He stands tall, taller than all of the men in your land with an unreadable look on his pretty face. You mentally rolled your eyes at him. Your maids however seemed to fall to their knees at one glance from him. Pathetic.
He is much broader and taller than the last time you saw him. That was of course a few years ago when his parents the king and queen of Arostria came to visit your parents. They stayed for quite some time and you remember the tinted cheeks, soothing noises from the guitar, the royal library, the stolen glances and the lingering touches as clear as day.
Yes you the youngest princess of Wrindledale had a school girl crush on the youngest prince of Arostria. He was a few years older than you and definitely a lot taller than you. You had to strain your neck and look up to meet the gentle gaze. But your young brain was fascinated by it all. You viewed it as forbidden. Who would approve? So you kept your feelings hidden like always.
His jaw is still sprinkled with sandy blonde hair but he had let his hair grow and his hair seems a darker shade than you remember. His jawline is more prominent and you could see how much he'd grown since the prior years. Nevertheless he was magnificent. Beautifully carved by the Greek gods themselves and owning up to it so well. You were sure he'd gotten extremely cocky and arrogant. Honestly, with looks and status like that who wouldn't?
You could feel his stare burning holes into the back of your head. You turned around and your instincts as usual was correct but the prince did not even try to hide the fact that he was staring at you. He looked scary a total contrast to the boy you remember.
You remember the free spirited young prince who was kind to everyone who looked his way. You remember how much he adored reading books about mathematics and science, one day you sneaked him into the royal library so he could enjoy that day. That was a special day for him. It was also the day where you lost your favorite necklace.
Of course he had grown. From the shy boy to the overly confident man he seemed to be. He looked mature, fiery even and you wondered if the boy you fell for was there at all. "Your highness, May I have a dance?" An all too familiar voice brought you back to reality. "That would be lovely, Prince Michael"
And as you danced with the blonde prince that had an amazing wit you've never felt so free. Ever since you met one night when you were stargazing Michael had been your best friend. He made you laugh and often took you on adventures. He even tried to teach you how to ride a horse. Key word being tried.
"So you're being married off with prince what's his face?" Michael snickered, you let out a soft sigh looking into his eyes "Atleast look happy on my engagement night Michael"
"How can I when I know I'll never get to see you again?"
This is not how you imagined to spend your engagement night. You wanted to marry for love and you were sure he did not love you. He seemed to be too busy to even talk to his own wife to be. How can power change a person like that? And now you were even more bummed upon realizing that you might not get to see your best friend ever again.
Michael left you after a bit looking for a certain maid he had been seeing for a couple of weeks. "Your highness" you heard a voice behind you. Swiftly you looked around to lock eyes with the man you've been thinking of all night. Your soon to be husband. You hummed and greeted him politely. "I think we should stay a bit more closer. I do not want anyone to think that I'm ok with them being close to my wife" he said so sweetly that you wanted to slap his perfect face.
"I am not your wife yet Prince Luke and I certainly do not like the way you're talking about my best friend" you narrowed your eyes at him. He simply rolled his eyes, dragging you by the arm to the lonely hallway.
"Where are we going?" You asked timidly peeping up from behind him to look at the dimly lit hallway. Usually this exact hallway was filled with busy maids running around but now it was soo silent you were almost glad you weren't alone.
A/N : So here's part 1 of the prince!luke series I promised like a thousand years ago haha. Maybe this will turn into a king!luke fic but who knows... Anyways thank you guys so much for liking my 4/4 pref!!
A/N: Royal!SOS is here! This is just a basic intro into the boys and their lives
Taglist Masterlist
Luke Michael Ashton
“Calum! Stand still!” The scolding voice of Joy echoed through the seamstresses’ room. Calum stood on the pedestal, waiting for the woman to finish measuring him so he could leave. “The ball is almost upon us and you still need an outfit.” Calum only rolled his eyes at his mother and continued to throw things at his sister, Mali-Koa. She was first in line for the throne after his parents, so he didn’t see a point in acting appropriately or like the perfect prince. He wanted to do what he wanted. His sister, on the other hand, was the perfect royal. She listened to everything their parents had to say, she attended meetings with their father and the royal committee, the public loved her, and she was the definition of a poised princess.
“Please Calum, you’re embarrassing.” Speaking of the princess, Calum fully turned his body to face the doorway. He ignored his mother’s protests and glared at his older sister. Their relationship wasn’t bad per se, but it wasn’t amazing. Calum was a little bitter that she was next in line since it meant he would probably never become king, but he did still love and respect his sister. He just wished she would mind her own business.
