Chapter Text
Lanyon was making his way to Dr. Jekyll's chambers when he saw the man exit his room. The sight made him pause in the hall. The slender man looked elegant in his borrowed doublet of pomegranate maroon. The color did an excellent job of emphasizing the doctor's unique eyes. Matching briches rose up to his waist, tucking in a billowing collared shirt. Without the linen and a twigs in his hair, he looked like a proper gentleman. A strange feeling welled in Lanyon's chest, a slight twinge. He readily dismissed it and greeted the doctor, who was anxiously adjusting his clothing around him.
"You look well and polished good doctor."
Jekyll perked up at the voice, he hadn't expected an escort. Lanyon looked even more lavish in his dinner clothes. What Jekyll had thought was extravagant before was only dull traveling clothes compared to the embroidered ensemble the man before him wore.
"Your Highness," Jekyll bowed, more gracefully this time.
"Oh, no need doctor," Lanyon dismissed the gesture. "The pleasantries are for formal situations. Now come, the court is curious to meet our new herbalist."
Lanyon waited for the doctor to join his side before strolling down the passageways. He couldn't keep from glancing at the man as they walked along. He noticed the insessent wringing of his hands and the mildly distraught look on his doctor's face.
"Worried?"
"Very. It's not every day I meet a royal family."
"Soon enough it shall be your everyday." Lanyon reminded with a laugh. "But to sooth your worries, you can talk as little as you please. The only thing you need to know is to address my mother and father as Majesty, but that's common knowledge no?"
"You speak of it all so plainly." Jekyll sighed. "Did the world of formalities and etiquette ever worry you?" He looked up from under his brow with the timid question.
Lanyon thought very briefly on the subject. "No, I suppose it never did." He concluded. He looked to his companion, "When you're raised in this world, formality has its own familiarity. It's like putting on a proper coat for the occasion. It's nothing more than a performance really."
Jekyll admired the confidence that shone through Lanyon's disposition. Maybe he could learn the ways of etiquette and formality. He wanted to be able to carry himself as effortlessly as Prince Lanyon did.
Two large wooden doors opened into the dining room. A long table was set in the middle of the grand hall. Columns lined the walls, interspersed with sconces and hallways that staff members entered and exited through like busy ants. With all the space in the room, Jekyll assumed this also doubled as the ball room. The ceiling arched up into a large dome and an iron rod chandelier hung from the center.
There were already guests sitting at the table. Lanyon guided Jekyll to the two empty seats beside his father.
They were welcomed earnestly by His Majesty Hastie Lanyon at one end of the table and his wife her Majesty the Queen at the other. While there were other guest, most seemed more interested in the meal than they did the herbalist. The prince leaned in close to Jekyll as some spoke, telling him their names and positions in the court.
Across from them was Sir Danvers Carew, an honorable yet retired Knight of the kingdom. To his right sat his daughter Dame Emma, a fine young woman who had also recently been knighted.
There were plenty of Lords and Ladies; Lord Glossop, Lady Beconsfield, Lord Savage. Another knight, Sir Archibald Proops, seemed to eye Jekyll but said nothing.
Like the carriage ride Jekyll remained quiet, he hardly risked the chance of embarrassing himself in front of such an esteemed ensemble. Dame Emma asked a few questions about his practice and specialties which he answered as plainly as possible. During Jekyll's retelling of how he arrived at the castle, the prince reached under the table to grab Jekyll's hand with a reassuring squeeze.
Jekyll nearly jumped but restrained himself, noticing the beaming look upon the princes face. He seemed proud of Jekyll. Henry's brief scare was replaced with a flutter in his chest, though he was unaware of what that entailed.
After the meal was over and guests began to leave, Lanyon stood and offered his arm to Jekyll. "Shall we?"
Jekyll righted himself and took the offered arm linking them together. It must be a formal gesture.
Lanyon bid goodnight to his father and escorted Jekyll to his room. The passages ways started to seem familiar. They arrived to the door in no time at all. The two exchanged their goodbyes and for the first time since he had arrived, Jekyll felt at ease.
As Lanyon made his exit, Jekyll smiled to himself and entered his room. The door clicked shut behind him, and a stabbing pain seared through his chest.
Jekyll screamed.