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In a kingdom where Courting was one of the biggest events of a person’s life, sometimes even more so than the actual wedding, it was a scandal when their king skipped all of those steps.
Few could blame him for having a little bit of. . . fun, on occasion. ‘Being a king must be stressful!’ They told each other.
‘Everyone has their vices,’ more said. ‘This is just King Stephen’s vice.’
It was more startling when those bits of fun had consequences. When the woman first showed up, everyone in the palace scoffed. She was lying, of course, the baby didn’t even look like him! The paternity test was only so no one would take the woman’s side when she was kicked out.
That’s what they told each other.
The murmurs started when the test came back positive. They started small, as all murmurs do.
‘He’s so irresponsible, letting that happen.’ The guards on the outer walls shook their heads.
‘It was cruel of him to take the baby and kick the woman out!’ The stable boys said to themselves – ignoring the fact that it was what the woman had wanted.
‘He must be crazy taking in the baby! No one wants to Court a single father!’ The gardeners tutted.
‘Having a baby without Courting just isn’t natural. That poor boy’s going to grow up not knowing how to love, only having one parent.’ The cooks threw salt over their shoulders.
‘King Stephen doesn’t know how to love – that’s why he doesn’t Court.’ The patrols claimed, walking a little bit faster when passing the king’s door.
‘They say the devil took his ability to love away,’ The maids whispered. ‘And that he has to perform horrid rituals to earn bits of it back. With the child came his ability to love as a parent does, but he hasn’t earned the ability to love as a Courter.’
The only one who stayed quiet was the smith in the basement. But quiet did not mean neutral. He plotted, crafting the best when to pitch his plan the next time the king checked on him. When he finally had the words, it was just a matter of waiting.
The checks were done, the baby was cooed over (away from the heat of the forge, of course), and lunch was eaten when Tony finally worked up the nerve to begin. “You’ve heard the rumors, I assume?”
Stephen slumped, holding his child tighter. “Yes. Do we have to-”
“I have a solution.” Tony interrupted, then frowned. “I think.”
Stephen perked up slightly. “Tell me more?”
“A lot of the hate you’re getting is because of the fact that you and that woman,” Tony spat. “Didn’t Court. So, what if. . . What if at the next gala, I asked to Court you?” Then Stephen didn’t speak, Tony continued. “I know you wanted your first Courting to be special, and I’ll respect it if you say no, but I really think – ”
Stephen grabbed Tony’s hand. “Tony,” He smiled tiredly. “I would love to be Courted by you.”