Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Felix had asked where the Queen’s dressmaker was before they left. It was on the far side of Rosewood, and they wouldn’t go by it on the way to the Temple. She probably wouldn’t have a clue of anything until she was already out and on her way home. Rainier had given a verbal message to take to his Aunt and cousin, and once everyone was ready, they left the grounds.

He still couldn’t believe he was doing this. Common, human guys who grew up in Ranet on Earth didn’t participate in treason even if it was actually right, and they didn’t become Kings. But here he was. He had figured Rainier asking if he wanted to sit with him fifty years from now was an unofficial proposal. He’d said yes because he couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

He just hadn’t pictured himself as a King. Being a commoner was all he knew, and he’d never thought about climbing higher. Why would he? All he’d wanted while growing up was to get out of poverty, and work had seemed like the only way. Not marriage.

All of the guards at the Castle came, and a few city ones joined the group too. The Queen wouldn’t have an easy time finding anyone to support her. Some citizens stopped in the streets, and others came to stand in the doorway of their home or business to watch.

Others started to join the procession, and when Felix looked toward the back of it, he noticed a few servants had baskets. They were handing out golden roses to everyone who joined. They must have cut them from the garden.

Natalie fetching him, a few words to the servants downstairs that night, a little defiance to the Queen, Aunt Betty’s refusal to put her daughter in Rainier’s rightful place, and years of silence from those that had noticed something…The seams had finally burst, and Felix had been key in helping to rip them out.

He hadn’t even meant to. He’d just wanted Rainier to recover and live in peace, and he hadn’t expected for this to be the way.

Not many had seen Rainier lately. They’d gone to the house in a carriage, and he looked too tired to be riding a horse now, but maybe it was better if people saw him now. He was clearly too thin under his cloak, and it showed in his face. If anybody doubted the Queen’s cruelty, they could see the evidence now.

The group swelled as more fairies rushed to join the procession. Judging by the way some were shouting, Felix was starting to wonder if maybe the Queen would hear it on the far side of Rosewood. When they approached the Temple, a chant started.

“Down with the Queen! Down with the Queen! Down with the Queen!”

People who had been praying in the Temple came to the front steps of the open-air structure with the Mages, and a few rushed down to join the crowd as they gathered at the front. Rainier slipped off his horse by the steps, and Felix joined him to go up, but the Prince paused halfway.

It took a minute for people to quiet down as they realized he must want to say something. Felix had never felt so conspicuous before as he stood by his Prince. He’d also never seen such a big crowd come together and focus on one thing either unless something special at a fair counted.

“I’m taking the position of King along with my future husband, Felix, but Eliza is still my Mother, and no one is to lay a finger on her,” Rainier announced as loudly as he could.

Some people spoke, and the message seemed to be being passed along since the ones in the back would have trouble hearing. They sounded pleased. Rainier obviously wasn’t a cruel Prince, and it showed he still had respect for the one who gave him life even if her later actions had led to his potentially running out too soon. A lot more eyes were also focused on Felix, and a few flung a couple of gold roses his way.

“Felix! Felix!” They shouted his name even though a good deal had no idea who he was. It seemed that if Rainier liked him, that was good enough for everyone else.

Felix spotted a few of the employees from Pierced Pretties, including Tab, in the mass. Tab had never looked so shocked before.

“Come on, Kitten.” Rainier took his hand so they could go up. The Mages wore plain, dark green robes, and the High Mage, who had gold stitching on his, stepped forward.

“I’ve got the crown. Someone came ahead to speak to me about getting it out and why.”

“Get the copy. Felix is going to be coronated too.”

The High Mage raised an eyebrow at Felix. “That’s not your husband.”

“But he will be, so I want him crowned with me too. We can get married later.”

The High Mage nodded. “Fine. I’ll have to get it.”

The other Mages stared at the pair before they went ahead. Felix hadn’t thought about the High Mage possibly refusing, but perhaps he could have. It seemed he’d go with the flow of the city.

A few went ahead to the altar, and some blocked the steps because others were trying to get closer to see. It’s not every day someone is crowned. Felix’s face grew hot even though he wasn’t normally the type to feel embarrassed in public.

