Our hope

Chapter 3: Royal

He was getting a headache sitting here. He didn't know whether or not to be thankful for the sun going down. There was still plenty of light with the fire that was set to the town. He was still not huddled up with the rest of his family. Being a prisoner was nothing new to the prince. It had been about fourteen years now since his father banished him to his room.

Why was his only question even though it was explained many times before. You were only to be perfect and pure, god like even. Having a young Prince running around where there used to be a princess. It would always keep the family in question. 'And they just couldn't have that.' Was always the response to the question.

In the first year there was questions as to where he went. Most of the servants got cut off from contact with the prince. Most of his meals taken to him from the younger two princesses. Soon after, all mentions of his existence got turned into myth. That was till the Rebel found him. Made him feel seen after all the years of him not existing.

It only took a decade of waiting for someone to notice. The Rebel did tell their mother about the Prince with his permission. They thought it would be a good explanation to get into the castle. It was a good way for them to be away from home for long hours. A way to get information was the excuse that the Rebel gave. No possible other reason they would want to spend time with a royal.

It worked well enough with the Rebel being able to spend at least half of their days there. Sleep overs were never questioned from their side either. The Prince would sell out about the defenses from around the city. In turn the Rebel would bring news of the plan while they both tried to find ways to stop it. How they got to the current plan went over so well.

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"There is no way. You need my help. I want to stay here and help." The royal said standing across the room from the rebel.

"You won't be any help if your in jail or hurt or-" The rebels voice broke saying what didn't need to be said.

"You told your mother about me shouldn't that affect the odds?"

"No, no it won't. I don't think you understand how much my mother hates you and your family more specifically. It won't matter how different I tell her you are. You don't exist outside of this castle. It would be so much easier to get you out of the way then find a way for you to stay." The Rebel ran a hand through their hair trying to catch their breath.

"If I can just explain myself then I can prove that I helped with all this. Surely that would change things in my favor."

"You can't be sure of that."

"We both can't be but at least I could try." The Rebel walked across the room opening up his arms. The royal took the invitation and curled into the hug. They both just needed to make sure the other one was there. "We need to keep our sights on our goal. Keeping the people safe from the majority of violence.

That is our top priority, doesn't matter what we want. Please remember that." The Prince reminded the Rebel who was doing their best not to cry holding onto the royal. "Can we work out what comes next if you don't make it to the." The word caught in his throat. Even if it was going to happen they didn't have to say it yet.

The Rebel just hugged tighter trying to cut off the conversation. It was always hard to think of if they didn't do this right. "I-"

"Don't say it." The Rebel cut him off pulling back enough to look at him.

"Just, not yet. Not till this is all over and we are both safe." The Rebel brushed a hand through the Prince's hair. As soon as they were both calm the Rebel left before bed. Something that became more common as the day got closer and they needed to be back at camp. They were both desperately for the physical connection they had as the day marked closer. So they could go back to falling asleep in each others arms.