The Throne AU - Nouis || Chapter Four
In a world where five Kingdom’s constantly tug and pull for power there is no room for mistakes. The King is expected to always be on the best of behavior, to always be prepared for war. The King is expected to find a Queen. Even if that King is only 20 years old.
In a world where Kings rule there is no room for mistakes. Every peasant is expected to behave and abide by all the laws. When you turn 20 you are expected to find a bride.
They say that love can conquer all. But will that remain true when the love is forbidden.
“I really am sorry about Liam.” Louis sighed as they walked through the corridors. “He’s a right twat.”
“It’s expected, sir.” Niall replied meekly, his head bowed to the ground as he followed behind Louis.
Those words caused Louis to stop in his tracks, the words cutting at him like ice. Niall kept on walking until he noticed that Louis had stopped, and now he stood a few steps in front of Louis. He turned around, his eyes landing on the frozen boy. A pained expression was plastered on Louis’ features as he digested Niall’s words.
“Sir, I-” Niall started, his voice hesitant and weak.
“Is that what you really think of us?” Louis practically whispered, swallowing the large lump that had grown in the back of his throat. He looked up at the small blonde boy, almost forgetting that he had only been with them for no more than a day.
“No sir, I-”
“Don’t call me sir!” Louis burst, color returning to his face as it burst into a deep shade of red.
“I’m sorry, I just-” Niall replied quickly, stopping to take a deep breath. “You ought to know that your family doesn’t have the best name.” He added on, his eyes still trained on the pained Louis.
“But we’re just children.”
“You’re barely a child.”
“But I’m not king!” Louis replied, his eyes narrowing at the boy he had formerly called a friend.
“Not yet!” Niall retorted, causing Louis to gulp.
“And on your father’s passing, it is you who reigns as King.” His mother spoke, her voice shaky as she eyed the blue eyed boy.
“And when I pass?” Louis spoke, his hand clenched around the bedpost.
“Your brother.”
“I’m not ready for this mother. I’m not ready to be King.” He spoke.
“You have to be.” She whispered. “Any day now, it is you who we will call our King.”
Niall stood in front of Louis, watching him carefully as his eyes pressed shut. He murmured quietly under his breath, the syllables that fell out of his mouth not forming words. Niall knew instantly that what he said had upset Louis. Not even a day with the prince and he could already read his every emotion.
“I- I apologise.” Niall muttered, waiting for Louis to react. The brown haired boy stood still, his eyes still shut tight. He opened them slowly, not surprised to see Niall eyeing him suspiciously.
“I think it’s time you go to your quarters, Niall.” Louis spoke, a coldness in his voice that Niall hadn’t heard before. He looked at the Prince wearily, he hadn’t left his side since he got here. Niall silently cursed himself, already knowing that he was getting way too attached to the future king.
“I’m not sure where those are.” Niall replied, his voice shaky as he forced the words out.
Louis silently nodded, turning and making his way down the hallway. Niall took this as a clue to follow him, walking down the still unfamiliar hallways. They took stair after stair, climbing deeper and deeper into the castle. The walls grew wetter and the halls smelled damper and damper as they descended.
Louis stopped in front of a large door, knocking lightly on it. The hallway was dimly lit by a small torch that was placed next to the door, but Niall could still see the frown that was plastered on Louis’ face.
A tall girl with ridiculously curly hair opened the door, obviously shocked to see Louis standing in front of her. A frown quickly appeared on her face as she saw him skulking in front of her. Niall could have sworn he saw a plan brewing in her eyes as they drifted over the boy.
“Lou!” She screamed, causing a small smile to tug onto his lips. She jumped into his arms, squeezing him tightly.
“Danielle.” Louis chuckled, stumbling back a few steps as she put all her weight on him. He chuckled into the embrace, used to her proximity. Behind him Niall stood awkwardly, something brewing in the pit of his stomach. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Jealousy.
“Working for you is so much better than working for your sisters.” Danielle whispered into his ear, only loud enough for him to appear.
“I can imagine.” Louis scoffed, rolling his eyes lightly.
