Page 15 of Bloom
“Shush,” said the Master Steward. “Let them think.”
Lord Gautier started taking even longer to the point where Jaime was finding it a bit boring. Chess would be more interesting if both players moved faster. He preferred cards because the player had a few, they couldn’t see what the other had, and luck was a factor. One might as well move and not spend ages agonizing over what to do.
With Aleric’s King tucked behind a nice defense, he seemed to be having an easier time of gaining space. He moved his other rook so both were right behind each other on the right side of the board. Lord Gautier thought for a few minutes before he moved his rook to cover the King in his corner, but he sat back with a defeated expression.
Aleric didn’t wait that time. He took the Knight blocking Lord Gautier’s king with his rook, and the King was trapped. To take that rook meant he had nowhere to go because the other could simply come forward.
“You win,” admitted Lord Gautier.
“I know.” Aleric took his glass, and talk burst out among the courtiers. Zacharie looked as though he’d swallowed a lemon when Lord Monet grasped his older son’s shoulder for a moment. A man gave up a coin purse to another with a pained expression, and the Master Steward approached with a bigger one to hand over.
“Here’s the pot.”
“Thanks.” Aleric pocketed it.
Lord Gautier held out his arm to clasp, and Aleric ignored it as he sipped his drink. Jaime made a faint noise of derision under his breath. He won and had to be such an ass? If he was that much of a snot, he likely wasn’t going to mellow too much. So much for that idea.
It was going to be a long year.
Chapter Four
Aleric ignored the proffered arm.
“Do you have to be so rude?” Father muttered before he stood with Zacharie who wrinkled his nose like there was a bad smell.
Someone called for Lord Monet, and a few who’d noticed Aleric’s rudeness showed their distaste. Everyone knew of Aleric’s dislike for Gautier, and the more he let it show, the more of an ass he was considered even if they wouldn't directly say it to his face.
Oh, well. The damage was already done and couldn’t be fixed. Letting Lord Gautier touch him would feel like a loss. He’d rather eat the chess pieces.
With the noise and people’s attention drifting to other matters, Gautier took the opportunity to lean in a little with a pleasant smile as though nothing offensive had been done.
“I taught you just about every position you know. Don’t forget.”
Aleric gave him a bland look without meeting his eyes while his insides twisted. Judging by his expression, he wasn’t thinking of chess positions. Gautier, since Aleric refused to think of him with his damn fake title, sometimes had a way of looking at him as if he were remembering past games of a different sort.
The thought was enough to make him sick.
Gautier went away to catch up with Zacharie. Aleric caught the word Rowland, and Jaime suddenly spoke.
“I’m not from Rowland.”
“You look like it.”
“Pfft. I’m Morian with a little South Forest and Finkin in my family.”
The lady let her eyes rove up and down his body before wrinkling her nose. “You sound Morian, but I think you look Rowland. I saw one once, and you remind me of him.”
“Wow, you saw a person from Rowland once. Congratulations. You know what? I think you look-”
“Jaime, be quiet,” Aleric snapped, and the woman glared at Jaime before turning away to leave.
The war hadn’t been over for that long. Citizens from Soleil and Rowland still didn’t get along well unless business was being done. Money talks. Other than that, anyone from Rowland was a barbaric savage. Aleric’s Mother had been from Rowland, and while no one would say it to his or Father’s face, not everyone approved of that anymore thanks to the war. It was ridiculous. One war and the other side might as well have been monsters who ate babies for breakfast.
Across the room, Gautier gave Zacharie a kiss. Aleric wobbled between hating his younger brother and feeling sorry for him, although the sorrow was still tinged with hate.
As far as he could tell, nothing bad had happened between Zacharie and Gautier. Aleric had carefully observed his demeanor to see if changes were apparent. Zacharie seemed no different, but he couldn’t entirely rely on that either. A man can hide behind a facade. At the same time, they were still together too.
Zacharie wasn't the best at keeping his mouth shut either.
