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“The weather is quite nice today is it not?”
The sky was a watery blue. The sun’s heat was weak. It was mediocre at best.
“I suppose.”
Angel sipped her tea and spared a glance out the window to see the Earl of Saxony chasing Priscilla through the orchard. She smiled and turned back to the man sat in front of her. He was watching her movements cautiously.
“Derek,” Angel began, sighing. “You don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be here. We both know this isn’t going to work out, we’re just trying to please our fathers.”
Derek blinked and laughed nervously.
“Does he know?” Angel continued rather bluntly. “That you’re gay?”
Derek raised his eyebrows.
“He does not,” he said stiffly. “I can’t imagine it would go down well.”
“You never know. Princes have done far worse than fall in love.”
“It’s not just love you know that. But I appreciate the sentiment.”
“You should host a ball. For all those pretty girls and their handsome husbands.”
“Infidelity Angel?” Derek asked, smiling slightly. “Really?”
“Does it count if they too are closeted?”
“Here’s a better idea. You host a ball. Tease those handsome men. You enjoy making them squirm, I’ll pick up the pieces.”
Angel smirked over her teacup.
“I like the sound of that.”
The land grew more overgrown everyday.
Titch hated to see it abandoned.
Not a single aubergine had grown since her father had died.
The man Titch’s mother had since married did not care for farming let alone aubergines.
When Titch put up a fight he had been sent to a neighbouring farm to farm food for the family.
Now James was the golden boy with Philip the servant for company and Titch slaved away on land that wasn’t theirs to feed a family that was no longer his own.
It was Titch and the makeshift grave for his father at the bottom of the field against the world.
His father had been properly buried in the cemetery in town but Titch could seldom visit.
So a couple of wooden planks would have to do.
Titch made he walk down to the bottom of the field every evening after work when everyone was too drunk to care where he went. On the walk back one day however the house was still alive and as he opened the door he collided with Philip.
“What’s going on?”
“James is getting married!”
“I am not getting married, I am going to a ball,” James grumbled and turned to Titch. “Do you live under a rock?”
“Duchess Angelina is hosting a ball.” Titch’s mother explained coming up behind her son. “At the palace! Meaning all the royalty will be there!”
“Oh.” Titch had not seen his mother this excited in years. “When?”
“Next weekend. Titch you’ll have to work sweetie but I doubt you’ll be interested anyway. Besides two boys at a ball is plenty.”
“You’re going?” Titch turned to Philip.
“Yeah.” Philip beamed at him.
“I see.”
Titch supposed he should be insulted that the servant had been chosen over him but he hadn’t been that surprised.
Nor could he bring himself to care.
What was so appealing about a bunch of rich, conventionally attractive people under one roof?
After all you don’t need a personality if you have money.
Money brings you power, it can do the impossible.
Titch stopped at the top of the stairs looking out of the window that overlooked the forgotten aubergine fields.
The fields Titch and his father would spend so much time in.
James had never been interested in farming. His true passion for football had only been encouraged recently by their mother’s new husband.
No wonder he hadn’t put up a fight when the fields were left barren.
Titch turned away from the window a plan forming in his mind.
The next day when Titch got home he found Philip in his bedroom.
He realised what Philip was staring at a moment later.
“It’s not what you think.”
Philip smirked.
“I mean I don’t blame you, he’s very attractive.”
“Oh my god get out.” Titch’s face burned as pushed a laughing Philip out of the room.
He had only dug out those articles for research purposes.
Titch stacked all of the articles ever published about Derek Gangles into a pile, placing one with his stupidly perfect face on top.
There had been several mentions of agriculture and the importance of farmer’s markets.
By that logic Derek, the crown prince would be the best person to talk to about the aubergine fields.
He had power, influence, money.
If Titch’s stepdad wouldn’t listen to him he’d have to listen to the prince.
“Lady Langbrook, you’ve outdone yourself.”
Derek strode into the ballroom with Angel and her mother.
“It does look spectacular,” Derek agreed.
Lady Langbrook beamed.
“Decorating was always Annabelle’s thing but I thought I’d give it a try,” she said referring to her husband’s ex who had died under extremely mysterious circumstances while Lady Langbrook had been employed as the governess to Annabelle’s daughter Priscilla.
Derek turned to Angel. “Not impressed?”
