Fit For a King <Lashton>

Six; Ariana

Moonlight is sculpture. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ashton's POV

I sat listening to my mother discuss my deeds from the day with my father. She was more proud than anything; but my father scowled at me. "You can not be a charity foundation Ashton." 

"I am not, dearest father." I replied. "Am I not allowed to assist the more unfortunate at least once?"

My father scoffed. "Whatever you do, it is beyond me. Have you thought about your ball?" He took a sip of the drink in his glass, when I shook my head he let out another sigh. He was always to be disappointed, but that was beyond me. After all, I was the apple of my mother's eye. 

My father stood and walked out of the room. I sat with my mother and she smiled. "I thought what you did was lovely Ashton." I smiled and nodded. "However, why would you ever bring a peasant in here? How did you stumble upon him?" 

I explained to my mother what had been going on and I watched her tense up. "Ashton my dear, when you are the ruler you cannot veto out laws for those who break them. You should have put him away." 

"Mother, the way I see it is that someone in his family must do it. If we jail him they all will follow suit. Have you seen how cruel our dungeons are? I can not bear the idea to send someone with good intentions down there." I explained to her. She let out a sigh. I watched her warm eyes dart off to the side before slowly facing me. 

"Okay, I shall trust your judgement." She said. "Just remember, not everything can go without punishment." 

"Yes, dearest mother." I nodded my head and took a step back before disappearing out of the room. I glanced at the moon risen high in the sky. While glancing at it, I knew it almost to be soon. While I had announced the fact that it was a full moon, it was different. It was a blue moon and knew it was coming our way. 

I walked through the castle and into parlor and a young girl with golden locks was sitting on the couch, dressed to the nines and a small gold tiara sitting on her head. 

"Ah, Prince Ashton." She smiled and stood up. Rushing over to me. I took her hand and kissed the top of it, out of customary respect. But I had no idea who she was. "Do you not remember me?" I shook my head. "Oh how sad. Princess Leona? We used to play together as children, how could you not remember me?" 

Then it hit me like a mule-kick. I did remember this girl. We did used to play together as children. She was from the neighboring kingdom. "What are you doing here? It has been so long." 

"I heard about your ball." Leona smiled, her smile was sweet and her words sounded like the whispers of doves. Something about her was truly admirable, but that admiration was not one I could fully hold. "I thought to attend."

"You? Attend?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying for me?"

"Well who shall know what I may find there." She smiled. "I would like to catch up though." She walked a step to my side and interlocked her arm with my own as we began to walk through the castle. 

"Take me for a ride through your kingdom, show me around." She smiled. 

"I have no idea why I would have to. It is not like you've never been here before." 

"That, my dearest Prince, is true. But show me anyways." She smiled and we walked out to the stables where Angelica was standing and she instantly fetched my white-as-snow horse Frostbite. He was a loyal creature whom wore a gem-encrusted saddle whom flung his white mane all around. I lifted Leona up onto the horse, I felt the fabric of her gold dress between my fingers and smirked. It was only the best for this little Princess I had assumed. 

I climbed up myself and sat behind her as my arms were around her in order for me to hold the reigns. She batted the eyelashes of her golden eyes as she looked towards me. "Ah, just like old times. Hm?" 

"How is your kingdom fairing, Leona?" I asked as Frostbites hooves clopped along the path.

"Very well, this year's harvest is fruitful." Leona explained to me. "I am excited for the day when we both rule. Of course, I intend to form an alliance and extend it past what our fathers have agreed on. It is part of the reason I wish not to marry at all!" 

"Hm?"

"Well if I do, it would be very likely my husband would not agree with what I chose." Leona shrugged. "We should just marry and combine the whole thing!" 

"Like that would fair well." I rolled my eyes as she spoke. Leona laughed sweetly.

As we rode into town many people stopped and looked as us as we passed them. They took off their hats and exchanged whispers. "Is that Princess Leona?" "Why, are they together?" And others along those lines. 

Leona leaned back onto me and I was tempted to push her off of me, but knew I must remain a gentlemen with manners. Although it only provoked whispers more. 

"Do you remember where we used to go as children?" Leona asked me. "Where the rivers meet?" 

"Yes, I recall." I spoke.

"Do you remember how to get there?" She asked, turning to me. I nodded my head and she smiled. "I would like to revisit it. See how it appears now." 

"You cannot dive in like you would as a child." I teased her. "You would soak yourself and this precious material your dress is made from." 

"Oh hush now!" She laughed. "I do not intend to spoil it! I just wish to see you. Can you take me there or not?" 

"Well I do not believe you have ever seen it at night. Will you even recognize it? I have not been there in years, I no longer know if it will be the same." I said. 

"It will, you wait and see." Leona smiled wide. Just as I went to make Frostbite go faster, a group of small children ran past us and one tripped, falling. Leona gasped and immediately jumped off of Frostbite and went towards him and helped him off the ground. He went wide eyed when he looked at her. Shocked by her appearance, I assumed. 

"Are you alright?" She asked him. The boy looked up towards me and then gasped. 

"P-Prince A-Ashton!?" He said as he stood up and bowed. "I-I didn't mean to cause a disturbance!" 

"Oh you don't worry about a thing." Leona smiled. "What is your name, child?" 

"Laurence.." He said quietly, swallowing hard. "W-Who are you?" 

"My name is Princess Leona, I have enjoyed meeting you but are you sure you're alright? Do you require assistance from a Chirurgeon?" Leona asked him. He shook his head fast. Leona stood up and walked over to the saddle of Frostbite before prying it out with her nails. 

"Use this to get yourself a treat when it is dawn, alright?" He went wide eyed when she dropped the gem in his hand. 

"T-Thank you Princess Leona! An-And you too Prince Ashton!" He smiled wide. 

"Now you better head home, Laurence. We do not wish for your parents to worry for you." I smiled and he nodded before taking off down the street. Leona smile and laughed. 

"Help me back up would you?" She asked and I rolled my eyes but hiked her back on the horse. "I will repay the jewel I stole from the saddle.

"Ah, do not fret over it." I shrugged. "The fact that you can simply remove them  must mean it is time for a new one."

Leona laughed as we continued down the path, it was always good to see an old friend. But something was telling me she was back for more than friendship. 

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

Eyyy Vocab;

Chirurgeon; Like a doctor but works with setting bones and repairing physical elements of body structure. 

So there is my chapter and I hope you're enjoying the book and leave your feedback so we can know how you're doing with it =3 

Hugs, Kisses, Cuddles and Serenades xX