Team up with Duncan

“What could go wrong?” asks the king. “How often have I heard those words out of your mouth, only to regret it?”

Duncan looks wounded. “Oh, you exaggerate! And you have to get over that little incident with the Beauchaire twins; if their own parents can’t tell the difference between them, how were we supposed to know which one was which?”

“I don’t know,” replies Stewart sarcastically. “Maybe through subtle clues, such as the wedding ring on the hand of the one you brought to my birthday party?”

“Okay, I’ll grant you that one,” he says, “but in my defense, her left hand was difficult to see at the time, the way she was reaching into my pants. But that is all in the distant past; why dredge up ancient history?”

Stewart chooses not to point out that it was at his most recent birthday party, less than six months ago.

“You’re just uptight because you are overworked,” says Duncan. “Once you get away from here for a little while, you’ll relax and see things differently.”

Stewart considers this and reluctantly says, “I’ll probably regret it, but very well.”

Duncan smiles. “So it will be be the two of us? The Team Supreme?”

Stewart can’t help but return his brother’s smile. Something about his younger sibling’s enthusiasm was contagious. “I suppose so, but this has to be very confidential, and only for a short time. If I am missing for long, it will create a panic throughout the kingdom.”

“No need to say another word!” replies the prince. “I’ll make all the arrangements. I assume there will be little official business during the Spring Festival. If we plan it for then, no one will even notice you are gone.”

Stewart nods. “That might work. The King traditionally appears at the Grand Ball and the Equinox Ball to cap off the festival, but as long as we are back by then, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Don’t worry about a thing, Brother,” says Duncan. “We’ll have a wonderful time, and I won’t forget about your balls.” He stops and screws up his face. “Um... Can we just agree right now to pretend I didn’t say that last sentence?”

A knock at the door brings a message for Stewart that his ministers have assembled and await his presence to deal with the day’s business. He feels a weariness settle over him at this news. Duncan, seeing the change come over his brother, puts his arm around his shoulders and gives him a brotherly squeeze. “Just bear with it for a little while, Brother; getting out of this place for a little bit will not only make you a better king, but it will make you a happier one, too.”

With that, Duncan departs, leaving Stewart to get dressed and to begin his kingly responsibilities for the day. He envies his brother, whose most burdensome responsibilities for the day are figuring out who is going to share his bed with him tonight.

As he prepares to head down to meet with his ministers, he considers whether it would be wise to share his plans with anyone.