Rainier took his hand and whispered. “Just do whatever I do. It’s not complicated, and it’s quite quick.”

At least Rainier had given him a nice coat to wear so he didn’t look like a peasant that had wandered in by mistake. A box was on the altar that had a white cloth draped over it, rather like the ones back on Earth.

The Temple, being quite large, was open at the back and front. It didn’t have windows, and columns supported the roof. Felix had been in here before, but he still couldn’t quite help but stare at the gold vines that climbed up them and inched around the side walls. On the high ceiling, a woman who was probably Elira had her back to the viewer as she stood in a field of flowers with her long hair flowing in an invisible breeze.

The High Mage returned with another box. Both were plain, and he opened the first one to lift out the crown. It was black, and the segments came to points. Little gold leaves decorated the segments, and a gold, thorny vine was wrapped around the base and some of the segments. The secondary one was removed, and it was the same although slightly smaller, and the thorny vine didn’t look quite the same.

The High Mage came around the altar as a Mage took the secondary crown. Rainier and Felix had to kneel. The crowd grew noisy for a few seconds before they quieted to watch. Felix wished Mum and Grandma could see this, but they couldn’t risk waiting.

“A King has a great responsibility to his people in both peace, war, and everything in between. May Elira guide you at all times, keep your hand light, your words true, and your intentions pure.”

As he placed the crown on Rainier’s head, the Mage came forth and repeated the words for Felix. When the secondary crown was lowered, Felix almost expected to feel the thorns cut him even though that was silly to make the rulers wear something harmful. He was able to feel the little pricks of the thorns once it was settled on his head.

He was pretty sure he knew why the crown had been created in such a way. It was likely a way to remind the ruler that being on top comes with responsibility, and it’s not all ease and glamor.

“Rise King Rainier and King Felix.”

King. Felix could barely contemplate that. Rainier took his arm as they rose, and his grip tightened. He was probably dizzy, but he seemed steady enough.

“May your rule be long,” finished the High Mage.

The crowd started cheering. Rainier slowly turned and took Felix’s other hand as they headed toward the steps. Felix snuck a glance at him to make sure he was still all right. The black and gold crown suited him and matched his eyes and hair. The citizens shouted their approval as their new Kings paused and stood at the top of the steps. From somewhere to the side, something popped and glittery silver smoke exploded overhead.

A few Mages managed to get the crowd back as the two went down to where guards were still holding their horses. People were tossing gold roses while Felix was still trying to believe his new position.

Rainier was no longer the Crown Prince, and Felix wasn’t just some human, city boy from Ranet who happened to live in the fairy realm.

***

The Castle was theirs.

Rainier said the best way to do this was to use the Judgement Hall. Petitioners and criminals were dealt with in there. With both of them on the thrones on the dais and the servants and guards gathered, Mum would see a united force against her.

A good deal of citizens were content to hang around outside, and before they’d entered, Felix had seen a couple with bottles. Any excuse to celebrate and drink was good for some.

It was a lot quieter in the Hall. A few on watch outside would alert them to when the Queen was returning, so the servants hustled around with some drinks and snacks. Rainier accepted nothing. He looked tired to Felix who wished he could do something more useful than simply sit on the throne by him. He didn’t feel very Kingly even with a crown on his head.

The Prince, no, the King, had taken Mum’s spot.

“What if she takes hours?” whispered Felix.

“Considering the noise they were making, she must have realized something’s going on by now.”

A guard came running to yell to everyone at large. “She’s coming! She’s fucking pissed too!”

Felix wanted to shrivel at the sight when Eliza marched into view. Her gold eyes could have cut as she paused in the entrance and stared at the sight. Guards and servants mingled on both sides, and a few of their spouses had joined too. One of the servants created a fire in his hand, and others started doing it. Those with lightning let tiny slivers crackle around their fingers, and a few with energy let it fizzle to life in their palms.

Despite her anger, Felix’s heart warmed at the people. They’d taken too long and kept quiet when they should have spoken out, but now, they were ready to fight for their new King. Rainier had said to not lay a finger on her, but the message was clear.

