Marc Anciel didn’t think of his face or his attitude to be something to carve a deep impression in the minds of those who meet him. And that was a good thing.
Marc’s painful past shows itself whenever he is about to start a path with Nathaniel as a friend rather than a crush. He is scared of how he feels and who he is even though those around him try to reassure him. Can a comic book be his way to come to terms with his own self?
Chapter 2 on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/15583653/chapters/36380427
August Fluff Month/ AU Yeah August - Day 12 - It was an accident!/ Royalty
@miraculousfluffmonth @auyeahaugust
Prince Nathaniel looked down at his newly stained shirt is complete disbelief. The last 2 seconds had gone by in such a blur, he wasn’t sure how it had even come to be there. He blinked absently for a few more seconds before raising his gaze up from his shirt and to the boy currently on the floor, dazed. Suddenly, piercing green eyes darted toward him and he could see they were filled with panic.
“Your highness!” the boy whispered, his pupils widening, jaw dropping. His tone plummeted, and for a moment, he was frozen to the floor in shock.
“Are you okay?” Nathaniel asked, offering his hand. The boy gasped sharply, clearly aghast at the idea that he would be a burden to the royal family.
“I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness!” he cried, shooting up from the floor and bowing well beyond a ninety-degree angle. “I’m sorry for sitting for so long! And I’m so sorry I spilled wine all over you! You see, I was on my way to the king…” The servant (whom Nathaniel now recognized him as) gasped so harshly, he thought he would scream. “THE KING!”
“Woah, woah,” Nathaniel started, holding his hands up to stop the panic attack before it started. “Wait a minute! Relax. I’m sure my father can go without his wine for a moment longer. I’ll ask another servant. It’s okay.” The servant froze, struck by the kindness of the Prince.
“Your Highness! I am so sorry! I should go. Oh! But your clothes! Let me just. Oh, I’m so sorry!” The boy approached him with a handkerchief and began dabbing at his chest worriedly, touching him as if he were uncertain as to whether or not he was permitted. Up close, his fluffy dark hair ticked Nathaniel’s chin. The servant’s frame was rather small and delicate, and he although he was slouching, Nathaniel could tell he was about the same height as him.
“It was an accident,” Nathaniel cooed softly, very distracted by the proximity of the boy. He smelled nice.
“But your shirt!” he cried.
“Can be washed.”
“And the wine!” he went on.
“Can be replaced.”
“But!”
“Are you hurt?” The boy froze, once again mortified that he was being a burden. He stepped away, much to Nathaniel’s disappointment.
“I’m… I’m fine,” he mumbled, biting his lip, worry still etched into his brow. “And you?”
“I’m perfectly alright,” he replied honestly, spreading his arms to display the lack of harm dealt upon his person. The servant visibly relaxed, his shoulders drooping. “May I ask your name?” Tense once more, the boy answered curtly.
“I am Marc Ancel.”
“Marc, you’re rather young to be working at the castle, aren’t you?”
“I… I’m new. My parents have been working here all their lives and…”
“I see.” Marc bowed again, keeping his head lowered as he spoke.
“I’m so sorry. I can see now I wasn’t ready…”
“No!” Nathaniel exclaimed, startling Marc. “I mean. You’re doing just fine! I was only wondering. Because, you see, there aren’t many younger servants. Especially not my age. I’ve never seen you before.” Nathaniel rubbed nervously at the back of his neck. He was being ridiculous. It was only a cute boy! It was not as if he had never seen a cute boy before.
“Oh. Well.” Marc stood straight once more. “Yes, I will do my best to help around the castle regularly.”
“I hope to see you more often,” Nathaniel confessed. Marc blushed furiously. It was pleasant to know that he looked overjoyed, rather than abashed.
“As do I, Your Highness.”
“Please, call me Nath.” Marc’s eyes widened. His blush now was most definitely an act of chagrin.
“Your Highness! I could never!” Nathaniel waved the point aside.
“We’ll work on it. I’ll relieve you of the conversation. Please do go about what you were doing.” Nathaniel turned to walk away after a short nod of his head.
“Your shirt!” Marc reminded him.
“I’ll go change,” he shrugged. “It’s not a problem at all. Like I said, it was an accident.” Marc bowed deeply once more before Nathaniel turned the corner. He would not admit this for a very long time, but the Prince was happy to have gone and ruined a shirt. The wine stain may never come out, but it was quite worth it to meet such an adorable, sweet boy.
Author’s Note: The way I wrote Marc reminds me of Dobby the House Elf… Also kind of like a scared little woodland creature…