Love is thicker than blood

Christmas Eve

It was christmas eve, the day the article would go public. Wilhelm was worried about what his mother would say, and if his father would do anything to defend him at all. Most of all, he was worried about what Simon would say, and if he'd even see the article at all. The queen could yell at him all she wanted, as long as the truth was out to the public, and Simon was aware, Wilhelm felt like he could conquer the world and any obstacle put in his way. The article was released at 5, it was currently 4. His mother always read any article he participated in. If it was because she was proud, or to monitor what he said, he didn't know. He just knew that she would see it when it dropped, and that she would lose her temper when she'd seen what was written.

Wilhelm sat on the floor of his room, packing in the scarf he had finished the night before. He wanted to wrap it in, and finish it before dinner. They had already eaten breakfast that morning, and his father was out skiing with his mother like they did every year. Wilhelm was home alone, if you didn't take the guards into account. It was how he liked it. Maybe that was one of the reasons he liked Hillerska. There were no adults to tell him what to do, and what not to do. He could do almost anything he wanted, within the schools area, following the standard rules of the school. A lot of the rules didn't apply to Wilhelm to begin with, besides drinking and drugs. But it wasn't something he did on a regular basis. It was that one time with the Society, and never again after that. If he ever was to use drugs again, he was scared he'd push Simon away, that Simon would be disappointed in him.

Wilhelm smiled at the present in front of him. It was wrapped in red and green paper with skis all over it. A green ribbon and a tag with Rudolf were the finishing touches. He couldn't wait to give it to Simon, there were so many things he'd like to say to him, so many things he'd like to do. It had only been a bit over a week since they last saw one another, but Wilhelm couldn't keep Simon out of his thoughts. He wondered if Simon felt the same, if he too laid in bed at night wondering what he was up to, and how he was doing. Simon was probably with his friends and sister these days, and was probably at home right now like he was. Wilhelm laid down on the floor, trying to picture what Simon was doing in that moment. Probably getting the table ready for dinner, talking with Sara, looking at the gifts under the christmas tree, helping his mom cook. He just hoped it was a good christmas for him, and that he'd see the article, and that he was committed to being honest with the Swedish people, and Simon, from now on. Wilhelm put the finished gift on the bed and walked over to the big window, staring out at the driveway. His parents were back. His mother slammed the door behind her and rushed to the entrance. Wilhelm could see his father try to talk to her, but she wouldn't listen. She raised her hand and told him to keep quiet, like usual. The atmosphere in the house changed as his mother came in, it couldn't be the article, could it? It wasn't even five yet.

"Wilhelm! Get out here, now!" Kristina shouted at his son, who slowly walked out of his room, staring his mother straight in the eyes. He might've appeared confident, but in reality he was scared and nervous of what she'd say. The two turned their heads as Wilhelms father walked in.

"Kristina, calm down. Let's talk this out in a-" his father tried to reason with his wife. She wasn't having any of it. She pulled off her coat and hung it up in the hallway, where they all were gathered, and interrupted him before he got to finish his sentence.

"I will not tolerate my son speaking poorly of me in the paper! Do you hear me! I don't know what to do with you Wilhelm! I've been trying to raise you and treat you as a worthy prince and future king, and this is how you repay me?" the queen shouted at the prince. He lowered his head and tried to fight the tears. She almost raised her hand, but the king quickly stopped her. Wilhelm looked at his mother with hatred in his eyes. She scoffed at his glare and pulled her arm out of his husbands grip. "You keep defying my words, and dishonoring your family. I cannot save you every time you fail. You're a disgrace of a son, I never should've sent you to Hillerska." She pulled off her gloves and threw them onto the floor, raising her voice once more. Wilhelm took a deep breath. He was a disgrace of a son. He knew he always had been, but hearing the words come out of his mothers mouth, hurt him beyond anything he had ever experienced. He knew his mother favoured Erik, and expected Wilhelm to follow his steps and become honorable and graceful. Wilhelm never managed to, and never wanted to be just like Erik when it came to being royal. Wilhelm wanted to be proud and honest like Erik was.