“Like my actions will affect you Mali.” He said with a roll of his eyes, something he had been doing a lot lately.
“Calum, when are you going to find a woman to settle down with?” At Joy’s question, Calum sighed and turned to face the tailor. That was the only question she had been asking him for years now. Calum was 23 now and he should have been married at 18, or that’s what his mother and father wanted. Calum did not want that. He didn’t want to get married to some nice princess that was as perfect as his sister was. He wanted to find a real girl that didn’t care if she offended people. He wanted someone that stood up for herself and didn’t back down from a fight. He wanted a girl that could beat his ass if she needed to.
“When I feel like it mother,” Calum said with a huff before he walked out of the room. He didn’t know if the woman was finished with him, but he didn’t really care. He made his way to the garden outside, hoping the calmness of the outside would relax him. He doubted it would since things never go his way, but he had to try. The truth was, Calum already found a woman he wanted to settle down with. Y/N. She was perfect to Calum, but the only problem was she was his sister’s lady-in-waiting. He didn’t mind at all that she wasn’t a princess, but others would. He knew that it was a tradition for a royal to marry a royal but Calum was never one for traditions. So, he stole secret moments with Y/N whenever he could. It was hard since she was supposed to be following his sister around but sometimes, she was given some freedom. In her free time, she would find Calum and the two would share some time together. Most times they hid in secluded rooms but under the cover of darkness, they would take walks in the garden or sit on the balconies. It wasn’t the way Calum had wanted his life to go but he wouldn’t change it. He assumed he was going to be married off to a princess of his parents choosing and he would grow to love her and she would grow to love him. They would have beautiful royal babies and their kids would grow up getting everything they wanted. That certainly wasn’t happening now and he was happy about it. He was happy that he wasn’t getting married to a girl he didn’t love. He couldn’t marry the girl he loved but at least he got to be with her in some way. They both agreed that having a secret relationship was better than none at all.
"You cannot be serious!" You screamed out in frustration, glaring at the prince. "M-Michael is my best friend! You cannot 'forbid' me from seeing him!"
"I'm just protecting you from him" was his answer. "What? No! You're just doing this because it hurts your dumb male ego! Well guess what ‘your highness’, I'm not going to stop being friends with him because of you and you can't do anything about it!" You glared at him, turning around in one quick movement and stomping away into the castle.
The prince sighed, head hung and shoulders slumped. This is not how he wanted things to go. When he first came up with the proposal, he thought that you would be happy; happy that it was him and not someone else, happy that you'd both finally have a chance at being together, it was all he thought about for all these years. Sure, it may have been somewhat of a reach considering the fact that you two haven't had been in touch in so long giving you enough time to easily fall into someone else. His plan may have not been so practical now that he thinks about it.
All the could haves and should haves start to fill his mind when some clears their throat from behind. Confused he turned around only to be met with green colored orbs staring straight into his blue ones…Michael.
There he was standing in all his might, with an ever so annoying smirk itched up in his face. What was he doing here?
-
"Soo" Your mother dragged out the word in a cheery tone basically jumping up in the air as she twirled around the dress she had in her arms. You were if being quite honest a little surprised at her antics as the queen usually was more of a reserved person in general. Or so you thought. "Mother"
"Mother!" "Yes dear?" "I don't care!"
The queen's eyes went wide as she searched your eyes looking for any sort of playfulness. "Now quit being so stubborn dear, this is your wedding!" She reasons as if she's talking to a child. "You should be happy and prancing around to make sure they have the flowers right and…and everything's the way it should be!”
You sigh fiddling with the lace ends of your frock "But mother it is not as how it should be. I do not love him and nor does he love me back"
"Oh, hush dear! Do not speak such nonsense! You will learn to love him; I mean what isn't there to love? Such a handsome young prince he is! And clever and smart just like a good leader he'Il turn into one day… He already is" the queen says in an infatuated voice. "He is the one who turned that small kingdom into the empire it is now. If not, your father may not have even given his blessing for you both.”
"So that's what I am now? A business transaction? A reward to seal off a deal?" you ask exasperated. The queen fixes her crown, turning around and staring at her daughter directly, she sighs " I do not understand how to get you to realize this child”
-
Walking down the creek with your dress bunched up in your hands, you smiled softly inhaling the fresh breeze. Suddenly, a sound of rustling of leaves startled you causing your feet to stop dead in their tracks.
Curiosity taking over your brain you snooped here and there, hoping the intruder would be a certain little rabbit. But what caught your eye was a fluff of blond locks and a pale back, crouched down near the riverbank, doing whatever.
