King Of Hearts

.02

Louis retired to the library for his lesson with his mother and sisters. His sisters were always given a shorter lesson hence their young age and lack of concentration. But daily, Louis was given about four hours of lecture. He learned of the rules and history of not only his own kingdom but all the kingdoms from lands far and wide, and the word of the ancient gods before the first rulers. The comment about Harry that the maid said was still ringing in the back of his mind. 

"Mother, where is Harry from? The King of Hearts?" Louis asked when the session drew to an end. Outside the sun was beginning to set, and he could smell supper floating down the hall. Venison and potatoes, again. His mother told Louis of all the lands on every corner of the planet and those who occupied them, but he never recalled hearing Harry's name come across in the lecture. 

His mother sighed as she closed up the ancient books spread over the table, filled with maps and scripts from the first rulers of the land. Silently she glided over to the bookshelf and carefully put the books back, Louis watching warm wax collect at the bottom of the candle in front of him. The dried wax stretched out like roots in the soil against the wood table, Louis' finger gently gliding over it as he awaited his mother's reply. 

After a few moments of silence, his mother sighed as she looked at her son over the candlelight, her eyes dull, "Louis, King Harry, he's- he's different. Your father gives him much more praise than he needs. He isn't moral, he isn't.. right." 

This only made Louis more confused as he helped his mother blow the candles out, "How do you mean?" 

"He just isn't, Louis. His family's history isn't worth learning. The future of this country is up to you and your decision, Louis. You'll understand," His mother murmured without meeting his eyes, walking toward the exit, "come along, before supper gets cold." 

His decision of what? Becoming allies with Harry? What did his family do that was so horrible? 

Louis' mind reeled as he quietly walked at his mother's side, "Mother? Why exactly is he here?"

His mother stared blankly ahead, letting out a deep sigh, "His sister, she's just a year younger than you."

That was enough for Louis to piece everything together. No wonder why his father was so excited. Visitors never came unannounced, unless it was to his benefit. Louis should be upset that his parents arranged a meeting behind his back and without talking to him, but he was used to it by now. It was another game of matchmaker. 

Louis entered the dining hall, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the strong smell of venison and wine. The dining hall was dimly lit by the countless candles hung up high from chandeliers and mounted onto the wall. Dozens of long wooden tables were lined up next to one another and at the very back of the dining hall was the royalty headquarters, where the royal family ate. Sat at the head of the table was his father, to his left Harry. 

Louis kept his eyes on his plate as his father and Harry conversed, pushing around his meat into his potatoes. He had suddenly lost his appetite and the sound of his father's chewing and the wine sloshing around in his mouth as he drank only made Louis sick to his stomach. 

"Louis," Harry said slowly, looking at the boy over his cauldron of wine, "Are you free tomorrow?"

"Of course he is, all he does is read." His father grumbled as he swirled his wine in his glass, chuckling under his breath. He took a long guzzle, some wine dripping down into his beard.

Harry only glanced in the King's direction before looking back across the table to Louis, who was watching his sister stab at her meat absentmindedly. His sister looked over at Harry, grinning toothlessly, "He is, m'lord."