Swan Lake

Rippled Surface

(Y/n) was pacing around the courtyard, plotting and planning on just how he could get himself out of this situation.

In his humble opinion, marriage should only be between people who love each other. In his classes, however, he had learned the harsh nature of royal unions. Most were allowed to pick who they wanted, but desperate times required a certain kind of diplomacy.

It was mostly tradition, and nobody dared break tradition.

"Excuse me, young man. Do you have any change to spare?"

(Y/n) stopped pacing and turned his attention to an old beggar woman. She held a tin cup, rattling with no more than two little coins.

"Oh, I... n-not on me at the moment. I just... hold on, let me check."

He began to rummage through his pockets but came up empty-handed. He never brought money with him to Oplil because he and Felix weren't ever permitted to leave the castle anyway.

"Yeah, no... sorry."

"Ah... that's fine, lad. You seem troubled. May I ask why?"

(Y/n) took a deep breath.

"I am to be... married tonight at seven."

"Oh, but that is wonderful news!"

He grit his teeth, holding back the urge to scream.

"No, it's not! I don't want to marry him..."

"Oh! I see."

She hummed to herself, closing her eyes in thought. When she opened them, there was a firm determination burning within.

"I may be able to help you, lad. Well, not me myself, but a friend of mine. Would you be willing to follow a poor old beggar like me?"

"R-really?"

"Mhm."

Blinded by the prospect of freedom, (Y/n) followed the beggar woman out of a hole in the castle courtyard fence. He never even questioned how she had gotten in the courtyard and past the castle guards.
_______________________________________

"What do you mean he's gone?!"

"I-I don't know, Aelia, he's j-just gone!"

The two queens continued to yell at one another while Felix rubbed his temple in annoyance. He had just met (Y/n) again after ten long years, and the fool already disappeared once more!

The dark prince stopped his ministrations.

There was no way he thought that... there was no way he wanted to spend time with that peabrain! No, surely not... he didn't even want to marry him!... Right?

His emotions felt all twisted up, mixed and confused! Felix felt like screaming just to take his mind off of the weird feeling in his chest.

"I'll look for him."

Those were the words his mother wanted to hear.

"Good. With you tracking him down, this wedding will be over and done with in no time."