crankgameplays imagines

[18] blooming (pt.3)

((wow, mel doesn't update for a week and comes back with this shit))

Sundown came sooner than you thought, and you made your way to the left wing for your dinner with Prince Ethan. The servants' quarters were underneath the left wing, so you had to climb quite few staircases just to get to the main level, then even more to get up to the balcony level. With great uncertainty, you walked down the long, ornate hallways in the general direction of the balcony. Prince Ethan hadn't really given you a map or anything to aid you in finding the balcony.

Finally, you reached two large, elegant glass doors set in golden frames with gold handles and regal designs frosted into the glass. Holding your breath, you opened them to see a messy bedroom. This couldn't be the right room, but across the room was another set of doors leading to an outdoor balcony.

Looking around warily, your eyes landed on a sleeping form on a messily made bed. It was Prince Ethan, laying on his front in such a manner that it was presumable he had collapsed in bed with exhaustion. Clearly he wasn't up for eating, and you were debating as to whether to wake him or just leave. His back rising up steadily with every breath gave you a small smile, he seemed so at peace.

"Do you make a habit of watching people sleep?" He suddenly spoke up, not moving from his position.

You startled, wondering if he was awake the entire time you were in here. "Uh, no, sir. My mistake. I'll return to my quarters."

As you were about to grab the door handle, Prince Ethan pushed himself off the bed. "Don't, I'm awake and hungry! How about you?"

His question drew your gaze back to him, and it was then that you realized he was shirtless. You turned yourself away to let him have privacy dressing, but you still found your eyes straying to watch his toned muscles flex and move as he did the task. This man with you truly was a Prince in everything he did, he could make the simplest actions look so elegant, doing anything with an attractive ease and confidence.

"Draw a picture, it'll last longer." He snorted, obviously noticing you watching him out of your peripheral.

You fully looked back to him, and blush seeping across your face. The prince was now dressed in a casual white shirt, and his brown hair was still messy from his nap. "I draw flowers, not people." You muttered.

"Oh so if you drew people, you'd have no issue drawing me shirtless?"

"That's not what I meant!"

He laughed gently at your embarrassment, only deepening the heat on your cheeks. "Come on, let's eat!" He waved you out to the balcony, diffusing your awkward feelings.

Out on the balcony was a table with a couple of casted bronze chairs, and you sat in one across from the Prince. Your eyes were so focused on the marvelous colors of the sunset that you didn't even notice food had been brought out.

"Are you gonna eat?" Prince Ethan asked, and you almost took his disdain seriously except he had food in his mouth when he spoke.

"Chew, swallow, then speak." You muttered, lifting your fork to your mouth.

He had a strange smile on his face at your comeback, and you two fell into amicable conversation, mainly about the arrangements for the ball.

"So, what's your 'brilliant idea' for tomorrow?" You asked, remembering why he had requested for you to eat with him.

He leaned toward in his chair, lacing his hands together, possibly one of the most serious looks on his face that you'd ever seen. "Okay, so I've been wanting to try out this plan. There's a servant here with very similar measurements to me, and he has agreed to let me borrow his clothes to go into town. Since you said nobody knows what I look like, if I dress like a peasant, they won't know!"

You narrowed your eyes, mulling over his proposal for a moment. "But what if someone recognizes you?"

"They won't! I haven't been to town since before I hit double digits."

"But-"

"Why don't you want me coming with you?" He yelled suddenly, rubbing his face in frustration.

"Why you want to come with me to town?" You fired back, getting riled up as well.

Prince Ethan was quiet as he thought over your question. He seemed to be unsure of the exact reason. "Because, I haven't been out of this castle in ten years."

"You said it was by your own choice, though. So why now?" You spoke quietly, both of you had calmed down from your previous outbursts.

"I don't know." He shrugged nonchalantly, immediately turning back to his food.

You frowned, not liking how that conversation ended, but you didn't want to bring it up again. That was the second time today he had gotten angry at you. And you didn't want there to be a third time.

Finally, the dessert course was brought out, a simple peach cobbler. But again, you found yourself more focused on the brilliant colors of the sunset. The reds, yellows, and fiery oranges were more beautiful than anything man could make. And then your thoughts strayed to Prince Ethan.

You cast a side glance at him to find that he was already looking at you, both of your plates untouched. If you didn't know any better, you would thought he had a look of entrancement on his face. Just the thought of this made the blood rush to your cheeks again. You hoped the Prince didn't notice, or just marked up the pink hue to the light from the sunset.

"What?" He snapped, and you could've sworn he had a mild blush across his light cheeks as well.

"Uhm nothing." You cleared your throat, looking back to the sky. The stars were starting to come out, and you sighed contently. "Do you like the stars, sir?"

"Yes." He stood up, bowing cordially to you. "I'll meet you at the servants' door at 9?"

You snorted. "No, you'll meet me at the path fork at the crack of dawn."

"Yes ma'am." Prince Ethan grinned, showing to his bedroom door, leaving the cobbler completely uneaten. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Prince Ethan." You bowed your head before walking back across the castle to your own temporary quarters.