King and Lionheart [Dreamnotfound AU]

Chapter 17: The Other King

Dream saddled Spirit, ignoring the sea of emotions flooding his chest. He left a message with Techno to tell George he was leaving and would come back in a week.

Letters from a6d had been piling up, asking him in code what was keeping him away. Dream sent a bird saying he was travelling back.

So now he was tearing himself away from George. They'd been so close the past weeks, it was more difficult than he expected.

There were way too many of the king's guards around the summer castle, so Dream had no option but to ride up without his mask or cloak and hope George's spies were preoccupied somewhere else.

A6d was there instantly and filled him in on the cover story.

His father had summoned the prince only to find out he was gone.

Dread tightened his breathing as he and his advisor prepared to go to the capital city with the giant escort.

A6d placed the silver crown on him and gave him a comforting smile, but Dream only nodded.

Heavy rain slowed their carriage ride the next morning as the wheels got stuck in mud and had to be forced free several times.

Dream spent the time carefully concealing his true self, like wrapping a small gem in cloth so by the time they arrived he was polite and withdrawn.

The air in the castle felt heavy, and it was colder than George's. There were so many differences, it was impossible for Dream to accidentally slip back into those indulgences he had enjoyed in Cathens. An hour or two after arriving, he was summoned to dinner.

The Viridian dining hall was grander and more sombre than that of the Caleurs. Dream stood behind his chair at the right hand of his father's. Servants silently entered to bestow platters and finished just as the King arrived.

Dream bowed as his heavy footsteps approached. "Your Majesty."

"Evening." The chair scraped back and Dream also sat on his own.

"Where is everyone else?"

The silence was unsettling. The king usually dined with a noisy array of nobles and male relatives, so Dream could go mostly unnoticed. The number of others had been slowly decreasing over the years, though, as the king became more critical.

Loneliness, a6d said. Dream wasn't inclined to believe it.

"I wanted to focus on you tonight."

Badboyhalo smiled at him, dark green eyes glinting under the gold of his crown and straight brown hair.

"You've been busy, I hear."

"Yes, Father, I apologise for my tardiness."

"Just don't let it happen again," the king replied airily. "We can't be losing you, who knows what could happen..." He spun his wineglass by the rim, eyes thoughtful as he stared into the tablecloth.

"I am sorry, Father." Dream hesitantly ate a few bites of chicken.

Badboyhalo waved a hand as if to dismiss the topic and dug into his food.

"I want you to stay here for a few weeks, attend my meetings, and try to grow a sense of responsibility. You can't be running off any more."

Dream's heart sank. He wished for the billionth time for an older sibling to bear the pressure and attention for him.

"Yes, Father."

This would make seeing George harder than ever. Stop, I can't think about George right now-