Chapter 498 - 499: Thank You....For Everything.

Chapter 498: Chapter 499: Thank You....For Everything.

Rogard doesn’t seem to care one bit. In fact, at one point he gives up entirely and fully embraces the chaos; he and Ynoro sandwiching the poor Captain from either side. By Bongo’s count this marks the end of the third dance in a row that the princess has demanded of her cousin, and much to the amusement of the watching soldiers he does not appear to be permitted to leave the dancefloor before granting her a fourth. Montrel and Khobi in particular appear to be laughing a little too loudly, because Binny and Gandy are quick to materialise at their sides to prod and manhandle them out of their seats and onto the dancefloor.

Bongo’s glad for his vantage point, because it not only is it far enough removed that there are plenty of other unwitting men closer to the dancefloor at risk of being dragged in, but it also grants him quite the view. There’s something about the easy way Khobi assimilates in amongst the soldiers --how he knew the words to some of the songs, and the rules to some of the drinking games --that tells him that this isn’t the first time that they’ve celebrated like this, and it hurts his heart a little that they won’t get to do so again. At least not for a while yet.

But then again, who knows?

Bonds such as these are not so easily broken.

By the time the song begins its descent the tavern isn’t so much singing along with the bard as shouting, and anyone out on the dancefloor is trapped until the music fades. None of them seem to mind though; they’re all too busy chanting and throwing back their heads with laughter. The princess’ cheeks are bright red from laughing, and Bongo really hopes she isn’t singing along because the lyrics are really much too crude for a princess, and His Majesty is already going to be furious with him once he finds out about their evening walk that he does not need him to catch the Crown Princess spouting out the lyrics to bawdy tavern songs. Khobi doesn’t seem to know the words to this one but he’s laughing as he buffets between Binny and Montrel, stomping along to the beat, unaware of Loac’s eyes tracking his movements across the room; following him wherever he goes. And then Montrel slings an arm around each of their shoulders, dragging them in close and grinding his hands into their hair.

Bongo smiles.

Good.

And then, when the song finally meets its conclusion, it’s clear from the princess’ pout that she doesn’t want to leave, but Bongo won’t be swayed this time. It’s already far past the time he’d intended to let her stay out for, and if Gurdet’s gone to bid her goodnight and found her missing he’ll be spare.

"It’s getting a little late for princesses to be out," he tells her, more firmly this time when he levers himself out of his seat with finality. The tavern is getting more boisterous by the minute and he would rather she not see what fresh chaos these sort of nights devolve into. "...We best be off, Your Highness. You’d do well to say your goodnights while they’re still sober enough to remember them."

"Oh."

She seems crestfallen to have to go, but she seems to know that he’s for real this time. It’s gotten a little cooler than it was when they set off, and while she gratefully accepts Montrel’s coat for the walk home, she seems subdued. Children always are when it’s time for bed, and tonight of all nights it’s more than just good night.

Bongo has some goodnights to say, too. It takes him longer than he had anticipated, but it means that princess gets to linger with her cousin just a little longer; gets one more hug, one last whisper, one last shared smile as he dutifully shakes Rogard’s hand in congratulations, Drogger’s for keeping him company, and then Montrel’s for keeping his princess’. Some of the other soldiers surge forwards for one too, because they’re already quite drunk and they want one of whatever’s coming around. If anything, that makes it easier, and Bongo takes each hand extended out to him, chuckling as he does so. He was intending only to offer Loac a bow, because he is Bongo’s prince, but to his surprise he sees his hand outstretched just like all the rest.

By design he leaves Khobi until last, and when Khobi reaches out for his outstretched hand he seems to understand what it’s for. Bongo doesn’t say a word lest he give himself away, but he offers him a brief, reassuring smile, and dips his head just so; just enough to be deferential. Because regardless of how little Khobi cared for titles, and even if not in name, he is Bongo’s prince, also.

"Thank you, Bongo," Khobi says solemnly with eyes creasing at the corners and the red in them bright and warm. He holds Bongo’s grasp just a little longer than any of the other soldiers had, "...For everything."

...

Drogger has asked Rogard before if he missed his old life. And honestly, Rogard would be lying if he said there weren’t aspects that he wished he still had.

The gold, for one. He has expensive tastes and has spent a lifetime wanting for nothing and indiscriminately enjoying the finer things in life without a care for where they come from and how much they cost. There’s certainly something to be said for the satisfaction that comes from buying something nice with his own hard-earned gold, but every now and then it would be nice to just be able to buy the better cuts of meat down at the market without having to haggle with the price.

But it’s a small price to pay to be here. Now. He never used to laugh for real like this. It hadn’t been an easy thing, stepping away from his father and the life he’d known; every day Rogard passes by noblemen he used to keep company with and has them turn away from him, and while the soldiers have stopped openly making snide comments, he’d be a fool to think that just because he knocked the loudest of them on their asses that’s stopped them talking behind his back.

He was one of them, after all.

He knows how this works.

But they don’t matter. Just as there are always going to be men who think he slept his way to his position in the guard and those who think he’s disgraced his lineage by choosing to share a life with someone born a commoner, there are also going to be those who believe in him; those who support him, and are happy that he’s found someone who makes him happy, regardless of their roots. They’re the ones here tonight, celebrating with him.