The Kingdom Heir

Chapter 4: L'invitation

Prince John Watson

When Irene and I returned from riding we were exhausted, I had a great time and Irene too. She excused herself and left to her room to freshen up a bit before going to dinner with the Holmes and the Hoopers.

I entered the library and noticed that there was a faint sound of someone humming. I entered quietly and closed the door behind me, suddenly the humming stopped and the Queen looked up from where she was sitting

The library was huge, it was impressive, although I had a library of my own back home in my castle I had no time whatever to spend the time there or even read as much as I would like. The library was cosy and there was a large chimney. The chimney was made of marble and it illuminated the room, there was also a chandelier and it was impressive. The Queen was sitting in an armchair near the fire with a car of tea beside her.

"Ah Prince John please take a seat" The Queen offered once she saw me

I nodded and sat down on the armchair in front of her, it was leather and it was really comfortable although I could use a cushion or something.

"How do you like your tea?" The Queen asked as she rang a little bell she had beside her

Before I could answer Agatha, the servant who showed me my chambers earlier appeared with a kettle.

"Agatha, please serve Prince John his tea" The Queen requested and took a sip from hers

"Sir, how do you take your tea?" Agatha asked quietly

"With milk but no sugar, Agatha" I said politely

She nodded and smiled slightly in my direction. She began preparing my tea in silence once it was finished she handed it to me in a teacup and a small plate. I thanked her and she disappeared after asking if we needed anything else.

I took a few sips of my tea and noticed it was delicious just the right amount of milk. I was impressed with that because almost no one could get the right amount right. I noticed a plate full of biscuits on the tea car and took one. It was incredible it tasted like almonds and rum or coffee liquor.

The Queen cleared her throat and I looked up, she was smiling at me and seemed to be observing me, it unnerved me a bit but I let it pass.

"I must be honest with you, I wanted you to be one of my youngest son's options for a partner but apparently I am too late for that, am I right Prince John?" The Queen confessed and then took a biscuit

"Indeed, my marriage has been arranged by my aunt and please just call me John, your majesty" I told the Queen and took a sip of my tea

"You aunt? Not your mother?" the queen asked surprised

"Well... my mother is terribly sick and my father is too busy" I explained the vaguest as I could

"I see... well, I want to invite your partner-to-be to the castle for as long as your partner wishes" The Queen made an invitation and I looked at her surprised, I really was not expecting that

"I am grateful, thank you, your majesty" I thanked her genuinely

"It is nothing and I really want to meet..." The Queen said insecurely

"Him, His name is James. James Moriarty" I completed her phrase

"Moriarty?" The Queen asked surprised by my answer

"Yes, why? is there a problem?" I inquired suspiciously

"No, none at all. I am quite surprised though, a Moriarty will marry you, dear. Not that I am insulting you but you must be really special to have drawn the attention of the young prince" The Queen said with a chuckle