RWRB Oneshots

Interview Part 3 (Scottish Trip 5079w)

It's dark by the time they reach Balmoral, and Alex is delirious enough that he finds himself giggling at the fact he is about to stay in a literal castle. Granted he had stayed in Kensington palace but– well... this place had turrets. Kensington palace in essence was a large red-brick manor house, or one of those large university complexes– all rectangles and covered head to toe in windows.This place?

Alex let out a low whistle.

This place was what kids drew from fairy tales.

Blue-grey slated roofs, off white brick, arched doors and white framed windows, not to mention the turrets and climbing ivy that he could just make out in the evening light.

"It's certainly one of our most regal residents." Henry comments, peering up at his family's castles with indifference. Yet there was something fond in his eyes. "One of my favourite places, still busy and full of people but more secluded... at the right time of year that is."

Alex steps around the car, still staring at the piece of history before him."Is there a right time of year to visit castles?"

Shaan snorts.

He gets the impression that there is an answer to that question.

Henry seems to sigh and with the force monotony of a child forced to memorise lines he begins to recite, "The gardens are in full bloom at Spring, but one should never be overcome by the pollen and sweet smells. Summer is best for the sprawling estates with hunting parties that drag on into Autumn."

Henry gestures for Alex to follow him towards the side entrance.

"Autumn is for the indoor events that still look pretty, Winter is for private residences bar the large Christmas get-together."

"And I thought my family Christmases were bad."

Henry shoots him a look, raising his chin slightly, even as he toys with the signet ring on his pinky finger. Alex raises his hands in defeat, muttering a sarcastic sorry. Seems they weren't close enough for the family drama.

He gets it. It's one thing to poke fun and put yourself on the line, it's another to involve families and the drama they entail. He imagines the royal family has a lot of secrets and closed door conversations.

Probably about what to do with their blood money.

Or maybe how to bring back their empire.

"Please tell me we have rooms with turrets." Henry sighs at him, exasperated and no longer friendly now that they're back in the open. "What? If this is the one chance I get to stay in a castle I want to see inside the turrets."

Shaan ignores his pointed look, instead flicking through the folder he's been supplied with.

Alex doesn't blame him. He's coming off a panic attack and weird limbo time with Henry, which means he's probably the type of hyper that comes after exhaustion. Perhaps if he had more of his wits together he'd be feeling humiliated right now. Thankfully, he's so tired he might as well be drunk so Alex makes a decent effort to stagger after the prince, only to blink in surprise when Cash is at his side.

"Okay, time to get you to bed."

"Im– nawt a chiald." Alex slurs.

The world spins and suddenly all he can see is Henry's worried expression as he strides back towards them before the world turns black.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*

Alex rolls over sleepily in his bed, wincing at the cold pillow he lands on. It's an effort to crack his eyes over, to find the victorian style room full of morning light. The carved chest in the corner, the ancient and inscrutable wardrobe, stood about the room like dark figures looming over his drowsy state.