The man seemed to be extremely tall by the looks of his long arms and his never-ending legs that was covered by black slacks and bent in the process of crouching. His shoulder blades were dusted with the tiniest number of freckles and the flesh adorning his body took a fair skin tone, almost the color of a ripe peach, his back muscles tensed as he got up "Hey princess".
The handsome man turned around making your cheeks turn bright red as a smirk crept up on his perfect face. "You know, it is considered unethical to see your man's chest bare before the marriage."
Your eyes widen at his remark, heart rate increasing as your breath got caught in your throat. He simply chuckled at that, loving the fact that he could get a reaction like that from you. You quickly turned around as embarrassment crept up your face, wanting nothing more than to escape his cocky nature.
But then you remember something, a simple detail and with that in mind you turn around. "What happened to your face?" His eyebrows furrowed as he touched his face subconsciously, hissing lowly when his fingertips reached his right eye.
"Did...did you start a fight?" you ask eyes narrowing. "Oh princess, you should know that I never start fights with those who are undeserving" And he's back to his old self again. "Then how did you get a black eye?" you question with a frown oh so prominent in your face.
He sighs as he changes back into his formal attire. The white fabric wraps around his body perfectly shielding his flawless muscles from your greedy eyes. He buttons up leaving the topmost buttons undone which ends up displaying the small blond hairs that rest up on top of his firm chest. "Go back to the castle, Princess" he says picking up his black coat.
"Wait, prince Luke!" he awaits your answer eagerly, surprised at the fact that you were willingly talking to him without turning everything into an argument. "Don't get into fights" you say softly, meekly turning around and walking away, trying your best not to look back. He smiles staring at the path until you disappear from his eyes. Maybe everything will turn out just right.
-
"You cannot be serious!" you exclaim with widened eyes. "Princess not again! We start our journey to Arostria tonight and be on your best behavior because that is where you will spend the rest of your life and you need to make a good impression with the town's folk." This was absolutely ridiculous! The wedding was supposed to be held in your kingdom, and the day after that was when you were supposed to head off to his kingdom. But as always without your knowledge there had been a change of plans. You didn't understand why though. Your father, the king himself came down to break the news to you just like that. No asking if you were ok with it or anything.
This had prince Luke written all over it! And worst of all you might not get to say goodbye to your best friend Michael.
-
The creaking sound of the wagon stop all together and after a good minute the door opens to reveal Henry, your footman. "We have arrived Princess!"
You slowly step outside, looking around the gigantic castle. The empire he basically built on his own.
"Welcome your majesty!”
-
You walked alongside the lake wandering about what you overheard. Was it true or was it not? The maids have been talking and you happened to walk straight into the chamber where they were sat, gossiping about you and your prince. Of course, by seeing the princess they all seemed to be shocked to their very core as they scrambled out of that place like little ants when they are caught trying to steal some sugar cubes.
But you heard, oh you heard some things. Somethings that should have never left prince Luke's chambers. Should you believe some maids over your prince? Well, he hasn't really said anything about the matter. And what are you supposed to do? Ask him? Not a chance.
The rustling of leaves brought you out of your realm of thoughts. "Who's there?" you asked, hoping to meet a pair of blue orbs but instead you were met with a different hue…green.
"'Michael!" you exclaimed, surprised to see him there of all places. "I had to see you" he said softly, taking your hand in his and kissing the palm delicately. "Oh Michael! I missed you so much!" you said as he wrapped his arms around you. It was a little bit inappropriate to hug a man that is not who you're marrying but this was Michael for God sakes! Your best friend who came to see you all the way to another kingdom!
"What are you doing here!" you asked teary, as you parted from his embrace. "Like I said, I had to see you and I have something I need to tell you" You ask him what it is. Eager to help him with whatever. After all, that is what best friends do!
"Princess Y/N, from the minute I saw you that night, the glimmer in your eyes, I-I knew that you were too good for this world. Every day I got to spend with you, it was a dream and right now I have to say this. I love you" Prince Michael said staring deep into your eyes. You stare at him dumbfounded. You only viewed Michael as your best friend. Plus you have feelings for someone. Someone else. "I-Oh Michael! I am sorry but I cannot love you. Y-You're my best friend and I am in love with someone else" you say worryingly.
"What-Prince Luke? Y/N you can't be in love with someone who you are forced to marry!" He exclaimed, his eyes screaming rage. "Michael, I'm sorry but this is the way it is" you reason not wanting to hurt him even more. "No! you don't understand. Look…j-just because you're supposed to marry him doesn't mean you have to love him. We-we can go somewhere else! We can start a new life!" he started rambling.
