45 To the Royal Castle:
In a flurry, the servants packed as I got ready for another journey back to
the capital. We waited in one of our sitting rooms for the royal carriage to
arrive. Although our house was poor, the rooms of the manor were very large. I sat
on a long bench that barely took up room.
Since I was going to the castle to see the Queen, James would be
accompanying me. In addition, we would announce our engagement. I was relieved
to hear he was coming with me, because I would be too anxious to meet the Queen
by myself.
‘But why would the Queen want to see me?’ I asked James as we waited, ‘Do
you think she is against the marriage? I mean, a poor noble marrying a prince;
she might be thinking it is inappropriate.’
‘It could not be that, Queen Eleanor was delighted when I informed her I
wanted to marry you.’ James replied soothingly, ‘Although I want everyone to
know we are getting married, I was hoping to enjoy more quiet times with you.’
He put his head on my shoulder then nuzzled me sweetly. Since I accepted
his proposal, he had intensified his closeness each passing day. He behaved
like a spoiled child so it wasn’t too bad. But the warm gaze of the servants was
a bit uncomfortable. I just had to keep reminding myself that to be with him I
had to endure such embarrassment. Looking at James’ satisfied face, it was
strange I was so accepting.
‘Do you think she wants me to return the white dress the Duke loaned me?’ I
asked after a short silence.
‘No. While the dress is expensive, I don’t believe the Queen is attached to
it at all. There is no way she wants it returned.’
‘Is that so…?’ I replied as I ruffled his soft maroon coloured hair. James
sat up, lifted me and placed me upon his lap.
‘James! What are you doing?’
‘The bench is hard; I don’t want your bottom to hurt. And this way, I can
feel you closely. We won’t be able to do this at the castle; just say you’re
unwell and refuse to go. We can remain here and I can hug you like this
forever.’ He said as he nuzzled my hair, it felt pleasant.
‘I am not declining the Queen’s invitation; it will be the first time for
me to meet Queen Eleanor! I wasn’t able to meet her at the royal ball.’
‘I’m also a royal prince, though. But you’ve never seen me as a prince.’
That was true. From the first moment we met, I was more wary of his
insidious and cunning smiles that flashed behind his frivolous demeanour. I
only saw him as a watchful person rather than a prince. After that, he wanted
things he couldn’t have, and I could only see him as a child that was in danger
of shattering. I did not forget he was a Prince, it just was not sacred.
‘Thank you James, the Queen is simply a human being. It would be rude to be
needlessly afraid. But really James, you can’t behave like this in public. The
seat is cushioned.’
‘That isn’t what I meant but I am being your cushion. If I could, I will be
your dress; that way we could always be together.’ (Zuben: Leaving the living
furniture implications aside, she isn’t going to wear one dress all-day every
day. Although, James could be a convenient seat for her where ever she goes)
He moved from my hair to my neck and began to kiss me there. The sensation
of his soft lips and hot breath made me feel strange.
‘I will have to wash you and hang you out to dry when you get dirty. You
can’t come in until you dry.’ I said with a giggle, ‘James, that’s ticklish.’
‘What a brilliant idea; it would be fun to be naked and washed by Julia.
Let’s try it sometime.’ He replied hotly against my neck. (Zuben: Y’all could
have tried it that night, not so long ago, but this is not that kind of book
orz)
I leapt off James’ lap just as one of the maids came to inform us that the
carriage had arrived. I wondered how the conversation went so side-tracked as
we left the room. Anyway, it wasn’t good for us to be seen holding each other
so much, I am more than embarrassed.
My parents and servants saw us off as we got on the royal carriage. The
carriage was luxurious and escorted by royal guard. Unlike the stage coach,
there was very little shaking and the horses went quite fast. On the sides, the
Bosch Royal emblem was emblazoned allowing us priority where ever we went. The
interior was crafted and decorated to exquisite detail. I could only admire the
beauty. Sitting in such lovely surroundings excited me. James gave me as fond
smile as he watched my giddy expression.
In truth, I found James’ affection for me overpowering. He was always
looking at me. I could see he was moved by my words and actions. It looked like
the attachment and love he had for the Duke had been transferred to me.
‘James, how do you feel about the Duke Magnaria?’ I asked. I had been thinking
about this, and now was a good opportunity to understand more.
James was sitting on the other side of the carriage; he reached over and
grabbed my hand as he asked, ‘Are you jealous, Julia? I am so happy; you’re the
first person who had ever been jealous for me. Do you want to know my feelings
for Henry?’
His grip on my hand tightened as he stared straight at me. My heart was
ringing as he said, ‘Henry is the one and only important person in my life. I
want Henry to only look at me for the rest of our lives. Actually…it is the
same way I feel about you.’
