sword ◦ larry stylinson

XXVI

[A/N]: everything's kinda rushed in this. I'm sorry.

twenty-sixth chapter

Harry's always been a quiet person. He stayed in the background most of the times and he would prefer working alone. He never got into a fight once in his life. His mother always told him not to engage into any fights, because being violent is never the answer. She said controlling anger was an ability he needed to learn, and he thought he had mastered it. He had a very long patience and he was proud of himself.

That was what he thought, until then.

He was working all afternoon and he was sure his arms could explode. He never understood his job anymore. There were at least a dozen swordsmiths making swords six days in a week from morning to afternoon. They didn't even know if the swords they were making were going to be used. But then again, Conrad had said, time of war is not predictable and it is best to be ready.

It's sunset and they were starting to clean up their work places, including Harry. He hung up mallets, dwindled the fire to absolute coal and made sure there were nothing dirty scattered around. After cleaning, the sword smiths took turns to use the bathroom. It was almost dinner time, then after dinner, it was time to sleep. 

Time to sleep and Louis and his father still hadn't come back yet. It wasn't the first time they came home late, but each time Harry was worried. He knew how vicious the king could be and with them being together all risky and dangerous, he wouldn't know if Louis could come home one day. He just wanted to be safe, because everything so far had been amazing between him and Louis and he didn't want it to end just because of an eavesdropper with large ears and a large mouth.

He loved Louis, he really did. The man was extravagant, funny, lovely, daring and beautiful. Harry has to remind himself not to ever let him go because it'll cost him more than his life. They had been together for almost a year now, and Harry's never had relationships that lasted for a year. Actually, he never had a relationship and he's fortunate the first one was going well. Currently.

Harry was waiting outside their hut, papers and his ink and pen right by him as he wrote his family a new letter. He wished there would be faster service for this, but the messengers were doing whatever they could, so that would be good enough. He returned to his room once he was finished and there were no signs of the prince's return yet.

Loud gallops overpowered the sound of crickets outside. Harry stands up from his bed to look out his window. It was located on the side, which was quite inconvenient since he could practically see nothing because of the walls blocking it, but he could poke his head outside and see the commotion.

"You are not to leave your room at once!" Harry's eyes widened, and he hid back at the sound of the king's angry voice. He knew King Mark was speaking to his prince and that scared him, "I will have guards surrounding your room inside the palace and outside of it, knowing how ruthless you can really be."

"Father, you do not understand--"
"Proceed to your room!" The king bellowed, "I am not interested in hearing your excuses! What I heard from your mouth is enough." Harry's heart was on his throat. The king found out. The first person who was a threat to their relationship. Life was not fair.

King Mark continued, "If I ever, ever find out about you trying to sneak out of your room, your low-life of a sword smith is getting to the oubliette."

It was him. It was Harry and the king knew and for sure, tomorrow by then everyone would know. News spread really quick, especially for issues that earned money. The prince of Aylmesforthe was engaged in an emotional relationship with another man. To add onto that, the fortunate yet unfortunate man was one of the sword smiths working for the palace. It was the complete nightmare for every royal parent.