LOVE UNREFINED

CHAPTER 20 : THE TRIPLETS

Aine's eyes were still closed yet he could smell a very familiar scent, immediately he opened his eyes to see Lady Claudette standing right in front of him

" I can see you're still sleeping young lad" she said looking at him, Aine wasn't only confused but shocked as to how she got in.

" Well don't just lie there staring at me, we have work to do and a banquet to prepare for, chop chop, no dilly dally" she said before leaving, Aine wanted to scream so bad but he couldn't at the same time.

He couldn't believe he was spending the day with Lady Claudette, he quickly stood up from his bed and got dressed still remembering her stick.

Aine rushed down, she was sitting and sipping tea like she didn't just come up to rush him.

" That was quick" she said assessing his dressing " now you look smart, this is how a king should dress" she praised

" I learnt from the very best" Aine said with a smile

" Was that a compliment?" She asked with her tea cup half to her mouth

" Yes?" Aine answered nervously

" Oh well then, thank you. Fitz told me you two have decided to host the banquet in honor of your love" Lady Claudette said with an unusual smile

* Love? More like war* Aine thoughts in his head

" It's not my place to enquire, I'm just here to make sure that the banquet is a huge success. But right before we start there is someone joining us today, he's not usually this late. I wonder what's keeping him" she said.

Almost immediately Cessy came running downstairs

" I'm sorry, I know I’m a bit late, I had a fever last night and I overslept" he apologized

" Then there is no need to come with us you need to rest, regain your strength" Lady Claudia said

" I can't do that, I already promised Aine yesterday that I would help out, it's no big deal" Cessy said, he didn't want to sit in bed all day and Fitz wouldn't talk to him because he was still upset about what happened the previous day.

" Are you sure, you feel better?" Aine asked concerned

" Yes I am, the most important thing right now is the banquet, it is very important and we need to plan it carefully because it's not going to be like all the banquet" Cessy pointed out

" And why's that?" Aine inquired, ever since Fitz brought up the issue of the banquet, everyone had been on about how this year's banquet was going to be different.

" For starters, both you and Fitz are the first married Royal homosexual couples in the entire region, it's not often you see that, you could hear of some commoners get married but not Kings.

They would want to confirm by themselves if the rumors are true" he explained as they walked outside

" Ohh now I see"

" Aine!" Lady Claudette called out

" Yes”

" The reason Cessiar will be joining us today is because he has some ideas about the banquet and that's because every time Fitz's mother hosted one she always calls Cessy to take part in the preparation." she explained

" Don't listen to her, it was just a one time thing but that's why I'm here to help."

" Let's get going we have a lot to do"

" Are we going somewhere, I thought the palace was the center for the banquet?" Aine asked

" And that my friend is wrong" Cessy said as they got into the car.

Aine, Cessy and Lady Claudette, went in with a couple of guards and maids.

" I know you haven't seen the banquet area" Cessy spoke as they drove towards their destination.

" I didn't even have an idea that there was such a thing"

" Well you'll be amazed when you see it, because it's a lot bigger than the palace"

" Really? that's amazing"

" In addition, it is lavishly decorated which makes it more attractive, every major kingdom in the region has one, so they could accommodate the kings coming to participate in the banquet" Cessiar explained

" Just how many kings has been in attendance before''

" Well for the past four years, just 25 but because of your marriage I think you should be expecting over 150 Kings, which includes the Kings that aren't from this region, they are all curious to come see two men together. Both you and Fitz are going to be the attraction of the week" he said with a smile, Aine couldn't help but think how could Cessy smile at this and help out the very person that took his lover.

The car stopped.

" We are here" Cessy announced as he and Aine got down from the car.

Aine's mouth was widely open, indeed it was a very big.

" It looks like a kingdom on it's own, how long did it take for them to build such a gigantic building?" He asked

" I will say give or take three to four years" Cessy replied as he walked inside along with everyone.

" Alright ladies and gentlemen we know the drill clean, dust, tidy and make sure it's presentable. Not a speck of dust should be seen" Lady Claudette addressed the maids and immediately everyone picked up their cleaning items and went off to cleaning

" Aine! Cessy!" Lady Claudette called out " This is the most critical part of the banquet" she added

" Which is?" Aine asked Cessy in an audible whisper

" Food" she replied as they all walked into the kitchen area

" Chef Shua, it's nice to see you once again" Lady Claudette greeted

" My Lady, the feeling is mutual" he said as he gave a her a peck on the hands

" Always a gentleman" she said with a smile

" I think they forgot about us" Aine whispered which made Cessy chuckle

" Em, This is chef Shua" lady Claudette introduced

" And this must be our new king, your Highness the chef greeted, Aine replied with an awkward smile.

