Time of Trial by Michael Pryor

‘Fog?’
    â€˜You’d be much missed.’
    Aubrey groaned. The Prince looked thoroughly pleased. But despite the pain, Aubrey felt lucky to see this side of Bertie. His fondness for puns and wordplay was at odds with his public face, that of the serious, dutiful heir to the throne, hardworking in the stead of his father, whose periodic bouts of irrationality were getting worse.
    â€˜Have you come all the way over here just to subject me to that?’ Aubrey asked.
    â€˜I was on my way back to the Palace after the Gallian commitment, but I couldn’t resist. It was your, how can I put it ... pun- ishment?’
    Aubrey put his head in his hands. ‘I’m appalled.’
    â€˜Good. You need appalling every now and then.’ The Prince chuckled. ‘I actually did want to see how you were. It must have been dreadful, being taken over like that.’
    Aubrey shuddered. ‘Being out of control? A nightmare.’ ‘I’m glad you weren’t successful. It’d make it hard to take up cousin Leopold on his invitation.’
    The misgivings Aubrey had felt before Bertie launched his pun assault were nothing to the misgivings that pricked him now.
    â€˜I only know one Leopold,’ he said slowly. ‘One Leopold who’d be your cousin, anyway. We’re talking about the Elektor of Holmland, aren’t we?’
    â€˜Cousin Leopold, that’s what I said.’
    â€˜Ruler of the most powerful nation on the continent? The country that’s looking to expand its borders? The country that’s likely to be our greatest enemy if this war breaks out?’
    â€˜Leopold is most upset about that,’ Prince Albert said. ‘He says Chancellor Neumann and his government are getting out of hand.’
    Aubrey rubbed his forehead. ‘You’re not going, are you?’
    Suddenly, it was as if the Prince had taken off one set of clothes and put on another. He straightened, nodded solemnly, and the punning young man was gone. In front of Aubrey was the heir to the throne of Albion, the one who’d been born and raised knowing his duty. ‘Aubrey, I don’t want the world to go to war, and that’s what’s going to happen if something isn’t done about it.’
    â€˜And your visiting Holmland is going to stop the war?’
    Bertie rubbed his hands together and stared at them. ‘That’s not the public reason for my visit, no. But while I’m there I want to see what I can do. It might be a step in the right direction. I can’t overlook a chance to bring our nations closer together. It may help ease tension.’
    â€˜Of course. But you must have considered that this invitation could be a plot.’ Aubrey had a thought. ‘If you’re shown to be a Holmland sympathiser, it may diminish your reputation here.’
    â€˜It may be. But I’m willing to risk that for the chance to speak face to face with Leopold.’ He frowned. ‘I have doubts over the veracity of some of the public pronouncements that he’s said to have made.’
    â€˜This visit wouldn’t be based around a symposium or anything, would it? Next week?’
    A small smile. ‘Leopold always did like a show. He adored visiting the Great Exhibition here when he was small.’
    Aubrey glanced at the Special Services operative. ‘I can see that you’ve made up your mind. You’ll have protection?’
    â€˜Tallis and Craddock have insisted on it. As has your father.’
    â€˜You’ve discussed this with him?’
    â€˜Of course. He wasn’t happy, but he understood my reasoning.’ The Prince pursed his lips. ‘I want to ask you to come along. Having such a useful chap as yourself in my entourage might help reassure your father.’
    Aubrey was ready to agree, but then he remembered his promise to Caroline and Kiefer. His face fell. ‘Sorry, Bertie. Other commitments.’
    Bertie stood.