Sixth Meeting

The smile was very infectious. Edward found himself smiling as well. Sebastian was quite the charmer when there wasn’t anyone else present.

“What do you think about our marriage?” he asked the prince.

It was best to be upfront and honest about the elephant in the room. He had also been wondering about Sebastian’s personal feelings on the subject since he had first met him. The prince had been impossible to read.

“I don’t like that neither of us were asked for permission,” Sebastian told him. “I didn’t get a choice, I had to get a government match on my 18th birthday and you don’t have a choice either; you can’t refuse to marry me. It’s not a fair situation for either of us.”

Edward saw his honesty as an opportunity to ask something he had been wanting to know.

“Are you even gay?”

Sebastian choked on his popsicle and Edward wasn’t sure how to interpret that reaction. He patted the prince on the back and waited for his reply.

“I think I’m gay. It’s hard to be sure when there’s no chance to explore my sexuality,” Sebastian admitted. “I’m not attracted to females, I do find males attractive so I’m almost sure I’m gay. What about you?”

Edward took a moment to arrange his thoughts.

“I have not decided yet. I haven’t had a chance to explore my sexuality either. I’ve been going to schools with the same group of people since I was 4, I’ve never had any interest in dating anyone. I was waiting until university to properly decide.”

Sebastian’s face was expressionless and Edward was curious to know what he was thinking. Maybe he would be able to tell in the future when they knew each other better.

“It’s strange that neither of us were ever asked if we were actually gay,” Edward added. “It shows that tradition here overrides our sexualities. I could be heterosexual with a girlfriend and it wouldn’t matter. It’s fortunate I don’t even know what sexuality I am yet, it makes things a little easier.”

That brought Sebastian’s face back to showing emotion.

“Tradition is extremely important to the royal family. We’re one of the very small number of European countries still with a royal family that can influence politics. This country is also still powerful in key areas. I think arranged marriages will continue until the end of the monarchy,” Sebastian said. “I’m sorry that I had to bring someone into this way of life. I just didn’t get a choice to refuse the arranged marriage.”

Edward felt that he should be telling Sebastian he shouldn’t be feeling guilty, but he couldn’t do that yet. He didn’t like the prince enough to say that.

“I haven’t quite accepted that my life will now be going along with everything someone tells me and if I find someone I love, I can’t be with them,” he said with stark honesty. “The summer holiday in France that I was looking forward to was cancelled so I can come here and get bullied by a royal advisor. I can’t even study what I want to at university. I bet there’s something very boring lined up for me to study.”

Sebastian looked very guilty now and bit his lip. Edward licked his popsicle and found the prince’s eyes were on his mouth. It felt awkward so he said the first thing his mind could come up with that fitted the situation.

“If we don’t get along with each other, it’s going to be noticeable in our public appearances. I know people like to declare themselves body language experts- they would notice quickly if we hate each other,” he added.

He was finding that he had a lot to say to Sebastian now that they were alone.

“I know that’s a potential problem,” Sebastian agreed. “I wanted to get to know you in a more natural way, but it hasn’t worked out so far. I am going to try my best to convince Mother to end the chaperoned meetings.”

Edward found it interesting that he referred to Queen Annelise as ‘Mother’ rather than something simpler like ‘Mum’.

“Would Queen Annelise agree to something as treacherous as two unmarried males meeting without a chaperone?” he asked with a snort.

Sebastian pulled a face.

“There’s a chance I could persuade her if I approach the subject correctly. She’s very stubborn about some things, especially traditions,” he said. “I’m glad it’s you that I’m marrying though.”

Edward paused with his popsicle halfway to his mouth. He wasn’t sure what Sebastian meant by that.

“Why is that?”

“You definitely aren’t interested in my fame or wealth, I can tell that you aren’t. I feel that other people would have been a pain and the secret of who my marriage partner is would be out by now.”

Edward could understand his thoughts there. He knew if one of the vain girls from his school had been picked instead, everyone would have known by the end of the day.

“When I go home, I mostly forget about everything related to this. I know I can’t do it forever, but I need to have something to keep me from dwelling on how bleak my future is,” he admitted.

His parents were doing their best to completely avoid the subject of his royal marriage and they had been spending the evenings playing board games.

“I am very sorry about all of this,” Sebastian replied quickly.

The prince patted him on the shoulder.

“It could be worse, you could be unattractive,” Edward said to lighten the tone a little.

He was almost done with reminding Sebastian how messed up his life was because of their marriage.

“How shallow,” Sebastian said with a smirk. “I could say the same about you.”

Sebastian thought he was attractive? Edward’s heart skipped a beat and he chose to ignore the feeling.

“Is Camilla against this marriage?” he asked.

Sebastian frowned and took a lick of his popsicle before answering.

