IV.

It had only been a few days since Master Windsor “promoted” Carroll to head butler. Nothing had been made official since none of the staff had been notified and Carroll had not been given any special duties in addition to his usual ones, but nonetheless, there seemed to be something different. It was a week before the head maid came up to Carroll and began speaking to him about giving the other butlers orders and to not let any of them dawdle. It was then that Carroll realized he had indeed been promoted. He sat in the kitchen one afternoon, waiting for the chef to prepare young master Windsor’s tea when the head maid came in. She scoffed loudly and said,
“I swear Carroll, every time I see you, you’re sitting on your behind!”
Carroll stood up quickly as he said,
“I’m waiting for young Master’s tea to be ready.”
“Well busy yourself with something else! You’re setting a poor example as to what the head butler should be!”
The chef paused in his preparations as he looked at Carroll. The young butler gave him a sheepish look as the chef went back to work as the head maid set down the used dishes into the sink and then set the tray aside to be polished by some of the other maids. As she wiped her hands off on her apron, the chef set all of the needed items on another tray as Carroll then said,
“Where’s the other girl?”
“What other girl?” Snapped the head maid.
“The other maid so I could bring up young Master Windsor’s tea.”
“You don’t have to wait for anyone anymore, you’re busy! Now head up there quickly!”
Carroll quickly but carefully arranged all of the items needed on the tray as the chef filled up the blue and white Wedgewood china teapot. He set the lid on top of the pot as he then set it on the tray and gave Carroll a look, as if wishing him luck. Carroll picked up the tray, more carefully then he had before as he began to make his way upstairs.

He had to walk fast but watch everything on the tray, somewhat nervous to be carrying a teapot full of scalding liquid in front of himself. As he got to the library, he set the tray down on the floor and then knocked before opening the door and then quickly picking the tray back up. He entered the library, seeing the usual overstuffed chair as he walked around it and said,
“Good afternoon young Master Windsor.”
The strawberry blonde who sat motionless in the chair actually looked asleep. His body was all too relaxed, his arms hanging haplessly beside him, his head to the side of the chair, resting against the plush cushions. He was slouching, his jean covered legs leading down to his bare feet which where awkwardly turned towards each other, knees touching, skin to skin because of the tears and rips on his jeans. His white button down shirt was buttoned just short of his collarbones and lifting slightly with each subtle breath. Carroll was unsure of what to do. He cleared his throat a bit louder, hoping Alexander James would wake but instead, saw nothing changed. Finally he kept his distance enough and tapped his young master’s shoulder saying his name until he stirred. Alexander James did not open his eyes and made a sound as he then started to sit up and said,
“Who’s here?”
“It’s Carroll young Master Windsor. I’ve brought your tea.”
Before Carroll could explain he was alone, Alexander James’ hand went towards the tray, heading right towards the scalding tea pot. Without thinking, the young butler grabbed his wrist and said,
“Careful young master! The tea pot is on the tray.”
Alexander James, unaccustomed to the physical contact flinched away violently as he then said,
“What do you mean the pot is on the tray? Don’t you know the rules by now?”
“I wanted to tell you that I’m serving you the tea today.”
“You’re alone?”
“Yes young master.”
With a quickness that Carroll had never seen before, Alexander James stood to his feet and grabbed the opposite end of the tray as he flung it off to the side. The delicate and beautiful china shattered against the marble floor, the brown liquid staining the tiles, the entire act making such commotion. Carroll flinched, trying to avoid the tea that seemed to splatter everywhere as he then watched Alexander James quickly grab his walking cane and run towards the door. His free hand latched onto the door that was still open as he wrenched it open wide, and with a volume Carroll had never heard before, listened as Alexander James screamed for his father. Carroll was unsure of what to do other then stand there in shock and now, fear of the sudden reactions.

