Following Hearts

Champagne Heartache

Ferdinand burst out the ballroom doors, greeted by the icy blast of the outdoor air, and flew down the palace steps. He sprinted towards the gardens, tears prickling at the corners of his eyelids. The wind whistled through his wavy chestnut hair. Sounds of music and laughter that drifted from the open palace door diminished as Ferdinand got further and further away. The tears that were once stinging his eyes were now threatening to spill.

    You knew this was going to happen, Ferdinand reprimanded himself. You shouldn't have ever let yourself fall for someone like him. The moonlight illuminated a small patch of grass underneath a spotted white tree. He figured he was far enough from the palace that no one would find him. Ferdinand sat down and set the two bottles of champagne he had been carrying on the ground. He flexed his fingers, only now realizing how cold and stiff his hands were after running through the cold night air while carrying chilled champagne bottles.

    Propping himself up against the tree, Ferdinand opened one of the bottles, thankful that he remembered to swipe a bottle cap opener from the bar before he left.

Ferdinand hadn't been looking forward to the engagement party, but he never thought he'd react so poorly. As soon as Balthazar started his proposal speech, Ferdinand couldn't stand to watch any longer.

    He took a swig of champagne, the bubbles rising up his throat and filling him with warmth. Stars twinkled above while Ferdinand drank himself into oblivion.

    Hours, or minutes later - Ferdinand couldn't tell, he was already tipsy when he left the party - the young prince was sprawled out on the ground. His mind drifted to Balthazar as he wondered what the raven-haired prince was up to at this hour in the night. Dancing? Drinking? Or maybe he was up in his room with Rose and- Stop it, Ferdinand squeezed his eyes shut, as if that would silence his swirling thoughts.

    Wind rustled through the tree above him as Ferdinand finished off the first bottle of champagne. Frowning, he turned the bottle upside down to check if there was anything left. When only a few drops came out, he felt as if he could cry. I'm sitting out in the cold, the man I love is marrying my sister, and I don't even have any more champagne.

    Ferdinand threw himself onto his stomach, flinging his arms out as if embracing the Earth itself. He looked up, alarmed at the sound of glass hitting something. When his lazy gaze finally focused in front of him, he noticed the second bottle of champagne resting against the tree. He grinned. I forgot about the second bottle.

    "I may not have love," Ferdinand paused as he popped open the bottle, letting the cork fly. "But I do have alcohol." He brought the bottle to his mouth and chugged several mouthfuls of champagne.

    "Ouch!" A voice exclaimed from behind a bush.

    "Who goes there?" Ferdinand was quickly on his feet, but his drunken balance betrayed him. He swayed side to side for a moment before becoming steady. Wielding his champagne bottle like a weapon, he repeated himself. "Who goes there?"

    "You hit me with your cork," A deep, silky voice answered. The silhouette of a broad-shouldered, muscular man emerged from the shadows.

    "I'm not afraid of you!" Ferdinand squeaked, his voice more than giving away his fear. "I'm the crown Prince of Adaia and if you lay a hand on me I swear to God I will-"

    "Prince Ferdinand?" The shadow came into the light and revealed himself as Ambrose Kirk.

    "Ambrose?" Ferdinand squinted his eyes and stumbled forward slightly.

    "I didn't think you knew who I was." Ambrose caught Ferdinand and helped him down into a sitting position.

    "Of course I do." Ferdinand's eyelids drooped as he spoke. "You're the one whose always around my sister."