Prince Draco was returning back home after years of travelling.
His father, king Lucius was getting impatient.
His mother, queen Narcissa was worried.
Her only son was throwing himself in any danger there is out there.
Surely he was coming after his father in that aspect. Before they married Lucius was a charming young prince who was travelling around the world, just like Draco.
So when the letter arrived that Draco would return Lucius was opening champagne bottles.
"He will finally be back home. And soon he will to be wed!"
"WHAT?!" Narcissa was beyond shock.
"Our only child is returning after years and you want to marry him off to some girl?!"
"My dear, it is time. We married at his age."
"Yes but we were in love! You want him to marry a girl that neither he or we know!"
"When did I ever say that?"
"Do you already have someone in mind, dearest?"
"Ofcourse I do. There is a list."
"A list?! He doesn't even know about your plans and you already have a list?!"
"Yes. Every Woman with the same age of our son and a year younger and older. Sorted after family and their standing in high society."
"Lucius.. don't you think that is a bit too much?"
"Ohh I am certain that he won't be thrilled by this."
"Why can't we let him find his love on his own? At his own time?"
"Darling you are too soft with him. He travelled long enough now.
It is time for him to act like the heir he is and take his role of the crown prince seriously. Including his future and his wedding."
"Ah.. yes because you listened to your parents.
"That was- no you are right as always." He said defeated.
The ceremonial Trumpets were suddenly erupting.
Prince Dracos return was announced.
The big golden entrance doors opened and Draco walked in as if he didn't have a worry in The world.
"Father! Mother!" He said happy.
"It is so good to see you after all this time."
Lucius slightly snapped at that.
"It wouldn't be such a long time if you wouldn't run off every three days for months!"
"Do not worry father, I will always return home in the end."
"No.. Draco... It is time for you to take on your role and the responsibility of becoming the crown prince."
Draco blinked for a moment. Then you could hear his laughter.
"Father I already have. I am the crown prince after all."
"Then act like one!" Lucius was getting more and more impatient with the seconds passing by.
Draco looked at his mother for help but unlike all the times before, she seemed to agree with his father this time.
"Do not look at me like that Draco... I am in agreement with your father." Lucius also was surprised, especially since the previous conversation didn't seem like she was on his side at all.
"No! Draco you are my only child. My only little darling. I supported your decision to travel and see the world for the past 5 years. It is time that you become a responsible adult and prince to our lands and to our people. Your father and I have been talking..."
Draco gulped. Usually his mother was very gentle towards him, almost babying him a bit too much. This was new. He knew that the responsibilities would become very important and present to him some day he just didn't think that that day was today. That the last adventure on the sea and distant lands would really be the last.
"....You will be married soon. Preferably before the last day of this year."
Snapping out of his daze he was speechless. Him? MARRIED?!
Too shocked he squeaked out a very high
"You heard that right son. We already have the list with the best potential future wife's. We will hold a ball and invite them all, so you can meet them.
All ladies are either princesses from different nations who would secure future trading routes or strong alliances in case of war or they are influencial persons in high society."
"But....but...but.. I-I don't know them!"
He tried to protest weakly.
"Neither do they know you! Besides we will hold a grand ball so you can at least meet them before we decide on who it is going to be."
"But I don't want to marry yet!" He said in a heated tone.
"Do not speak to us like that young man!" Fired Lucius back.
"Draco... We know that you don't want to, but it really is time."
His mother was a bit softer in her tone but she left no room for arguments.
Defeated, Draco bowed before his parents and excused himself. He stormed out of the throne room, the heavy doors closed behind him and Draco, who had just returned, felt the desire to leave again already bubbling up.
Marriage. PAH! Useless. Why would he need that anyway? He knew that he was unlucky with love from the moment he met the first few arranged girls. Every single one of these girls threw herself at him more or less. Not one had actually talked to him about her interests.
It was always the same. A giggle here, a fluttering her eyelashes at him there and a way too obvious attempt to create physical touch.
It was hell. No worse than that.
He missed the sea more with every passing second.
His comrades often teased him, joking around that Draco's actual love was the sea and not a woman out of flesh and bones.