Angel sighed. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”
Derek snorted. “Too late now.”
“Thanks Derek.”
“Well we must go get ready.” Angel’s mother clapped and turned around. “Lets hope everybody arrives on time. Does anyone know the whereabouts of the Lafayettes?”
“Fucking probably,” Angel muttered.
Derek chocked on his own breath.
Titch was able to sneak away from work during his break.
The farm he worked on was only a short walk from town. His own beloved fields were on the other side but they were not his destination today.
He walked down the road rehearsing what he would say in his head. He needed her to agree to his proposition or his whole plan would fail.
SLAP.
“Who are you calling old, mister?”
Old Lady Margaery stood outside her shop and glared at two mis-behaving teens who laughed as they ran away.
Titch bit back a smile.
“What’s so funny?” Old Lady Margaery asked as he approached Margaery’s shop. He knew it presented as something about herbs and plants but Titch and the whole town knew it was a facade for Margaery’s real tricks.
“Nothing,” Titch said hastily. Clearly he hadn’t hidden his smile as well as he thought he did.
Old Lady Margaery had gone back to stirring something in her cauldron inside. “Can I help you boy?”
“Uh yeah.” Titch gingerly walked up to the counter. “I need a potion.”
Old Lady Margaery reached for an orange potion on a shelf above her without looking at him.
“Not that kind of potion,” Titch said hurriedly, his face going red. “I need to be in disguise for a few hours.”
Margaery looked up at him. “For the ball?” she guessed accurately.
“Maybe,” Titch muttered.
“Who are you trying to impress?” Margaery grinned at him toothily. “There is nothing wrong with your appearance you know,” she continued more seriously. “You shouldn’t try to change into someone you’re not.”
“I know that,” Titch said quietly, embarrassed that Old Lady Margaery thought he had a self-esteem problem. “I’m not trying to impress someone,” he clarified. As if Derek would ever look at him that way. Not that Titch wanted him to. “I want to hide.”
“The mystery thickens.” Margaery waved her hands about dramatically. “I won’t pry boy but I will need payment.”
Titch sighed and handed over a bag of assorted vegetables only grown at the farm he worked at. He didn’t know if she ate them or used them for potions but whatever the answer Titch reckoned he was better off not knowing.
“Splendid.” Old Lady Margaery said looking into the bag before putting it away under the counter. “Well then..” she reached for a small purple potion and held it out to Titch. “Good luck.”
“Welcome. Thank you for coming.” Derek had shaken hands and greeted more people than he ever thought possible.
“How many people are even in this town?” He muttered to Angel once things had calmed down.
“Quite a few darling,” she whispered back. “Do you see anyone like? If you don’t end up with someone this whole night will be a waste.”
“No one yet.”
Granted most of them had been interested in Angel - that was the reason for the invite after all but Derek wasn’t giving up just yet. The night was still early.
“Daughter!”
“Here we go,” Angel muttered.
“Daughter I must introduce you to this charming young man,” Angel’s father called from halfway across the room, making their way towards them with a young man in tow.
“Who is that?” Angel asked under her breath.
“I have no idea.”
“This is John Jacob McAllister.” Angel’s father gave the man a hearty slap on the shoulder. “A tall, strong suitor for you.”
Tall was a stretch given Angel was several inches taller but Derek let it slide.
“A pleasure to meet you my lady.” John took Angel’s hand and kissed it.
Derek saw Angel’s eyebrows rise and couldn’t tell if she was impressed or amused.
“Could I entertain you with a dance my lady?” John continued.
“An excellent idea!” Angel’s father beamed and all but pushed John and Angel to the ballroom ignoring Angel’s sounds of protest.
‘Help me’ she mouthed to Derek who only laughed.
“Is something wrong?”
James and Philip stood in the foyer, in line to enter the ballroom
“What?”
“You keep staring at me,” Philip explained, fiddling nervously with his sleeves. “Is something wrong with my suit?”
“No, no,” James said quickly, looking away but glancing back almost immediately. “Stop fiddling, you look fine.”
“You look nice too.” Philip smiled slightly.
James’ face reddened.
“Thanks,” he muttered.
With no Angel to accompany him Derek wandered around the ballroom, eventually strolling down the endless corridors of this too big house to pass the time. Before long he winded up back the entrance hall where movement at the front door made him stop in the shadows.
