King Thrushbeard (mxm)

Chapter 3

It wasn't long before Thomas found his way into the royal hall that was already filled with royalty from all corners of the land, all waiting for Prince William to change into a new robe.

"Well, where is he?" complained a young prince clad in blue gowns. "I shall not be made to wait!" he said loudly, earning various nods and murmured of agreement from all around the hall.

"In which case you are discharged, for the person who shall marry me will have to endure such waits a lot," Prince William loudly announced his entrance.

"What an impertinence!" the Prince said outraged while Prince William laughed as he sat down on the throne next to his mothers.

"A joke! Of course!" Queen Arabella laughed, though Thomas wasn't entirely convinced the prince had been kidding.

"It's not too late yet, your Majesty, we can still leave unharmed," Gustav whispered urgently but Thomas just shushed him.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Get on with it!" Prince William sighed languidly with a lazy hand movement.

"Right then," the herald mumbled quickly, announcing the first prince in line. "His highness Prince Ethelbert of Galrein. Lord over the eastern fir woods and carrier of the scarlet shield!"

"Your Highness," the prince and his gift bearers bowed before the queens and their son. "I have heard of your charm throughout the lands, though I feel they have not done you justice, for no words in the world can describe your beauty."

"Which flattering words you give me," Prince William smiled sweetly. "You too, are easy on the eyes. Come, turn around so I may admire you from all sides."

Prince Ethelbert smiled happily, slowly turning around so William could look at him. "Good boy! Now roll over!" William laughed. "Like a little dog you are! Doing everything I say. Be gone!"

"But-" Prince Ethelbert stuttered and various people in the crowd whispered.

"Woof woof! Grrrr!" William laughed, making barking sounds at him while the crowd murmured in outrage.

Prince Ethelbert gave William an outraged look before storming away while William waved at him with a sweet smile.

Thomas heard Edward groaning quietly as the herald announced the next suitor.

"Her highness Princess Hildred of Lanson. Lady of the purple rose and mistress of the deer!"

"For you, my prince," the princess bowed, indicating at the velvet jewelry case one of her maids carried. "The most beautiful, for the most beautiful," she smiled softly.

Prince William gasped quietly, leaning a bit forward in his throne to take a closer look at the silver necklace with the emerald stones. "Am I dreaming or is this real?" he asked in astonishment. "Is the most perfect maiden I ever saw, offering me the most perfect gift I ever saw? And with the most perfectly chosen words?"

"No, no, my dear, it's all real!" Queen Arabella said quickly, beaming down at Princess Hildred.

"Oh how sad. Perfection bores me." Prince William sat back in his thrown, yawning heartedly and waving her away with a dismissive hand movement.

Princess Hildred gasped softly, striding away with her head held high.

"My king," Edward whispered quietly as the princess stormed past them. "Are you sure you want to do this to yourself?"

"That won't happen to me," Thomas whispered back. "He's the love of my life. We're destined to be together... He must feel it, too!" he insisted, unable to believe that his prince would reject him so cruelly.