Chapter 169 - You

Delaney didn't think Mason was probably in any shape to be in the King's court but she didn't bother trying to tell him that. He was dressed somewhat haphazardly with his shirt fairly wrinkled and breeches with a hole in them. His eyes were also bloodshot and the smell of alcohol drifted around him like a cloud.

Right before he was about to leave the room she grabbed his wrist and pulled him over to a table where a bowl of water waited. She told him to splash some on his face and he did so. Delaney then used the water to try to tame his golden locks into a more presentable appearance.

"It doesn't matter what I look like," he sighed as she fussed over him, "I'm the prince. Royal blood tends to trump the rest."

"No one will take you seriously if you go out like this, including your brother," Delaney rolled her eyes, "Besides it's not good for anyone for you to appear in court looking like a drunkard."

"If I am to become a drunkard it will be because the King pushed me to it."

-

Once he looked the best they could manage, Delaney released Mason to go off to speak to Daniel on their behalf. He paused before leaving the room and held out his arm to Ilona. She hesitated, looking to Delaney who smiled encouragingly. The woman took the arm of the Prince and when Mason's eye met Delaney's, he winked and grinned.

Ian held his arm out to escort Delaney but she saw he was frowning after his sister and Mason as they were heading towards the door. She chuckled and took his arm, not really able to blame him for being concerned. Mason's reputation with women was well-known. Then again, if anyone found out it was a pirate on his arm it might be his reputation at risk.

The Prince led the way and they all followed. Crowds parted for him and watched intrigued at the group he was with. Women were jealous of the stunning woman he was with and men were jealous she wasn't with them. Delaney and Ian also didn't go unnoticed. The tall, handsome, foreign man with the beautiful duchess on his arm. The nobles were all dying to know what was going on.

The guards scrambled to open the doors of the throneroom as Mason approached and the servant didn't have time to announce him before he swept in, effectively announcing himself. Everyone turned to him and bowed as he entered but he ignored them, scanning the crowd for the King.

"Where is my brother?" he demanded of the nearest nobleman.

"He's in the room beyond, your majesty," the man answered, pointing to the door Delaney and the others had passed through earlier to have their private meeting with the King, "The Queen is with him I believe, and the Duke of Edgewood."

"Thank you," Mason nodded and turned to head for the door as the man stared after him with a judgemental look.

Ilona had to be quick to keep up with his sudden movements and Delaney and Ian were also hurrying so they weren't left behind. Mason walked straight to the door, brushed past the servant trying to stop him, and pushed it open. Ilona tried to stop, uneasy about bursting into a room where the King was having a private meeting, but Mason didn't slow down so she had to continue or chance falling.

Delaney and Ian also hesitated outside the door for a moment but ended up walking in as well. Ian turned to close the door behind them so they wouldn't be overheard. They were all aware Mason wasn't quite himself and no one wanted to cause a scene.

Daniel frowned when he saw his younger brother sweep into the room unannounced. He might have been annoyed but Sophia wore her extreme displeasure clear on her face for all to see. Vincent stood when they entered, as was proper, but the last person who was a member of this private meeting, Anna, did not move other than to look their way.

"Mason," Sophia spoke coldly, "How lovely of you to grace us all with an appearance. Did Delaney manage to pull you away from a bottle of wine?"

"No Sophia, she actually had to come pull me out of a particularly pleasurable young maid's bed," Mason smirked and watched both the Queen and her twin's eyes light up with fury.

Delaney paled and looked around the group worriedly.

"I assure you I did no such thing," Delaney corrected quickly, shaking her head, "Ian, Ilona, and I all went together to say hello to the Prince before we left."

"It's alright Delaney," the Queen assured her with a kind look, "We know you wouldn't be involved in such nonsense. As always, Mason just seeks to shock everyone for attention."

"Oh no I'm already getting more attention than I care for, from you especially" Mason replied sharply, "You see I'd rather be completely forgotten than have to marry your horrible sister."

"Mason!" Daniel shouted.

"Don't worry Mace," Anna spoke up then with a curled lip, "Once we're married and produce an heir no one will have any use for you anymore so you truly will be forgotten. By your family. By your friends. And by your people."

