry: "Do you love my twin Jasmine?"

Jasmine: "I...I don't know. I want to be with him and the whole time I was taken, he was all I thought about but do I love him? I don't know Larry and I don't want to marry him if I can't give him what he so willingly gives me. That's not fair to him." A tear slipped down my face and I felt a slight tremble in my hands. I couldn't let Laurent give 90% while I only gave 10%. He deserves so much more than that.

King Larry: "Well you and Laurent should date first. Let your feelings come naturally. Laurent is being rash and fast, going headfirst without thinking. When he loves, he loves hard without waiting for the other person to catch up. Tell him, give you time. I already know that deep down you love him, you just got to realize it on your own." Larry nodded his head at his own words like he was a damn genius and I laughed. He was right, I needed time to let my mind catch up with my heart. I didn't want to rush something as big as marriage. But wasn't that the end goal of the Court Game?

I asked myself but the Court Game was supposed to last over a span of a year. I figured I would've had 9 more months to fall in love. But look how good he is to you, my mind argued. But remember how bad he was as well, I fought back. Back and forth, my mind and heart fought for dominance and by the end of it, I was emotionally drained.

The door opened and I heard the clicking of heels. I looked over my shoulder to see Liara smiling at me.

Liara: "Hey sis, can we talk?"