Fit For a King <Lashton>

18; Ariana

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. ~Mother Teresa 

Ashton's POV

My mother held up several outfits in front of me as I was doomed to chose. I went with the dark blue one, it was the least gaudy and looked the least uncomfortable. And thankfully, the second was still true after I put it on. My mother combed out my hair as I sat on a chair. I could see her smiling in the mirror.

"What ever is the matter Ashton? You look upset?" My mother asked as she caught my eye. 

I let out a sigh, I hated lying but I knew I would have to do it. "I fear that this will get us nowhere. That I will never meet anyone to marry there." 

"If that is the case we shall keep having them until you do." My mother smiled. "Do not look so sorrowful, it is unbecoming on you, my son." 

"Yes mother." I said and attempted to perk myself up. She stood away from me for a second before reaching in the pocket of her dress. Something she always had done for her dresses, she loved having pockets. She pulled out a necklace and put it around my neck, laying it carefully on my chest. 

"I know you are no fan of jewels, Ashton, but be mindful. This is the symbol of our family name and the most precious item I do own. I just ask you wear it for the night, if you decide never again to. But it has been passed down from generation to generation." My mother smiled as she told the tale. 

"Alright." I nodded my head, I stood up from my seat and hugged my mother. I felt like I would start crying when I knew I was going to let her down in the end, but how would I just suddenly tell her that I could not marry not even the finest of women at the party? 

"Now there should be a carriage outside for you." My mother smiled and I went downstairs and got into the horse drawn carriage. I sighed as I leaned back in my seat, looking out at the bright moon. A full moon, mother had said, and it certainly was full. It looked almost double it natural size. 

The ball was at my castle, but mother wanted me to make an appearance, so I simply rode around town until I reached it when it had people populating it. My carriage stopped in front and everyone froze as the door opened and I climbed out of it. There was clapter from many of the people outside, as they all gushed over me. I grabbed the hand of one and kissed the top of it before walking inside. 

I looked around, hoping I would find Luke somewhere in here, but instead I found Leona staring me in the face. "Hello Prince Ashton." 

"Oh, Princess Leona, what a lovely honor to see you." I smiled, we both called one another by our titles out of respect that the public would expect. We hugged one another and I figured if I had to dance with anyone it would be Leona. So I bowed slightly and held my hand out. "Care to dance with me?" 

"I would love nothing more." Leona curtsied her golden dress and we began to waltz around the floor. "So Ashton, now that we are out of earshot, what were you doing parading the villages with Luke?" 

"What?" I asked, keeping my smile up but my eyes widening. Leona almost looked amused at the face. 

"Stop that, you look insane." She chuckled, she cleared her throat and continued. "You came back covered in mud. I saw you so I followed you out, what I saw though was..Unexpected."

"What did you see?" I asked, I was trying in all possibility to keep my smile wide, if I looked panicked to the crowd, they would know something was not right.

"You fell for a peasant," Leona smiled. "But not just any peasant, Luke. A male peasant. Do you have any form of explanation?"

"What you said is true.." I mumbled as I swallowed hard. "L-Leona you cannot say anything to my mother."

"Smile you fool," Leona sighed and I smiled. "Besides, I do not intend on telling her. I plan on helping you." 

"How?" I asked.

"Well, I can offer you a deal." Leona said.

I chuckled. "One of your deals, huh? You've always been known for them." 

"Well, let me say, that you marry me for the public. But you may parade around with Luke as much as you like, we can even claim he is your advisor. I do not care what you two do together, but I will get our kingdoms combined and you can have your lover." Leona shrugged. "If you want I can even give you and Luke a child." 

"Why can't Luke and I get married?" I asked. 

"What would think the public would say?" Leona scoffed. "To many people homosexuality is becoming unheard of. There could be riots in the street, you could both be killed and..Well we can't have that! Just think about my offer, Ashton." Leona cupped my face and kissed my cheek before parting with me. 

I let out a sigh and continued along my dancing path. Dancing with several girls and holding small and fairly idiotic conversations. I also danced with Faye who spent the entire time talking about food, I thought she might eat so much she would explode. So I told her to pace herself instead. 

At this point I managed to find Luke standing and eating with Faye, I rolled my eyes. They both loved their food. So I walked towards them and smiled. "Hello." 

"Prince Ashton." Luke bowed slightly as he snickered. 

"Ah repulsive." I laughed lightly as I looked around the room, several people were dancing on the floor, and a lot of people were looking at me. But after a few greetings they turned and did their own. I looked at Luke and sighed. "Oh how I despise parties." 

"Girls are floundering over you." Faye smiled. 

"Well look at his face." Luke pinched my cheek and laughed. I slapped his hand down and laughed myself. A man walked over to us, and smiled to Faye. I knew who he was. 

"Prince Ashton." He greeted me. 

"Prince Griffon." I smiled and bowed my head to him. "Lucifer, Faye, this is Prince Griffon of Lura." 

"Hello." Faye smiled. "I would curtesy, but alas, my hands are full of food." 

Griffon laughed. He was a fairley good guy, but a lot of people treated his silly personality very seriously. He was a big fan of jesters and jokes as well as large feasts. "That's wonderful, would you do me a favor Faye?" 

"Depends on what it is, Prince Griffon." Faye smiled. 

"Well for starters, you may just call me Griffon." He smiled. "But would you put your food down for a moment as to dance with me." 

"Hm, I suppose it will survive a moment." Faye handed it to Luke who began to eat it and went to dance with Griffon.

"Did Faye just score a Prince?" Luke asked.

"She's not the only one." I said. "Many people find their own partner at large scale parties. That is why there are so many people here, princes like Griffon and princesses like Leona come far to attend these parties." Luke nodded as if he understood. "I would ask you to dance Luke," I said quietly. "But I really do not know what people would say."

"Oh I understand." Luke replied. "I am an awful dancer anyways." 

I thought about it as I turned to Luke, I wanted to take him away. No one was really paying attention, so I could, but the real question is why would he ever follow around a prince? I swallowed hard and gathered my own courage. 

"You should come with me." I flashed a smile and Luke chuckled. "W-What.."

"You look so nervous, I was just waiting for you to say something." Luke put down Faye's plate of food and began to follow me towards the back of the room, and opening a door, going inside one of the towers. 

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

Royalty all over the damn place. Lol I would probably like piss my pants to be honest xD

Hugs, Kisses, Cuddles and Serenades xX