“Tonight was fun,” Ivy said, tracing Louie’s abs beneath his shirt.
“Yes, the five minutes at the club was lovely until my brother decided to rumble,” Sedgwick said, kissing Mina’s hand.
“I said I was sorry, Sedgwick. Even though that prick deserved it. He insulted Mom.”
“Louie, people insult us every day, from the Entertainment News to internet blogs. It will never stop. We just have to deal with it. We must have control over our emotions.”
Louie sat up Indian style, staring at his brother and Mina on the couch.
“My dear Brother, you’re starting to sound like him.”
“Well good,” Sedgwick got up from Mina’s lap. “Louie, I know Dad is tough on you, but he is a good King. A King that is well-loved.”
“Are you serious? Sedgwick, Dad is a feared king. Yes, he has the world in the palm of his hands, but not by love. By manipulation and intimidation. When Mom died, there was no good left in that man.”
Sedgwick shook his head while Mina rubbed his back. But even Mina had to somewhat agree with Louie. Caius was not loved by the people at all. Sedgwick snatched the bottle out of Louie's hand.
"Hey, can I crash at your house tonight?" Christina asked Mina.
"Yeah, I’m sure my drunk of an aunt won’t mind. You know it amazes me that she couldn’t show up for my parent-teacher conferences, or high school graduation, or college graduation or to work on time, but she still manages to get home safely."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she even sets her shoes against the bed and folds up her shirt or jacket neatly and places it next to the shoes. I think Jezebel gives her the water and aspirin. It’s amazing," Mina laughed harshly.
"Look, I’m sorry," Louie said to his brother, who was staring at the picture of their family over the fireplace.
"I just want this family to be okay, Louie. That’s what Mom wanted." Louie placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, me and Dad may never be good, but you and me," Sedgwick faced him. "We're brothers till the end."
Sedgwick slowly grinned. "Yeah, we are." He patted Louie on the back and playfully shoved him.
"Hey." They turned to face Mina, who smiled at Sedgwick. "Want to get out of here?" She nodded her head in the other direction and flashed her smile.
"See ya in the morning baby brother," Sedgwick said, still gazing at Mina and passing him the bottle.
She grabbed his hand and together they walked out of the room to his bedroom. Louie took a swig of the bottle and tried to restrain himself from following them, from pushing his brother out of the way and taking Mina for himself, carrying her to his bedroom and making love to her. He’d battled with that intense urge ever since he’d reached puberty.
Once they entered his bedroom, Mina laid on the king-sized bed and Sedgwick followed. He propped his head in his hand and stared down at the girl who had stolen his heart when he was a boy.
"What’s wrong?" he asked, noticing her smile had faltered and the worried look that crossed her face.
"Nothing, just tired."
"You’re not too tired, are you?" He slid his hand under her skirt and nibbled on her ear.
She smiled to herself. "No. Not that tired." Pulling his face to hers, she pressed her lips onto his, kissing him softly. He pushed back and smiled broadly from ear to ear.
"I love you so much."
She smiled back at him. "I love you too."
Sedgwick sat up and unbuttoned his shirt, taking it off. Mina laid back admiring his muscular body and rubbed his chest. He laid on top of her and kissed her, igniting the slowly burning love between them. As they devoured each other’s love, Louie continued to let Ivy show how much she wanted him as she screamed his name while he thrusted into her hard. After a few more thrusts, he rolled off of her, laying on his back and breathing in and out.
"I guess the rumors are true," Ivy smiled.
Louie chuckled and hopped out of bed. Ivy watched in confusion as he threw his pants and dress shirt back on.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Going out."
"Out? But it’s 3 a.m.," Ivy laughed. He ignored her and threw on his shoes. "Do you want some company?"
"No, I'm good." He shut the door behind him without waiting for her to answer.
