Chapter 1
The sounds of heels echo through the empty hall leading to the king’s bedroom at the end of it. In the dining room is Galedon’s royal council and the Kings family, the group waiting patiently for the king to join them for breakfast. This would mark his first day of ruling; this entire week will keep him busy.
“Oh, your royal laziness!” the royal adviser muses as he opens the door, “Everyone’s waiting for you in the dining hall.”
A groan rises from under the blanket followed by movement, silence soon filling the room.
“Alright.” the adviser sighs before walking next to the bed then flopping back-first on it, the person underneath grunting.
“Will you wake up now, Barin?”
“Get the fuck off me, Winnie!”
Winston grins with a giggle then rolls off the bed, Barin soon emerging from under the thick blanket. His hair sticks out in all directions and his bangs cover his eyes, dried drool next to the corner of his frown.
“You look ruff!” the shorter coos, “Come on! We’ve got to fix you up!”
Barin grunts then shakes his hair with his hands, Winston’s eyes widening in disbelief as he watches the curls return and rest against the mattress beneath the taller.
“Why do you have a brush in your bed,” the shorter asks as he watches the blonde fix his hair, he tossing it on a nearby table when he finishes.
“Am I the only one that wasn’t awake?”
“Yes,” Winston answers, “Everyone’s waiting for the king.”
“They could’ve started eating without me,” Barin says as he gets out of bed, not wearing his night clothes. Winston averts his eyes, “Please put some clothes on.”
“Oh, but Winnie,” the taller grins slyly, “now we’re even. I’ve seen you naked and now you know what I look like without clothes.”
“And I pale in comparison. Please get dressed so you can put that beast away.”
“What,” Barin turns his body to Winston then puts his hands on his hips, “jealous?”
“Now I know why the village women clung to you.” the shorter walks towards the door, “I’ll be waiting outside your door when you’ve finished getting dressed.”
~
“Brother,” Odis sighs, “only robes and your pants? That isn’t very kingly.”
“It’s early in the morning.” Barin huffs before taking his seat at the head of the table, Winston sitting at the corner near him. Breakfast is brought in and everyone begins to eat, Morgan clearing his throat.
“Your Highness,” he begins, “I would like to discuss your wedding plans while we eat.”
“I don’t need to get married,” Barin states before nodding his head towards Winston, “I have him.”
“What about an heir,” Madris asks as she puts her cup down. Barin, “We can hold another competition for the throne.”
“Don’t be like that,” Winston huffs, “and what’s with all this ‘I have Winston’ stuff?”
“Remember when I asked you about what Barin would do without you,” Odis asks the younger before drinking from his cup, Winston huffing.
“That has nothing to do with our current situation. Barin,” he turns to the taller, “as your royal adviser, I suggest you at least look into getting a queen. I’ll still be here if you marry.”
“But the idea of being tied to one person for the rest of my life is terrifying, especially someone I don’t want to be with.”
“You could have concubines,” Jeffery suggest, “the kingdom in the north’s king does.”
“I think Barin would enjoy having multiple wives!” Winston teases, “He always bounced around from one woman to the next when we were teens.”
“I’ll gut you.” Barin threatens as the shorter chuckles with a grin. Morgan, “We can discuss the topic at a later date. For today, you will be looking through some of the laws and altering them where ever you see fit. After that, some designers would like to consult with you about redesigning the throne room. Afterward, we will discuss the competition for the kingdom’s Dukes.”
“Dukes,” Winston and Barin ask at the same time.
“Yes,” Madris answers, “The Dukes will serve as mini-rulers in Galedon’s major cities. They’ll help your job of being king easier. Winston will be in charge of making sure none of them step out of line.”
Morgan, “Looking through the laws will take up most of your day and the events that take place after will leave you with no breaks. Don’t forget that you have Winston and the council if you need help with anything.
“ALMOST anything,” Winston adds, Barin giving him a disapproving look.
“Sodomy isn’t allowed,” he states.
“That never stops anyone.” the shorter huffs, “Besides, you’re about to change the rules. Who knows what you’ll do.”
“I’ll kill you, that’s what I’ll do.”
“Wah!” Winston covers his eyes, “I’m so scared!”
“Alright, you two.” Mr. Kings huffs, “You’re the new faces of Galedon. Please attempt to act mature.”
“The new faces of Galedon are two children.” Jeffery mumbles.
~
The afternoon sun is minutes away from the evening, the clouds scarce in the sky.
Winston slowly opens the door to the large study, Barin sitting at a desk covered in papers. There are two piles, Winston guessing that ones the rules the taller’s changed and the other one isn’t.
“You,” he closes the door then walks towards him, “need anything?”
“One of the maids is bringing me a cup of water,” he says softly without looking away from the paper, dipping his quill in ink then writing something down. Winston stands next to the blonde with his hands behind his back, quietly watching him.
“It’s weird when you’re quiet.” Barin complains, the shorter laughing softly.
“I don’t want to disturb you when you look this focused. I only came to check up on you.”
“Thank you,” Barin says, sighing as he puts the quill in the small ink jar.
“I need a break.”
“You won’t get any breaks for a long while,” Winston says as he puts a hand on Barin’s shoulder, “welcome to being a newly crowned king.”
The taller huffs, “Thanks,” he says sarcastically before going back to work.