A young man, smartly dressed hurried up the steps hesitating slightly when he got into the building as if unsure where to go before following the noise of the crowd.
Now there was a man Derek could get to know better.
Finally.
He followed the man back into the ballroom and it wasn’t long before he spotted the stranger’s blonde hair.
“Are you here for our lady Angel?”
The man starts at his voice and is even more surprised when he realises who is talking to him.
“Uh- No… No I uh-”
He was here.
Or course was here, he was why Titch came but he was here.
Derek stood in front of Titch, pleasant expression turning confused as Titch stumbled over his words.
“I wanted to talk to you actually.” Titch finally managed to get out not quite meeting Derek’s eye.
Derek raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“Well if it is an audience you seek.” He gestured to the door. “Perhaps we should go somewhere more private?”
“Good idea.” Titch could feel his cheeks turning red. This was a ridiculous idea, what was he doing?
Derek led Titch up a small staircase to the side and as they walked down corridors Titch marvelled at how big Derek’s home was.
“I doubt we’ll be disturbed in here,” Derek said opening a door and entering a small living room. He flopped down on a sofa not as regally as one might have expected. “Please excuse the mess,” Derek suddenly said, looking apologetic as he took a proper look around the room. “Angel and I come up here often, we must have forgotten to clean up last time.”
“You don’t have servants to do that for you?” Titch asked, finally sitting down next to Derek when he patted the sofa. In truth he had not noticed the mess. He had been too busy staring at Derek.
“We do, but this is our space you see. Besides it’s good to clean once in a while I think. Do you have servants?”
I am the servant.
“No, but I often clean.” Not technically a lie.
“I’m so sorry, I don’t even know your name,” Derek exclaimed. “I’m dreadful aren’t I?”
“It’s Titch.” He couldn’t help but smile.
“Hi Titch, I’m Derek.”
Derek couldn’t quite believe his luck.
Here was a very handsome man who wanted to talk to him and not a desperate woman who wanted to marry him for status.
What Titch had originally wanted to talk about Derek didn’t know but he didn’t press the matter. He didn’t want Titch to leave.
In the hours that they had been talking Derek had ended up right by Titch. He could see how they light reflected just right in his eyes so they shone gold, the freckles on his cheeks that had no doubt faded with the abysmal weather they had been having, his hair that had been slowly unravelling from its gel as the night went on.
He was perfect.
And then he laughed.
And Derek knew there was no hope for him.
“Can I kiss you?”
He didn't mean to blurt it out. He wasn’t even planning to ask, there was no way Titch would say yes.
Yet here he was asking.
His question had thrown Titch off guard, his lips parted slightly in surprise.
But then he nodded.
So Derek took Titch’s face in his hands and kissed him for all he was worth.
“Angel we must find him.”
Derek burst into into Angel’s room.
Angel shifted beneath the covers and poked her head out.
“Derek what are you doing?”
“We have to find him Angel.” Derek repeated pacing about the room, stopping only when he realised why Angel was being deliberate with her covers. “Kicked him out did you?”
“Of course,” Angel replied indignantly. “Can’t let him get too comfortable.” she gave Derek a long look. “I take it you also found someone.”
“Yes and he was perfect.”
Angel rolled her eyes. “But he slipped away from you.”
Derek looked forlorn.
“I can put an advert in the paper,” Angel offered. “Handsome man last seen canoodling with the prince wanted by Prince Derek before his pining becomes too unbearable.”
“That will take too long,” Derek muttered, resuming his pacing.
“Well then you know who you need to see.”
“Who?” Derek turning to look at Angel who raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh no Angel not her.”
“Oh yes.”
“But she’s scary,” Derek whined.
“You want to find your mystery boy or not?”
“Good morning Lady Margaery.”
“Good morning your highness.” Lady Margaery gazed up at him in suspicion. “What brings you here today?”
“I need to find someone.” Derek would start pacing again if the shop wasn’t so small. “They were at the ball last night, they disappeared before I could speak to them.”
Lady Margaery narrowed her eyes. “What did they look like?”
“Brown hair, blue eyes, kinda short…”
“Everyone is short to you Derek,” Lady Margaery interjected.