Rainier and Felix, both with the crowns, caught her gaze, and she clenched her fists at her side.

Eliza swept up the runner with her burgundy skirt swishing around her legs. “Get that whore down from the dais, and get out of my throne, Rainier! NOW!”

“You have no more power over me or Felix. He’s been coronated too, and he’ll be my husband.” Rainier straightened up.

A few guards came forward to block her way, and she stopped. “Move.”

The guards stayed.

“They obey me now,” said Rainier. “Now that this is all ours, I’ve decided that you’ll be moving out. Servants will pack your things, and you’ll be able to go where you wish. You can stay with Aunt Betty and Natalie if they’ll have you, and you’ll be permitted access to half of the treasury so you’ll never want for anything.”

“Except a heart,” someone muttered.

Eliza stared at Rainier as her chest heaved for a few seconds. “This is the son we raised? One who would turn on his own Mother and commit treason? Your Father-”

“You planned to rip me off,” said Rainier. “That’s treason in a way.”

“You’re committing treason!”

“And I won. Also, Father wouldn’t have allowed you to remove me from the succession.”

“I’m the Queen, and you’ve proven yourself to be unfit.”

“We heard what you spoke of to Princess Betty,” shouted Sally.

“I went away because I’m not well,” said Rainier. “I’ve already been told what you said to Aunty, and since you haven’t moved to do anything else, I moved first.”

“I was going to give you a few more days to come to your senses before telling you your options,” said Eliza. “One was coming home without the whore, so send him out, we’ll undo this, and we can go on as before.”

Rainier’s eyes darkened. “I don’t want to go on as before. Aunty honeycoats it by saying you’ve been too hard on your children. It took Felix for me to see the truth that others also knew even if they said nothing: you’ve abused me for years. As soon as Addy started her natural development into a young lady, you came down hard on her, and then you started on me. Do you want to know why I said nothing when she was vomiting? I didn’t know it could kill her, so my biggest worry was you yelling at her and making her feel even worse. I had to sit there and watch you tear into her at meals even as she withered and grew sick-looking.”

The occupants of the Hall glared at Eliza as he slapped the armrest of his throne and leaned forward.

“Once she was dead, I became the sole target for your insults. Nothing is ever good enough for you. I want you off my damn back, and that’s why you’re moving out. You won’t be permitted to return unless I say because I can’t live like this anymore. I’m done with you, and you can go now.”

Eliza turned crimson, as she turned to some of the guards. “I want that whore by him arrested-”

“I can’t arrest either King,” one of the men said in a blunt tone. “King Rainier wishes for you to leave, and I’m pretty sure King Felix does too.”

“Servants will pack your things and send you off in a carriage,” said Rainier. “You’ll leave Rosewood, and we will only communicate by letter if needed. If I don’t feel you’ve learned how to treat me in the future, you won’t be permitted to visit, and our contact will be minimal.”

“You’ll just send off your Mother into the world?” she hissed. “You’d rather stay with him?”

“I have to put myself and Felix first for a time,” said Rainier. “I don’t want to cut you off, but it’s best. You’ve spent years abusing me, and I need time away from you. I also need for my future husband to be safe, and I can’t trust you since you’ve already paid someone to hurt him once. Guards, take her away. I’m done.”

Two of them took her by the arms and started to lead her out.

“He’s only with you because of money! That whore doesn’t care about you, and I can guarantee he thinks you’re fat. He’s disgusted by you.” The guards tugged her into the entrance hall and toward the stairs. “I’ll never speak to you again, Rainier! I-”

Whatever else was said was lost, but it had been enough. Rainier looked like he wanted to shrivel up into nothing as his face tightened. Felix leaned over to take his hand, and Rainier waved a hand at the room.

“Someone’s to pack her things. Make sure she’s sent away. The rest of you can go. I need a minute.”

Some of the people cast him pitiful glances as they filtered out. Once the room was empty, Felix got up so he could slip himself into Rainier’s throne. The King immediately wrapped him in his arms as he took a deep breath.

“I didn’t think it’d come to this. I never thought I’d have to cut off a family member, especially her.”

