✿︎𝑳𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔✿︎-HIATUS

||𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞||

"Your highness?" A high-pitched voice calmly spoke, looking at the young prince, "Your father request you at the throne room." The maid continued, "Tell him I'll  be there..." The prince responded bluntly. "Yes, sir." The maid bowed then left the prince's quarters.

The young brunette rubbed his temple as a sigh vibrated from his throat, He walked out of his room into the grand, long hallways of the castle. Maids would be seen scattering around,  ushering for the preparations.

The prince stepped into the throne room, being greeted by his father swiftly. "Ah, George! You've arrived." The king spoke in a deep, rough voice, "The ball preparations are going as planned, We'll find you a marvelous princess to be your wife!" He continued proudly.

"Aren't you excited dear, a beautiful and strong princess will help keep our family powerful!" The queen exclaimed gleefully. "Son, I do hope you pick a girl with a strong mark." George's father continued.

"Yea sure..." George said with disapproval in his tone,  He yearned to get away from his parents, babbling about how great his new wife is going to be. He scoffed as he gradually started waddling away from his parents.

Once he left their sight range, he ran across the castle halls to his sanctuary, He crept into the grand room filled with books. A sigh left his lips as he went to a corner, more secluded area of the library. He joyfully skimmed across a shelf labled 'Fantasy.' his fingers grasped the edge of a book, he stared for a quick second and decided he wanted to read it.

He plopped himself down on one of the wooden library chairs and gently placed the book on the table. He flipped open to the first page.

Chapter One: A Mysterious Occurrence.

Hours flew by, the prince intriguingly flipped through the book. He snapped out of his trance when he was struck with the realization he just finished the book, "WHAT!? THAT CAN'T BE THE ENDING-"  he screamed to himself in his head. He wiped off a few tears from the depressing ending of the book and realized it was probably late.

He snapped the book closed and stood up, the vertigo instantly hitting him as he stood there wobbling for a moment. George blinked a few times before his vision fixated itself. He strided over to the shelf and returned the book.

The brunette shook his shoulders as he fixed his attire and headed over to the exit of the library. George left the library and quickly headed to his room. He was puzzled on why there were limited guards around; George shrugged and continued to walk over to his room.

The prince crept open the door; sliding in, he frowned once more when he saw the calendar at his desk. Two days, two days until the ball; the ball that his parents would say 'The way to find his wife'.

George let out a breath he didn't realize he  held, and went over to his bathroom to freshen up. He took off his outfit, finally stretching out of the itchy and uncomfy material. The brunette brushed his hand over his hair while tossing away the outfit he previously removed.

He slid the glass doors, turning the warm shower on. He stepped in; the blissful droplets of water felt comforting as it made contact with his skin, George hummed as he grabbed the liquid soap, rubbing it across his body. Soon enough, he finished the shower; feeling tired and relaxed.

George wrapped a tower around his waist going into his walk-in closet. He slipped on the comforting sleep gown; contently trinming to himself. He went over to the window in his bedroom, looking at the moon; the soft moonlight glistening across the prince's pale skin. The prince pondered...

"Why must I be born a prince?"

"So many duties-..."

Suddenly the atmosphere changed, It felt...eerie? The cold air nipped at George's skin, he shivered and averted his gaze from the moon. He shook his shoulders and walked over to his bed.

"What was that...?"

A yawn interrupted the young man's thoughts, George decided to ley comfortably on the mattress, letting the darkness consume him.

The prince woke up to the scent of freshly cut grass and moist forest, the soft pitter-patter of the rain tempting to lull him back to his comforting slumber. The cushions below him puffy and soft whilst snuggling deeper into his bed. George yearned to continue sleeping, albeit something urged him; groaning, he got up and stretched his arms and bent his back, earning a soft crack.

His eyelids drooped as he began to stand, George headed over to his bathroom; looming over the sink he turned on the faucet, grabbing a handful of water and splashing it across his face, he shook his head and grabbed a towel wiping the excess liquid off his face. George blinked a few times as hr stared at his reflection.

He looked down at his wrist, gasping, his mark... It was glowing? Its original faint ivory white color that tainted his skin now glowed like a bright star. He rubbed his wrist; testing if it wasn't hallucinating. He slowly started panicking when it continued to glow. He felt a buzzing sensation on his wrist as the glow finally halted.

He let out a heavy sigh of relief, "Get yourself together George-". he got himself ready for the day and now stood in the royal garden standing next to the bright blooming flowers. The gentle breeze made the trees softly sway, although even with such a gentle presence; the prince sensed something was out of place. It could've been the lack of gaurds that usually patrolled the areas, or the feeling of dread knowing the royal ball would happen the very next day.

Unknowingly, a maid walked up behind the young prince, startling him for when she spoke. "Your Highness, the king has requested for us to accompany you in choosing an outfit for the event." George fixed his posture, embarrassed at overreacting at the maid's sudden appearance.

"Oh- uhm, sure." George scratched the back of his neck as he followed the maid to an exquisite dressing room. Multiple other maids and dress makers stood there waiting, "If you'd gladly step here your highness, so we can begin choosing your gown." One of the dress makers spoke in a silvery tone of voice.

The prince complied and simply followed the instructions of the man, hours passed and he wore various outfits; he was not one tk conplain yet with the fabric itching at his skin he just had to.

"How about this, your highness?" The dress maker pointed to a maid holding a blue gown with golden accents. The prince slipped on the outfit; it felt better than the other clothings, George was tired, so he agreed to the clothing.

George was exhausted after trying on outfit after outfit, he slumped down on his mattress. His body was numb, and the restricting clothing he was wearing at the moment, he pushed himself to walk around the castle to ease himself.

He sighed, each step he took as his shoes glided across the marble floors. The heavy clack the guards' armors produce as they patrolled the castle, George arrived at the dining hall. Expecting his parents to be there, yet no sight of them.

It was peculiar that his parents weren't inspecting the castle, making sure everything would be perfect for tomorrow's event. A maid passed by, and she was stopped by the prince.

"Hey, uhm- Mary? Do you know where my parents are?" He asked nervously. The maid grimaced and replied, "Your father and mother left earlier and specifically requested for us not to inform you of their location." The maid scurried off away from the prince leaving him there wondering.

His head ached after the events of the entire day; the prince was now laying in bed, shaking; terrified of the day the ball would take place.