"I'm sorry Michael but I can't! I cannot do that to prince Luke! I love him! I know I do...I just didn't want to accept my feelings" you start but were you talking to Michael or yourself? He doesn't seem too moved by your speech as he approached you.
"Can I at least kiss you?" he asks as your eyes widened. "N-No Michael! That is inappropriate!" You exclaim taking a step back. "I think you should leave" you said wanting nothing more than to end the conversation then and there. He takes a few bold steps and in one swift movement his lips are pressed to yours while his hands are firm on your hips holding you in place. You of course, try to push him away but he's too strong.
"What the fuck?!"
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A/N : Hey! Thank you for reading! Feedback is always appreciated and my inbox is always open for you guys<3 So what do you guys think about 5sos5??? Emotions and Flatline are my faves!!
His majesty took a seat on the royal table, scoffing at his mother's glare, rolling his eyes at his aunts and finally winking at the brunette maid causing her to almost spill the water jug onto the kings lap. He also had the audacity to act as if everyone around the table wasn't giving him the death glare.
"Lucas, you are very late! Is this how you greet your aunts? Hmm" his first aunt's obnoxious voice range through the castle.
"Hello aunt Helen, I must say I'm not even the slightest happy that you're here. So please, do say how much of the gold pennies you've had your eyes on so we can move this along." He said in the most polite voice his mother has ever heard coming out of his mouth.
The women's eyes almost popped out of her head as she narrowed her eyes into two slits scanning the room to find her two sisters shocked expression. Her youngest sister who also happens to be the queen of the land seemed to find the plate infront of her rather interesting. The king seemed to have a hard time trying to stop the corners of his lips from twitching upwards. The same maid from before seemed to have a reddened face as she held eye contact with the smirking prince.
Aunt Helen huffed, turning from her seat to the queen. "Dear, how many times have I told you that place near the kingdom border? They teach discipline in the most acceptable way. Surely you can't have a king with respect as him"
"Oh yes with me out of the way you can.." "Luke that's enough" his mother told him with a pointed glare. Aunt Helen shuffled comfortably in her seat. Munching on a pea never felt so good.
"Now tell us why you're late dear" His other aunt the one who was quiet for all this time spoke up. "I was umm doing some research of sorts. Yes a research on how to get rid of leaches" his majesty stated giving an amused smirk while catching his aunt Helen's response towards his clever answer.
Luke = 01
Aunt Helen = 0
"Well now that's out of the way let's eat! Oo what is this?!" The prince exclaimed stuffing a mouth full of the baked good in front of it. "That's um aunt Helen here bought it and it's um.." "Oh let me tell him darling. It's one of the signature dishes from my land Lucas. And guess what's the special ingredient is...Snails!! Yes they are very nutritious" Aunt Helen exclaimed proudly with an evil glint filled in her eyes.
"Well that's grea-" The prince stopped mid sentence, the chewing process slowly discreasing as he took in the new information. His face turned a bit of white as he gulped down the bolus. Ooo bad idea. He cringed at the taste, feeling saliva fill up his mouth.
Aunt Helen = 01
Luke = 01
Aunt Helen's smirk didn't last long as she was dragged into one of the infamous conversations the three sisters had. The king, who was silent upon all of this chaos looked to the side to see the situation his youngest son had fallen upon. He couldn't help his lips from twitching upwards as he saw how the prince was clutching the edge of the table, knuckles turned white and legs bouncing out of nervousness.
"Nope..no" the prince mumbled out quickly stumbling out of the dining hall, crashing into the white porcelain statue of his great great grandfather and nearly breaking the neck in half.
A/N : Hi, thank you sm for reading this!! And I would love some feedback if you guys can, don't be afraid to ask me anything :-)
Luke was mesmerized. Sunlight glistened against silk. The rose pink dress the princess wore shimmered with her every movement. He saw her everyday, under sunlight and moonbeams, in the grandest rooms of the castle and engulfed by the perfectly tended flowers in the royal garden. But the sight of her trailing aimlessly through their secret meadow never failed to instill awe in him. She was one with the world when they made their getaway. Lost to the wildflowers and overgrowth of grass. Ease always captured her in the meadow; fully able to let worries of kingdoms and wars slip away. She felt safe there. She felt protected by Luke’s presence.
His cape flew in the wind as he followed her, the sign of his knighthood a sharp reminder against his skin. He was sworn to protect the crown. Vowed to his sword and the castle and nothing more. But secrets lived on his lips and in his heart. They were born of tilted crowns and shy smiles, flowers in hair and running through shadows and from responsibilities.