There were many things most people did not know about Louie. They saw him as the guy who didn’t have a care in the world. A guy who was selfish, mean, and spoiled. They saw what he wanted them to see, but they didn’t know the real Louie; that since he was fourteen years old, he would leave his room at night while everyone was sound asleep and drive one of the many golf carts used to drive around his family's property to the west wing where the security guards were located. Wesley waited for him there around the same time.
"Your Highness," Wesley said to him.
"Wes, it’s late. Call me by my name," Louie said and smirked.
Wesley slowly grinned. "Hey, kid."
"She’s in there?"
"Yep, the usual." Louie walked past him and entered his small bedroom where Denise Harmon, Mina's aunt, was passed out drunk in his bed.
"You need help, Sir?" Wesley asked him.
"No." Louie lifted Denise in his arms and carried her to the small vehicle.
After he settled her in, he drove to the nearest cottage where Denise resided with Jezebel and Mina. Jezebel knew when Louie would arrive. She opened the door just as he pulled up, stepping into the night air wearing her robe and nightgown.
"Louie," Jezebel said with a yawn.
"Jezebel." Louie carried Denise into the cottage and to her bedroom next to Mina's. He placed Denise in her bed, pulled off her heels and set them against the bed next to each other. He pulled off her jacket and folded it next to her shoes. He went into the kitchen and got a glass of water and the bottle of aspirin from the bathroom, setting them on her nightstand and pulling the covers over her. Once he knew she was good, he left her room and shut the door behind him.
"See ya in a couple of hours," he said to Jezebel who was waiting outside.
"See ya." She watched Louie walk to the golf cart. "Louie." He stopped and turned to face her. "You’re a good person, you know that?" Giving her a faint smile, Louie headed to the vehicle. Jezebel watched as he drove off and thought of the Louie people did not know. The Louie that only a few of them knew; the Louie that her Queen, her friend, predicted he would be. People did not know this Louie. Mina did not know of the man watching over her from afar.
Chapter 4
True
“Louie!” Jezebel called, walking into his bedroom. She had been calling him for about fifteen minutes. She walked to Louie’s bedroom window and opened the tall curtains, waking Louie with the blinding morning sun.
“Ugghh… Jesus Jezebel,” the Prince said, covering his face with his pillow.
“Get your butt up! It’s 8 o’clock,” Jezebel said, grabbing the pillow from Louie.
“And your point is?”
“My point is, wake your ass up, Your Highness,” she demanded, pulling the covers off him and leaving his room.
“You know I can have you exiled for that!”
“Please!” she laughed.
Even Louie had to grin. Jezebel was more like a second mother to them than a servant. After the Queen’s passing, Jezebel did not know what the future would hold for her because the King didn’t see a need for her, but Sedgwick and Louie begged their father to keep her as a maid and caretaker for them. Not wanting to be bothered by Louie, Caius agreed.
+
Louie in his pajama pants and long black robe entered the kitchen where his brother and Mina were already sitting and enjoying the breakfast Elsa, their chef, had made.
“Good morning, Brother,” Sedgwick greeted Louie.
“Morning,” Louie said, cracking a sleepy grin as he stared at the food prepared for him. “Yes Elsa! She always knows what to do,” Louie said. His breakfast consisted of pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and cheese egg
s, with a tall glass of orange juice. She called it the “LB,” or “Louie Breakfast,” as it’s always been his favorite, and he ate it all.
“Good morning, Mina,” Louie said in his usual happy mood when breakfast was served.
“Louie,” Mina said sternly.
“These protestors are unbelievable, did you see this?” Sedgwick said, passing him the tablet. Louie glanced at an article describing protesters demanding a higher minimum wage pay and calling Caius a careless tyrant. Louie skimmed it and continued his breakfast.
“Nobody got hurt, Sedgwick,” Mina said.
“It doesn’t matter, Mina. They are disrespecting Dad and his position; they’re supposed to respect their King,” Sedgwick told her.
“Well yeah, they should, but at the same time, they are not his submissives. They’re people, and taxes have gone up for the lower class but not for the rich,” Mina informed him. Louie loved how Mina voiced her opinion, even in the King’s house.