The mirror across the room broke after the heavy hairbrush hit the center of it perfectly.
Marriage? You!? You were the direct heir to the throne, no real successor was left except you. Unfortunate events kept happening. One of your male cousins was stupid enough to go hunting after he insisted on bathing in raw meat. Another simply got ill and didn't survive. Five... FIVE! Five of your cousins died. There were no other heirs except you?! Who would inherit the crown if they managed to marry you off?! You knew the your uncle had a particular eye on the throne. It was normal for you to wake up in the middle of the night and stab the poor assassin who was foolish enough or desperate enough to take the job.
You had fought against them and the decision. Your parents didn't see that sending you away would leave the throne empty in the future. And frankly spoken, that would make them just bigger targets again.
But no. They didn't see that, claiming you were over reacting. HA! Alright... If they didn't listen they would feel it soon enough.
You were looking at the (now broken) mirror. The reflection was showing a strong independent woman who was forced into a unfair century by birth and held no real power.
It was frustrating a best. If you wouldn't have your bow and arrows, you would have seized the throne by brutal force long ago. What is a Princess for if not to seize the throne?
Taking your bow and arrows, along with your hunting clothes, you went to the shooting field.
The targets were always standing at the ready, waiting for you.
More often than not had you imagined the targets to be your stupid uncle and his incapable sons. Being the rightful heir to the throne did not matter when frustrated young boys had their testosterone bursting.
They didn't care about your status. If anything, it just fueled their hatred for you.
Bullseye! Yes! That felt good. After weeks of pent up emotions and frustration the imagination of having one clean shoot through the heart of the worst of them was satisfying.
Time went by and after three hours you felt your arms aching. Maybe you over did it, but you didn't care. At least the frustration was a bit less than before.
Who even was that potential fiancé?!
And a Ball? That was basically torture.
You walked towards the targets to collect the arrows.
Despite you being the rightful heir to the throne, the nobility seemed to disagree.
They thought that tradition was more important than the people you were supposed to protect.
Because neither of your utterly dense cousins had any skill for ruling. They only thought about their own benefits.
Out of frustration you kicked the target Infront of you cursing silently when the impact was too hard on your foot.
Draco was laying on his bed.
A woman... He would have to marry a woman and become king, taking on the responsibility of his subjects. He didn't want to do that at all. Couldn't these people just.... Overthrow the throne? NO! Bad thoughts Draco! Stop it!
He was mentally scolding himself.
Not only was he going to marry a woman, there would be a ball. He hated balls. Every time he attended he was swarmed within seconds by countless women who wanted his attention. At first he quite enjoyed it. Flirting a bit here having his fun there but in the end they all wanted him for his throne and not for what Draco truly is. It was frustrating, painful and annoying.
He didn't believe in any gods but that night he made a wish.
Draco kneeled Infront of his bed. He was Whispering quietly into the night.
"Dear Sea, I know we had our ups and downs... And I know that you are as beautiful as you are deadly, but for everything dear to me... Please let us not part like this. I don't want to marry. No other women will ever be able to take my heart like you. We know that your foam has settled in my heart, that your deep waters are in every bone of mine and that the breeze you create will forever be gliding through my hair. So please let my parents understand that I will never belong on land. That I will never find another soul like yours."
With his last words he swore he could feel the wind pick up in his room.
The ball was held tonight.
The preparations were almost done.
You were looking into the mirror Infront of you. You felt like a doll.
The dress the servants picked out felt stiff, the shoes hurt and your crown felt like they were mocking you.
'look the girl that will never wear a real crown.'
You had half a mind to rip everything to shreds.
You dismissed the servants, their looks turned worried but they had to obey your words.
The second the door to your private chambers closed you ripped everything off, literally. You just knew that your cousins and uncle had prepared the dress and everything else for you. You wouldn't let them watch you like you were their cuddle pet.
You walked to your room for clothes.
Looking through them you stopped at a dress that was floaty but majestic. A dark royal blue that turned white at the edges of the dress. It looked stunning and it fit you much better than the stiff uncomfortable role dress of a princess.
Instead of wearing the stupid play pretend crown you opened the black box carefully, taking out your official crown as the Princess. Carefully bowing your head a bit you crowned yourself with it.
