In Line

My sister was displeased, to say the least. She didn't care that we had our get together at a time when there was a killer somewhere in the kingdom. She was upset by the choice of guests we invited into our home.

"You allowed strangers into the castle," she argued.

"The Reeves vetted them, everyone was and is safe," Louis debated still with a light tone.

"This isn't about safety," Sky continued.

"Then what is this about, they weren't from The Splint, they were good people," I said.

"Good people? A knight from a foreign kingdom, a scientist who's only major success is a slightly brighter light than candles, a winch looking for a crown, and perhaps the worst is the literal circus perform. Does either of you want to be king? Do you care about the reputation of the crown at all," Sky flew off without holding her tongue.

"Sky, you're looking at this too deeply, a few unique guests aren't going to give the kingdom a bad reputation," Louis said.

"But would you care if they did," she quickly retorted.

"Of course, I'd care. God, you act as though you're the only one fit to wear a crown, but you're so detached from everything," my brother exclaimed.

"I would keep our people safe. I would make sure our family name stood with honor unblemished by scandal and rumor," she said.

"You would keep our people scared and soulless under the military's boot. We wanted to have some fun, something you should learn to do Sister," Louis insulted our sister if only on the back end.

"Sky, this isn't a battle, you don't need to guard us against life," I said.

"And I suppose you think you'd be a better ruler as well, even after the events of the past days?" She questioned me with the same disapproval she granted Louis.

"I don't want to rule anything, but if I did, I wouldn't let fear stop us from living. We could have waited to have our guests, but no one is going to die or rebel against the Kingdom over my first kiss, our family name is still good," I rested my case hoping it was enough to end our feuding.

How we managed to get so far from unity was a mystery, but I knew it started with a choice I made days before such a conversation erupted.

Four guests, each unique in their own right, and they were there for me. I made my decision in a unique shallow way. Santo was the most "out of place" guest,  but he was also the easiest to approach.

My brother took the others on a tour of the castle, leaving me with the inventor.

"So, I'm the first to be looked over, am I?" Santo joked as I returned to his side.

"Looked over?" I questioned his choice of words.

"Inspected, your brother was vague in his description of what you wanted from each of us, but he made it clear we were brought here for an opportunity to get closer to you," he said.

"And that's something you want? You are here after all," I inquired.

"I haven't made up my mind," he said.

Santo was no stranger to working with royals, but his coy attitude was unexpected.

"I am a prince of the kingdom you serve, do you mean to tell me I still require stipulation," I said.

"There have been many kings and queens, and a good many of them have proven vetting is always necessary," he spoke without filter, and it was refreshing if not shocking.

"And what have you concluded about me thus far?" I questioned his scales.

"You are nowhere near abrasive as your brother, and your willingness to speak with me at all makes you a different animal than your biased aristocratic sister," he answered.

I was stunned. Was he so truthful he could not lie, or was he a fool testing my limits?

"Am I wrong?" He asked with modest pressure.

There was a nice chemistry brewing between us. He didn't seem intimidated by my title, and that perhaps allowed us to speak without red lines to avoid. Out of respect for my siblings, I couldn't answer his question, though I believed we both knew what my answer might have been. As waters ran warmer, I thought it best to simmer.

We sat to eat lunch.

The cook made quite the spread, all of which was to my taste, vegetarian. Santo was such a lithe figure I felt cruel for withholding his chance at a real royal feast with meat cooked fresh and artisanal.

"I apologize. I can have them bring something filling," I proposed.

"No need, I'm a vegetarian," he said to which my eyes lit up.

The kingdom of Fae was open to many things, be it culture or lifestyle. I was sitting with another male at the table after all, but the choice to abstain from the consumption of meat was new to most. Few people knew it by name, and even fewer had the will to try it long term. It made sense why Santo was so lean.

"I've never met another soul who could survive without meat, are you trying to impress me," I joked.

"It's not by choice. I can't eat anything living," he informed me.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I haven't had meat since I was a boy. I don't miss it," he said.

"It's still such a rarity. You must require many meals to make up for what you can't have."

"Meals are rare," he said.

"You're not poor, are you?" I questioned bluntly.

"No. Not at all. I've invented a way to go long periods without food, it's a special drink of mine," he said with no sign of hurt pride after I called his status into question.

"It's amazing how you make these new things. King Father always said I had a brain, but you," I chuckled, "you know how to use yours."

"I'm nothing special. It takes a hundred failures to come close to a single invention worth use."

That might have been the first instance of doubt I witnessed from Santo. His inventions were a soft spot, a sensitive subject, or perhaps the heart of the man.

"But you keep trying don't you," I said.

"I suppose so."

He turned away from me, but it wasn't from shame.

