WILLOCK 54

"Candles, lights, cakes, cuisines..., ooohh..., God, Hey!!... You need to put that right dear..., Hey, don't…" I heard my mother screaming downstairs to the maids who were preparing. Yes, I had arrived. Yes, I had arrived six months back, but I did not let myself out, since father had provided me with some businesses to take into account. It was all business and business. The occasion was, my sister was set to be engaged today; she was already sixteen, and I was already saddened by the news. I hated reminding myself that I had not yet found myself a suitable suitor who would aid me with children that one day would inherit my property. Mother kept shouting, making me not focus much on the book of accounts I was trying to add up.

"Ma, it's okay..., they got this." I stated when I arrived next to her, "Come, have a seat, I'll make sure everything is flawless." I stated. "Eliza,… right?" The maiden nodded, "Please provide mother with some hot coffee to ease her nerves. I will be around if you need my help." I stated. Sister was being helped by other maidens in wearing the classy clothes that were chosen for her. Brother was somewhere out causing trouble. He always liked women; he always found a way to just sneak out and have his money wasted on the flower sellers. They never really enticed me, never really. Sometimes I wonder at what age I shall marry, but that's a question my stars seemed to have no alignment onto. I had not heard of the princess's whereabouts. I just did not have much time to think about her current states, but truth be told, she still..., okay, I'm talking about Princess Diana. She still seemed never to lose the soft spot my heart had placed for her. I knew I would kill just to have her dance with me one last time. I was sure they would come. She was almost nineteen or twenty, sure she was, and I was kissing my twenty-third or fourth. Age has never really affected me or condoned my thoughts. I always state that as long as I admire myself through the mirror and find myself charming and all good looking, then I'm still in the market blanket of marriage and betrothal.

"Lord Vikings, the viscount has arrived," one of the guards told me, and I suddenly felt a certain nervousness. I remember I left in a state where we had some confrontations with the son, with him, and it was not good. Father was still in the Lake of Tigris, but he would arrive before evening; hence, I was in charge of everything. I steadied myself as I touched my chins, with which small hairs had started growing, and now, my manhood was starting to take its course in regard to what people see—the facial beards and mustache. I hated the mustache, so I never let that hair really grow; it was something I was less concerned about having.

"Dearest, the viscount, Lord Hirvington. How are you doing? Please welcome and feel at home." He had his family, the viscountess, whose eyes laid on me from top to bottom, as if scanning what had changed in me and what had not, and maybe she would end up comparing me to his son. Well, that was a matter I would never have time to think of; my life was already hardened through my travels, and I was in no mood to think of jealousy and looks.

"I am fine, son; I can see you are growing to be a responsible young man."

"Of course, what makes of me if the duke retires, and I haven't practiced how to be like him."

"Talking about the Duke, where is Vikings?"

"The Duke of Vikings is in deal with some business; he wishes not to be disturbed." I saw no point in telling them father was not available; it would just cause more questions, and I was in no mood to answer various questions.

"Okay, Vikings, Please do the honors." The viscount stated.

"Please," I stated as I walked him together with the family in the hall, "... you've arrived quite early." I added.

"The early bird catches the worm," the viscount stated, which made me smile a bit, despite not understanding which worm was supposed to be caught. With that, after setting them to one of the largest chairs, I asked them to be served some drinks and food, as sure be their journey was lengthy as I left to check if sister was ready, and now started readying myself for the day. Yes, I had not, and it was already almost evening. However, I needed a brother who would take care of the guests on arrival as I took my time preparing myself.

"Have you seen brother?" I asked one of the guards, who shook their heads, and right then I knew he was laying down some woman in the back streets of Bavdon. I needed to arrive there right away, so I started my way downstairs, making sure I had carried my family's watch not to be late for my dressing.

"Lord Vikings," I heard a voice from behind, making me stop myself from my tracks, "Yes, please," I stated, as I turned to observe when I caught eyes with William's sister, I sure had forgotten her name, I know I had.

