The Prince's Heart (Ziall, Niam)

Chapter 20

"Why so glum?" Harry asks. "We won the war? The ruler of Bieber surrendered when all his men were captured or killed. Live, eat, dance!"

I reply to him by stabbing whatever is on my plate and stuffed it in my mouth. After I swallowed, I looked at him. "Happy?"

"Seriously, eat more" He slides more meals on my already overflowing plate.

"How can I be happy when my brother and my fiancé are dead? How can anybody be happy at all? I know it should be a joyous occasion but everyone should be mourning for everyone who has sacrificed their life for us!" I whisper harshly just in case anyone is nearby. I may not be agreeing to celebrating whole-heartedly but I don't want to ruin everyone's moods as well.

"Do you honestly think that you're the only one hurting? With all due respect, I lost my friends in the war, I lost the people I look up to but unlike you, I do not want it to linger in my mind. I don't want to spend my days mourning. What has happened is done and the least I can do is honor them in my heart" Harry's words were said calmly but his eyes betray him. I instantly feel guilty.

"I'm sorry Harry. You have every right to enjoy yourself. I just don't have it in me to celebrate. Go on, have fun, I'll just go to Zayn or something" I nudge him with my elbow. I stop him before he can protest.

I slowly make my way towards the doors leading to outside to feign the expression that I'm not in too much hurry to leave. I smile at a couple of guests and hold in a groan whenever one of two of them strikes up a conversation with me. 

One particular guest wouldn't stop babbling even if I made subtly and not-so-subtle hints about wanting to leave already and go mingle somewhere else.

Thankfully, my arse was saved by my mother who coughed daintily and motioned for the guest to leave the two of us alone. The guest got the hint and dipped his upper body and scrambled quickly out of the way, hitting other people at the same time.

"Thanks mother, I don't even know what he was talking about" I smile at her. I assumed she just wanted to save me from a very useless and boring conversation so I stepped to her side and made a move to leave once again. My actions were halted by a hand on my arm. 

"Niall, I need to talk to you" 

I nod, unsure. "Okay"

"In private" 

I swallow. What is such a confidential topic that my mother feels the need for us to talk privately? But maybe she’s just being cautious. The two of us continued my travel to the exit door. My mother kept her head up and brushed any nearby people away. Everyone got the hint and no one bothered us anymore.

My mother led us to an empty guest room. It's all grey and white and it hasn't been used in 3 years because the gusts don't actually stay for the night but the servants still keep it clean.

My mother sits down on the bed and I sit on the couch across her.

"I know" is all she says.

I blink.

"You know what, mother?" I ask.

"About you and Zayn"

Oh shit. How? Fuck. My mother knows all about my infidelity. I look at everything but her. Should I apologize? Should I explain? Should I runaway?

"No need to be nervous. I know that you loved them both and they both equally loved you back. I know that you lie awake at night fighting with yourself and with your feelings" My mother is wearing a gentle smile on her face. My nerves ease a little bit.

"You're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad? Although at first I had thought of talking to you about it but then I stopped myself and decided to make you decide for yourself. After all, it is your life."

My face must be resembling a tomato right now. "You don't think I'm a....slut?"

My mother clutches the skirt of her grown in surprise. "Of course not"

"Oh" I cough and force the color to leave my face but it just doesn't happen. "Is that all, mother?"

"Wait" mother fixes her flawless gown. "I just want you to know that I support you in everything that you do as long as it's good for you. If you have plans of being with Zayn and making it official, then I will talk to your father about it. He will understand. Everyone will understand. I also want you to know that I know that just because you're going to be with Zayn from now on, doesn't mean you never loved Liam. I know you loved him so much. He and Greg and everyone will be forever remembered" 

I try not to cry. My brother and Liam are never coming back. My mother notices because she pats the space beside her and I move from my spot to oblige. 

"I'm sorry sweetheart" she wraps her arms around me and I lean my head against her shoulder. "Don't think about it so much. Liam's wouldn't want you miserable because of him, would he?"

I shake my head. No. Liam would want me to be happy because that's how he is, so selfless and considerate and nice. "He's Liam. He would rather put my happiness before his"

"Exactly. Now go on" she taps my head and gently pushes me to stand up. "Turn that frown upside down or else, no meals for a week" I raise an eyebrow at my mother. I know for a fact that my mother would never ever do that. Still, I forced myself to smile and it became half real when she smiled back.

Instead of going back to the ballroom, i walk back to my room.

To half my surprise, Zayn is already on my bed, waiting. "You okay"

I smile at him. My first genuine smile the entire day. "I will be"

It's been a month since Liam and my brother died. And to everyone's glee, I moved on. It still hurt sometimes; especially when I pass by the memorial for the people who fought in the war my father insisted should be built inside the castle. I would linger in front of my brother's photo and stay for hours in front of Liam's.

Today though, I'm just enjoying a cup of tea with Zayn, my mother and my father.

Like my mother said, she explained everything to my father. My father, at first, was very confused but he finally understood and now he's talking to Zayn like they've known each other for ages.

"You're a good lad Zayn, but i swear, if you hurt Niall in anyway...."

"Father" I sigh exasperatedly. "He won't"

"I promise I won't, your highness. I will take care of him and ensure his safety and make him happy" Zayn says. His voice determined and genuine. "But I need your permission, your majesty, in this particular thing"

"What thing?" my father raises an eyebrow.

Zayn stands up and bows in front of my father. "Will you allow me to marry your son?"

I gasp in surprise and my mother squeals. My father gives Zayn a once over. "Yes, I allow you. I am giving you the permission to hold my sunshine in your hands"

Zayn stands up properly and his face is stretched in joy. "Thank you, your highness" then, he faces me, kneels on the ground and pulls out a black box from inside his armor. "Niall, will you marry me?"

I tackle him to the ground. "You idiot!" Tears of joy fell down my cheeks. "Of course I'll marry you" 

"We must celebrate this!" my mother exclaims and Zayn just chuckles and I roll my eyes. 

Zayn grins and pulls me closer. We're both still on the ground "We'll be alright, yeah?"

"As long as we're together, we'll be alright" I say.

THE END.