“We could keep going,” she said as she spun to face Luke. Her eyes sparkled under the light, were relentless as they peered at him and waited for his response. Perfectly stained lips pursed as Luke sighed. “We don’t have to go back.”
He reached for her hand, her skin was soft under his gentle touch.
“Where would we go?” Luke asked, only to amuse her and her wanderlust.
“Anywhere,” she answered softly and swept her gaze around their meadow. “Or we could stay here. Make a cabin in the woods.”
“Princess,” Luke whispered, words that ached sitting heavily on his heart in the momentary silence they lapsed into. Her eyes were filled with hope. “You know we can’t. We have to go back.”
The reasons for their return danced in the air between them, swayed with the wild lilies in the breeze and wilted their dreams. The reasons were sharp, broken vows meeting blades. A life of sworn commitment coming to an end. The princess nodded but turned away from Luke, hands gently gliding over petals as she kept walking.
“Then I will run away. As my sworn sword you will have to follow, to protect me,” she said as she looked back, lip quivering at the thought. Lies sounded sweet from her sugary lips. “You’ll follow me. Won’t you?”
Luke nodded, knowing there was no other way he could answer. He would follow her to the ends of the earth. Until death.
She sighed once more. This time the sound was resigned. Defeat captured her, slumped her shoulders and slowed her walk. Luke yearned to reach out for her again but the contact was forbidden. He knew he could. The meadow was theirs and no watching eyes would see. He could take her in his arms and whisper sweet nothings like many times before. Instead, he merely followed as his fingers curled into his palm. He was adamant to keep his promise to the princess his sword and heart were sworn to.
“Your father will be waiting,” Luke reminded. He hated the words, regret filling him as soon as they rolled off his tongue. Any mention of the king brought her down from the clouds, away from the privacy of the meadow and into a shadowed world of hallowed halls and sharp orders.
“Let him wait,” she insisted as she turned back to him and came to a full stop. “His throne is comfortable enough. The arrangement will be made whether I’m present or not.”
Luke swallowed down a lump in his throat. Once stained glass worries became transparent. He could see the refusal in her eyes. The indignant set of her jaw. She would not be swayed to leave. Luke worried, she would also not be swayed to stop. Even more so he worried that she would. That all of her talk and her late night dreams would be all for naught. So many nights they snuck out to the gardens, the meadow out of reach but the privacy of the night and the familiarity of flowers offering them comfort. She’d whisper words of longing to Luke, make plans he had to convince himself not to act on in those very moments. Each night it got harder and harder to resist.
“I don’t want you to go,” Luke finally said, the words scorching him from the inside out as the sun began to dip below the tree line. Too much time had been spent hidden away from the rest of the world. “But you must.”
The princess faltered, her knight in dented armor doing little to save her from her fate. She frowned and shook her head, perfectly done hair falling in her face with the motion. Luke kept his hands to himself though he wished to push soft tendrils behind her ear, maybe even let his fingertips linger on her jaw for a just a moment longer than necessary.
“They’re going to send me away,” she responded and furrowed her eyebrows. Suddenly, glimmering eyes turned dark, shimmers turned to tears and palid expressions became her. “They’re arranging a marriage to some lord of a holdfast. I might never see my home again. I might never see you again.”
Luke lost his breath at her admission. The details of royal arrangements always kept from him until the moment they were signed and sealed. He went where he was told. He protected when danger arose. He knew little of what the world was outside of the castle and the commands of a king. Outside of the forbidden love he bore for a princess he was not ready to lose.
“I’m your sworn sword. Where you go, I follow,” Luke reminded but the princess solemnly shook her head and Luke faltered.
“Not this time,” she answered and turned sharply, heading back to the entrance of the clearing and to a fate she did not want to be destined for.
Luke hurried after her, met her at the treeline where their lone horse waited. His hands found hers again and the realization it may be the last time he could feel the softness of her skin, smell the sweetness that lingered around her, he shattered. Pieces of himself falling to the dirt; ragged and sharp enough to sever ties and vows.
“It’s five miles back to the castle,” Luke said flippiantly, eyes searching anywhere but the trail they must take to bring her home. He helped her into the saddle and joined, her arms wound around him in a way that promised she did not want to let go. He let out a breath, ran his thumb over the back of her hand and took a chance. “It’s ten to the docks. Fifty leagues to the next kingdom.”
A demure smile curved her lips as she took in Luke’s words. She peered out to the other side of the meadow, tilted her head to the side and gazed up at Luke.