“Are you serious right now?” Sedgwick was shocked at Mina.
“Listen, who cares? Like she said, nobody got hurt and I’m pretty sure Father will take care of it,” Louie said, cutting the tension between the two lovers.
“Well, of course you wouldn’t care,” Mina said.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Louie cocked his head, shocked at her attitude this morning.
“What’s going on?” the King entered the dining hall before Mina could answer.
“Dad, look at this,” Sedgwick said, giving the tablet to his father.
“I saw it already, Son. Don’t worry. Their whining won’t make it any better for them.”
“No, but cheaper health insurance would,” Louie commented under his breath while eating his breakfast. Mina couldn’t help but smile at that comment. Caius walked over to Louie while he was eating and hovered over him.
“So what happened to your face?” he asked, referring to the cut above his eyebrow.
“Rough night,” Louie said, still eating.
Everybody in the room could sense it. One of the bodyguards from last night had told what happened at the club, and every news station and gossip rag had reported it, along with pictures of Louie punching the guy from last night on social media.
The King grabbed Louie by the back of the neck. Louie dropped his fork, holding on to the table as his father sunk his grip into his neck.
“Disrespect and embarrass this family again and you will live to regret it. Do you understand me?” Caius unleashed his grasp of Louie’s neck.
“I’m heading to the office. Good luck in the match, Sedgwick,” Caius said to his son who was in his polo gear for today’s match. Caius adjusted his cufflinks and grabbed his suit jacket before leaving the room. Louie continued eating while clenching his jaw, trying to keep his composure. He wasn’t going to let Caius ruin his breakfast. Sedgwick stared at his brother with sympathy. He had become immune to his father’s rude treatment of his little brother, but guilt stayed with him, thinking of his mother’s last words to him: “You have to protect Louie, from anyone, even your father. In return, he will protect you. That is what big brothers do.” But at times, Sedgwick felt more like he was the little brother and Louie was the older one when it came to standing up to their father.
+
Everyone cheered when Sedgwick scored a point for the team. He rode his horse around the arena as the paparazzi snapped photos of the Crown Prince. Mina watched from the crowd in her white backless sundress. Louie, who had been busy flirting with waitresses in sailor uniforms, walked up behind her and stood next to her. He wore his Ray ban sunglasses to cover his tired eyes and blue dress pants with a white button up and black suspenders. The shirt was buttoned all the way to the top and was fitted so you could see his muscles. Most girls noticed and swooned, but Mina just rolled her eyes when she saw him.
“Enjoying the match?”
“I was.”
“Aww, don’t be like that.”
“What do you want, Louie?”
“Nothing, I’m just here at this lovely event, watching my big brother reign in victory. You know I never really got polo. It’s so boring, it’s an insult to boredom, along with golf.” Mina rolled her eyes and Louie continued.
“So, what’s been up with you lately? You seem more hormonal than usual.”
“No, Louie. I always get the sudden urge to punch you in the face.”
“True, very true.”
“Don’t you have some poor, helpless, naïve debutante to deflower or something?”
“Come on Mina, I’m shocked. You know I’m more generous than that. I don’t just deflower them. There are some that only need an education in the art of sex. I don’t know what your problem is, but at least be mature,” Louie smirked and arched his brow.
“Oh really? Me be mature? What about you?” Mina snapped back.
“What about me? I haven’t done anything to you.”
“You get on my nerves, that’s what you do, and you need to chill, because Sedgwick is worried about you.”
“Sedgwick is always worried about me.”
“Yeah, and you know I really don’t get why, because clearly, you don’t care.”
“Aw, are you jealous your boyfriend isn’t giving his full attention to you?”
“Seriously, Louie? We’ve known each other for how long? And that’s all you can come up with? You and I both know that the only thing you care about is yourself and pissing off Caius.”
“The last part is definitely true.”
