When I was summoned to Lord Aegeus' study, I thought he had some request to make relative to my art, maybe for a new kind of rose or rare fruit. They like such things, the Lords and Ladies. Lord Aegeus was seated by the fire in his study, and across from him in another chair sat his assistant, the Lord Victor. Lord Victor was young as immortals go, not really much older than me, and he looked younger already.
Well, they waved me to a third chair; and I sat hesitantly and another mortal stepped forward and poured wine for me, the same wine the Lords themselves were drinking. I thought to myself, This is what it is to be an artist! and I bowed respectfully over my cup and said, "Thank you, divine Lord."
Lord Aegeus said, "Oh, you're quite welcome," with a wave of dismissal. He was staring at me in an assessing kind of way, and so was the other Lord. I kept a humble silence, as Claude had kept his insolent silences, and it worked: Lord Aegeus cleared his throat and said at last, "Well! You've certainly grown into a sturdy fellow since that day in the pergola! You were only Master Claude's boy then. And you're the Master yourself now, are you not? What's your name?"
I told him it was Simeon and he laughed out loud, and the Lord Victor smiled thinly. Lord Aegeus said: "Simeon! That's appropriate, I must say! Up in the treetops all the time, and as hairy as a monkey too! But come, don't take offense. All your tests show you're a supremely healthy young simian, and quite a bright one at that."
I murmured my thanks for the compliment. Lord Aegeus said, "Quite," and had a sip of his wine. Then he said, "You've had a few sexual encounters, but you don't seem to have formed any long-term relationships. In light of that, we would like to make you a proposition."
I didn't know what to think. He burst out laughing at the look on my face and Lord Victor turned red.
"No, no no!" said Lord Aegeus. "It's only this, good Master Simeon: my dearest Maeve must have a mate, and we've chosen you for the honor!"
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