“Wherever I go…” she said and trailed off.
“I’ll follow,” Luke promised.
***
Part 2??
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Ashton’s life hangs precariously under fabricated accusations and a blade. The only one championing for mercy is the daughter of the man about to swing the sword.
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A tense silence cut through the growing crowd. The stone dais beneath Ashton’s knees scorched, the sun was blazing above, merciless as it beat down and washed everything in a menacing glow. It was the first time in weeks that he had seen the sun, felt the breeze on his skin and took in fresh air. It would also be the last.
His time in the dungeons was bleak, the one sliver of light pooling in from the near endless line of cells doing little to warm the damp holding. The thin pants he wore were ragged, worn out in the knees and falling apart at the seams. His wrists were chaffed, the cell they kept him in seemingly not enough, shackles kept him bound for days. An authoritative voice boomed through the quiet crowd, a portrayal of crimes Ashton had not committed falling from the king’s lips. A punishment of death giving gasps to the commoners. A shiver ran up his spine and made him quiver.
He finally looked up from the stones. Pangs of pain shot through his forehead as his eyes found the light, still not used to it after such time in the dark. He squinted past the glare, trying to find one last thing of beauty to fixate on. The castle stood tall against the light, foreboding though it was washed in a golden glow. The tallest tower loomed over the crowd, the window at the very top wide open. A shadow danced past, a lurid figure that kept Ashton’s attention. The king’s speech kept on, lies rolling off his tongue like scripture. The people bought every word. The gasps of horror they once bestowed upon the prisoner and punishment turning to an uproarious cheer.
Ashton tuned it out, kept peering up at the window in the tower. The shadowy figure coming in and out of his hazy vision. With the blade of a sword hanging over his thread of life he decided he’d rather not see the swing coming. The shadow disappeared again, seconds ticked by before the figure broke through the dark, a princess taking its place. Ashton wasn’t sure if he was hallucinating, if the deprivation of food and water ruined his sanity, but he swore she found his gaze. He could almost feel the sadness in her eyes. He was sure she frowned. But she fluttered away before he could take a second glance.
“For high crimes committed against the crown, the punishment shall be given by my hand,” the king announced.
Ashton went slack jawed but quickly recovered. He swallowed down a lump in his throat and looked back down to the stones. The princess was gone, even her shadow had abandoned him. Ashton heard the sword being pulled from its sheath. He could only imagine the priceless steel it was forged from. It was surely more valuable than his life.
“Any last words?” the king asked but the sudden eruption in the crowd would have made them fall on deaf ears.
Ashton had no words. His words would have no one to hear them. He kept quiet. Hung his head down low and took in one last breath. Eyes slipped shut. He heard the arc of the sword but felt softness where the blade should have hit him. The crowd quieted again. Instead of cheers he heard pleas.
“Mercy.”
His eyes sprang open, his senses came back to life. He recognized skin on his, supple and sweet. The arms of a woman thrown around his neck, her body pressing against his protectively. She smelled of honey and lilacs, intoxicatingly sweet after breathing in the mold riddled air of the dungeons. Ashton was still in his shock, on his knees as if a statue. He frantically tried to take in the rest of the world; from the astonished crowd to the woman clinging to him, to the guards swarming the dais with weapons pulled and the king with his blade still in the air.
“Father, please,” the woman begged and Ashton all but collapsed at the sudden realization. The princess held him. “Mercy.”
Mumblings cut through the crowd. Mercy was repeated in hushed whispers and confused utterings. Ashton’s vision was blurry but he blinked back the haze, swallowed down the burn in his throat and found his movement. His hands clenched as they felt silk. While he expected the princess to flinch away from his touch she only came closer, desperately keeping him in her hold, arms secure around his neck.
“Seize him,” the king commanded but the princess was having none of his orders.
She slid beneath his arms, now stuck between him and the shackles binding his hands together. The guards about to storm fell short, suddenly not knowing what to do. To get to him would mean getting to the princess first.
“If you take his head you take mine with it,” she declared.
Ashton shivered, the words were so powerful he felt ready to drop. No one had ever taken such a stance against the king. Let alone a woman who shared his blood.
“Enough of this foolishness. He’s a criminal.”
“He saved my life!” the princess cried, her voice carrying across the crowd and to the castle. He knew her words would reach beyond, from the crowd to the markets to the lowlands, over the sea and to Ashton’s own home kingdoms away. “Do you really mean to execute the hero that saved your only heir?”