"Hello, how can I be of help to you?" I stated, making a slight smile. She was always the softest of the Viscount's children; I likened her to my own sister.

"I just wanted to greet you," she stated, which made me smile.

"I hope you like the place; it may not have the lightings of the Viscount's house, but at least it is cozy and of diff..." "I love it here; you have no explanations to make." She cut me off, which made me look down. Sometimes, when I realize I have spoken too much, I just find my eyes embracing the floor. "It's okay; enjoy yourself. Sister is upstairs; you can go and have a bonding time with her. I hope you enjoy the party." With that, she nodded and went upstairs as I started my way outside towards the stable to take the better horse after telling the house manager that he was in charge.

It was not a lengthy go to the market, but the problem I faced was entering those rooms filled with steamy drawings of naked men and women. They just really sometimes messed with my mind, making my sexual desires more at horn than my logical side. I hated it. With deep breaths, I steadied my horse and then entered the inn that my brother always came into. He had a liking for some woman, some blonde woman; I had no idea whose name it was, but I had warned her about this, but he never cared about my statements.

"Have you seen Lord Vikings?" I asked, knowing that they would understand that I was talking about the younger son of the Duke. "Upstairs, my lord," one of the men in the door stated, which made me hurry towards upstairs as I checked the watch. I did not want father to arrive before I being there; he sure would be very furious and would disregard all my works in business as useless and effortless. He always did that most times when I did one slight wrong in something. As I thought all that, I heard the pantings of my brother with the woman. They sure were in business, but I sure had more businesses to take care of.

I knocked twice, but no one answered. I knocked another time, but still effortless; they were still in their beautiful world enjoying each other as they shared their intimate and sexual fluids—how disgusting. Being the elder, I always had a right to enter my younger siblings' house if they were doing something illegal. It was always something older siblings had an advantage on. Hence, I pushed the door open and found them. My eyes, when mad, don't really lie. I stared at them as the young lady started hiding her body with the most insane and short sleeve she could find.

"Brother, you have more work to do than embrace yourself with women. Wear those clothes, and we leave right away." I stated as I handed him some clothes that were in the door. He always obeyed me; maybe that's what really gave me heads up in the Duke's family—my younger siblings obeyed me.

"Done, let's leave," he stated as I made him follow me. As we arrived outside, as I was untethering the horse, I started, "What is it you like about these women, brother? Is there no woman that appeases you in the royal class, so you have to just buy a lady just because you can." "Let's not start this, brother; you wanted me and am here," he stated. He always did that when he knew that my lectures unto him would never head. "I fear father will arrive earlier; we are not done yet, brother," I stated as I made him make the first jump onto the horse as I followed. Then we left for home. 

On arrival. I started as we neared the entrance,"I am to leave and groom myself, take care of the guests. I will be fast. I don't wish our guests to be embraced by your scent after being with those women. You sure sometimes make me wonder, brother, please stop, please stop this. It shall lead to one day leading to the worst consequence…" And I suddenly felt tears forming in my eyes, and I just left, seeing Charles with those women always reminds me of the pains I have faced just because I am a bastard; who knows how much more I would face. The past always comes back to me, the running away, everything; it just felt hurtful.

"Please set my bath," I stated to one of the maidens as I headed to the library to check if all the account books were in order, as a way to give the maidens time to prepare the bath and my clothes. I hated changing in front of them; they always sometimes stared at me, unlikely, and I did not enjoy it.

After some minutes, I took my time and left for the room. The clothes were well placed; being my sister's brother, we were to wear red cardigans with black trousers and dark boots along with white shirts with some red dots on the collars. It was a good design; I had learned it on my travels in Amir's area in Iraq. I wonder how he is doing now; I wish we meet sooner when am also wherever he is. After bathing and grooming, I checked myself in the mirror and realized my beards had grown not so in unison, and I needed to shave. Hence, calling out one of my guards to send for the barber with whom always lived just around our house.

