Royals [Harry Styles AU]

Chapter 2

"Miss, hold still please." Evelyn, a frail old woman who had been tailoring clothing for my family for year, pulls a pin from her mouth and roughly jabs it through the white fabric.

I yelp when it's point pierces my skin and Evelyn pulls it out without apologizing. This was a normality for her and I had no intention of calling her attention to the fact that the inside of my dress was probably spotted with tiny specs of my blood. The notion would be pointless, every time I was fitted for something it happened. No matter how many times I loudly complained.

My eyes flicker to the mirror in front of me. My hair has been pulled back from my face in a bun to keep it out of the way as Evelyn works. In any other situation I would have no trouble admitting the dress was beautiful, but it's symbol was repulsive. My fingers toyed with the lace sleeves around my wrist as I stared at my reflection.

Louis had without a doubt gone overboard when selecting a full skirted ball gown style wedding dress with a train that was probably a mile long. When Evelyn had arrived at my doorstep this morning with the dress I had thrown a fit. Not only had the ever lovely Prince take the liberty of choosing an outrageous gown he had also take it upon himself to move up our wedding date. Now, I only had a week to break Harry out of his cell before my fate was sealed permanently.

A box sits on a chair with a veil and tiara carefully placed inside. The diamonds on the tiara match with the ones embellishing the belt around my waist. The damn thing tied around my waist forms a bow in the back too. Louis had even sent a pair of matching heels and jewelry too. Not only was I forced into a marriage, but I also had no say in any aspect of it. I am not ungrateful for all the nice things Louis has given me, everything was beautiful, but their reasons for being given did not sit well with me.

"How does it feel, Miss Peyton?" Evelyn straightens with half a dozen pins still held between her lips.

"Heavy." I reply fisting the fabric hanging off my hips to relieve some of the weight. Surely, I would have bruises when this whole ordeal was over.

Evelyn rolls her gray eyes. "Does it feel like it fits well?"

"It fits wonderfully." I flash the old woman a fake smile knowing the faster I can get this thing off the sooner I can see Harry.

Evelyn nods. "Lovely, I'll take it back to my shop then and have it sown properly. Would you like me to bring it back here or to the palace so you will not have to transport it for the ceremony?"

"Take it to the palace." The less I see the damn thing the better.

* * *

As soon as Evelyn assists me in taking off the horrendous gown I quickly change and sneak down into the dungeon again. Although it is probably illegal and completely unorthodox to keep prisoners in our own dungeon I am grateful Harry is here and not in the palace prison cell where I had no hope of visiting him.

My father's bad temper and knack for holding long grudges has landed a few debt holding people down here. Including the young man in the cell next to Harry's. He sits in the corner and his brown eyes flicker upwards when I pass. The dirty clothing he wears indicates his long passage of time in here, although for what reason I am unaware.

My fingers curl tightly around the small strip of cloth concealing an apple I had stolen from the kitchen on the way down here in anticipation of seeing Harry. Though, when I stop in front of his cell I am horrified. His limp body is curled up in the back corner of his cell. His head snaps up when a sharp gasp escapes from between my lips. He sports a black eye and his lip is cut along with multiple large bruises scattered across his arms and face.

"Harry, what happened?" I breathe out as I sink to the cold stone floor.

Harry's eyes brighten a bit and he smiles slightly, though no words leave his swollen lips. I drop the small package in my hand to my lap and curl my hands around the metal cell bars, stupidly hoping the barrier between us would crumble beneath my pull. I am sure Harry's wounds are recent because I can see fresh blood marking his tan skin.