The Lost Princeā
(a short story for lwtwinters)
Louis stood in front of his mirror and pulled up his chemise to reveal the delicate skin of his belly. He caressed his lower abdomen, trying to feel for a bump but there was nothing there except for taught skin.
Oli had been clear about what would happen if he ever went to bed with an alpha.
He got back under the covers and sighed shakily. It'd been two months since the accident with Phillip happened, by accident he meant when his first kiss had turned into his first time. Now he was a ticking bomb.
He couldn't marry Phillip. He was a blacksmith, his parents would never approve, and even if they did, Phillip had ran away just a few days prior. He was all alone now.
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"Louis," his father cleared his throat once the help exited the dining room and it was just his parents and him. "We need to tell you something."
Louis looked up from his plate, his food had turned cold and now all he did with it was move it around with his fork.
"Your mother and I have discussed this for months," his father continued. "We believe you're finally old enough to get a husband."
Louis' fork clattered on the porcelain. "What are you saying, father?"
"We've arranged a wedding between you and King Styles' son. Come spring, you will get married to him."
Louis opened his mouth in shock as his vision turned blurry.
"Louis," his mother smiled comfortingly at him. "The Styles are known for their polite behavior and charisma, this is one of the best choices for you."
"But I don't want to," tears rolled down his cheeks. "I don't want to get married."
"Louis, we know you were fond of that other boy but he's gone, he'll never return and even if he did, you can't marry someone like him."
"But-" he began, his father stood up from the table, sending the heavy chair to the floor.
"This isn't up for discussion. You are our son and you will do as we say. You'll get married whether you desire to or not."
Louis sobbed, he ran off to his room and closed the door before flinging himself to the bed. He clutched a pillow between his arms and sobbed until his eyes swelled.
He couldn't let this happen.
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It was midnight. Louis had been contemplating this plan for a couple of weeks and he couldn't chicken out now. Every day his bump continued to grow and sooner or later it would be evident that he was carrying a child. A bastard. He became nauseous whenever he thought about the future he'd have if he stayed at the palace and people found out. What would they do to him? What would they do to his baby? He didn't want to know the answer to those questions.
He grabbed the make-shift rope he had made from blankets and swung it over the window and looked down. Oli, his best friend, was right there looking up and waiting for him. He carefully climbed down the wall, being mindful of not being too loud while his heart-beat rang in his ears.
He had to do this. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he ran. He didn't look back.
That night, Oli and him left the place where they'd grown up in, with nothing but a small bag of gold coins.
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That first year the kingdom was in shambles. There were rumors the Queen cried herself to sleep every night. There were WANTED posters everywhere, offering gold to anyone that found the lost omega prince. But no one ever did.
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"And what letter is this?" Louis showed Thomas the letter A, embroidered in one of the napkins.
Thomas squinted his bright blue eyes and made a humming sound, then his brows shot to his forehead. "It's A! Mommy, it's the letter A!"
Louis nodded with a smile on his face and kissed the top of his curly head. He gave him a piece of chopped carrot as a reward.
"Is the pottage ready?" Margaret asked.
Louis continued to stir the pot. "Almost," he yelled back.
He had recently started working for the Longton royal family, at the palace's kitchen. Four years ago when they arrived at the city, once the gold had run out, Oli and him had had to get a job to sustain themselves. Louis had worked at a bakery, a farm, and a cotton mill. He would do anything in exchange for money to sustain Thomas.
He tasted the pottage and hummed in satisfaction.
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Thomas jumped all the way to their home, cheerfully repeating the ABC letters that Louis had taught him throughout the week.
When Thomas spotted Oli standing by their home, he ran excitedly towards him and hugged him.
"Uncle Oli!" He said. "Mommy taught me lots of things today!"
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Louis read the list Margaret had given him and widened his eyes.
"All of this?"
Margaret nodded. "The duchess says a very special visitant is coming. She wants to receive him with the greatest banquet we've ever made."
Louis nodded and prepared to cook the dozen dishes.
Thomas helped him with easy things, like handing him the vegetables and spices.
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While he was plating the food on the table, he heard the whispers of Joan and William, a couple of omegas that also served this castle.
"He's the one who was supposed to marry prince Louis a few years ago," Joan snickered.
Louis felt his heart stop.
William nodded his head. "Oh yes, I remember him now. Such a shame. He must be looking for a new omega to marry."
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In Louis' mind, prince Styles was an old man with a big belly and a bald head.
The man that stood in front of him now was the complete opposite of that.
"Your majesty!" Margaret said scandalized. "What are you doing back here? You're supposed to be on the dining table."
"I wanted to meet the one who made all of those amazing dishes," Prince Styles said with a smile. "I heard it's you."
Louis brought a finger to his chest. "M- me?"
"What's your name?" Prince Styles looked at him earnestly, radiant smile and shining green eyes.
"Louis," he said. He hadn't bothered changing his name since it was so common.
"Pleasure to meet you, Louis." He took his hand and kissed the top of it.
In that moment, Thomas tugged at his sleeve.
Both Harry and Louis looked down at the small boy.
"Who's this, mommy?" Thomas asked.
"This is-" Louis began.
"My name is Harry," the prince kneeled down so he was at eye level with Thomas. "What is your name?"
"Thomas."
"Nice to meet you, Thomas." Harry shook the small hand. "Your eyes are beautiful, just like your mother's."
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Prince Styles stayed at the Longton castle for the next few weeks, any chance he got he would spend it hanging out with Louis.
The servers were all puzzled, most royals never interacted with the staff but Prince Styles was different.
He would play with Thomas in the gardens, asked Louis to accompany him for lunch, and asked him about him all the time.
Louis thought it was weird too, but he welcomed the attention and company.
At night he dreamt of a universe where he didn't run away and got to marry the wonderful prince.
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A month had passed. Louis carried Thomas on his hip and walked towards the gardens, where he always met Harry for tea.
He almost dropped to his knees when he saw his parents sitting at their usual table.
He set Thomas down in fear of dropping him and tears pooled in his eyes.
"Louis," Harry appeared from behind his father. "We've been searching for you for years."
"Dear God," Louis' mother sobbed and ran to Louis. "It's you, my son. It's really you. We thought you were dead," she cradled Louis' face in between her hands. "It's been so long since I last saw you. Why did you run away from us."
"Mommy?" Thomas took a step forward.
Everyone looked at the small child and the answer was clear.
Louis let go of his mother and hugged Thomas close to his chest. "Don't you dare take him away from me!"
The king and queen looked at each other for a moment and then at Harry.
Harry approached Louis and Thomas. "Louis, I promise you, no one will ever do that."
Louis blinked away his tears. He was so overwhelmed by everything that was happening. He was so scared for the future.
"How did you find me?" Louis asked.
"When you ran away, your parents sent me a letter. They thought you were dead but I was determined to find you. We searched every kingdom. Until the Duchess told me of a new cook with beautiful blue eyes and the cutest son she'd ever seen. I knew at that moment that it had to be you."
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The End.