‘Oh? Do you like his Grace in that sense too?’
‘I love him, but not in that way. But if it was necessary to do that to
keep him by my side, I would, but I didn’t have that option because Henry’s
didn’t function. But you’re a woman, so I’m glad I have nothing to worry
about.’ He said with a grin.
I smiled in return even though I thought his reply was a bit disturbing.
‘I love Henry, and I love Julia as well. It is impossible to have Henry all
to me, but you’re different. At first, my purpose was to observe the woman Henry
was interested in so I never expected to fall in love like this.’
Watching James talk so naturally, I laughed and said, ‘You’re really simple
and cute.’
‘After saying such things, I don’t understand why you would laugh and call
me cute, but I like that too. If I had Henry and you by my side, I have need
for nothing more.’ He said wistfully, tearful even though he was smiling.
James had been starved of his parents’ love since he was a child. Even
though he looked for it, it was never given to him. So the idea of parental
love became twisted. (Zuben: To anyone who gives him attention)
I pulled James to me as I slid to the end of the seat. I made him lay down
his head on my lap and gently patted his head. James was very tall so even in
the expansive royal carriage he was a bit cramped in this position. But he
would have to bear with it.
‘You’ve been a good boy,’ I said softly, ‘it’s alright. You’re also
important to the Duke. Think about it; he shouldn’t be able to be a spy as
Duke. His choice must have been opposed by all those around him. But he chose
to do so for you; to protect you from political machinations. I care for you a
lot to the extent that I thought it was okay for me to lose my hands.’
‘Julia, I can hear something…oh…I hear the sounds of your stomach…oh…this
feels nice.’
‘That’s the bread I ate for lunch. Just close your eyes.’
I gently stroked his head for time and then I said, ‘James, I cannot marry
you. Let’s cancel this engagement.’
🂬
46 Julia's Thoughts:
‘Why do you say that?’ James looked up at me in astonishment.
‘My thought is that, your feelings for me and the Duke are originally
intended for your parents. You want a love that is free of judgment, and my
feelings for you are far from those of a lover. I want to take care of you and
spoil you, like a mother thinks of a child.’ (Zuben: boy, she can be so
conceited)
‘No, it’s nothing like that,’ he protested, ‘I don’t agree.’
He clung to my waist; he looked like a child kneading his mother and he
looked adorable. He didn’t behave like a grown man of twenty four.
‘James, I can’t marry you, but we can still be friends; close friends.
Sometimes, I can hold your hand to help you sleep, or we can dig holes in the
backyard together, but we cannot marry. You can’t marry your mother, can you?’
‘I don’t see you as my mother! I love you.’
‘James, I love Henry. Even if he married Lady Isabel, I love him. I have no
choice but to wait until this feeling fades-’
James shot up and pushed me over into the seat. He had both hands on my
shoulders. Looking up at him, I saw tears in his eyes. The tears fell and wet
my cheeks.
‘I do not want this! I will take you here and now. Would you still define
our relationship as mother and son after that?’ James said vehemently as he
tried to take off my clothes.
I did not try to stop him but stared at him gravely, ‘Even if that happens,
I would not love you that way. I will treat you as my best friend for the rest
of our lives. James, even if you are abandoned by the whole world, I will
always be by your side - I promise.’
We stared at each other; I saw no light of madness in his eyes. He had been
searching for love for a long time. I reached up and stroked his cheek.
‘You’re my precious friend,’ I said, ‘don’t make me kneel in cow dung and
beg forgiveness.’
James laughed through his tears,
‘Don’t worry; I won’t cause your family to wander the streets. But I’m sure
you already have an escape route, don’t you, Julia? I will let you go.’
‘Thank you, James. I love you.’
‘I love you too, Julia.’ (Zuben: Easy peasy contrivey, conveniently)
We stayed that way for a while, staring at each other. The repetitive sound
of the carriage wheel filled the silence as we travelled on. It was like the
sound of the heart...and for a moment it felt like we were in our mother’s
womb. (Zuben: Carriage womb. Carriage mommy. What kind of horse on road sounds
like a heartbeat?)
🂬
We spent the night at the residence of a rich noble arranged by the royal
retinue. The next day, we were speedily on our way back to the capital. It took
a day and a half to reach the city from Hermiata. Though, I had seen it three
months ago, my heart still leapt that the sight of the grandeur and beauty of
the royal castle.
When we arrived, I was taken to the suite I would be staying in while I was
in the castle. Shortly after, the Queen’s chamberlain came to inform me that I
would be dining with the King and Queen at supper. I was so thankful that James
came with me, or I would have died of nervousness. James had his own residence
in the East Palace, a little away from the Royal Palace, so he returned there
and was joining us for dinner.