"I have to say; you're not what I expected," he said.

While he watched the castle guards, I watched him. Our food was going cold, but something else was feeding our hunger.

"What were you expecting?"

"Not this. Royals are always set in their ways, closed off, or don't care for what the common people they rule over have to say, but you seem more interested in what I do than the people who hire me," he said.

The people who hired him were King Father and Queen Mother.

"We don't all see science and innovation as witchcraft and black magic," I joked as I stood from my seat.

There was a pause, but it was good. I joined Santo on his side of the table, and for a brief moment, no words needed to be said as we shared a smile and equal comfort. Sips of wine and daylight made the air aflutter.

"Would you like to see my workshop," Santo broke the silence to offer.

"Right now?"

"Unless you're done with me," he joked.

My brother was keeping everyone else occupied, so I was free to leave, but I was uneasy. I never left the castle without my brother or sister. Still, there was a good wind in the air, and I threw caution to it.

I debated with myself on taking royal guards, but it felt to heavy a garb for the moment. As we walked the cobblestone streets, I lacked the feeling of fear. I was overcome by the banquet of foreign sights I'd never seen for myself. Little things like shops and parks. Fae was an old kingdom in the sand, and many of its buildings were lush with overgrowth and the most unpredictable beauties. And of course, there were the things I could have gone without seeing like the many homeless, and the decrepit state of land still untouched after the war of The Mad King generations before my time.

Santo and I finally arrived after a walk outside of time. His workshop was a small little house hidden away in a wooded area similar to an oasis. We were so far from the castle, and it started to set in just how long our walk took. The sun was beginning to grow low as he unlocked the doors to his home, and we stepped inside.

"It's not much, but it's mine," he said.

From front to back and top to bottom, all my eyes could see were wood and metal forming the most elaborate things. Such things that I did not understand. I appreciated the sight greatly.

"It's beautiful," I said.

As the sun's light fell, it became a challenge to see until he pulled a lever, and lights illuminated everything. Where to begin? I'm sure that was the question on our minds at the time. He took my hand in his and pulled me into the weaving of beautiful madness.

"This is my life; this is what I do," he explained.

It was more than what he did. It was who he was.

"I can only imagine what your home must look like if this is your workshop," I teased.

"This is my home, or it will be when I can afford to buy it from the owner," he admitted dismissively.

"The owner?"

"He's a nice man, let's me conduct my experiments how I wish as long as I don't burn the place down," he joked.

"But where do you sleep, where do you eat?" I pestered out of curiosity.

He showed me to a wall in the corner of the room and pulled another lever. Right before my eyes, everything sank into the floor and the walls. It turned from a workshop to a bedroom.

It was a less impressive sight. Perhaps even a sadder sight.

"You sleep here, in this small place?"

There seemed to be more space when it was full of machines, tables, and chemicals.

"We can't all afford gold-encrusted castles, your highness," he said.

"I didn't mean it that way."

It was almost depressing. At least as a workshop, the many inventions that took up space made the room feel like a marvel, but with only a bed and wardrobe, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I knew when our day ended, I would return to a castle, but he would stay in that place. King Father once said, "never pity a man who has less, but don't assume he wants what they lack." If Santo was happy, then I had no reason not to be. That didn't make it a simple thought to sit well with, but I tried.

"It's getting late, I think I should be getting home," I said

"Before you go, let me give you something," Santo said with warmth.

He went over to his bed and pulled a wooden box from under its frame. He took from the box a small rod-like thing made of metals and glass.

"This is a light similar to what is now in the castle. You can carry it with you," he said.

He gave it to me, and I found it was relatively easy to use with only a simple switch to turn it on and off. But it was strange.

"Why is it blue?" I asked as I shined the halo around the room.

"Different chemicals, and special glass," he said, watching me.

I believe he wore a bigger smile than I. Watching me use his invention might have been a joy greater for him than my actual use of the marvel.

"Well, thank you, but I didn't bring anything to give you," I said.

"Just say you won't forget me when you return home."

"I believe I can do that," I said as I shut the light off.

I didn't know if it was right to hug him or kiss him good night. We stood so close to one another; either option was viable. Unfortunately, I was inexperienced. The moment was dragging on, and I couldn't bear it. I went with the most awkward choice of shaking his hand before leaving. I wished that I did more, but we both laughed at the moment, so perhaps it was a humble end that fit.

It was a good night.

As I started my walk back to the castle, I lost myself in thoughts of all that Santo showed me that day. The many things he could show me in the future titillated my imagination. I was so lost in thought I became lost in reality. Those beautiful streets seemed menacing in the moonlight. One might have feared spirits as they walked the abandoned sand-covered streets. But with my new gift in hand, I could see the castle in the distance.