Down the Castle Halls

Chapter Three

Niall

September 2013.

Yesterday was my birthday. Everyone in Sonas makes a big deal out of it and parties are thrown everywhere to celebrate. I always found it quite strange but I never said anything about it. I used to actually show up to some of those parties and just pretend I was a normal person for once.

But not yesterday. I made it clear to Mum that I wanted no party or any type of celebration. And so I had no parties or anything. I just hung out with Father and ate dinner with the family inside the castle.

I then decided this morning that since I did not celebrate my birthday yesterday, that I would go out today. So I woke up, took a shower, and got dressed. Mum was shocked when she saw me up at eight o’clock in the morning. It is not everyday that I, Niall Horan, is up before eleven or later. All I told her was that I wanted to go out for a few hours.

“Do you need any bodyguards to come with you?” she asked, looking concerned.

“No Mum,” I said back. “There is no reason to bother Liam and/or Zayn when I am only going out for a few hours.”

I find myself—after I left the castle—at the bakery a few blocks away. The same bakery where Rebecca and I broke up over a year ago.

Walking into the little shop, I sigh in relief as I notice that no one else is in here. Usually I would not mind people coming up to me and talking to me, but not today. Which is why I actually smiled as soon as I walked into the door.

I walk up to the front counter and ring the small bell there. “Hello? Anyone here?” I ask, trying to get a glimpse of anyone in the kitchen.

A scream and bang echo out, which causes me to jump back. Before I could even think, a tall male rushes out of the kitchen and nearly falls over the counter as he jumps it. Standing up, he fixes his mess of brown curls before shining a bright smile at me.

“Prince Niall,” he says breathlessly. “It is such an honor to have you here. Happy belated birthday by the way.”

I cannot help but laugh. I am used to girls and adult women coming up to me, pinching my cheeks—mainly the women but some girls pinch the other cheeks if you know what I mean. A lot just ask for pictures though or some just want me to answer a few questions. It is really rarely that I see a male go “crazy” about me, if you will. So watching this guy kind of freak out in front of me is actually funny.

“Please,” I finally say, “just call me Niall. And thank you.” He smiles and nods his head. Chuckling, I ask, “What would be your best breakfast food here?”

The guy tells me to sit down anywhere as he rushes back into the kitchen. I continue to laugh as I take a seat in one of the chairs at a small table. It is not long before the guy comes back out with what looks like some fancy egg sandwich on a plate with hash browns and a muffin.

A thank the guy, realizing that I do not know his name and it is getting annoying referring him to “that guy”. I ask for his name.

“Harry,” he replies.

Harry stands there as I start to eat and noticing this, I stop. Motioning to the chair in front of me, I say, “You can sit with me, if you want.”

“Oh I could not intrude,” he says. “Plus, I am working.”

Looking at him, I motion around the place with my fork. “No one is here Harry besides you and I.”

A blush appears on his cheeks and I swear he giggled. Guys are not supposed to giggle, are they? He says okay and sits down on the chair.