Delaney saw Mason swallow as he glared at the venomous woman. He had nothing to reply to that though. Delaney knew she had managed to stab a dagger into one of his most private insecurities. She had only discovered it over their summer together and several long talks. As the second-born prince, he had no real use except to create an heir if Daniel wasn't able to. Otherwise, he would be forgotten to history as anything more than a lonely branch on a family tree.

"That's enough," Daniel said seriously, bringing the argument to an end too late. Anna's cold words had already gone too far. Mason would be haunted by them.

"What did you come here for Mace?" the King asked his brother now, "You look like a bath and sleep might do you some good."

Mason still held the gaze of the smirking, cruel twin but hearing his brother address him, he slowly turned to look his way.

"I need to speak to you," he said almost quietly, the energy and excitement that had been there only moments ago now gone from him.

"Alright," Daniel nodded, "Come sit. We can talk..."

"Alone," Mason cut him off.

"Alone?" Daniel repeated with raised eyebrows, "Why?"

"Because I want to speak to my brother... and it seems I can only reach him when his wife isn't around."

"I won't be going anywhere!" Sophia snapped, "I am the Queen here!"

Daniel raised a hand to silence her and she fell quiet but didn't turn her cold gaze from the Prince. Mason's expression was back to the hopeless one he had worn when Delaney had spoken to him about his upcoming marriage. His brother studied him and after a moment, nodded.

"Sophia dear, why don't you take Anna and go pick out your gowns for the feast coming up."

"What?" Sophia looked at him in shock, "Are you really going to send us away because he demands it? I am your wife!"

"I know," Daniel looked at her apologetically, "But he didn't demand it. He asked for it as my brother and as his, I will give him this."

Sophia's expression was a mixture of disbelief and rage but she got to her feet and held her hand out to her twin. Anna took it and together they walked towards the door, cold eyes remaining on the prince until they passed him.

Delaney's heart was racing and she feared her involvement with Mason had just made her an enemy of the Queen. When Sophia came to her however she paused and gave her a quick embrace.

"Come have tea with us soon," she smiled kindly.

"And bring your beautiful friend," Anna added smirking, looking over her shoulder at Ilona who was watching them with worry.

"Of course," Delaney agreed quickly, "I will."

With that, the sisters left, closing the door behind them. As soon as they were gone, Mason walked forward to the couches and let Ilona sit but left the spot next to her open. He walked over and sat on the lone chair across from his brother.

"Should we go as well?" Ian asked cautiously, unsure what to do after the outburst when they entered. Delaney stood with him, not really sure herself either.

"I have nothing to say that can't be said amongst friends," Mason answered, gesturing for Ian to take the open seat beside his sister.

Delaney went to her husband and sat down next to him. She immediately felt relief being at his side again. They all turned expectantly, waiting to hear what the royal brothers would discuss.

"What are the terms from the King of the Red Lands?" Mason asked his brother without a preamble.

Daniel looked unhappily between the three that had come here with him. They all shrunk back under his gaze.

"As I've said, I don't wish to discuss it."

"I know," Mason nodded, "But Ian is a very good friend of mine and so is his father and many of his siblings. The man who's been taken, Isaac, is a good man I know well. He doesn't deserve to be forgotten in a dungeon."

"I have no doubt that that is true," Daniel agreed, "But I can't go forward with these terms. I can't give that King what he asks for."

"And what is that Danny? Why can't you tell me? You're the King but I am still the Prince. These are our people. Obviously, if it is something that will bring them harm I would never stand against you in turning down the deal."

Daniel watched his brother seriously for a moment before turning away. He wore the large ruby ring of the King on his finger and now he twisted it around while he thought. At last, he took out the letter from inside his vest and unfolded it slowly. He read over it once more before looking up at Mason again.

"I can't agree to the terms because what he's asking for I can't give him," he said quietly.

Mason frowned in confusion, "You're the King. What could he possibly ask for that you can't give him?"

Daniel sighed and held out the letter to his younger brother.

"You."