𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐋.𝐒)

Can't help falling

Louis had been staying with me for almost a week since he agreed to do so, and even though I was aware of the potential repercussions, I still felt as though I was doing him a favour.

It got to the point where, during his holidays, he would come and stay with me without the palace knowing. That's when I felt something I shouldn't have. Something I was unaware of, but also didn't want to admit.

"Harry, do you mind if I ask you something? It has consciously been on my mind for a while now." Louis asked him as they played chess around the table.

"Hm?" He hummed, pursuing his lips in concentration, making his move with his piece.

"Where's your family?"

At that, Harry froze, the piece falling onto the board. The question struck him like a brick being thrown against a wall, and he was certainly not ready for it.

Louis could tell that the question was inappropriate of him to have asked, as he began to regret uttering it.

"I apologise if the question was not appropriate. You don't have to answer if you do not want to." Louis insisted, feeling guilty for asking him such a question he seemingly felt uncomfortable with.

"That would be great, thank you." He stated firmly, finally looking up at him.

Louis took notice of his eyes, realising they were a deep emerald, believing that they were blue at first like his.

Harry let out a dry cough, breaking the eye contact that went on for an unexpected few seconds. "It's quite late, we should head to bed." He declared, standing up and gathering the chess pieces to fix them back into the box.

An awkward silence filled the air as they walked towards their separate rooms, closing the door behind them.

Louis found it hard to sleep, believing that he had done something wrong. That the peaceful and what was supposed to be an enjoyable moment between two friends, was now erased by an inappropriate question.

The next day, however, Harry seemed to have forgotten the incident from yesterday, and was in a mirthful mood, humming with joy.

"How come you're so happy today? I hope you aren't still upset with me. I didn't intend to do so." Louis spoke truthfully, taking a seat around the table whilst he made breakfast: it was scrambled eggs and toast, the 2 pieces of bread already covered in jam on separate plates on the countertop.

"I know you didn't, and I'm happy because it's usually how I am after a good night's sleep." He clarified, turning off the stove.

Louis wondered how he got a good night's sleep after what had happened the day before.

"Do you prefer eggs?" He questioned, and Louis shook his head.

"I'm allergic, unfortunately." He tells him, and watched as he placed the two plates of toast onto the table, and smoothly turned the scrambled eggs into his own plate.

"I have family members who are allergic to milk. We still don't know what it's called, so we call it milk allergies." Harry responded, sitting down and taking a sip of his tea, then started to eat.

"Whatever it's called, it's sure a bummer, even to not be able to eat chocolate." Louis replied, and Harry agreed with a nod.

They soon finished eating and went outside to feed the animals.

"It looks like it's going to start raining again. Shall we head back inside?" Louis questioned whilst looking up at the cloudy grey sky.

Harry stopped feeding the horse for a second and looked up as well. He turned his eyes to Louis and said, "The waves at the river down the road are usually an Idyllic sight in this kind of weather."

Louis, being the curious person he is, knitted his brows in confusion at what the lad just said. "Why do I have the merest feeling that you're implying we go down to the river?"

Harry twisted his lips in a smirk, confirming the prince's intuition.

"What if we happen to get sick when it rains? I can't possibly go home with a cold." Louis said cautiously, not being quite fond of the idea.

"It doesn't seem like it will be pouring down anytime soon. It will be fun."

Louis thought deeply about it, frightened that someone might also see them together. Then again, not many people are in that area at this time of day, as the mums were now making breakfast for their families and preparing the kids for school.

"I assume it won't be a problem. Let's go." He declared, and Harry smiled in satisfaction.

____

Louis spied the clear-blue stream in the forest once they arrived. It was seeping and dribbling as it swerved through the trees. It jumped for joy over the timeworn rocks. He heard once that rivers are the arteries of the forest. This one was sparkling like tinsel. He could see a family of ducks paddling on the water. One of them, a duckling, was flapping its wings trying to fly, but couldn't just yet.

"Have you ever been on this side of the road before in this forest? Despite your duties and travels around the world, I assume you haven't been outside the palace for other things." Harry inquired, the gentle fall breeze blowing through his hair.

"I have not, unfortunately. I think I would be delighted to enjoy the outside world of the palace. If I ever get the chance to that is." Louis answered, closing his eyes for a moment, enjoying the light windy weather as it hit his face.

Louis didn't notice—nor did he sense Harry admiring his calm and serene features. He hadn't known Louis that well, and never thought he would think so admiringly of him, but he found his beauty enthralling.

He thought, at that moment, that if his life was more accepting, or the laws within it were different, perhaps his family would've thought the same, and that no one overall would consider himself unwell, or anyone like him for that matter.

He didn't notice he was thinly smiling at him adoringly until he heard his strong—yet—soft Yorkshire accent speak, making him snap out of his trance.

"You alright, Harry?"

He blinked a few times, trying to bring consciousness back to himself.

"Yes, I'm fine." Louis examined his face for a sign of dishonesty, but then brushed it off.

"Would you like to go up on the swing?" Harry asked, trying to distract him.

Louis looked over to his left, noticing a tire swing by the river he didn't see before.

"Sure!" He was quick to agree, and Harry smiled gladly.

Unluckily, a drop of rain stopped his actions. He frowned unhappily, the rain quickly pouring down on them within seconds.

"I'm so sorry, Lou. We should head back." Harry apologises, suggesting they go home before they get sick.

Ignoring the nickname, Louis nodded, and they walked back to the farmhouse.

I'm about to take my brother to the bus stop, so I thought I would update now before going to sleep. Stayed up all night trying to finally finish this chapter after giving myself a few breaks here and there.

Hope you guys liked it!🤗