ROYALS ; ♚ KLANCE

ONE

lance sashayed through the buzzing crowd of servants, a smile plastered onto his sun kissed features. the scene before him was everything he could have wanted, the seventeenth birthday of the crowned prince that blossomed with his favorite foods and multiple princesses. his sheathed sword thumped against his blue trousers as he wove to the regal throne perched next to his equally dressed father. lance grabbed a goblet of purple wine filled a little over half way, plopping down on the throne sat before a long table decorated with every food the kingdom could provide. the glorious smells flooded his nose and he felt his mouth water after he cast his eyes upon the tables. servants rushed to the prince's need, offering bowls and plates of meats, berries, and salads. his glass was offered for a refill which he happily accepted and drained the contents with ease.

"so father," lance pulled on his best grin as he folded his left leg over the right, shifting his blue tunic fixed with gold trimmings. his crown tilted with his head as he stared straight at the king. "when will i get to court a lady?" he smirked, swishing the remaining drink in his goblet. the question caught the older man mid drink of wine, causing a great eruption of laughter that made the crowned prince rear back.

"oh lance," he chuckled, finishing the cup and placing it on the table to be refilled. his eyes twinkled as he stared at his son. "you will marry someone to bring our kingdom to be the most powerful, and if it is a lady in the crowd i surely will be damned." the king stated. lance gasped, leaping from his throne and slamming his hand down to the hilt of his sword.

"i shall find a lady!" he cried, but the table of food captured his eyes once more and he settled back into the throne. "but after i eat." he whispered, cutting a big piece of meat and placing it on the plate, scooping other delicious foods that formed a mountain on his dish. "happy birthday to me," he laughed, picking up a fork.

after his meal, the prince was very eager to find a beautiful woman to fall in love with. the only problem was many were already dancing with another man, and despite his flirting and charming looks, they wouldn't budge. lance was close to pitching the crown on his head in frustration, why can't he find a woman! of all things to go wrong today, this was the only one.

why aren't my stupid charms working! he would think over and over again as he poured himself out to the people in the crowd. the prince caught the eye of a girl fixed in a lovely blue dressed that hugged her tight in all the right places, lance could feel himself imagine every fantasy of making her the queen of his kingdom, altea. they would get married under the crest of lions, and his friends would pride him on catching such a fine lady.

he walked over confidentially, the music in the background only a low hum as he extended a hand to her. "take this dance, my lady?" he proposed, flashing a signature smile that captivated the woman. she giggled to herself, pressing a gloved hand to her lips as she nodded, picking up a bit of her skirt as they trudged to the middle of the dance floor.

everyone knew one aspect of the crowned prince, lance, and that was he is one of the best dancers. nobody could compete with how he drove his hips to the beat, or how he spun around effortlessly. the king, philippe, prided himself on that. he watched his son guide someone to the middle of the wooden floor not too far from the tables. he shook his head, but decided to lay off. it was his birthday after all, and he hadn't received his gifts yet. maybe it was best to let him live a little before becoming a great king.

the beat slowly shifted to another tune as the musicians caught sight of lance in the crowd, playing one of the boy's favorite melodies. the instruments played frantically along as the prince guided the girl, now having the name of lady guinevere, along the floor. their feet moved together, hands held at a perfect still for the rapid movements. lance swayed softly, not having the freedom of dancing without his sword.

his thoughts seemed to frantically twist and turn away from his common sense while he danced. the prince enjoyed getting lost in the music, letting every high title peel itself off of him and fall to the ground that he pressed his boots against. in these moments he enjoyed being lance, just lance. though being a prince was nice too.

he spun guinevere around as the hum behind them slowly grew to increase, the laughter of commoners and royalty alike as they danced every beat of their heart out. lance smiled across at the bronze-skinned beauty gingerly holding his finger tips. her dress flowed and billowed up as her legs maneuvered gracefully. lance was mesmerized by her dancing, and definitely knew that she was the one. this process could take long debating by siting in bed and staring at a canopied ceiling, but this was instant and certain. she sure as hell could move, making them a perfect match on the topic of dancing.

the music sure enough slowed to an end, and the crowned prince was left breathless from the thrill. he felt the weight climb back onto his shoulders, but refused to let it be an overburden.

"you're magnificent!" he breathed, watching as she laughed and bowed.

"i'm glad you think that my prince."

lance felt his cheeks grow warm, but his father's words cut through his head.
i should ask where she's from! he thought, raising an arm to adjust his bedazzled crown. he hesitated. the boy could almost hear his father's angry yells at the thought of him dancing with someone he barely knew any background information on. lady guinevere could be a killer for the lord's sake.

he sighed, raking his brain for any idea on how to approach the situation.

"guinevere, may i inquire where you come from?" the prince asked.

the girl smiled, it was almost too enthusiastic for lances comfort as her lips formed an answer.

"oh lance," she grinned, grabbing his hand and rubbing her index finger along his knuckle. guinevere leaned forward, letting a hand drift through the small hairs at the base of his neck. the boy bit his lip as she came close to his ear. he could feel her warm breath drift down the base of his neck where the collar of his finest shirt cut off.

the prince's breathing was heavy as he anticipated her answer, the rose petals scattered across the bridge of his freckled nose increasing in vibrancy.

"i'm keith's brother, my love." the words flowed out like poison and lance's breath hitched in his throat from the sudden surge of pain in his side.

"what did you-" he choked, hand drifting to his sword to defend himself, but it slammed around a dagger lodged in his tunic. blood blossomed on his hands, the pain wrapping itself as he shouted in panic.

"FATHER!"

the cry was weakened by dropping to the floor, gasps of surrounding people filling the air to the brink. lance forced his hands down on the wound. his eyes drifted to the devilish smile of guinevere leaning over him, cursing him for something he couldn't recognize. it felt like he was drowning, the time was slowing down as he listening to his increased heart rate. it felt like ages staring into her dark eyes, and in these seconds he really saw that she resembled his enemy.

the crowding voices seemed to flicker in and out, chained hands of his knights pushing their way gently under him. he couldn't see keith's sister anymore, she was probably restrained in a knight's arms as she played victim. it was hard to think, the world swimming in and out of his ocean eyes.

"father," he whispered, feeling warm liquid catch at the ends of his mouth. the pain was too much for the prince, the one fantasized to be the strongest man alive. a hero, a charmer, the smartest.

he considered them to maybe be a lie.

♚
hope you enjoy.