Our hope

Chapter 19: Royal

The Prince woke up with a start; the blinding morning light coming through from the balcony. Normally the Rebel was the one that drew the curtains at night. The Prince forgot how terrible the morning light was. Adding to the irritation was the slightly folded corner of the book the Prince was reading after failing to fall asleep.

It would fold back eventually with a bit of pressure. Didn't make him feel any better though. The Prince reluctantly got up getting ready to meet the other royals that were to be showing up today. Hopefully after he was able to eat something. He met the heads of the staff, other than the captain of the guard, in the war room with food. He was getting an update from all of them as they ate.

Everything was being put back in place if they were disturbed at all. A few less things he was worried about the night before. With that being taken care of the guests and finding the Rebel took priority. He was in the throne room as the other royals started showing up. It was a little embarrassing when he dropped his book over the side of the throne he was laying on.

He didn't really remember names but the family's colours. It was an easy way to tell who was who when at a party even with different surnames. There was Orange, Green, a deep Yellow, Purple, and a Teal sort of shade of blue. They each came as just the couple and the oldest as this was more of an obligation then a party.

The Prince would have to give an update of the situation at some point. There was a few asking who he was or where the rest of the royal family are. The Prince just got the servants handling the visitors to say that everything will be explained over dinner. It was just past noon when everyone was getting settled and the Prince was ready to have an panic attack.

"You're doing pretty good by yourself you know." Sir Theo came to stand beside the Prince as the orange king went into his room. The Prince turned around showing just how worried he was.

"I certainly don't feel like it. Everything is everywhere and I'm still worried what is going on with Ace. I just hope that they will still be able to get back in one piece." The Prince and the Knight started walking down the hall back to the throne room. The Prince was going to retrieve his book before heading to the kitchen.

He decided to see if there was anything he could help with getting dinner ready. Work would be a good distraction even if it was something simple. He hated feeling so useless now that he was able to be out of his room.

"I'm sure they will get back in one piece. Maybe have a little more faith if you really think they didn't want to go willingly." The Prince nodded, faith, all he needed was a little faith that his partner knew what they were doing. He certainly had hope that they were still alive. He almost chuckled thinking of how quickly their engagement would be over. They couldn't make it one day without something happening.

"Yes, right, faith. I am still worried about everything else I have on my plate. I have to now explain the last few days of crazy to fifteen people that I have never had any interaction with over dinner. I had hoped when dealing with things like this Ace would be standing right beside me to help." Their walk got quiet as they entered the throne room. The Prince going to retrieve his book that lay forgotten beside the throne.

"Are you sure this is still something you even want to do? No one is expecting you to take the throne. You can go and live as anyone you want. Give the throne to the Rebel leader and become your beloveds behind closed doors lover. It wouldn't exactly be out of the normal of an argument."

The Prince turned holding the book within his arms. This was only a taste of leading, it was going to be a lifetime of this and more. He could have the same luxuries, still be with the Rebel and very little of the responsibility. He blinked out of it as something in his chest tightened.