Danielle nodded, looking over his shoulder and eyeing Niall, who had been watching the exchange carefully. “Who’s this?” She asked, sending the blonde boy a small smile. His cheeks flamed red as the two turned towards him.
“Niall, my new servant.” Louis replied, not meeting the blonde boy’s gaze.
“Hello Niall, welcome to the family.” Danielle smiled, ushering the small boy into the door.
“I’m going to go.” Louis sighed, running a hand over his face. Without another word he took of, turning and disappearing into the dark.
“I apologize if he’s moody.” Danielle sighed, her arm still protectively draped across Niall’s shoulder. “He has his days. He will come around, I promise.”
“I know this is odd.” She carried on, trying her best to make him feel comfortable. “I remember my first day, it was the most terrifying thing ever.”
“I don’t think it has set in yet.” Niall shrugged, the blush still lingering on his cheeks.
“You’ll be just fine.” Danielle reassured him, watching his every move. She secretly hoped that should could figure this boy out, unveiling his secrets in a timely manner.
Niall just nodded, walking further into the dim room. He looked around to see bunks everywhere, sometimes stacked even three high.
“This is where all the servents live.” Danielle explained, a smile playing on her lips. “This is home.”
“Home.” Niall repeated, trying to hide the scoff that was forming in his throat. This was not home.
---
Louis turned from Niall, a scoff still playing on his lips as he thought about Niall’s words. It’s expected. It’s expected. He wasn’t sure why it bothered him so much. So many people had said the same words to him before. He was used to people thinking he was a spoiled brat. But with Niall, it was different.
He didn’t know why, but he wanted to prove the blonde boy wrong. He glumly walked through the halls, dragging his feet dramatically. An unfamiliar passage way stood in front of him, meaning he had taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way when he was lost in his thoughts.
He turned around, making his way back to where he came from. It took him 112 steps to realize that he was near the East tower. So once again he started the journey to his room, hoping that sleep would answer all his questions.
He opened the door, half expecting Niall or Danielle to be standing there. His eyes trained on the dark room as he fumbled for a match. He swiftly lit the lamp that sat beside his door, the furniture in the room coming into focus. He slowly made his way to the bathroom, dragging his feet in the process.
He wasn’t sure what was troubling himself so much. Niall knew, like everyone else, that he was to be King. He was going to be King a lot sooner than wanted. He didn’t know a thing about being a King.
But something else was troubling him, someone else. He wasn’t sure if it was just the presence of someone knew in his life but he tried to shake the feeling as the blonde boy’s face surfaced in his mind every time he closed his eyes.
The large pitcher of water sat next to the basin, most likely Danielle’s doing. He carefully poured some water into the basin, not wanting Niall to have to clean up a mess in the morning.
He leaned over the basin, placing a hand on each side to brace himself. His eyes focused in and out, leaving him queasy. He dipped his hands into the cold water, lifting them up and splashing his face. The icy water sent an electric shock through his body, causing him to come up gasping. His skin tingled, water dripping down his front as he stood staring at his reflection.
“Lewis!” Lottie and Fizz chorused, bursting into his room loudly. His attention was instantly tugged away from his thoughts by the loud disturbance.
“Oi!” Louis groaned, his head peeking out of the bathroom to glare at the girls. “That’s not my name.”
“Oh.” Lottie giggled, bounding over to her older brother and jumping on his back. He stumbled back, almost falling onto the bed as the two girls attacked him.
“You girls are getting so heavy, ugh.” Louis mocked, winking at his two sisters.
“We have a message!” Fizz giggled, plopping herself onto his bed.
“Tell Louis he is requested to be in the throne room promptly at sunrise tomorrow.” Lottie spoke, mimicking her mother’s voice. She scrunched up her face, twisting it to make a funny face at Louis.
“Why?” Louis groaned, just wanting to bury his head under the pillows and never get up.
“Don’t you know?” Fizz asked, her mouth tugging into a smirk. “You’re picking your princess tomorrow.”
“My w-what?!”
