Swan Lake

Lovely as a Lotus

Felix kept his mouth shut as he guided (Y/n) through the castle gardens. He never really cared for the flowers, but now he couldn't help appreciating their beauty.

It distracted him from the beauty right beside him.

His memories of (Y/n) were a bit faint... the last time he had seen the other was when the little annoyance was eleven. He was so... akward back then. An ugly little duckling, if you will.

Now... well, let's just say he barely resembled the child Felix knew. He was ethereal, like a human lotus.

Felix hated it.

He hated it because that beauty made the thought of marrying such a fool seem almost... bearable.

"So, what festivities are we in for tonight? A ball? A banquet? Ooh, maybe a joust!"

And there it was, (Y/n)'s continued ignorance.

"Hasn't your mother told you anything about today?"

"She wanted it to be a surprise. Why, is it something I'm going to hate?"

Felix almost laughed at that. Almost.

"Maybe."

He toyed with the idea of telling (Y/n) the bad news. How would the little wretch react? Would he scream? Cry? The fantasies just kept piling up.

"Ugh... it better not be a Changing of the Guard. Those are always so boring."

A bevy of swans landed in the castle pond, bathing merrily in the clear water. The sight quickly distracted (Y/n).

Felix didn't say a word.
_______________________________________

(Y/n) couldn't stop fidgeting in his seat, bored out of his mind while Queen Aelia went on and on about Oplil's affairs to her court.

He didn't even like attending court meetings in his own empire. Why the hell was he being forced to listen in on someone else's?

Eilika was twice as fidgety beside him.

"The final event for today will be the union of your prince, Felix Vander Hassan the II, and (Y/n) (M/n) [middle name is optional] (L/n) of the (L/n) Empire."

Time seemed to freeze after those words left Aelia's painted lips. The court was clapping, but (Y/n) couldn't hear their applause.

Maybe... maybe union meant something else! Yeah, there's no way it could mean...

He glanced at Felix to gauge the dark prince's reaction, but his helmet had been replaced. The nearly uncanny golden face made (Y/n) uncomfortable.

"There shall be only one rehearsal at five. The official ceremony will be at seven. Only family and each family's court may attend this wedding. I hope to see you all there."

(Y/n)'s heart was beating out of his chest. Surely they weren't... there was no way his mother would spring a surprise wedding on him, right? She would ask him if he wanted it first... right?!

He whipped his gaze over to Eilika, watching her sweat bullets under his intense stare. The queen closed her eyes, fiddling with her fingers while (Y/n) looked on in betrayal.

No. Absolutely not. This... this was not happening.

(Y/n) grit his teeth as he stood, drawing the attention of Aelia's court.

"I never agreed to that!"

A hush fell over the crowd. Aelia's ice-blue eyes felt like fire burning through him, a deep frown marring her beautifully painted face.

"Oh? So your queen hasn't informed you on what your royal duty is?"

"Marriage is not a royal duty!"

The dark queen looked lifeless in the evening light pouring through the many lavish windows.

"In this case, it very much is. Do you not know what happens when an empire falls?"

The color drained from his face.

"W-when an empire..."

(E/c) pools darted over to Eilika. She didn't dare look back at her distraught son.

"How... b-but you said... y-you promised everything would-!"

(Y/n) cut himself off there, biting his tongue in the face of Aelia's court. His problems had no place in foreign lands.

Blinking back tears of embarrassment and shame, (Y/n) sunk back down into his chair. His mother continued to keep her eyes closed, praying in hushed whispers while (Y/n) composed himself.

"Is that all, Prince (L/n)?"

All the dark queen got in response was a stiff nod.

"Alright then, that concludes today's court. The rehearsal is fast approaching, so those attending should be prepared. Court adjourned."

The people of Aelia's court scurried away like mice, fearful of angering their ill-tempered queen.

Eilika attempted to approach her son, reaching out to wipe a stray tear from his face. (Y/n) slapped her hand away, running to the castle courtyard as his internal dam broke to pieces. Eilika watched him go with a broken heart of her own.