Poised in Providence - Part 11

“Baptist.”

His master’s even tone vaulted him back. As Prince Heiko stripped from his chiton, his bare body taught and paler than any Ilysian, Baptist quickly provided him with his Simonese clothes. He made quick work of the trousers, his deft fingers lacing the leather cord through the eyelets and securing it tightly, before sliding his tunic over his head. When he reached back for his blonde hair, long and wavy, Baptist rounded his master and slipped his fingers carefully between Prince Heiko’s and the fine golden threads.

“Allow me,” he said, twining it into a braid with practiced speed, before tying it off and gently resting it on the prince’s back.

“Yours as well,” Heiko said, walking off to find his riding boots. “If that wild mess isn’t tamed before we ride, it’ll take days to coax it out of madness.”

It was true, Baptist’s hair was too curly to allow it freedom - especially on horseback.

“And I cannot have you looking like a Burkean forest person while we prostrate to my brother.”

It wasn’t easy to braid one’s own hair - he would’ve much preferred twisting it back into a bun, or even pulling it back at the nape of the neck, let it hang like a pony’s tail - but those styles were for working men, not for slaves of royalty who were expected to be elegant. And anyway, Baptist would’ve rather had Prince Heiko’s favor and a horribly disfigured braid than the alternative, which was Prince Heiko’s disfavor and a bun. Even the simplest minded child would’ve agreed.

“Shoes, Baptist,” Heiko said, sighing as if Baptist should’ve been ready far before now. “We have breakfast to attend. We cannot keep the king of Ilyos waiting.”

"Shall I carry the packs?" Baptist asked his prince as he hurried to pull his riding boots on.

Heiko gave a curt shake of his head, heading for the door. To a servant passing them in the hallway, the prince commanded, "There are two bags in my rooms. Bring them to my horses."

Baptist had never seen the boy before, and by the state of his face as they left him in their wake, he was clearly battling an internal dilemma. He wasn't to blame, though, since Prince Heiko had a knack for spiraling servant and courtier alike into similar quandaries, toiling whether they wanted to please him more than retain a semblance of self-dignity.

Still, none but Baptist would've known that the demanding royal was in a rather agreeable mood. When he entered into the small dining room, he did so with aloof grace, greeting no one until he floated into the seat across from the king of Ilyos.

The general was there, and Adelbert, and to Baptist's disgust, Carmen.

King Vincente eyed his master, bemused.

"Prince Heiko," He greeted.

The duke clambered to his feet and offered a slight bow, repeating without the same poise, "Prince Heiko."

"Just a bow, Adelbert?" The prince derided with a dangerous lift to his lips. "I was hoping for a demonstration of prostration. You disappoint."

The duke hesitated, struggling to keep his eyes on the prince.

"You've come to disgrace the third prince of Simo. You ought to be ashamed." Heiko spoke this in a light tone as he reached for a piece of bread and cheese.

"I..." Adelbert slowly took his seat. "It was on the king's orders, and I am his vassal."

"Oh yes," Heiko nodded. "Because it was Ingo that defended the duchy of Honn from the Fressians. It was Ingo that successfully took back Fort Hoks – the fort you lost to them. It was Ingo leading the campaign. Am I wrong?"

"Y-yes." Adelbert mumbled. "It...it was you, Prince Heiko."

"Oh yes," Heiko nodded. "Now my memory serves right. It was King Ingo who decided that Fort Hoks was a lost cause. It was King Ingo who forbade General Alfred to aid his northernmost duke. What honor and reason you must have to forge allegiance with such a man."

The muscles in Adelbert's jaw jumped and tensed.

"But what is history if not in the past?" Heiko continued, offering the duke a faux smile. "Please, enjoy the spread kindly offered to you by our Ilysian hosts."

Adelbert was a duke, but ultimately an obedient man, one who was smart enough to understand Prince Heiko was not one he was equipped to cross.

"Why are you standing, Baptist?"

It was said sharply, as if it was a question that had been brewing in his master's mind and irritating him as the moments passed.

"Ah..." Baptist began, eyes flitting over the open seats. None were close to the prince. "Master, I don't-"

"Beside the duke," Heiko cut in as if it were obvious. "Of course."

Baptist glanced towards his prince in question, but to no avail. His cold eyes were set on the duke, with the familiar twitch of a smile on his lips. There was no use fighting it now - or even questioning it. He rounded the table, sitting beside the duke, who was straight backed and tense - a mouse frozen by the gaze of a snake.

"Closer, Baptist, don't be shy." His prince cooed.

Baptist obliged, sliding down the bench a bit further, so there was about a half a foot between him and the duke. For a man more than a decade older than the prince, his shyness of proximity was almost pathetic. It was no wonder King Ingo found him useful. He would likely lay himself in a puddle of mud to be used as a stepping stone if the king asked him to.

"Why not offer the slave breakfast?" Prince Heiko said, setting his chin on his palm, eyes on Adelbert.

Baptist noted in his periphery the duke reaching to assemble a small morsel of food, but he kept his gaze evenly on his prince. The slave knew he was making a point, but even suggesting, in gest, that Baptist would take anything from his grubby hands was insulting. His neck might as well have been locked in place when the duke turned and lifted the bread and cheese to him. Instead, he set his jaw and dared to glare at his master.

The prince's amusement disappeared for a swift moment, as if he was not expecting his slave's eyes, angry as they were. And then, in genuine delight, he laughed.

"It seems my slave does not accept food from dogs."

For a moment more, he bathed in his newfound amusement, ignoring Adelbert, who was red faced with lividity and, more so, embarrassment. And then he stood.

"Well, I believe my brother has told me, in his own way, that I have outstayed my welcome here. Thus, I will be off." He turned to the Ilysian king. "The hospitality was adequate. Perhaps I will visit again."

"Perhaps I will be magnanimous enough to offer a room," King Vincente parlayed with a quirked lip.

Prince Heiko exhaled lightly, a sign of goodwill, even if the king was unaware of it then.

And then, to Adelbert, the prince informed, "I will be heading for the border. I will not wait up, as I do not know how long your negotiations will extend, but I do look forward to seeing that varlet face of yours during my trial." Heiko shifted his eyes to Baptist. "Come, Baptist. We ride north."