Ashton turned and the princess swayed with his motion. Her hold on him only strengthened. Her hair blew in a subtle breeze, the tresses soft against Ashton’s cheek. He found the king, saw the shine of the blade he had yet to drop under the sun.
“What?” the king asked and though he did not fully drop the sword he lowered it, the threat now hanging idly by his side. “Stand down,” he told the guards with swords drawn and archers with bows readied. “Explain yourself, criminal.”
Ashton stayed quiet. He knew his words would fall flat. He knew the king would poke holes in his story. Nothing he said would be enough to get him off his knees.
“During the attempted siege,” the princess spoke up instead. Ashton shuddered at the memory of that night.
He had fallen in line with his army. Followed orders from his own king’s lips and stormed the castle that stood tall in front of him. He didn’t lead the way to the princess’ tower but he wound up in her chambers.
“He stopped them,” she continued and the short explanation was enough to intrigue the king. His eyebrow shot up and the grip on his sword loosened. “The men in my chambers. He stopped them. He saved me.”
As soon as he realized who’s chambers they were in Ashton knew the men’s intentions. As they dragged her from behind the curtains he felt his stomach turn. Without hesitating he drew his sword. It took three motions for him to save her life. One cut. One punch. One shove. And then it was only he that stood in the chambers of the princess with the broken door as the guards finally found their way to her side.
The princess slightly pulled away from him but kept her hold around his neck. Her eyes met his fully, regret and pain flickering across her face. Her voice lowered, her words meant only for Ashton. “Thank you.”
Ashton was flustered and couldn’t find the proper words to respond. He wished he could’ve said something to her that night but the guards pulled him away too soon. He didn’t know what she said to them, how she explained the dying men on the ground. But he ended up in chains rather than his grave that night.
“One good deed does not erase his crimes,” the king announced, the hesitation and intrigue that once captured him suddenly vanishing.
“Does it not deserve a pardon? Spare his life for the life he saved.”
Ashton shut his eyes, the bargaining on his behalf overwhelming. He had not so much as heard the word pardon since his time in the dungeons. Only execution and other choice words from keepers who more so grunted than spoke.
As the crowd absorbed the shocking revelations and waited for a deliberation Ashton tensed. Every muscle in his body tightened. His hands splayed out on the silk of her dress, wanting to feel one last touch of softness before his final blow.
Instead of drawing his last breath it caught in the back of Ashton’s throat as he heard the king’s sword slide back into its sheath. His eyes opened once more and found the king’s pointed stare.
“For the life you saved yours will not be taken today,” he promised amongst the new reactions of the crowd. “But your crimes cannot go unpunished,” he continued and a wicked twist of a smirk claimed his face. “Bring him to the fighting pit holding cells. He’ll spend the rest of his life fighting for the crown he wronged.”
Before either Ashton or the princess could react they were pulled apart. Honey and lilac leaving his senses. Silk and softness drifting farther and farther away from him. She went in the arms of several guards, kicking and thrashing. He went with only one, solemnly following as a blade tipped into his back. A lifetime fighting for the rest of his life against other imprisoned men was not mercy, Ashton realized, rather wishing the blade had done its job. He knew he had no chance of actual mercy in the fighting pits, he would be thrown in with hardened criminals who faced years of training and cut throat killer instincts. Some men fought for glory, some for money, some for freedom. Ashton knew he would not be given a chance at any. He would fight for his life and nothing more.
“I’ll save you,” the princess swore as she was torn away, down the dais and into the crowd. Back to her tower.
Ashton wanted to believe her. He wanted to hold onto hope for her, for his life. He didn’t know if he could. He didn’t know if she could keep her promise. He didn’t know if he would ever even see her again.
XX
Part 2??
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The ballroom was aglow. Chandeliers hung from high vaulted ceilings, flames blazed above and left a lurid haze of warmth in their wake. Michael swept into the room as a crashing crescendo hit its queue. The music was loud, overwhelming when mixed with the crowd of strangers. He knew no one, if not for the masks on their faces, then for the fact his home was filled with dignitaries and lords and ladies of lands he had never been to. His eyes scanned the room, from the glistening display of ice sculptures to the exuberant amount of food lining tables against the walls.
None of it mattered. All Michael wanted to see was shy smiles and fidgeting hands. He scoped out the room once more, falling into disappointment when he couldn’t find her. But a gentle tap on his shoulder had him turning on his heel, letting out a breath of awe and taking her in. Instead of uniform—a gray dress and apron—light blue lace and pearls donned her body. Her hair was done up and a mask made to match her dress hid her face. But she was unmistakable to Michael. He’d know her anywhere.