“I know, but it’s best for you right now, and you do need to put yourself first.”

“It hurts.”

Felix leaned back to look at him. “Normally, I wouldn’t say to cut someone off, but…those closest can’t hurt us the worst because they know right where to stab. Your position is safe, you have your home, you can focus on you, and in the future, maybe you can work something out with her. It doesn’t have to be forever.”

Rainier gave him a weak smile and smoothed a little piece of hair back by his ear. “I want you forever.”

“I want you forever too.”

***

Rainier went up to their rooms to rest since the day had taken a lot out of him. Felix sent servants to fetch their things from the house along with Inky who was probably miffed at being left behind.

A servant said she had spoken to someone outside. Eliza must have figured something was up, and it was quite possible someone had come into the dressmaker shop and said something about a giant crowd at the Temple. Whatever happened, Eliza had tried to get through in her carriage, but people had been refusing to move in the streets, and they’d purposely blocked her away to keep her at bay. That had given Rainier and Felix enough time to get to the Castle and settled.

Rainier and Felix had been in their rooms, but she kicked up an awful fuss when guards forced her out. A second carriage had been needed for their things, and it was only when they’d ordered her into one that she’d shut up.

It was clear no one was listening to her anymore, and nothing she said would work. Rainier had everyone’s support, and nobody felt sorry for her since everyone knew what she’d done.

***

Rainier slept more than normal for a couple of days and mostly refused to eat. Felix tried to be patient even though anxiety gnawed on his gut. Rainier couldn’t afford to lose more weight.

He made Rainier sit on the couch one evening and brought in a plate of food.

“I’m not eating that,” he said as soon as he saw the contents. “That’ll make me sick.”

Felix sat next to him. “I’m not expecting you to eat it all. We’re going to share, and that’s why there’s so much. You would probably be sick if you tried to pack that all down. Here’s your fork.”

Rainier squinted as he took it. “Why not make two plates?”

“I think you’re very set on eating a certain amount that you measure in your head. A slice of bread. Two slices. Half of a plate. A third. You can’t seem to eat a whole plate of food at dinner, and I don’t think you’ve eaten a whole, proper meal in a long time, have you?”

“I ate the toasted bread earlier.”

“Because I make you. When’s the last time you had a full dinner on a plate with normal portions and ate the entire thing?”

“I don’t exactly remember when, but I was a teenager.”

“Eat and don’t worry about what’s left. If I made you a portion, you’d refuse to go past half I bet.”

Felix held the plate so they could both reach it, although he had to use his left with the fork. Rainier looked doubtful as he poked a piece of chicken. Everything had already been cut up, the mash with gravy could be scooped, and the beans didn’t need cutting. White sauce had been added to the chicken.

Rainier chewed everything so thoroughly, it took a while, and Felix tried to match his pace. If he didn’t, he’d end up eating more than he wanted. He wasn’t even sure if this would work, but he figured what was left had to be important to Rainier. A lot left over meant he’d resisted and shown self-control, and a little meant he’d been a pig. Maybe with someone eating from the same plate, it would help.

It was slow-going, and they hadn’t gotten through half before Rainier rested his fork on the edge.

“I don’t like this.”

“The food or the idea?”

“I’d rather have my meals alone. I know you want me to eat, but maybe it’d be better if I did it on my own. I still don’t like eating in front of you or anyone for that matter.”

“I don’t want you tossing it out the window or throwing it in the privy.”

“If you’ll let me eat alone, I won’t do that. I’ll try to eat more too.”

Felix hesitated. Maybe his original idea had been dumb, and he should let Rainier try this instead. “Okay, but you’ll get a big plate with a lot of food.”

“What for?”

“If you have a little portion, you’ll only eat a little amount. I want half of it to be eaten, and I’ll eat what’s left so we’re not wasting food. If you agree to that, you can be alone during meals. I know it’s hard, and I can’t expect you to suddenly start eating like I do, but you need to try and get more food into your body.”

Rainier seemed to be thinking that over and struggling with it the more seconds passed by. Even if he wouldn’t eat it all, having a big meal must have been a miserable prospect.

“Fine.”