"When Daffodils Begin to Peer"

Chapter Five

I wake up, disoriented, and in my bed. It takes me a few minutes to recollect what the last thing I did was, and who ended up putting me to bed. Of course, I fell asleep after the morning lesson with Henry over courtship and dance, I'm pathetic, why I am so weak as to not even have enough energy for one lesson, how on earth am I going to survive the real thing?

I was about to get up and check the time using the large clock in the corridor when a knock sounded on my door, "George, it's Bayard, and I'm coming in," his voice was flat and impatient, now I was nervous.

I quickly shoot up out of bed, and start to walk over to the door, but true to his word, he pushed it open on his own accord, and came in swinging the ring of keys he had used. The second he was in my room he was lively and even appeared to be in a good mood. He smirks at me, "I heard that you fell asleep right after Henry's lesson, and I figured you may awaken soon. We have very important things to discuss with father in the central library, but worry not I've brought your knights to help carry you there and get you dressed. Meet there in a quarter's time."

Sir John and Sir Anthony came quickly walking into the room and protectively stood in front of me, looking over Bayard calculatingly, I assume they're trying to figure out why he's still smirking. Before they can make any progress, Bayard wanders out of the room, whistling a rather merry tune under his breath. 

"My dearest little prince, for what did he bother you?" Sir John asked, concern lacing his voice, and he came up to and wrapped a blanket securely around my shoulders, effectively swaddling me like an infant. He takes a step back and I try to find my voice, only to let out a squeak of surprise as Sir Anthony picks me up and carries me, still cocooned in the heavy blanket, and places me in the center of my large plush bed. I completely sink into it, and almost instantly I am tired.

"Bayard delivered a message from father, he spoke of important matters that I need to discuss, and to meet in the central library in a quarter's time." I managed to get out as a monstrous yawn escaped my lips.

"Sir Anthony, stay with our precious George, I will seek the king... and see if Bayard actually speaks the truth." Sir John ordered softly.

He swept out of the room, with the purpose of a man on a mission. Sir Anthony untied his boots, and came to rest with me on the bed, he remembered that I like sleeping with another present, it just makes me feel more protected, and one could say that I always seek comfort in others. Sir Anthony crept up next to me and I attempted to wiggle into his arms, he chuckled at my attempt and pulled me closer, he propped himself up on one elbow, and his other arm rubbed soothing circles into my stomach. After a while, when my eyelids started drooping, he rubbed and ran his fingers through my locks, tugging here and there, but offering comfort and warmth from his deft fingers.

Had I been a kitten, I would have purred. I need to do something for Sir John and Sir Anthony, they take sure good care of me, and I do not know where I would be without their care and companionship through all these years.

With the promise to repay them in any way I could on my mind, I drifted into a comforting and, thankfully, dreamless sleep.

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When I woke next, my chambers were considerably darker and the space next to me was empty. I whimper at the lack of people, but before I can start to panic, Sir John comes over to me.

"You're awake, and fret not my dear prince, Sir Anthony went to fetch your supper, and your father did not summon you earlier this day, it was an escapade that Prince Bayard had concocted, and failed to execute." His warm smile and soothing voice helped me calm, and relax back into the bed.

I was still swaddled with my arms pinned to my sides, and other heavy blankets had been added and cushioned around me, so if I closed my eyes, I could imagine that I was laying with people on all sides of me, protecting me and holding me in.

I heard my door croak as it was opened and then both Sir Anthony, Sir John, and a large tray of food may their way over to my bed. Sir Anthony stood off to the side with the tray, smiling apologetically at me, while Sir John maneuvered his way over to where I was cushioned in my little nest like blanket mound. He pulled the blankets off me one at a time, and when he finally un-cocooned me, and tossed the last blanket to the side, he was quick to slide a warm and long tunic that tied in the front on me, so I wouldn't shiver at the sudden loss of warmth.

He picked me up, even though a voice rang in the back of my head that I could have just as easily walked, but I of course said nothing.

The dinner was a light course of a noodle based chicken dish, and an assortment of fruits and rolls. When I raised my eyebrows at the sheer amount of food, Sir Anthony informed me that the three of us would be eating off of this large tray, which soothed my nerves and made me relax.

We all finished breaking our evening fast, and then they officially got me up and redressed for the evening lessons with Henry and mother.

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I yawn again and shuffle towards my mother's private library to commence studying with her for the upcoming courtship balls and meals that I have to be prepared for, I will be in charge of the seating charts so not only must I be aware of the historical falling outs between different families, which plays into who can and cannot be seated near each other, now I must pick up the social cues each and everyday to alter the seating arrangements to make sure that there are no guests who are uncomfortable at the table. I barely have any idea how to read the people around me, and I've known them my entire life, now I must figure out how to read complete strangers, who are grown men nonetheless.

With Sir John carrying me on the journey there, I wake up a little bit and when I finally make it to my mother's lesson I manage to stay awake through the whole thing, gather all the information she had picked up and all of her tips and tricks to reading another person and finding out who they don't like in a room. The way that she says it makes it seem quite obvious, but I remain nervous, I may be able to handle it right now, but in a room full of that many people, who all want to be with me, or the version of me that they've happened to hear about. The pressure and expectations will get to me, and then I have to pick one, just one person that I will spend the rest of my life with. And now all I have is one fortnight to get ready.  

Hello to all the beautiful people that have made it this far, or who have even managed to find this story buried under everything else!!!  I hope you like it so far, and I promise you that there will be more character development, and if every chapter feels the same so far, wait to see what I have in store for when the suitors come to town!! It's gonna be hot and spicy, and we'll have to see how George can handle it, will he break or not? 

Thank you for the patience in between updates, I'm on summer leave right now, so I will be updating more and more, I promise.  I hope that this longer chapter was worth the wait, and I promise to keep putting out long chapters to keep the story moving along, and getting to the suitor courtship bit that has been building so far.  

Thanks for reading!!!

---@trying-to-get-there ---