This Time, I'll Marry You

    On the day when the sun gave its brightest sheen with almost little to no warmth, it called upon the winter who was waiting calmly just around the corner. And unknown to all, a little butterfly was creating a storm deep into the endless shadows. Sipping his luxurious tea at the ‘Frontal Cafe’, Augustus was seated near the infamous maple tree. Mesmerised by the whole scenery, for him this past twenty minutes of peace was splendid. He didn’t know what came over him but for the first time in forever, tried the ‘jasmine with the blend of mint’ tea. The only one his deceased mother was obsessed about.  All he could think with every sip was, ‘Hmm, though the taste is peculiar, it’s not overpowering. Perhaps the secret lies in the ratio of both the blend.’ He thought, maybe just like this maple tree, shedding their leaves little by little. He just liked the tree he wanted to show. He was now ready to march forward towards his bright future.  Thin and slim fingers yet a bit turned tips were tapping on the freshly put tablecloth creating a familiar yet a dull rhythm. A habit Augustus couldn’t let go of. Distressed by what was in front of him.  He picked up and felt the thick fabric of the scroll and sighed. The fabric had no importance in his life, but the content inside seems to be burdensome.  Like wildfire, the rumours fell into his ears. He could already figure what was written inside.  He couldn’t understand what the Lord was thinking?  What could be the reason that His Majesty put forward such a decree? Looking at the victorious red cloth with the little embroidered phoenix with gold thread. He knew it was unofficial. The Emperor was not commanding, rather requesting him.  And this little scroll showed that intention, immensely pressuring him.  Even thinking about it made his brain short-circuit and he needed to let it out.  Suffocated and confused, he groaned.  Long and loud, people glanced at him once, some twice. Some in understanding, few in disdain. And a very few people who were keen enough looked at the scroll and then at him, looking at him with full of compassion. Well, this wasn’t exactly a place where one could easily show their emotions. But he didn’t care. No, he couldn’t!  That bubbling tension with a little action was now out of control. Still, it wasn’t enough. He wanted to stomp his feet, shout in frustration.  “Sir, you are requested to give your answer by the end of this evening. And His Majesty asked you to speak to him while he is at his resting chamber.”, said the same man who handed him this damned scroll. “Yes, I understand. So, I’ll beg your pardon and will kindly ask you to return to the palace.”, irritated, Augustus said. “T-That I can’t do, His Majesty specifically requested me to stand near you while you read the scroll. As retold he said, ‘I don’t trust you, Augustus.’” ‘Humph, so he knows me!’ He tugs on the golden rope and with another sigh opens up the scroll. ‘It seems to sigh is now going to be part of my daily routine.’, the young nobleman thought. *** Click! Click! The sound of his sole echoed throughout the well-cleaned floor. Every step reminded him if he was making the correct choice. His synced breath and his feet finally pulled him towards his destination. The door in front, tall and bold, making him reluctant to go. Taking a shaky breath in, he tapped the door frame holding the intimidating door knocker. The hinge once cold was taking in his warmth. Augustus grabbed the royal hinge to his dear life and begged his ancestors. Prayed to hope that the Emperor was not inside his chamber.  One minute. Two minutes. Time went by, slowly teasing his weak heart. And just as he was about to rejoice, not hearing any sound from the room. But to his worst luck, he heard some muffled voices and sounds. Followed by complete silence, then an echoed voice he was too familiar with said. “You are late, Augustus.” Exhausted with his complicated feelings, he opened the door and looked at the man who looked busy yet serene. “I am at fault, Sir. But how did you know it was me?” “You are the only person who lets this king wait, dear friend.” “Looking at you being impatient, you want my answer, right?” “Yes” “Picture this, if I say no. I get to keep my dignity as the heir of the Addington’s. But if I say yes, I have much more to lose then the title as an heir. I can’t see a bright future for me in the royal aristocracy.” Augustus knew his limits and where to draw his boundary. And this was it, till here lies that invisible line which he could never cross and he dare not to cross it. “I understand.”, said the Emperor. Folding his hands while straightening his back, he said: “But isn’t it better for an Emperor to request you than to command.” Looking at Maxillium, the Emperor and his friend, Augustus broke into a cold sweat. It always slips his mind that though the man in front is his childhood friend. He also is the youngest Emperor the Empire has produced. He acknowledged this friend of his can be very cunning.  But what he said was not wrong. A request from the Emperor holds a lot more power that one could ever imagine. No one could tell what the future holds. Augustus took a deep breath and collected his thoughts and said: “Okay, I’ll do it.” “What!” The solid face of Maxillium changed. He was shocked that this friend of his, hard-headed as a log, accepted his request so soon. ‘Are you sure?’ Those words almost slipped through his mouth. But he held it. He didn’t want Augustus to think about it twice. “I said ‘Yes'. I will marry that infamous exiled cousin of yours. Happy now?” “Yes, I am! You do not understand how grateful the royal family is to you.” Augustus wanted to ask how? But he understood that line he could never cross, and he shouldn’t. However, he couldn’t understand why his heart was creating waves of unrest. He felt as if this sworn friend of his was coiling him up with shackles while making him stand at the edge of the cliff. He felt as if with one push and he would fall into the great abyss. It was scary and slowly yet steadily it was making him feel breathless. He needed to get out of this room. Right this moment! “Then I’ll be off.” He bolted away, never looking back. *** Bolting out of the King’s residence, Augustus was out in the garden. Moonlight shone illuminating light, taking away all the darkness. He looked up at the sky and saw the moon right above. Augustus felt melancholic. The scenery was enchanting to him.  The moon reflected the emotions he has held ever since this noon while reading the scroll at the cafe. A bit complicated, his head filled with the thoughts of what the future holds. ‘s**t!’ The more he considered it, the more confusing it got. So he left it as it is and would return to the manor. But before that, he collected his thoughts on how he would confront his family. Clop! Clop! Just as he organised his thoughts, close to his sight he heard a carriage. Turning right, he could see it was his carriage that was arriving. Even the night time couldn’t take away the glorious aura the carved emblem of his dukedom emitted.  The one he was proud of, the one whose heir he could have become. But now it was all gone, his dreams, his hopes, all waved away in the endless sea never to be found. Hazily, his eyes watched over the arriving carriage, but his mind was travelling worlds apart. How did an heir to the Addington’s say yes to marry? That too with a male exiled prince, while all along having a fiance. He must have gone crazy. It was all because of that ‘minty-jasmine’ tea that was now being banned from his life forever. Aarrgh~~~ “Heir Apparent, it’s time to go.” David, his footman, came over with a concerned look.  “Ah, yes” Saying that he moved in with all his thoughts cramped up in his mind and this small space was not helping it either. Scooting over, he sat near the edge of his seat and hurriedly opened his windows. Waiting for the wind to take away all his worries. But little did the devil side of him cared about his stress and rushed all his actions into his brain. Perfectly like an old film with a perfect blend of black and white. ‘M-Marrying a man was not a problem.’ he consoled himself. But he was not wrong. It was very much common for the nobles to marry among the same s*x for the sake of their business. But what mattered to him was his ‘male fiances’ status. A man from a royal bloodline. Already his cousin was sent into the palace as the emperor's consort, and now they can’t afford to send the male heir of a dukedom himself. Under an heir lies a million of responsibilities for which they are trained ever since they could remember.  And asking the heir to marry a prince as a consort would be a great loss for any dukedom. How can they make up for such a loss?  Perhaps for Augustus, this day would remain as one of those bad days that are usually followed by another. And that's all how he concluded his day.