" Prince Cessiar" the chef called before hugging Cessy, " It's been what 4 years?" He asked

" No 7 actually" Cessy replied

" Chef Shua, is one of the chefs that worked at Cessy’s house, he was there for years before deciding to leave" lady Claudette explained

" He's one of the people that taught me and Eldon everything we know about cooking and now he's one of the best chefs in Paris" Cessy added

" It's an honor to meet you" Aine said

" Now we just have 3 days to prepare for the banquet and we need to prepare a menu for each king coming to participate" Lady Claudette explained

" I don't understand, can't they all just eat the same thing, is there any need to make a special menu?" He asked

" Well they could all eat the same food but there is one problem, a very tiny problem which we can't allow."

" One at that which is allergies, different Kings have there different allergies. For example I have a shrimp allergy, so whatever food that's going to be served, the chef already knows that shrimp should not be added to my meal" Cessy explained.

" There are Kings like Abeal who loves to eat shrimps, he will have a lot added to his meal, and it's the duty of the Queen to compile all this list and interacts with the different Kings coming in order to know their allergies” she added.

" We shouldn't have a problem organizing a menu" Cessy added

" Except when it comes to the triplets, my god Theodore can be a living work of art" lady Claudette cut in

" Yeah you should be careful" the chef warned

" They are not exactly that bad" Cessy said. " Don't listen to her, they just like everything been perfect and I don't think there is anything wrong with perfection, there is nothing more to it" he explained better

" Sounds like you know them well?"

" Of course I do, we used to all be friends"

" Used to be?"

" Wells some stuff happened and we all stopped talking for almost more than a year now"

" You don't want to talk about it"

" It's not that we stopped talking because of a stupid reason, the triplets are from the kingdom of Maeve, wealth, sophisticated and very strict.

Their father wanted an heir for a long time so he got married to their mother, fortunately she gave birth to three boys at that time, Thaddeus as the eldest he's fun to be around with, then Thalius the second he is very strict and hate it when things don't go as planned he is the perfectionist"

" Please avoid him at all costs" the chef added, which made Aine roll his eyes.

" And last but not the least Theodore he is a handful, very mysterious, fun to be with and clingy as well" he concluded

" They don't sound that bad" Aine said looking at Cessy

" You have no idea how much chaos they can cause" lady Claudette said before turning back to the chef

" she really hates them" Aine said in a whisper

" Everybody does" Cessy added before joining in to compile the list.

**** **** **** **** **** ****

" OMG, Thalius you wont believe what I just read in the papers this morning" Theodore shouted as he beckon his elder brother

" I don't want to know, would you keep it to yourself please and let me sleep in peace it's just 5:30am and I have a lot on my plate today unlike some lazy ass persons I know" Thalius replied as he pulled the sheets over his head

" Thaddeus, what about you? are you interested?" he asked opening his brother's door, Thaddeus already knew his brother Theodore, he knew he wasn't going to stop talking about it till someone gives in.

" Theodore, it's too early to share gossips?"

" It's not gossip how many times do I have to tell you it's a reliable site for news" Theodore said pissed

" Alright, I’m listening"

" Good and to Thalius, I know you're interested too but you're too much of a piece s**t to ask so I'll read it out loud for you too"

" Theodore I don't think he wan...."

" Shhhhhhh am about to read" he yelled

" Am sorry your grace" Thaddeus apologized

" Good, now it says here that, Fitz and Aine got married a few days ago and are planning to host the banquet of Kings in a few weeks time to show off their love" Theodore read loudly

" Wait Fitz got married to Aine?" Thalius yelled from behind

" Exactly my thoughts too" Thaddeus said

" OMG, do you two live under a rock or something I told you about it and even showed you pictures"

" I will take that as we didn't listen" Thaddeus spoke

" But Fitz wouldn't do that to Cessiar!!" Thalius said

" Oh I thought you weren't interested" Theodore said as he rolled his eyes

" I’m sure he had a good reason, knowing Fitz he loves his people and can do anything for them" Thaddeus added

" I thought about that and realized that Cessiar also has a good heart and can let it happen" Thalius said as his mind wondered about for more reasons for Fitz actions

" Or Maybe Cessiar doesn't satisfy Fitz anymore, that could be a reason"

" Would you shut your gutter hole of a mouth not everyone is a player like you" Thalius rebuked Theodore, in the regions of the kingdom Theodore was both the ladies and the guys man.

" Exactly not everyone have taste, I mean Cessiar is a hot cake in a cold season but Aine is tear me apart daddy"

" I can't stand listening to this anymore I have things to do" Thalius said before leaving

" You never know when to stop you know how sensitive he gets when it comes to Fitz and Cessiar"

" And I fail to see how it's my problem"

" You never listen" Thaddeus added before leaving Theodore to himself.

" I won't miss this banquet for anything in the world the drama is going to be action packed, Fitz, Aine, Cessiar and Thalius. Thinking about it gives me chills" Theodore said to himself in excitement.

" It's not official yet" Thaddeus yelled

" You can't kill my excitement, I told you it's not gossip."