In addition to the maid that came with me from Hermiata, I was provided
with three other maids, and was totally spoilt. Before dinner, I was bathed and
massaged with rose oils then I took a long nap.
For dinner, I was dressed in a yellow evening gown and my hair was put up
and decorated with fresh flowers. By the time they were done with me, it looked
like a different person in the mirror.
During the meal, the King asked about my future with James, but I didn’t
know how to explain. James laughed at my silence before he informed the King
and Queen that I had declined his proposal. The discussion moved on, and James
and his Majesty had pleasant conversation. Perhaps, this visit was only about
interest in James’ chosen fiancée.
After dinner, Queen Eleanor who had not spoken much during the meal,
informed me she would like to speak to me, separately. I could not imagine what
she wanted to speak to me about. I could only think it was about the dress,
which had been carefully cleaned and packed and brought with me. It was safe to
return it at any moment.
I tried to keep calm as the Queen’s chamberlain quietly guided me to a
small tasteful room where the Queen was waiting. She smiled gently as I
entered. Offered me a seat and the servants withdrew.
Despite her age, she was in her late forties, Queen Eleanor had a youthful
face, and her lovely silver hair shone. She had a mild smile on her face as she
said, ‘You were one of the women invited to the ball for Henry’s bride. But I am
concerned that you were not only trying to capture Henry but James as well.
Despite it all, Henry was taken with you.’
I quickly tried to correct the misunderstanding,
‘Your Majesty, that is not the case. I wasn’t chosen by Duke Magnaria. And
I heard that the Duke was marrying Lady Isabel.’
The Duke chose to marry Isabel; things with me were just for fun.
‘Lady Isabel? Oh...that clever little madam of the Bourbon? Her father has
admitted that it was all a deception. It is impossible for Henry to attack a
woman in the first place. Did you believe all that, Julia?’ (Zuben: Yes, cos
she’s a first class moron)
I stiffened in surprise at what the Queen had said. A cold sensation washed
over me.
‘Bu-but…’
‘I don’t know about the rumours out there, but Henry, unbelievably, had
never kissed anyone till he was twenty nine. His butler came to see me to tell
me that, although my nephew looks normal on a day to day, he barely sleeps at
night and all he does is call your name over and over again. I am very worried about
my nephew.’
‘But…’
The rumours of his womanising were rampant but to have never kissed
anyone?! So that night, that night at the royal ball was the first time he had
been kissed?! And it was me! And I forced him to drink my saliva!!
I thought I was going to fall off my perch on the seat from shock, but I
managed to keep my body steady.
But now I realised all the weird inconsistencies fit; the hyperventilation
syndrome, the nausea he had claimed, was as a result of stress from being near
a woman.
‘Henry changed since that night of the party to find his bride. I was
delighted to see that there were three women he liked, but it turned out not to
be the case. Why didn’t he choose you at the party?’
‘At the time,’ I hesitantly answered, ‘I was not interested in the Duke, so
I stood at the back of the line so he didn’t even see my face.’
‘But Julia, Henry seems to love you very deeply. Henry is my cute nephew
left in my care by my sister and her husband after they died. Although I think
it is wrong to interfere, I was worried that it would all be too late after you
went back to Hermiata, and James was going to propose to you. Henry is such a
clumsy child, you see.’
I would have never thought that the Duke loved me alone. I wonder why he
was never kind to me when if he loved me.
‘But he never told me anything. Whenever we met, he was always offish and
cold. I would never have thought he loved me.’
(Zuben: Hey, someone is telling porkies)
‘Henry has always been a handsome person; because of this he has no good
memories of women. Maybe, he didn’t know how to deal with it. He is so clumsy;
maybe you are his first love.’
‘His first love…?’
‘To me, James is a lovely child, but I could not afford to show him any
care because of his position. Do you understand? So it would have been nice if
you loved James and chose him. Yet, you turned down his proposal. Why?’
When we last met, the Duke told me he love me and would never let me go,
but I...I said awful things to him,
‘I...have said bad things to his Grace…’
I suddenly realised I was crying. Thinking of that night in his bedroom, my
heart tightened and the tears began to fall.
‘Oh Julia,’ Queen Eleanor said softly, proffering a handkerchief, ‘I didn’t
intend to make you cry. You mean you also love Henry? Such foolish children;
fooling each other. This is what it leads to.’
‘I love Duke Magnaria...from the first moment we met…’ I could not hold
back my honest feelings because my heart was warmly filling with my love for
Henry.
‘Alright, let’s call Henry to the castle in the morning. It is rather late
now. It would be best to solve the misunderstanding.’
‘Your Majesty, pardon me, but I would rather go now. Could you kindly call
a carriage for me?’
