Fit For a King <Lashton>

Ten; Ariana

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. ~Abraham Lincoln

Ashton's POV

I stood behind a tree, I stood there and just watched another one of the peasants be treated like dirt as the guards apprehended them. I thought I might recognize them, but in all honesty I did not. In a way, I wanted to walk out there, and yell and scream. Cast down the guards who would act this way. But my feet never moved, it was like I feared these people even though in the end I was in charge. 

I walked my way back to the castle, eventually slipping into my fancy-clothing and walking back inside the castle. Leona was sitting at a table with my mother. They were laughing, very giddy-like. "Oh hello Ashton! The Queen was just telling me a lovely story!" 

"I do not doubt it." I replied quietly as I took a seat across from her. My mother's lips pursed together when she saw me. "Is something the matter, mother?" 

"You look..Dirty!" She almost seemed shocked. I should have known better to clean myself before coming and sitting with my mother. "Why are you covered in..Filth!"

"I just went for a ride earlier today." I smiled. "It was a little muddy, I should have cleaned myself sooner. I shall do so now." And I left the room before they could ask questions. I found myself in my chambers staring at my glass reflection. 

I heard a knock on my door and heard it creak open. I could see Leona in the mirror as she walked over and took a wet rag, wiping the dirt from my hair and face. "You cannot fool me, Ashton, I know that was a lie. Your clothes would be dirty as well, but they are not. What were you actually doing?"

"Does it concern you?" I scoffed as I pushed back and walked towards the window. Looking out it I noticed something in the distance. 

"Why are you acting so cold?" Leona scoffed. "I am not going to tell anyone so why can you not tell me?" I did not listen to her bickering though, instead my eyes stayed fixed on what I saw out in the garden. 

"Is that..A horse?" I raised an eyebrow. Leona walked around me to see what it was. 

"I would believe it is, funny it - "

"Looks familiar." We said together. 

"Well, we both must have seen it then. That is not your horse, Ashton?" Leona asked. I shook my head. "Then where did we see that horse?" I thought about it, but I could not figure it out until Leona laughed. "I remember! It was that peasants horse." 

"Luke's horse..?" I found myself instantly confused. I turned and walked towards the exit of the room. Wondering what his horse would be doing out there. When I walked towards the horse it immediately panicked at the sight of me and stomped her feet. 

"Easy!" I said, taking a few steps back. "What are you doing here? You are Luke's horse, are you not?" The horse stomped around a little bit more. I was ultimately confused but I took the horse by its reins and took it to the stable, despite the fight I was given. 

"Oh! Prince Ashton!" The stable girl gasped. "Whatever are you doing?"

"Watch this horse until their owner has claimed them." I said as I handed over the reigns. "Treat her well. Let her graze in the pasture."

"B-But Prince - "

"That is an order, I do not wish there to be any quarrels about it." I turned and walked off, wondering what in hell's name was Luke's horse doing in my courtyard? Something was wrong, something was definitely off.

And I pondered over it for a few days, Luke did not show up for his horse and no one did. I was instantly beginning to think he was hurt and probably dead. Ultimately I felt as if it was my goal to help my people, I felt guilty about it and was picking at my meals for those days. 

On the fourth day I walked into a room where Knight Calum. Talking to my father and laughing away. They were both cruel in a sense, and I did not trust Calum for at all. But then I heard him talking about the dungeons, a place I very seldom visited, it made me sick. 

"The one that we got a few days ago is still down there, sometimes he just does not shut up." Calum chuckled. "We spend our fair time beating sense into him." 

"A new prisoner? I had no idea about this." I said. Calum and my father turned their heads to me. "Who is it?" 

"Prince Ashton you have no interest in this matter, did you not say this to me previously?" Calum smiled, he was just trying to be smart about the whole thing, I could see the taunting look in his eyes. 

"I requested to know, if I ever dare to be king I must be knowledgeable about these criminals." I replied.

Calum smiled and turned to my father. "Your majesty, may I have a private word with your son for a moment?" My father nodded and walked out of the room. Calum and I - along with a few guards - stood in the room. I almost felt shaky. 

"If you have to know, he is a peasant who was caught stealing. Lucifer Hemmings." Calum smiled and I went wide eyed, my stomach twisting. 

"How long has he been down there for?" I asked, trying in all ways not to lose my precious composure. 

"A few days. I think we might have gotten him to the point of submission." Calum chuckled. "Oh I do love my job."

"What have you been doing to that poor boy?" I asked, a snarling tone to my words. 

"The usual types of activities I share will all my new inmates." Calum shrugged.

"All for stealing?" I scoffed. "Calum I demand that you release him at once." Calum then laughed along with several other guards in the room. "Do you dare laugh at me? Are you testing me and your life?" 

"You think just because your Prince you can tell everyone what to do?" Calum laughed and shook his head. "Not at all the case. You are not King, you hold no authority over me." 

"Calum, I demanded it of you and if you value your life you will do as I say!" I snapped as I took a step towards him. "Otherwise I will make sure you are lynched and mocked in front of a crowd! I am royal blood and you bow to me!" 

"No I do not." Calum smiled. "To your father, yes, and he would never agree with what you say. Criminals must be put away." 

"He is only a criminal because no one is helping him! This is how he gets food to eat and if this monarchy can not support its people it should not exist!" I yelled. "We need to help the people not lock them up when they need us!" 

"That is not how being King works Ashton!" Calum yelled. "You will make a god awful king! Just wait and see, you will be the jester more than anything.." 

"Do not test me Calum." I said, pointing a finger in his face. "You will let him go, or my first decree as king will to have you killed in front of everyone." 

"Well, wouldn't you be as just as bad as I would then?" Calum smiled. "Face it, boy, you are never going to amount to anything. You can not lead these people and if you do not marry, I will take the throne. Not you." 

"What? No you will not!" I scoffed. "I am the heir!" 

"But your father does not even believe you would make a good leader. And the fact that you want to just release prisoners? Ha, what a joke!" Calum snickered. 

"My father will hang you for the way you talk to me!" I snapped. Calum looked as if he had some sort of realization, although it faded, and he held a wicked smile as he grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me closer to him.

"Trust me, I will make sure that you never get in my way." Calum snarled. "I will get my way." Then he threw me to the ground. "Take him to his chambers, lock the door men." Then a couple of guards grabbed me as I pulled back and tried to get out of their grasp.

"You can't do this to me!" I yelled. "I am your leader, not him! Put me down!" But then did not listen, instead I was locked inside of the doors of my room. Wondering what the hell I was going to do, after all, I could not let this happen to any of my people. Let alone someone as poor as Luke. 

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

Hey guys look at that, isn't it just amazing =D anyways I hope you enjoyed and I would totally love to hear what you all think.

Hugs, Kisses, Cuddles and Serenades xX