Tale of Four

The days passed slowly for Tristan. Mostly, he would spend time with Edmund helping with his studies or sparring. During most of them, Mary was there, hiding it but watching Tristan, the King’s Guard, ever by her side, not watching the boy he was meant to be training, but over Mary, treating Tristan like a potential threat.

Although Brandon said he would be watching him going forward, Tristan could tell this was separate from his claims. Instead, his life that was spent in the background watching the Palace had changed. Servants hushed up when he entered a room, going silent even if he wasn’t close, Annabell unable to hear a thing. Eyes followed him from dark corners only to vanish when he turned to find them. Every part of the Palace cold greys felt as if they had eyes, slowly focused on him, watching and waiting for a moment when he would step out of line.

The only place that had become a safe space was his room, or the one time Elias and Mabel came to find him, formalising their plan at the tournament. Edumund looked to his friend, who hunched into himself, trying to be invisible, and smiled, slamming his book shut to awaken Tristan from his mood.

”You have been dazed for a few days now, Tristan. What’s wrong?” Edmund asked, the book slamming shut, making the gazes vanish as Mary’s gaze darted around the room, ordering the watchers to back off.

”It’s nothing.” Coolly lying, he smiled towards Edmund. He didn’t need to drag Edmund down with him. The boy didn’t deserve it, nor did it accomplish anything other than angering his mother and father. He had wondered how Edmund had yet to notice the people watching, and sighed internally. ’He needs to be more perspective. Even if he feels safe under Mary’s watch when he is a Lord, that will be gone.’

Debating whether to give his warning, he chose not to, understanding that it was soemthing that Edmund had to realise for himself. He was sure that Mary or Lord Wells would eventually do it anyway if he failed to.

”You’re really bad at lying, Tristan,” Edmund said with a grin. ’For someone so oblivious, he’s observant when it comes to me.’ Despite his thoughts, he felt a warmth in his chest at Edmund’s words.

”I’m just thinking about the tournament.” The lie flowed like silk, ”I have been thinking and have decided there is a lady I wish to dance with. I’m just scared she may poke my eyes out if I ask her.” His fears were real. Even if Mabel enjoyed talking to him as they played their mind games with one another, he knew that was all. The idea of dancing was a boundary that was a step too far.

Edmund looked at him and chuckled, a grin sitting beneath it, ”You have a lady you’re interested in.” Edmund looked to his mother, who stepped back and sighed, seeing that her son didn’t want her to overhear the conversation between the boys. ”I would have thought you fancied men. After all, there are many pretty ladies in court, and you have never looked at them.”

’I’m always watching, though...’ Tristan said to himself, happy that even if someone like Brandon saw through his actions, most people couldn’t. His pride in his abilities had been hurt ever since it felt like everyone knew what he was doing. Shaking his head, he replied, ”And when have I ever looked at men, Edmund. I am no sinner.” Edmund laughed that his teasing actually got a response.

”I’m messing with you, cousin. Anyway, who is this lady?” Edmund said, leaning closer, wondering which person could make his cousin, whom he had known to keep to himself, turn his head.

Tristan thought for a moment before smiling with an equally teasing intent, ”You can find out on the day. If you guess correctly, however, I will tell you.”

”The Princess.” Edmund instantly said, making Tristan grin twitch. From the corner of his eye, he saw Mary look at him as she held a conversation with Sir Titus. Edmund laughed, seeing he guessed right, ”It’s obvious. The only woman I have ever heard you speak to who will be at the tournament is the Princess. The servants who go haven’t been decided, and you haven’t told me of anyone you write to nor any courtiers you speak to.”

”Edmund, we have spoken twice. One of them was during a spar no less.” His lies flowed again, hiding the true extent of his meeting with Mabel and Elias. Edmund rolled his eyes.

”And now you all of a sudden have a woman you wish to dance with. Besides, you said the lady might poke your eyes out. Cousin Mabel is a fierce person who I could see doing that.” Tristan found his face going stiff as he sighed and rubbed the back of his head. Even if Edmund was a person who had no care for the Palace, he was still a future Lord. It wasn’t a surprise if he heard things happening around the Palace from people currying favour.

”Just drop it, please. I siad I wish to dance with her, not that I will. I know my place.” Edmund shrugged and grabbed the glass of water by his side, taking a sip.

”Okay. Anyway, have you decided if you will take part in any events during it? I know you won’t fight, but what about the other things, like the chess matches and debates? I feel you would be quite good at those.” Tristan leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

”No. I prefer to watch. Besides, I don’t think I can hold a candle to some of the lords in the realm. I would rather save myself from the embarrassment.”

”You’re doing it again.” Edmund said with annoyance, ”Why are you always putting yourself down to look small. I may carry the name Wells, but you don’t. You’re a Cosmaton Tristan, and stars shine bright, filling the void, not cowering in it.” Tristan looked into the boy’s earnest eyes that burrowed deep into him, making all his grievances with how he spoke about himself clear.

”The light that guides all.” Repeating the family’s motto, he bitterly chuckled, ”It should only be reserved for the King. Not the entire family.”

”I don’t think so. Even the King requires his family’s help. Look at his Grace and the Chancellor. The sky isn’t home to one star but a cluster, each one a different guide for different people.” Edmund said with a bright smile. Looking at it, Tristan chuckled to himself and shook his head. Even if he found Edmund childish and ignorant sometimes, there were moments of wisdom that seemed to shine through under all of it.

”You’re right. But still, I don’t want to be that star, Edmund. You know this.” Edmund’s bright smile fell.

”But if you decide to come with me when I succeed my father, I want you to be that star. I know my limits, Tristan, and I would love it if you helped me. It’s kinda funny if you think about it. Water is Life and the Light that guides all. It’s a perfect fit for our two family mottos, wouldn’t you say?” Edmund said with a small smile.

”You should be a philosopher, Edmund. I think your writings would spread far.” Edmund chuckled and shook his head. ”Anyway, I’m still undecided on what I wish to do in the future. I have my wants, but reality is different.”

”Then.” Mary’s fan snapped shut as she interrupted their conversation when she found an opening, ”Have you decided what that would be. As my son said, you could be a steward. A merchant. Mecenary or join the clergy.”

Tristan’s thin fake smile formed, ”It is for His Grace to decide if I cannot choose myself.”

”Yes, but my brother is fair, Tristan. If he requires your services, he will ask you what you believe yourself most suited for.” Mary said, her gaze looking deep into his own. ”Who knows, my words might reach him.”

”If I had to follow my duty for the family.” Tristan paused, able to tell it was a test, ”I would say a steward. After all, I have no experience as a merchant, cannot fight well and have no true love for the Gods.”

”That borders of blasphemy, Tristan,” Mary said, her voice slightly colder than usual.

”I honour and worship them, but my love is hollow. After all, if I truly loved them, why would I still live in sin?” Tristan answered, never losing his thin smile, ”Can someone really claim to love the Gods when they do?”

Mary’s gaze narrowed as she opened her fan once more and held it up, ”A debate for the clergy and philosophers.” Her gaze shifted to Edmund, ”Come, we must begin your training with your summon. If you would excuse my son, dear nephew.”