“She is most definitely against me marrying you,” he explained. “I think she had someone else in mind and a hidden agenda. She has a daughter who was in the year below you at school, I think she hoped her daughter would be my marriage match. I think that’s why she doesn’t like you and I don’t think you should worry about it. I like you.”

Edward analysed all the information thoughtfully. It did seem right. Camilla’s attitude reeked of a hidden agenda as she was content with the arranged marriage happening, she just didn’t want him to be the one marrying the prince. Then he processed the last thing Sebastian had said.

The prince’s gaze was friendly and the look on his face was expectant, he was clearly waiting for a reply.

“I think you are all right too,” Edward said smoothly. “I don’t hate you either.”

Sebastian responded by poking his arm with his popsicle and Edward gasped at the sudden cold feeling.

“That’s for saying I’m just ‘all right’,” the prince retorted. “We have more time together today, should we do something to entertain ourselves or would you like to stay sitting here in the sun?”

“What activities are available?” Edward asked.

His mind jumped to the reasonable conclusion that Sebastian meant a sporting activity. He liked the idea of doing some exercise.

“We can play hide and seek,” Sebastian suggested. “The gardens here are huge. There’s plenty of space.”

Edward stared at him in surprise. He hadn’t been expecting the prince to want to play such a childish game.

“I would get lost very quickly,” he answered. “I’ve only been here twice and I get shown in and out by someone. I don’t even know the way back to the castle from here.”

Sebastian grinned at him.

“I’ll restrict it to this area then,” he said. “Playing hide and seek will make you feel more at home here.”

Edward sighed. It was evident that the prince was intent on playing hide and seek regardless of what he said and he didn’t really have any real objections to playing with the prince. He just didn’t want to be wandering around blindly with a high chance of getting lost.

“Will you be the one hiding?” he asked.

Sebastian nodded and pointed at the nearest tree a few metres away.

“You can stand there and I will clap when I’ve hidden myself. I won’t be going far and I will keep clapping so you can hear me. I won’t go any further than the pond over there, the gorse bushes over there or the archway that way,” he explained. “Are you happy with this arrangement?”

Edward was content with the set up now. Sebastian had allayed his worry about getting lost.

“I am,” he confirmed and strode over to the tree.

He turned around and he heard Sebastian walking away somewhere. He stayed where he was until he heard the sound of clapping. He never cheated at any game.

Edward turned back around and started walking forward in a straight line to keep it simple. The clapping became increasingly audible and he carried on that path. He looked around carefully and saw the prince. Sebastian was ducked behind a bush nearby with the top of his head visible. It was a terrible hiding place.

“You found me,” he said with a sheepish smile.

Edward held his hand out to him and pulled him up.

“That wasn’t a good hiding place,” he commented.

“I’ll make it harder next time,” the prince promised. “I’ll continue hiding. It’s easier for you to just find me today. We can switch next time you come.”

Edward returned to the tree and repeated the same procedure. This time Sebastian was hiding in an equally bad hiding place. He had hidden against a wall with only half of his body hidden by vines.

“I found you,” Edward said with a sigh. “Are you even trying to hide?”

Sebastian shrugged and grinned at him.

“For all you know, this is the first time I’ve ever played hide and seek and I might not know the proper etiquette.”

Edward was doubtful at first and then he reconsidered. There was probably some truth in his words. Sebastian probably hadn’t played many games in his childhood that required multiple people due to his royal position.

“You need to hide properly,” he told him. “Please try to find somewhere better to hide this round.”

“Yes, Edward,” the prince replied with a pout.

Edward walked off back to the tree and wondered if Sebastian really would find a decent hiding place. The area they were in was full of decent places to hide.

This time he didn’t find him immediately despite the clapping and became confused. The clapping was loudest at the strawberry plants, but Sebastian wasn’t ducked down behind them. Then his eyes noticed something amiss and realised where the prince was.

“You did better this time,” he observed.

Sebastian was hiding in the strawberry plants, his body was mostly covered by the strawberries. Edward offered his hand and helped Sebastian stand up without uprooting the plants.

“Would you like a strawberry?” the prince asked and produced two from his pocket. “I ate some whilst I was waiting for you to find me.”

Edward’s stomach rumbled and his mind went to the cake his father was eating right at that moment.

“Yes, please,” he said.

Sebastian held one above his mouth.

“Open up.”

Edward opened his mouth after a moment’s pause. Sebastian touched his chin with a soft touch and dropped the strawberry into his mouth. Being touched by the prince was a strange experience.

“It’s good,” he agreed after finishing the strawberry. “Will the gardeners notice some are gone?”

“They will know it’s me and I’m the prince,” he said with a grin. “Have you enjoyed our meeting today?”

Edward considered his answer carefully. He had come to the castle expecting mental torture and it turned out to be the very opposite. He had enjoyed meeting Sebastian this time.

“I have,” he replied honestly.

Sebastian reached for his hand again and gave it a gentle kiss.

“I’m glad to hear that.”