his reign and his fall | larry stylinson

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Niall is running around the ballroom like a mad man, at least that's what Louis sees when he and the three other men with him walk in. Niall is wearing his white chef's uniform and short toque that he only wears when they cater events at the hotel.

He's passing out the hors d'oeuvres, little circular crackers made of potato with a dollop of creme fraiche and caviar on them with a thin slice of smoked salmon. Louis grabs one from the tray as Niall walks up, a grin on his face.

"Giving caviar another try? Despite you hating it." Niall chuckles. He turns to the prince and takes a short bow. "Your Highness. Welcome to London."

"It's a texture thing, the flavor is all there. They're delicious." Louis says, a mouthful of the appetizer. "Harry, this is Niall Horan, our head chef at the Malison."

Harry and Niall shake hands, smiles on their faces.

"Good to meet you. There's no full course meal, right? I'm still quite full from the dinner we just ate." Harry says, retrieving his hand back.

"Oh no, just these and some fruit and vegetable arrangements on the table over there." Niall points to the table across the room. "There are some chocolate-covered strawberries Louis helped me make if you've got a sweet tooth."

"Thank you." Harry nods his head. "So, where's the alcohol?"

The group grows silent, not expecting the question.

"Alcohol? You sure that's a good idea Harry?" Liam asks, furrowing his brows.

"Well it's a party isn't it?" Harry asks.

"Not, um, not that kind of party," Zayn says awkwardly. Louis, despite his intentions not to lean in to whisper in Harry's ear.

"Maybe we can have an after party." He whispers. Harry's lips turn upward into a smirk as he sides-eye Louis when he steps back. "Let's just get through this silly thing, the media is here. They're expecting you to-yeah you get it." Louis chuckles as Harry starts waving to the group of journalists and photographers behind a guarded rope.

"Play nice for the cameras, Harry." Liam's tone is serious like he's trying to be intimidating or threatening but Louis doesn't buy it. Liam may talk all big and bad but the man looks like he wouldn't hurt a fly.

"Okay yeah!" Niall says, trying to offer another caviar treat, which Harry denies. "Let's party elegantly."

Louis forgot how boring events like this one can be. People of high diplomatic power, especially the ones from Her Majesty's Government of Great Britain come to welcome Harry to London, even if it's just for a month. Most of the time it's just all the guests getting together, or a wedding reception of sorts.

The ballroom is massive, the ceiling high and wide enough to hold three chandeliers, lamps hanging on the walls to light up the room along with the lights around the rim of the ceiling. It makes the room give off a dull glow of orange and yellow, unlike the rest of the hotel which is bright blue and white with fluorescent bulbs.

Other than the library, the ballroom is one of Louis' favorites. Mainly because it holds so many memories for so many people, ones that they'll remember forever. Also because it's one of the most beautiful rooms in the massive building.

Louis' favorite thing about it though is, of course, the piano and violinist that play music for the events. They're playing a cover of some popular pop song that gives a classical feel to the sound, and Louis lets his eyes close to just listen.