Now, THAT was a crown princess. It didn't matter if the title was real or just a Facade it would act as your sword and shield either way.
Draco was looking into the mirror, watching himself as the servants around him prepared him for the ball.
His navy blue suit reminded him of the sea. He picked this colour out as a form of rebellion. It wouldn't matter who ended up beside him in the end, she would always be the second option. And Draco thought every Lady, Princess or maiden at the ball should know that. (Maybe he hoped that noone would approach him, somehow understanding his quiet protest.)
He was adjusting his cufflinks looking at the painting of the sea in his chambers.
He felt the longing in his heart.
Just before the crown was put on his head he walked down from the higher platform.
"Your Highness the crown..."
He was walking to the large windows overlooking the gardens.
The first carriages were arriving at the courtyard, circling the water fountain waiting until the nobility stepped outside.
The carriage you were in was shaking a bit, you felt sick. Usually the travel with carriage wasn't bad but somehow this route had thirty curves and over a dozen bumps in the road.
You were using your fan to get fresher air.
Your unreasonable father was smiling at you without a care in the world. Almost as if he was clueless to your suffering. If you were honest... He probably was.
Finally the giant gates to the Malfoy Castle where coming into view, announcing that the long journey finally had come to an end.
You ignored that there would be a travel back in less than four hours.
Under normal circumstances a ball was used for connecting and forming alliances, to you however, it was a game.
You knew who the most important potential supporters were and you knew the stance of most influencial people.
It would be a perfect support if you could convince them that you were the more capable, reliable and most importantly the true heiress for your throne. You didn't need some man for your crown.
Stepping outside gracefully you continued to fan yourself a bit longer while walking towards the gigantic silver entrance to the castle.
Your father, not amused by the crown on your head, (even though it was just right for you to represent your kingdom as the Princess) was silently scolding you with his eyes. He couldn't say anything right now but you were sure when you got home you would get a good scolding.
Many young women were already inside. A few excited to get a chance to marry the Prince, a few certainly just as angry to be here like you and another few standing at the edges of the dancefloor, observing the scene unfolding, not interested in anything in particular except possible drama unfolding.
You walked in holding your head high and ignoring the stares from everyone. A few young noble men were clearly enjoying themselves while talking (not very quietly) about the attending Women.
You already saw five other women noticing them. These fellas would be crushed by them in no time. You didn't have to waste your energy on them.
After most guests arrived the light was dimmed slightly and the trumpet's announced the arrival of the Queen, king and Prince. Or at least they should... Because while his parents arrived at the top of the stairs, looking graceful and powerful, their son was nowhere in sight.
You raised a brow while sipping on the drink in your glass.
Apparently his parents were just as amused by this as your father was with you wearing your crown.
Hectic whispers and orders were given and the servants began to rush back into the floors leading towards the rooms.
Draco was still looking out the window. He was half expecting that his parents would burst in themselves, the other half was expecting to be dragged to the ball by servants and guards.
Apparently his parents decided on the second option.
He moved his hand one last time through his hair before he stepped outside into the beaming shine that was aimed at him.
Gasps, giggles and fans uncapping could be geared all around the room.
He felt nauseous within seconds.
The subtile glare from his father and the disapproving look from his mother made everything worse.
He was looking around, trying to see anything else than the bright light.
He could feel eyes on him. Countless women looking at him as if he was their prey.
The feeling of his throat tightening and the nausea worsening was overwhelming.
He stepped down towards the crowd, hoping to blend in.
A impossible task if you have hair as white as snow and wear a navy blue suit as the only one in the crowd.
His parents looked pleased for once. He hated it. He just wanted to grab the nearest ship and sail away. Who knew if he would ever return, now that his freedom was taken away.
Noble women started to cycle him from all sides. He put on his polite prince facade and used his silver tounge to make diplomatic conversations, avoiding politics like a dagger aimed at him.
Meanwhile you had politely declined the third man who asked you for a dance later in the evening.
Not one person was good enough to build a stable political connection.
All of the useful nobles were swarming the Prince. You had tried to close in on them, reducing the distance bit by bit but it was no use. Every step you took towards them, they took back by following the Prince.