Derek half shrugged in agreement. “Maybe my age? He acted older but he looked young.”
“He hm?”
“Yes. Did I not mention that?”
“You did not.” Derek couldn’t place Margaery's tone. “And does your mystery man want to be found?”
“Yes-”
“Or have you presumed that since you are the prince he will want to see you regardless?”
“No!” Derek said indignantly. “He does want to see me.” He sounded less confident now. Titch had left in the morning.
No.
Even if Titch wanted nothing to do with him Derek deserved to hear it said to his face.
“He’ll want to see me,” Derek repeated more confidently. “You know who he is don’t you?”
Lady Margaery pursed her lips.
“I will need some form of payment,” she said, then waved her hand when Derek reached for his wallet. “No, no. I need aubergines. Freshly grown.”
Derek frowned. Where the hell was he supposed to get freshly grown aubergines from? No farms grew them as far as he was aware.
“Is there anything else-”
“The aubergines will do boy,” Lady Margaery said unrelentingly. “Good luck trying to find this man without them.”
Derek sighed and rubbed his eyes.
“Alright. I’ll come see you again with some aubergines.”
“Farewell my prince!” Lady Margaery called as he left her shop.
“Stewie thank you for coming.”
“Of course, anytime.”
“Now Lady Margaery has been around a long time so my theory is she’s referencing aubergine fields that don’t exist now but did back in the day,” Derek said gazing upon the maps of the city Stewie had brought. “Wow this is a lot.”
“Well you know I helped build this city. Helps to keep the documents when someone asks for something like this,” Stewie said proudly.
“I bet. So am I right? Did aubergine fields ever exist?”
“Let’s see here.” Stewie pulled one of the maps close to him and gestured for Derek to do the same. “It will be marked by a crude looking aubergine.”
“Naturally.”
45 minutes later…
“Found it!” Derek pointed to a collection of fields just outside of town.
“Ahhh…” Stewie pulled the map closer to him and typed something into his computer. “Yes, the Mannings. They still live there if I recall.” Derek felt hope shoot up to his chest. “Tim was the last farmer who used the fields.” Stewie continued. “Then after he died, the wife remarried and they haven’t been in use since.”
“Which is while we didn’t know about them but Lady Margaery did,” Derek muttered. “Thank you so much Stewie.”
“Happy to help Derek.”
Titch barely acknowledged the knocking on the front door until he heard the sound of Derek’s voice talking to his father.
He crept down the stairs catching a earful of their conversation.
“I’m looking for your son sir-”
Oh no.
“I’m afraid he’s out-”
That bastard.
“Derek?”
Derek looked up past his father and met Titch’s eyes.
He opened his mouth to speak when Titch pushed past his father and all but shoved Derek out the door ignoring the shouts from his father.
“What are you doing here?” Titch asked, dragging Derek out to the back where he knew they wouldn't be disturbed.
“I wanted to see you,” Derek said indignantly, clearly not expecting the manhandling.
“You left before I woke up-”
“Did you not think there was a reason for that?” Titch hissed, still uncomfortable with the fact that Derek was here.
“Did last night not mean anything to you?” Derek asked, crossing his arms.
“It’s not that I-” Titch trailed off looking away. “It’s complicated and… How did you find me anyway?”
“Lady Margaery,” Derek said simply.
“Goddamnit,” Titch muttered.
“She wouldn’t give you away,” Derek explained hurriedly. “She gave me the clue of the aubergine fields. I got our city planner to track them down and here I am. I want an explanation Titch.”
Titch sighed.
“Those are the fields you found,” he said turning and pointing down to the barren fields behind them. “They’re no longer used. It’s what I came to talk to you about actually.” Titch’s face reddened and he became nervous again. “My step-father refuses to plant on them again and since you’re so big on agriculture…”
Derek couldn’t help grin when he realised what Titch intended to do.
Cute.
“I reckon we can figure something out.”
“Really?” Titch’s eyes lit up and Derek felt his heart flutter.
“What about us? Can we figure something out there?”
Titch sighed again. “There’s a lot I haven’t told you.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” Derek said, taking Titch’s hands in his own before he lost the courage. “But if you’re into this I am too. We can make it work can’t we?”
“Fix my aubergine fields Derek Gangles.” Titch smiled slightly. It was a start. “Then I might give you a chance.”