Fit For a King <Lashton>

20; Ariana

And we loved with a love that was more than love. ~Edgar Allan Poe

Ashton's POV

Just when we reached the door, Luke pulled his arm out of mine. I never questioned anything, but the moment we were spotted by the public, I was instantly being asked to dance with several different ladies. 

"Go ahead." Luke whispered to me, a small smile on his lips. "It is just the polite thing to do." 

I danced long through the night, and before I knew it, the sun was in the sky. Guests were being shuffled out of the room and my mother approached me. "Did you find someone you like?" She asked.

I smiled slightly. "I-I think so, but I would like to think about it. Maybe sleep on it." She nodded her head and went off in the opposite direction. My thoughts were racing, I had no idea what to do. I was chewing on my lip as I thought about it, I leaned against a post and ran a hand down my face. I wanted to marry Luke, but what would my parents say? What would my people say? 

"Are you alright, Ashton?" I turned my head to see Michael standing on my left. "You look stressed, having a hard time picking a wife?" 

"Something like that." I replied. 

"You should go get some rest, you have been awake and dancing all night." Michael smiled. "Here I can get a servant to - "

"That is fine, I know where I am going." I replied. I looked around the room as I walked through it, a few people lingered but none of them were Luke. So I found myself slipping outside where I looked around. 

"Where did he go..?" I mumbled. Had he left again without saying anything? I held my hands close to myself as I tried not to consider the fact that he might have changed his mind and left. I walked through the courtyard for a short time.

"Boo!" I heard someone laugh behind me, I screamed but stopped when I saw Luke's devil face smiling behind me. "I scared you." 

"Do not do that, you idiot." I huffed. 

"Do not be so mad, Prince Ashton." Luke taunted me.

"You are well aware that I could have you killed, are you not?" I scoffed.

"I have a feeling you would never dare." Luke smiled. "Where are you going now? I wish to accompany you." 

"I was going to go and rest." I said.

"Oh..Than I suppose I may not follow you." Luke said. "After all, I am no longer welcomed in the castle." There was a saddened look on his face, like he might have to be alone again. I took his hand and pulled gently on him. "What are you..?" 

"Just follow me." I smiled as I continued to tug him down the paths. We passed through a section of trees and behind it was an extremely large garden. Full of colors and many different kinds of flowers, trees and shrubbery.

"What is this?" Luke was wide eyed.

"Tis the castle's garden." I smiled. "Once you pass through the topiary you reach this area here."

"The grass is very soft." Luke said and I smiled but went wide eyed when I looked down and noticed he was not wearing shoes.

"Did you attend the ball barefoot?" I asked.

"I did, and hold no shame in it." Luke laughed.

I shook my head slowly. "You are going to make terrible royalty."

"Wait..Y-You still want to marry me?" Luke asked, his eyes growing wide with the idea. I nodded my head. "Are you sure?"

"I already had this discussion with you." I replied. "Is there something about me that you makes you not want to marry me?" 

"Maybe because you are the prince of Solaris." Luke sighed. I sat down in some grass where cherry blossom trees curved and met over the section of grass. It was cool and I leaned back on my hands. Luke plopped down next to me. "Look at all of the wonders you have, look at all I have."

"I want to share it with you though." I said as I gestured towards everything. Then I figured something out. "You do not desire a lifestyle like this.." Luke shook his head slowly. "You were so excited about wanting to marry me last night and now you act like you would rather drown yourself." 

Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing. "I watched you dance with dozens of princesses. Dozens of young, rich maidens who you might as well marry."

I pursed my lips together. "Would you like to dance with me?" I held out a hand to Luke.

"What? Ashton no I..I cannot dance." Luke glanced down at his hands as if he was ashamed of himself. I stood up and held my hand out to him.

"Come on, dance with me. I shall hang you if you say no." I flashed a smile and Luke scoffed. 

"If I marry you does that mean I have the power to have you hung?" Luke asked.

"If you wished for my death, I would have no problem with that." I said and Luke went wide eyed. "If you do not love me, I wish for nothing else in life. So please, would you care to dance with me Luke?" I thrusted my hand towards him. He took it and I pulled him up off the grass and placed my hand on his waist and slowly entwined our fingers. 

"So just follow my feet." I said and Luke looked down at my feet, I stepped slowly and Luke followed them, eventually moving into a steady waltz. Eventually slowing down and stopping, Luke bowed and I did the same. Standing up once more and placing my hands on his waist before kissing him gently. Luke's arms crossed behind my neck as he tilted his head to develop it deeper. 

Then I heard someone talking in the distance and I opened my eyes, pulling away from Luke. Looking around frantically. "What is it Ashton?" Luke asked and I pulled him back into the shadows that the trees gave. 

"My father is over there.." I said quietly. We sat back in the shadows and watched my father walking past with a woman and a man.

"Are those.." Luke went wide eyed. "M-My parents..?" Luke opened his mouth as if he was going to scream, I moved over and covered his mouth and pulled him onto my lap. His breathing picked up as if he was panicking by seeing his parents. I held tightly onto him, wondering what was the issue between Luke and his family. 

AUTHOR'S NOTIFICATION; Ariana

Eyyyyyyyy *SSP* 

So I have a new book out =D It's called Paint Stain and you should go look at it cause it would mean a lot to know what you all think about it ! It's a Lashton by the way, if that might help to sway you. ;3

Hugs, Kisses, Cuddles and Serenades xX