It was frustrating to watch. Why was this prince getting your political ally's handed on a silver plate while you had to beg for crumbs? It was unfair.
Even the idiotic young noble men from before seemed to have better chances at forming alliances than you.
You refused to watch this spectacle of unfairness unfold any further.
Taking another drink you excused yourself from your fathers side and stepped outside into the gardens.
The evening breeze was nice on your warm skin.
You found the fountain from before and decided to cool your aching feet in the waters.
Lifting your dress to your knees you sighed exhausted but a bit more relaxed.
After a while you decided to explore the gardens while you were here. Maybe you would be lucky enough to find a bow and arrows.
Draco was barely able to get away from these exhausting nobles. He slipped outside at the first opportunity, vanishing into the gardens.
He rushed around the next corner to get out of sight when he felt an impact that made him stumble back.
"Ouch!" A softer voice said. He turned around to look at it's source.
A woman with a crown was standing Infront of him rubbing her head.
"My Apologies my lady." He quickly rushed out before trying to run away.
"I'm not a lady. I am a princess!" You said offended, he felt a bit annoyed.
"My Apologies.... Princess." The way he said it only made you feel even more disrespected.
Just before you could say anything else his head snapped back to the noisy nobles who searched for him. His hand came up to your mouth, preventing you from saying anything at all.
You felt the desire to knee him into his most precious parts. The only thing stopping you was the potential consequences you would have to face.
Trying to pry his hand away from your mouth, he let go after a moment just to run away. That wouldn't be a problem if his cufflinks hadn't been caught in your hair. So while he rushed away you had to follow with your hair still tangled up on the cufflinks.
Hissing in pain you eventually grabbed his arm and held it up so your hair couldn't damage further and the pain would hopefully lessen.
Draco felt as if something was holding him back.... Literally. One glance to the side and he understood what.
"Ohh... I'm sorry your Highness. I was a bit occupied... WITH BEING DRAGGED AROUND BY YOU AND YOUR CUFFLINKS!"
"As if I want to be here!" You scoffed.
"I AM YOUR PRINCE! OBEY MY COMMAND!" He only looked at your face for a split second but the regret he felt when he saw your cold, calculating face made him gulp nervously.
With a deadly soft voice you just said
"I already told you I am a princess. I don't take orders from you. If anything you will obey my command. So stop whining and stay still while I untangle my hair from your cufflink. After that you can walk away or do whatever you planned to do." Draco felt chills run down his spine.
No... Actually... Not chills... But... Something else.
It was thrilling, and frightening at the same time. It reminded him of the sea.
Suddenly Draco was very interested in you.
He was watching while you carefully untangled the cufflink from your hair. It was entertaining to watch.
He had to surpress a laugh, coughing to cover it up but you were already glaring at him.
"You could help if you wanted..." You said almost exhausted now.
"But where would be the fun in that?" He said still amused.
"Oh so you enjoy watching lady's suffering."
"Not really, no. But I think this is quite amusing."
"If you find this so amusing then be my guest and do it better."
"No..I think you are doing just fine on your own." He smirked.
"Tsk. Spoiled little prince."
"Who are you calling spoiled?!"
You gave him a grin. "You your Highness."
For a moment he felt his heart skip a beat at the grin you gave him.
Then he collected himself again and had enough. He ripped his arm away from your hair and with it a few of your pieces of your hair. It hurt like hell.
"ARGH!" You said in pain and held your head.
Draco couldn't process what just happened when your eyes looked at him first in shock than hurt and at last with anger and hatred. You calmly slipped out of your shoes, he stumbled a few steps back.
"Wait- princess... What are you-" he continued to step back because now you held your shoe very aggressively up and came closer. For every step he took back you took two steps forward.
"Now- stop right there!" He said in a panicked tone. He fell back onto the grass.
Scrambling back up he turned around and ran away. You threw one shoe after him, hitting him in the back of his knee causing him to kneel on the grass. Within seconds you stood Infront of him.
"Apologise!" It was an order, not discussable.
He looked up at you and gulped again. Admitting defeat he sighed and was about to stand up to properly apologize when you pushed him back on his knees.