“Care to dance?” Michael asked and extended his hand to her in offering.
She nodded and behind the mask that claimed her face Michael knew her cheeks were warming.
“As if I could refuse a prince,” she whispered airily as they drifted to the middle of the dance floor.
For the first time since Michael met her there was no fear that lingered between them. Secrets danced in the open. The prince took a beautiful lady to the middle of the ballroom and no one spared them a glance except in awe. Whispers would not carry words of disapproval, sneers would not meet their gazes. Michael felt like he was on the clouds as they twirled around, his hands lightly on her waist. He was trained in dance but she knew no steps other than to sway rhythmically to the music.
“Can you believe a kitchen maid is at a royal ball?” she asked in another whisper, the question so timid and filled with such disbelief it nearly broke Michael’s heart.
If he had it his way he would escort her to every event the castle threw. She would be awe inspiring in silks and jewels. She would be his princess and arranged marriages would cease to exist.
Instead of voicing all of those thoughts and wants he simply sighed with content. “You’re stunning.”
Her touch glided from his shoulders, up his neck and to his face where she gently lifted his white mask. She smiled shyly as she took him in before placing it back down. “As are you, my prince,” she responded and twirled with the music. Her dress sashayed in a grand sweep and she giggled. “I’ve never worn a dress so fine. You’ll have to thank her for me.”
Michael went rigid, the mere mention of his betrothed enough to make him falter. He wanted to despise her, he certainly hated their situation and the fact he could not marry the one he loved. But he couldn’t find resentment for her in him. Not when she was kind enough to grant his lady a night made from her dreams and dress made of lace and pearls.
“I will,” he promised. The ballroom was beautiful, her dress and mask were intricate and complimented her in a wondrous way, but Michael was still missing something. “Come out to the balcony with me?” he asked, knowing the shadows of the night would give them privacy.
She nodded as he took her hand and led the way out the doors to the desolate space. The moon was out, full and glowing just like her smile. Stars dotted the sky in tales of heroes and tragedies. Michael found her gaze, innocent and sweet. He acted on impulse once he was sure they were completely alone.
Just as she had, with gentle fingers and a loving touch, he lifted the lace mask from her face, finding much more beauty beneath the material. She smiled again, not as shy as before. When they were alone, she wasn’t afraid to be intimate, to show sides of herself the rest of the kingdom would never know. She beamed under the moon and looked up at the sky.
“It’s a beautiful night,” she said and turned to reach a hand out to the balcony railing, gripping it softly with a gloved hand. “It’s too bad it will be over so soon.”
Michael breathed out, breath colliding with the chilled air in a sorrowful plume. The party would die down in only a couple of short hours. Her dress would be replaced with the uniform Michael was prone to seeing her in though her glamor and beauty would not disappear. The castle would go back to being dark and feeling hollow. The morning would come and his wedding day would approach, no matter how much he willed it not to. His one true love would not be the one to walk down the aisle to him, no matter how much he wished for it.
“We could slip away,” Michael suggested and while she was used to the phrase--slipping away from the kitchens or royal responsibilities and finding alone time in the dark of Michael’s chambers--this time she sighed and shook her head slowly.
“We can’t do that anymore,” she said softly but the words were enough to pierce against Michael’s heart. “This is our last night. You’re meant to be wed in a fortnight,” she continued and turned back to him, reaching out for his hands and giving them a gentle squeeze. “She’s a good woman. And you’ll be a good husband.”
“We could run away,” Michael then suggested even though he knew it was farfetched, he could never run from the crown he was born to wear, he could never escape the fate that followed him.
She laughed but it was not filled with joy as it usually was. “I couldn’t rob a king of his crown.”
“I’m not king yet,” he mumbled.
“No, but you’ll be the best one this kingdom has ever seen. If you let yourself be,” she encouraged and closed the small distance between them, her lips brushing his softly. “I love you too much to let you run away from everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“You’re everything I want,” Michael spoke the truth but he knew it wasn’t enough. He knew the night was their last. “Stay with me tonight?” and in the morning they would go back to being a prince and a kitchen maid. Only crossing paths when the castle halls brought them together. Only exchanging familiar glances and pretending their hearts weren’t breaking with each day.
“One last night,” she agreed and slipped her mask back on, all of their games and disguises coming back to life as they left the party.
Their guards only came down when they were tucked safely away from everyone else. One last night filled with bliss and promises they knew they could not keep. The moon faded away and with the sunrise came an empty side of the bed and a lace dress left behind on the floor. Michael’s heart in pieces.
***
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