Ascending

Chapter Eleven

The past week has been long. I first traveled to Aedifex for Travis and Elosie's coordination. It was a short ceremony. Shorter than what was traditional. He's not even King yet and Travis is already changing the rules. 

This was Travis' way of respecting Eloisie's grieving process. But only so much could be done.  Her beautiful orange gown and flawless makeup couldn't hide the puffiness of her eyes or the way her lips quivered when Queen Rainn transferred the ceremonial crown from her head to Eloise's.

Travis was kind to a fault. He knew that mere months could not alleviate the sorrow one felt after being plunged into grief's icy and unforgivable waters. He was a good man. But even good men had afflictions and skeletons in their closets. 

I saw his eyes search the crowd when he turned to pledge his allegiance to his kingdom. To prove his loyalty to his people. His throat bobbed as he read the Scripture of Allegiance. He swallowed Philip's name.

Philip wasn't able to attend the coronation. He was too busy back in Amet preparing for his wedding. Which I would be attending in three days' time. Travis knew Philip wasn't going to be there, but he searched for him anyway, a vain hope. The hope of a broken lover's heart.

I've been known to have inappropriate reactions to serious events. I don't cry when something terrible happens, no right away at least. When my Aunt Lucile died, I wasn't able to weep with the rest of my family when Lilian was brought into the world, but Aunt Lucy couldn't stay. 

Watching the tears roll down the faces of my family members when I was unable to even sniffle. It was extremely uncomfortable. That was the only time I ever saw my parents cry, watching my mother blow her nose made me giggle.

I had to excuse myself from the room in fear of bursting out in laughter. As I watched Travis struggle with his heartbreak I had to stifle my laugh. The Court produced three queer heirs. In one generation!  Who wouldn't find that the least bit comical? 

Before I came to Aedifex, I decided that it would be too dangerous to tell the boys about my gay awakening. Kennedy already knows, and that one person too many. The fewer people that know the better. I've never kept something like this from them before. 

I stayed a the palace for another two days before departing to Amet with Travis and Eloise. My parents took another train back to Legibus. They felt no need to attend Philip's wedding because they would only rule with him for a short time. 

I went to the wedding because Philip is my friend. His bride to be. Which is now his wife was beautiful. Absolutly stunning. I recognized her from the magazines that I looked at when I was younger. Her name was Addilyn, and it was clear that Felicity was no longer the most beautiful person in the Court. 

After the night came to an end I followed the boys with a knowing nod. They found a room deep in the Palace of Amet. I watched fish swim past the window of the room Philip and Travis slipped into. 

We were in the underwater part of the castle, no one would find us here. But on the off chance a guard or servant passed, I stood guard at the door while Philip and Travis erased the only life that had made them happy. 

After what could have only been ten minutes the door opened. I pretended not to notice their wet eyes. We staggered out departure as no to raise suspicion. As I waited with Philip he didn't say anything. 

He didn't have to.

The emptiness in his eyes told me enough. 

Once I arrived back at my own palace the atmosphere between me a Kennedy had shifted. The week following my outburst they avoided my eyes and followed my commands without comment.