He heard curses in his head but a tiny part of himself was still fascinated by how easy he listened to you. You felt really like his beloved sea. A Natural beauty but just as destructive as the sea.
He wittnesed countless comrades go overboard because they stood too close to the edge, underestimating the brutal and heartless coldness the ocean could bring.
You got confused with every second that he was staring at you from his position on the ground. He was looking at you almost mesmerised.
What was wrong with this man? You had given him a simple order. You would never let a man disrespect you like he did in the past twenty minutes, without demanding at least a apology. Under normal circumstances men were begging for forgiveness at this point.
Draco snapped out of it. After a moment, realising you were beginning to get impatient.
He was trying to calm his heart down.
Was this love? Did he just fall in love while being humiliated by this woman?! But she looked so eternal, standing Infront of him.
Changing his personality a bit to the charming prince facade.
He changed his position to kneel on one knee now taking your hand and kissing the knuckles while looking at you through his lashes.
You could feel your heart flutter lightly.
"My deepest apologies Princess." This time it was an honest apology. You felt a bit guilty too so you helped him stand and said
"I have to apologise too your Highness. I shouldn't have thrown my shoe at you."
He smiled. A charming and bright smile.
It was a wonder that no other lady had fallen weak in his presence.
Draco was gone for you. He could feel it. The sea was beautiful but tonight he may found actual love. And he would be dammed if he let you slip through his fingers.
Inside the music began to play a waltz. The first dance of the night. They probably waited as long as they could but since Draco didn't return and wasn't planning on returning, with you by his side (but they didn't know that yet) his parents ordered the music to begin.
Bowing Infront of you he offered you his hand again.
"I believe we had a terrible first meeting, would you do me the honour of beginning fresh with this dance and give us a chance to have a second and better first impression of eachother?"
"I would like that very much your Highness." You made a curtsey while taking his hand and in mere seconds his other hand found your waist while yours found his shoulder.
Narcissa and Lucius were furious. Their son had abandoned the ball... Again. This wasn't the first time Draco had vanished at the beginning of a ball. He was very skilled in dodging people and potentiall lover's.
Narcissa had enough. She looked at Lucius and went behind the curtain that was leading to the endless floors of the castle. She would find Draco and drag him to the dancefloor if she had too.
Passing by the floor long windows in the corridor overlooking the gardens she saw movement from the corner of her eye. Turning her head slightly she stopped in her steps. Out there was unmistakably her son. And he was dancing with a beautiful young lady. They were dancing the waltz in such a elegant way you would think they had been doing it for all of their lives together.
Stepping closer to get a better look at them she noticed the look on both of their faces. It was the same look she and her husband gave eachother on the night they met.
Narcissa gasped in excitement.
And by the looks of it the girl was feeling the same for him.
Draco was lifting you into the air. He looked absolutely dazed, in a good way.
A tiny part in himself was protesting, reminding him about how you had humiliated him, how you had thrown your shoes after him. But that part was silenced rather quickly when he looked into your eyes that looked at him with just as much adoration as he felt for you.
While dancing around the garden you found your way back to another fountain in the center of a circle of Japanese wisteria trees.
Draco was twirling you around elegantly while you laughed for the first time tonight. A genuine laugh.
It was his new favourite sound.
He loved it even more than the sound of waves crashing against stone or into eachother.
You felt wonderful, perfect even. This wasn't what you had expected at all when the night started. You expected to have a boring night with a lot of scolding from your father after the ride back. Oh dear... You didn't want to leave. Or well you didn't want to leave so soon. When your feet touched the cold water of the fountain you let out a quiet sqeal. Draco gave you a playful grin.
You gave one right back at him and splashed him slightly with the water you stood in.
He laughed and lifted his hands in defeat.
"Alright I surrender you win, Princess."
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable if we addressed eachother with our names?"
"I suppose. But I am a horrible gentleman, I didn't ask your for name yet. How utterly rude of me. Could you forgive me my moon tide?"
"Moon tide.... That sounds utterly romantic... What does it mean?" You asked curious.
He gave you a gentle and soft smile.
"The moon pulls the ocean the same way you pull me."
