The Lost Prince

The Royal Pain

Gilbert showed the group of males to the dining hall where they sat together with a pyramid of crustless sandwiches stacked on a large silver platter. More then half of them were gone as the Italian twins were hard at work scarfing it all down.

"One of these days we have to make an eating competition and bet on the twins, we'll make so much dough." Gilbert said.

Matthew gave him a warning glance to reword what he had said. Gilbert perked up and laughed.

"Of course we'll bet against other royals." Gil laughed.

Lovino stopped eating and layer back in defeat. He held his belly and sighed tiredly. Feliciano took one last bite before giving in and stretching across table tiredly.

"That's it? You can only eat 400 sandwiches?" Ludwig said unimpressed.

"Only 400, you two are slacking." Antonio joked.

Gil and Matthew laughed but they were all stopped when the large twin doors swung open.

"Announcing, his royal majesty, ruler of the Devine country of Austria. King Roderick, and his grand Queen, Elizabeta." A man in stuffy blue cotton called.

The two walked arm in arm dressed in puffy clothing as if they were attending a royal ball.

"Hey Randolf, how many times have you had to say that entrance today?!" Gilbert yelled.

"Only 35 times King Gilbert." Randolf answered.

"He wouldn't have had to say it 35 times if you had come to welcome me." Roderick grumbled.

Rodericks snake like eyes darted around the room.

"And here I find you all having a party in less then fashionable attire with the Italian princes and their tutors no less!" Roderick sighed. "Matthew, this I expect from Gilbert, but you know better."

"I'm sorry your highness, I am but an advisor, the king chooses his way and I believe that whatever he does is right for him." Matthew said smartly.

"So can you do us a favour and get out of those horrid shambles before Liz passes out from that string corset." Gilbert waved.

Roderick stamped his healed shoes like a child not getting his way.

"You are so unprofessional." Roderick said bitterly.

"I believe I can be casual in my own home with friends and family, it says no where that I have to throw a feast for them." Gilbert said seriously. "Now if you don't like my awesome castle then leave, but before you do let Liz take that gaudy corset off I can see her swaying from here!"

Matthew got up swiftly and helped Elizabeta stand properly. Rodericks face flushed.

"It's alright Roderick, I'll take care of her." Matthew said trying to ease tension.

Roderick sighed. "Alright Matthew." He said defeated.

Roderick stomped away to help Elizabeta. The twins and their tutors looked at Gilbert impressed.

"You were right, I don't like him." Ludwig said.

"I've seen lollipops with smaller sticks up there asses." Gilbert grumbled. "He's usually not this grumpy." He admitted.

"Grandpa Rome told us he found Antonio and Ludwig." Feliciano remembered.

"Wow now I REALLY don't like this guy." Lovino huffed.

"Awe Lovi I thought we were friends?" Antonio sulked.

Lovino blushed. "W-who would wanna be friends with you?!" Lovino barked.

"I would." Feli and Gil protested.

"He must be wise, even though he acts like a brat." Ludwig put in.

"Yeah, a wise ass." Gilbert said still annoyed. "You're lucky you weren't around for the years I was tortured with his presence."

"Can you torture yourself a bit more to ask him what's wrong?" Antonio asked.

"No way, let Mattie take care of it." Gil waved.

Ludwig stood and they all watched him confused.

"Where yah going Ludi?" Feli asked.

"I'll talk with him."

"You sure?" Gil warned.

"Yeah, I'm sure."

*************************

Roderick paced outside the door where Matthew and Elizabeta had disappeared. They returned to him to see his face full of worry.

"Are you okay?" Matthew asked.

"Of course I'm not! Lizz no more corsets, you don't need them, your the most gorgeous queen in Europe." He said swiftly.

She blushed but still had a stern look. "You're going to tell him still right?" She said.

"How can I?!" Roderick panicked.

"You have to! That's the whole reason you came here, if you don't tell him now I'll tell him myself!" Matthew said bravely.

"He'll be furious! With Ludwig here he'll go out of control!" Roderick fought.

"Who will?" Ludwig's voice echoes behind them.

They all turned with wide eyes.

"Ludwig, young prince, what are you doing here?" Roderick asked.

"I'm not that young, I came to see if you were alright, but you seem fine." He said folding his arms. "Now who will go mad because of me!" Ludwig said more seriously.

They all looked at each other in a panic. Until Matthew spoke up.

"M-me.... I'm sorry Ludwig.... It's just when Gilbert is around you he gets excited and only sees you as the topic, I guess I was kind of jealous." Matthew said ashamed.

Roderick and Liz looked at him a bit baffled.

"Why should you be jealous, I don't want the attention. Take it for yourself." Ludwig believed.

"I-it's okay, I'm over it now.... Sorry." He sighed.

"It's fine.... Just comeback when you're all finished." Ludwig said before turning around and disappearing down the hall.

"That, was to close." Liz said.

"Well we were talking about it in the open. That was a surviving save Matthew." Roderick nodded.

"Thank you.... I think?" Matthew said a bit confused.

"Let's join the others before someone comes back." Liz advised.

Matthew and Roderick agreed, they then followed the young queen back to the dining hall.