Page 150 of Bloom
“I suppose.”
***
“Zacharie didn’t poison him.” Aleric sighed as Jaime locked the sitting room door. “It was a nice fantasy.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Zacharie one last time? He’ll be gone tomorrow. You could pretend you’re trying to make up, and probe to see if anything is going on. It’s just an idea.”
“No.” Aleric settled on the couch. “I don’t feel like being insulted. Besides, whatever happens later, I don’t think we’ll ever be close again. I’m a shit brother, and I can’t deny it.”
Jaime sat by him. “I wouldn’t say you’re a shit brother. When you two do fight, he’s the one that starts crap. I don’t remember you calling his Dad a whore.”
“Things could have been different if I’d treated him a little better when I was younger. I had friends as a teenager. They came and went with the court, but I had some. He’d try to tagalong with me at times, and I’d often tell him to go away or to stop bothering me. I kept pushing him away because he seemed so immature to me, and I wanted to do stuff with people my age. I didn’t spend much time with him, and I wasn’t a very good big brother. He got on my nerves a lot, and I’m sure in his mind, it overshadows the good times. I never felt the same about him like I did about Fleur and Florence.”
“You were a kid and a teenager. You didn’t know what would happen later, and the situation with him was different. A lot of older brothers don’t want the younger one around because he’ll be embarrassing, and it’s normal for them to want a bit of separation because of the age difference. You’re not responsible for how he acts, and he purposely says hurtful things. I don’t have siblings, but I’m sure calling you a whore isn’t considered brotherly jabbing.”
Aleric leaned on the arm of the couch. “When I was sixteen, I was mad at him because he bent the pages in one of my books, and we started going back and forth. I told him I wished one of the flowers represented him because I’d rather have Florence or Fleur. He’s not the only one to be overly hurtful.”
“Wait, what?”
“The red flower in my bedroom window was given to Mother by Grandmother when I was born. Father’s Mother, I mean. She had the green ones made for the twins. Father let me keep them, and they’re more like a remembrance now. I basically told Zacharie I’d prefer him dead and only remembered by a damn light catcher in my window. I was sixteen and knew better than to say something like that just because he bent the pages of one of my books. I did a lot of little, shitty things. It adds up, and I don’t think he’s forgotten most.”
Jaime took a deep breath. “Okay, that was pretty bad. It’s not worth him now calling you a whore in front of everyone or saying yourMotherwas a whore. He hit below the belt.”
“Either way, I’m pretty sure our relationship will never recover, so talking to him won’t be happening. He’ll always resent me. He’ll probably resent me more if his precious lover dies later. I’ll be married and raising a kid while he’ll feel alone. If he suspects anything about Gautier, he’ll probably never say a word because how is he going to explain it to Father? He’d also have to admit he was wrong and treated me like garbage for nothing. I can’t win with this.”
“Can I put my arm around you?” Even though Jaime had licked his ass last night, he figured he should ask since Aleric wasn’t exactly in a good mood.
Aleric hesitated. “Yeah…”
Jaime gave him a light squeeze. “Later, we’ll see what happens, okay? Perhaps you two can, and his nephew can be the bridge. A new life that’s done nothing to him might soften him a little. He’ll likely mature as he grows older. Once he’s an older adult, maybe you can both put the past away.”
“Hmm. We won’t cross that bridge for a bit even if it comes.” Aleric leaned his head on Jaime’s shoulder for a second. “For now, we should get ready to go out soon. We have to see the court off.”
***
Jaime knew he better get used to certain things if he was going to be the lord with Aleric in the future, not that he felt very lordly. Judging by a few looks he got in the yard, some of the courtiers didn’t view him as higher-up material and didn’t see why he was out there to see off the court. He was just the guy Aleric was marrying because he was pregnant.
Lord Monet hadn’t announced Aleric’s pregnancy, but many had guessed, and Zacharie’s words had helped. A few openly gazed at Aleric’s stomach as if checking for a baby bump even though it was too early.
Jaime caught a few grumbles about being made to leave so hastily, and a lady complained about home being so boring. A couple were talking about going to the Regent’s court, although they’d have to write and ask for permission. One couple said they’d be going to a Morian lord’s court since they were friends. A few of the Morian higher-ups came to say goodbye to Lord Monet and congratulate Aleric. They were the picture of nobility with their pleasant smiles to fellow higher-ups.
One of the lords pretended as if Jaime wasn’t even there. Oh well. There would always be lords who didn’t feel kindly toward commoners jumping up so fast.
Cousins came to say goodbye. A few asked when they could come back, like living at a court mattered more than the fact that Aleric wanted peace while he progressed in his pregnancy. Lord Monet gave a polite but vague answer.
Some were riding horses, and they left rather quickly while leading pack horses. Those in carriages were slower, and Jaime grew bored in the yard. Lord Monet started fidgeting with his cane, and he wondered if the lord was bored too, although he wouldn’t say so.
Gautier and Zacharie didn’t come out. Perhaps they’d already said goodbyes to those they liked. Once the last carriage was heading for the gate, a guy poked his head out, and Jaime recognized him as the guy who’d first played chess against Lord Monet.
He cupped a hand around his mouth. “Name the baby after me if it’s a boy!”
Aleric gave him a stiff smile and waved as he muttered. “I’m not calling my potential son Billy.”
Lord Monet snorted. “That’s done. I’m going to try to speak to Zacharie so he’s not so sour when he leaves tomorrow.”
“Hm.”
***