“You know what? Just lay off, okay, because everything you do affects Sedgwick. And what affects Sedgwick affects me, and I will be damned if your idiot behavior damages my relationship.”
“Oh don’t worry. I’ll be leaving here soon. I’m not needed here.”
“You are right about that. No one needs you here. All you do is create problems.”
Louie glared at her through his shades. Who was she to talk to him like that? She had no idea who he was and what he cared about; the fact that she would judge and insult him with no care stirred his rage. He took off his sunglasses and stood in front of her, lashing out the only way he knew how to when it came to her.
“You know what, Mina? What do you think is going to happen when it’s time for my brother to become the leader of this country anyway? You really think he’s going to make you his Queen? My father may have let Sedgwick keep you around this long, but as soon as the day comes that he’s King, you’re out and that’s that. My father is all about tradition. He will not let his son, the future King of Serenity, take the hand of a common girl in marriage. Even if I devoted my life to wrecking havoc in your relationship, it won’t be me that damages it, because it was doomed from the start. You will always just be the poor girl who kept his bed warm until he married a rich socialite who is more fit to be Queen.” Why did he say things like that to her? Mina gaped at him and her eyes glistened from his foul words. She quickly recovered, not wanting to give Louie the satisfaction of her tears. She looked at him with anger and disgust.
“Thank you, Louie,” she spoke calmly and quietly. “Thank you for proving your father right. You are nothing,” Mina stated, storming off.
Louie was sorry he had said that. He didn’t think it was true. He knew his brother and that he loved Mina, and that one day Mina would be Queen and stand by his brother. He thought she would make an excellent queen. She was the truest thing Louie had ever known. But his lies were more hurtful to her than anything.
+
Mina slid her dress back on. Sedgwick came up behind her wearing only his riding pants. He put his arms around her waist and kissed her shoulder, soaking up the pleasure they just experienced after the match in the middle of a field on the royal property.
“You okay?” he asked, noticing her strained face.
“Yeah, I’ve just been really stressed out lately.”
“You seemed upset after the match.”
“Yeah, well you helped clear that up.” Min
a turned around and threw her arms over his shoulders, kissing him.
“Well, I’m always glad to do that,” he spoke against her lips.
Mina paused and flashed back to what Louie had said earlier. As much as she hated what he said, she feared he was right.
She leaned back to look him in the eyes. “Sedgwick, do you love me?”
“What?” Sedgwick stared at her, shocked she would ask that. “Mina, of course I love you. I have loved you since I was thirteen years old, probably before that.”
“I love you, too,” Mina said comforted by his words.
“What is this about?” Sedgwick asked.
“What are you going to do when you become King? Take me as your Queen? Your dad won’t stand for that. Hell, I don’t even know if I want to be Queen.”
Sedgwick placed his hands on Mina’s face, focusing her attention on him. “Mina, it doesn’t matter, my dad knows I love you. When the time comes, we will work it out. I promise you that. There is a future for us.”
Mina smiled nervously and knew if there was any perfect time to tell him, it was now. She inhaled slowly, then exhaled. Before she knew it, she blurted out the truth that had been hiding inside her for two weeks.
“I’m pregnant.”
Chapter 5
Imagine My World
“Come on Sedgwick, focus!” Louie urged, while his brother bent down to catch a breath. The brothers practiced shooting two hours a day at the gun range and the studio where they practiced their fencing. Even though Serenity was at peace with all countries, they could never be sure, and as the sons of the King, they were expected to join the army if there was ever a war to be fought.
“So, you need a break, huh? Daddy’s boy needs a break?” Louie teased.
“AHHH!” Sedgwick yelled, raising his sword. Louie blocked it and punched his brother in the stomach. Louie acted like he didn’t care about helping his brother be a King, but he did. He wanted his brother to be a great king, and better than their father, so if that meant he had to tease him a little to bring out his anger, he did. Louie didn’t know why Sedgwick wasn’t concentrating.
The Kindness of Kings Page 5
