Gravensnod (manxman)

Chapter Five

Alexei

"What is this!?" I yelled while staring down at the newspaper in front of me. Genevieve wasn't taking this divorce lightly at all. She had apparently already talked to a newspaper and sold a story about us parting ways. But she didn't stop there. I guess she had noticed me being in the infirmary most days and had also told the paper I was visiting my lover. So of course, my face was splashed over the front cover of the Gravensnod Times. The article said Prince Alexei leaves wife for mystery man, has the affair been ongoing? I threw the newspaper across the room as my parents silently watched me from their chairs. They were the ones who were first informed of the article and brought it to my attention.

"How did me visiting Louise in the infirmary lead to me having an ongoing affair with Philo?" My hands angrily shook while sinking down into a chair and frowning down at the paper. "I just don't get why she's doing this."

The room was silent for many long moments before my mother's soft voice was saying, "Honey." When she didn't respond I looked up and frowned while seeing the way she was looking at me. "When Philo came here all those years ago, did anything happen between you two?"

I frowned while springing up and starting to pace on the worn out rug beneath my feet. "So you're taking her side on this?"

"That's not what I'm saying Alexei. I was simply asking you a question. Did anything happen?"

A tightness in my chest came while walking over to one of the large windows and looking out. There were multiple guards standing down by the docks as random boats were moving gracefully in the water. Would all those people out there think I was disgusting if they found out? What if they believed Genevieve over me?

"Alexei," my dad's voice said. "We're not going to be upset."

"Yes," I said while swallowing the lump in my throat. "Something did happen." As I shoved my hands into my pockets I turned towards them with a frown. "I acted out of impulse and a sudden attraction. But it wasn't an affair, Genevieve and I weren't together."

"Is that why Philo left?" My mother asked.

With a nod I stared down at my shoes. They never knew the real reason for Philo leaving; I had always made up an excuse. "I all but forced him out because I hurt him. When Genevieve told me she was pregnant I panicked and didn't know what to do."

"Why didn't you just stay with Philo?" My mom asked while getting up and walking over to me.

As she placed a hand onto my cheek my eyebrows scrunched together. "Mom, I'm the first in line for the throne. There has never been a gay King before."

"So it's better to stay with someone you don't even love? And yes while there haven't been any gay kings, that doesn't mean it isn't allowed."

"Wait," I said as my dad stood up and walked over to us. "Are you seriously telling me Gravensnod would accept someone who isn't completely straight?"

She gave me a look before saying, "They have always accepted you and Augustus for everything. Your brother is a party animal and is always traveling and not taking on any royal duties. But does that matter to the people here? No. Because he's a part of the Gravensnod family. And I'm sure that you would connect to so many people. How many other young kids or adults are scared to come out? If they had a royal role model it could make a world of difference."

"Your mother is right Alexei. The world is changing and people are much more accepting than they were even a few years ago. Just because you'd be with someone they weren't expecting doesn't mean you can't. Your morals wouldn't be changing; you're still the same Alexei everyone knows already. Let everyone see that and you'll be surprised at the response. We do need to take care of the lies Genevieve is spreading though."