Red & White

thirty four.

Harry thought long and hard how he was going to rescue Leah. It was more complicated than crossing the border through the mountains, finding the dungeon, granting entrance, and taking Leah. He knew that the dungeon was heavily guarded by soldiers.

This would not be easy.

When Prince Harry had off-time after meetings with various allies he would travel to the private library and sit down in front of the massive window overlooking the luxurious garden.

At first, it pained him to be sat there. The Prince recalled the countless hours he and Leah spent lying together, minds blurred from the outside world because they were so invested in their novels.

He had to tell himself multiple times that they would be reading together in this very spot soon.

Harry wrote down in his journal all the important information he needed to remember when going to rescue Leah.

Firstly, he was a prince. It would be extremely hard not to be recognized. This meant, be undercover. A silly costume would not do, but his facial features were too famous to go untouched.

Secondly, there was quite the distance from the entrance of the dungeon to where Leah was being held captive. He knew he had to be quiet, sly, and quick.

"Harry?" a voice broke through his thoughts. His head snapped in the direction of the familiar ring.

Louis stood beside one of the bookshelves, looking rather hesitant. After one particular occurrence, he never again wanted to interrupt Prince Harry when he was working.

Harry shut his journal.

"What's wrong?" he sternly demanded, his brain instantly thinking of Leah.

If something happened to her, I swear..

"Nothing's wrong..I uh." Louis coughed, clearing his throat as he stepped back and fell into his facade of a very professional valet. "I present Angela Potter and her sons, Benjamin and Caleb."

Harry frowned at the usage of the twins' full names. He very much so preferred the nicknames Leah gave them. When the three timidly walked in front of Louis, Harry stood from his seated position by the window.

"Mrs. Bates." The Prince warmly grinned despite how empty he was feeling inside without her daughter. He outstretched his hand for her to shake, which she did.

Angela worriedly glanced back at Louis due to the name Prince Harry called her. Harry caught on to her nervous stance.

He leaned in to her ear with a smile. "Don't worry, he knows. You can trust him."

She released a breath of air in relief. "It's very nice to see you, Your Royal Highness."

"Please, do call me Harry. Believe it or not, I rather despise that title." He added a bit of a laugh, but it hurt his soul. God did he miss her. Seeing the woman that brought her into the world added to his misery. He felt her there with them, her family. He wanted to be her family. Was that odd? He didn't think so, not now.

Angela nodded her head with a shy smile.

The Prince then felt a slight tug on his slick trousers. He glanced down to see a twin, Ben, looking up at him with bright eyes that stabbed at his heart. He saw her through her brother's crystal irises.

"Hello, Harry." The twins never fazed the Prince at how comfortable they were with him. He adored it.

"Hello there, Ben." He turned to grin at the other boy. "Cal, how are you both getting along? Is the farm beginning to flourish in the warmer weather?"