"Lord Willock, you always have the best of looks," he stated as he continued shaving my chins and some parts of my side beards. Yes, the barber had arrived.

"Good looks don't really have good luck sometimes." 

"Eh?" he asked. "Is it about the princess?" 

"They are princesses." I corrected.

"You always have something with the princesses," he stated, making both of us chuckle as I heard the classical song playing. "Has the groom arrived, or is it the royal family?" "It is the royal; the groom's arrived earlier," he stated. "Oh God, thank you for the shave. I believe I am now flourishing," I stated as I stood on the chair and wiped my beards, till I was left clean. I always had a really beautiful sharp chisel-shaped chin; it just made my smile perfect. It, which I appreciated, most said I looked more like my mother than father, and so, to mother, am grateful.

Afterwards, I went downstairs, realizing that my brother had also gone to groom himself, and father had already arrived, which made me smile widely as I went to greet him.

"Father, I hope you like it." "You shall become one of the greatest Dukes in England. I have checked everything, and you are becoming better, son. I am proud of you..." And that, that which father said, those statements, oh dear... little did he know how much of ego, hope, and confidence he had given me.

Of course, the King had arrived when I was whispered that I should welcome all and introduce sister to everyone in addition to the groom. I took my steps clear, as I saw my brother reach out to me, and we walked on the podium where the band was, and I started,

"Royals, Lads, Ladyships, Brothers, Dearest sisters, and everybody who has taken account, leaving their demanding jobs to embrace the Duke's family, Good Evening. It's precious to have all of you here, embraced by the sight of our gracious King, honor be to him! I so introduce the Duke's flower, a lady taught of all beauties and urgencies, of all relationships and hates; love is what coats the beauties of marriage. Please welcome, my younger beloved sister, Lady Lily. Please amuse us..." And with that, sister came down the stairs holding hands with mother. It is one of the occasions I solemnly awaited, but at one point, sadness really consoled me. On arrival downstairs, I introduced the gentleman, the Duke of Italy's son, Adrasto, and with that, they embraced everyone with the first dance, as their bachelors and spinsters joined them in the dances.

I enjoyed ballrooms then, but I had taken so much time away from England that I did not really have any interest in dances. I just left for one table to have a drink as I observed the crowd. When my eyes set on the Princess, Princess Diana. She too was observing the dances, in protection of her two brothers. I knew she was not of the King's blood, meaning I had all rights to ask her for a hand, but I was nervous. So, I observed her from afar. I knew maybe William would, of course, ask her for a hand; I knew I had competition. But my feet never really felt like standing, and my eyes never felt like leaving the spot where she stood—her hair moved effortlessly, her blemishless white skin, and hands covered with white gloves. How do we really ask a princess for a hand, I found myself sighing out loud.

"Brother, just go ask her for a hand," Charles stated behind me, startling me. 

"What are you doing behind me?" I questioned. 

"You have stared for more than five minutes, brother; don't you get tired?" He asked. 

"Brother, what am I to tell her? I am not even sure; maybe she's already betrothed or engaged. That's why she is not taken by one of the brothers to dance with her." 

"You are always a coward, brother." I just shook my head, gulped my drink, and found myself steadying myself towards the place they stood. My feet became feeble the more I walked towards them. 

"Hello, dearest Princes and princesses, I hope you enjoy the party," I stated, enquiring as if I am asking out different beings if they are enjoying the party. In real sense, I just wanted them to have my attention. 

"Of course, the party is good," one of the eldest princes stated. As my eyes averted towards the princess, I knew she knew why I was there, and her eyes met mine. I could not open my mouth, but I knew I had to. 'I was a man', the word I stated when nervous in the presence of any woman. "Can I have this dance, Princess Diana?" I stated, as my heart beat in the wildest forms as it waited for her to take my hand. I swear if the world would dare open, I would wish it swallowed me, for what a shame to be rejected.