The Prince's Heart

A Whole New World

Nat groggily trailed the footman sent to escort him around the winding castle hallways to breakfast. 

When he awoke in the morning the room looked completely different than the night before.  Bright light streaming in from the windows made the room feel spacious. Nat could see the expertly marble inlaid flooring and wooden carvings that but buttressed the high ceilings. And the showpiece, the overly large bed was ornately carved with horses on each of the four posters. But even more notably when describing the bed was it lacked in muscular, tall Prince. 

A valet attended to his dressing and gave a chagrined smile when there wasn't any shaving necessary for his face. Now he was adorned in men's clothing that fit him perfectly although it wasn't his. Or hadn't been his until today. His normal pink jacket and waistcoat was swapped with the Hampudian blue in a light sky color. There was a nod however to Nat's West Nalia with each piece having a baby pink lining and his shirt was the lightest shade of blush. It felt foreign to be wearing Hampudian colors, but Nat did love getting new clothing from the tailors so he could not fault his attire. 

After the valet left, a footman been sent to show Nat to breakfast. Following closely through the maze of the castle Nat finally stepped into the breakfast room. It was sunny room decorated with sky blue with deep maroon accents. An enormous circular table dominated the room filled with another large spread of breads, cakes and jellies. Already sitting down was a familiar figure. Nat sketched a bow.

"Prince Nat, how lovely to see this afternoon." The Queen, resplendent in a striped navy day gown was sitting at the far corner of the breakfast room rose and walked to embrace him in a hug and butterfly light cheek kiss. 

"Good morning, your Highness." Nat allowed himself to be hugged and returned the kind gesture. 

"Please just call me Mother." The Queen smiled angelically. The perfect picture of the Nation's mother. 

Nat knew her kind appearance and striking beauty of her black hair and pale eyes hid a very shrewd mind. She had sat down warring people and in hours wielded nations to ceasefire, but currently she was just serene in simple apparel looking half her years and appeared soft and welcoming. With her coloring and bone structure just like a certain someone, there was no doubt whom the Prince favored. It made Nat think of the Prince for the fifthieth time since he had been kissed. He pushed out his lip.

"Rough night?" The Queen asked but walked back to her seat obviously not expecting an answer.

Nat dipped his head to avert her gaze and instead busied himself with filling up a plate of pastries and jellies. 

With such a large table, Nat was unsure where to sit. A footman pulled out a chair next the Queen Mother. Nat uneasily sat next to her, feeling a bit like a small rodent given to a talented hawk. 

"It will be just be us for breakfast, my dear. My thickheaded son prefers to spar with the military men in the morning." The Queen fluffed her napkin and said with a hint of distaste. 

She put down her napkin and turned to put a hand on Nat's knee. "So that just leaves us for the morning. I hope we can get you settled in to the castle, for it is your new home." She squeezed Nat's knee lightly and gave another soft smile. 

New home. Nat repeated mentally. 

In the past week had not thought about a new home instead his mind was on his nuptials. And for the past 24 hours his mind was instead occupied by a stupidly over puffed dress and the imposing Prince.  But a new home? Somehow even when footman busied themselves with packing up every bauble and trinket Nat owned, he was too busy stewing and brewing worrying about the marriage.