It was as if the entire household cluttered at the top of the stairs as the head maid rushed her way through the staff as Master Windsor appeared from the third floor. There was panic on Alexander James’ face, almost as if he expected to defend himself at any moment and he stayed pressed against the open library door to not have his back to anyone. The head maid did nothing to try to calm him but began shooing away the staff, dismissing them all quickly, reminding them they all had work to do. Begrudgingly, the staff began to disperse as Master Windsor stood in front of Alexander James.
“What is going through your head boy? Have you gone daft?”
“Why am I being left alone with the butler!? What is going on? I want him fired!”
“You need to calm down.”
“What’s happening!”
“He is just serving you tea! Now calm down and quit your antics! You’re making an ass of yourself. And you!”
He turned to Carroll who was just standing there in shock.
“You pick up this mess and bring up a fresh tray! And don’t you let some boy push you over like that! Have a back bone as the head butler for God’s sake!”
Carroll nodded and bowed his head as he knelt down and began to clean up.
He heard Master Windsor leave as Carroll turned over the tray and began picking up the shards of now broken and worthless porcelain. He placed them on the tray, one at a time until he heard someone coming in. He looked up to see the head maid coming in with a cloth as she began wiping up the mess of tea, sugar and milk. It was a few more moments before another maid came in, helping the head maid clean up the mess while another butler came in and took the tray of broken shards from Carroll. Everyone began to look around and make sure there was no more broken pieces anywhere else while the head maid examined the curtains. She began to tell the maid that someone would have to come in and take down the curtains to have them washed. Carroll then began to leave the library to replace the tray when he noticed that Alexander James was still against the door only now he was slouched down against the door, cradling his knees to his chest as he seemed scared out of his mind.
No one would stop and talk to him, the other door had been opened so to not step over the young master.
Carroll did the same, walking past him and went back down to the kitchen.

Of course the entire kitchen was all a flutter, talking about the situation that had just happened. The moment Carroll walked into the kitchen, the staff stopped and turned to stare at him. The young butler felt embarrassed for a moment and the chef quickly noticed.
“Will the lot of you get out of my kitchen! Some of us still have work to do!”
Everyone began to leave quickly, still stealing glances at Carroll as they exited. Carroll then gave a deep sigh as he went to the island in front of the stove. He took a seat and slouched down, resting his head down on his folded arms. The cook looked at him and asked,
“What’s the matter?”
“First official duty and I stood there frozen on the spot.”
The chef laughed to himself as he said,
“Young master Windsor is a difficult one. He’s protected by his father but not because he’s loved, you know. It’s more a matter of possession. No one takes or screws with Master Windsor.”
Carroll looked up as he sighed and said,
“I still botched this.”
“Well you don’t have time to sit and sob. The tea is ready. Again.”
Carroll laughed slightly as the chef prepared another tray.
It had only been a few minutes since the first incident and Carroll was on his way back to the master library. He saw, much to his relief that Alexander James was not sitting in front of the door anymore. He took a deep breath and entered once again, his gloved hands holding the tray firmly as he then stepped in and said,
“Young master Windsor?”
There came no response and for a moment, Carroll thought that Alexander James had left and gone somewhere else: Where that somewhere else would be he wouldn’t know. He went towards the armchair anyway, carefully holding the tray, hearing the subtle clicks of the teacup sliding across the small saucer. Eventually, he set the tray down where it was before when he saw Alexander James sitting in his chair. He was cradling himself much like he was when he sat at the doorframe, his head tucked into the chair, his knees pressed firmly against himself.
“Young master Windsor? I brought you your tea. The tea pot is on the tray. I’ll leave now.”
He stepped back and then quickly turned to leave and only took a few steps away from the chair as he said,
“I’m sorry for my reaction.”
Carroll turned his attention back to the chair as he said,
“No need to apologize young master.”
“There is. I shouldn’t have reacted so badly. My father was right.”
It was as if Carroll spoke to no one. Alexander James did not move from his seat, his arms and feet were not clearly visible from the chair. He couldn’t help but be curious so he took a step back towards the chair as he said,
“Really young master Windsor, I understand your reaction. Someone really should have told you of my new position. I’ll never do anything like that again.”
His feet moved without permission and before Carroll knew it, he stood by Alexander James’ side. The young blonde man was still in his scared position, doing nothing to uncurl. His head then moved up as he turned to where Carroll was standing as he said,
“Thank you Carroll. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome young master Windsor.”
He bowed his head, as if Alexander James could see him , then left and went back to work.