I couldn’t wait another moment, I wanted to see Henry. I wanted to tell him
how I felt.
Eleanor laughed, ‘You’re a funny girl. Very well, I will fetch the fastest carriage.
However it turns out, do come back.’
I rushed to my room and got a cloak, without any ado, got on the carriage
and was off to the Duke’s home. It was not far from the palace, we should be
there soon. Though it wasn’t that late, it was still rather late to be
visiting.
A carriage with the royal emblem was allowed through the main gate without
issue. The butler that met me and Percy the last time came to meet me. He
didn’t seem to notice that my hair colour was different.
When I told him my name, he lifted his face and his expression collapsed.
He led me to a drawing room and left to fetch the Duke. I sat in the chair
waiting patiently and nervously.
The butler returned and said told me, ‘I’m sorry, Miss Julia. His Grace
does not wish to see you.’
‘He said he doesn’t want to see me?’
‘I’m sorry, Miss Julia.’
‘I understand. May I sit here for a bit; I rushed out of the Castle after
dinner so I am a little tired.’
The competent butler seemed to get my meaning for he said, ‘That will be
fine, ma’am. The door is open.’ and he left.
I waited in the drawing room for a little while before venturing out. I
headed to his bedroom. The butler must have cleared the way, for I reached the
big doors to his room without encountering anyone.
I took a deep breath and entered. The room was in darkness. There was a
shadow of someone sitting on the bed with their back to the door. The moon
appeared and cast a long forlorn shadow on the bed.
‘Michael, has Julia left safely?’ He asked.
I silently approached the bed and raised my hand to touch his shoulder, but
he grabbed and twisted my hand and flipped me onto the bed and squeezed my neck
with his other hand.
I cried out.
‘Julia! You didn’t leave?’
Looking up at him, I could see his was a little gaunt in the light of the
moon, but I could not read his expression in the shadows.
‘Why have you come here again? Aren’t you engaged to James? Did you come to
ask for my blessing?’ He shouted in anger
He must have thought that was why I came. That was why he didn’t want to
see me.
‘Henry, release me! I came to talk to you.’
‘I have nothing more to say to you. I do not want to hear anything from you
either.’
‘Alright...then kiss me.’
I still could not see his expression, but I could tell he was surprised
because the hands that held me down shook.
‘You don’t want to talk, you don’t want to listen. Then just kiss me.’
I closed my eyes and parted my lips - inviting him. I did not know who long
it took, but time flowed slowly. Suddenly I was released and I felt a warm
weight on my body and his lips covered mine. All my senses were
concentrating on the sensation of his kiss, the pleasure flashed from my head
to my toes. Our kiss felt so good, it felt like I was drowning. But I pulled
myself together and turned my face.
‘That’s enough. Now move away from me.’
‘I refuse.’ He replied petulantly, remaining on top of me.
‘Henry, get off. I can’t breathe.’
‘Once I get up, you will leave. So I want to kiss you till you go.’ The
tone of his voice made my heart sore. I was frustrated by his dishonestly.
(Zuben: Oh really?)
‘Alright, let’s sit up first.’
He rose off me slowly pulling me with him. Finally I could see his face in
the light of the moon. He looked a little haunted, but he looked at me without
avoiding my gaze. His soft golden hair was lit in the moon, and his blue
sapphire eyes were deep like the sea.
He looked like he was still in the work clothes. His outer jacket was left
on but it was open. The first three buttons were open on his shirt. Looking at
his beautiful visage, I could not believe such a gorgeous man loved me and
wanted me so much. The desire to know how much was a bur in my head. (Zuben:
Julia and her pride)
Julia talks about sincerity and is the least sincere of all ... poor Duke, tell her you love him!
ReplyDeleteFinally. Don't disappoint me Julia...
ReplyDeleteOh god! They're finally going to solve the issue! I was getting tired of that stupid misunderstanding... Julia was kinda getting on my nerves in the last few chapters to be honest 😅
ReplyDeleteanyway! Thank you very much for the translations! I'm looking forward to the next chapters ❤️
Why do the members of this family behave like hoohas? And ever since they met? That time when he was in disguise?
ReplyDeleteLi todo esse capítulo para perceber que não é poção ksjjksjksjksk
ReplyDeleteThis story infuriates me so much. Julia was so cool at the start, a very nice improvement of the typical dense shoujo protagonist, but then the author decided to throw all logic in the trash for the sake of drama and ruined it all, Julia and the plot.
ReplyDeleteThat's my opinion anyway.
Totally agree with you on this. It did not need to drag on this long, with misunderstandings that would have been sorted out if Julia just stopped, listened and opened her eyes. But maybe such frustrations are part of the fun?
DeleteThey are both so silly and naive. Like teenagers
ReplyDelete