"You are quite the poet.."
"Only if it concernes my deepest feelings."
"Do you even know my name Prince Draco?" You whispered while he stepped towards you into the fountain.
"No... But that could be quite simple to find out... could it not?"
"....Y/n. My name is y/n."
"A beautiful name. It suits you perfectly."
His hands moved a piece of hair that had fallen Infront of your eyes.
It took only one night and Draco was in love. He didn't think it was possible that he could imagine himself with anyone else than a ship on the sea but here he was. Praying to the sea that you would stay. That you would feel as he does.
"...Moon tide... Please... I know we don't know eachother and we only spend a short amount of time together.. but... Can I convince you to stay by my side? Let me prove to you that I can be a good match for you. Whatever you want... It shall be yours. Just.... Please... Give me a chance."
"You can drop the formalities with me."
"...Draco..." He felt as if the golden arrow of Eros had landed in his heart.
"...I...I.. have different plans for my future than becoming a chess piece for you. I don't want to be a tool. I want to change something."
"Who said you would be my chess piece?! I will give you anything and everything you desire. If you wish to have influence and power, I will gladly hand you my throne."
"You don't understand your high-"
"It's Draco to you... Remember?"
"...you don't understand Draco."
"What don't I understand y/n?" His hand gently stroked your cheek.
"All of the things I had to endure... All of the secrafices I made... Just to watch my birthright be stripped away because I am a woman.I don't want to let my incapable cousins win. They don't deserve the throne."
"....whatever do you mean by that?"
"I am the rightful heir to the throne my father sits in. But my uncle and cousins convinced my parents that they should wed me away. And they are complying. My uncle is probably plotting a coup as we are speaking. I am the only shield they have between them and death and they won't understand this."
"....that doesn't sound very appreciating or farsighted to me."
"I know.... But they won't listen to me... So I can't stay here. They will die if I do."
You sat down at the edge of the fountain.
Draco sat down next to you taking your hand in his.
"..this may sound harsh and cold... But... Let them."
"WHAT?!" You said shocked.
"I know how this sounds... But... Anyone who ignores their child... Their bright, clever and beautiful daughter... And ignored the clear warning signs of a coup being planned... Doesn't deserve to stay in the most powerful position of the lands."
"No... Listen to me y/n.. they are fools for not listening to you. They don't deserve you or your intelligence and wisdom for your young age..."
"I thought we were the same age?"
"We are.. probably... my parents only invited lady's around my age.. But what I meant is.. you will make a wonderful queen someday. And while I don't know your family I am sure your cousins shine not as bright as you do. So if you don't get the crown meant for you at your home... You will get the crown you deserve here... With me.. if you want that." He said the last part quietly while taking your hand in his carefully.
When Narcissa returned to the ball room Lucius was already restless. His leg was bouncing and his hand was clenched.
"Rest assured... He found her."
Lucius took her hand in his to calm himself down.
"Tell me it is true. Did he really find his love?"
"I believe so. They were dancing in the gardens. They looked at eachother like we did the first night."
Lucius breathed out relieved.
"I am not sure... I believe she is a Princess from a neighbouring country."
As the night came to an end, your father was searching for you.
He hadn't forgotten the beginning of the night and the act of rebellion from you but his thoughts flew out the window when he saw you entering the ballroom with the crown prince himself, linked arms and loving gazes at the other.
To say he was delighted was an understatement.
The sea of people parted for the two of you as you walked in.
Coming to a halt Infront of the stairs leading towards Draco's parents, both of you bowed your head's.
You seemed so polite and well educated while having such elegance and a determined air to you that she was sure you were the right match for her son.
The night ended with another dance, but this time Draco and you were in the middle of the actual ballroom. Being circled by jealous,happy or amused people who danced around the two of you.
Whatever was to come... The future surely would be interesting.
An: For now at least. This is 5623 words long. So the longest one shot (who will probably get more chapters in the future.) I have published so far. Since I don't know how to continue the other one. Maybe I will turn this into a mini series whenever I want to write a royal AU. Who knows. But there is definitely more that can be explored in this new AU mini series.
But until then I hope you had fun reading this. And that I could write a bit more in older language....
