Happily Never After

3

Caspian gracefully climbed back into his bed and for what has left of the night dreamt of white haired princes with multi-colored eyes and pale, freckled skin.

The following morning was filled with sweet birdsong and the chatter of cheery townsfolk, with of course the exception of Prince Caspian, who was groaning and complaining loudly at the upcoming events of the day.
"It truly is not the end of the world as we know it," his favorite servant, Sadie comforted. She was met with a huff of discontentment. Sadie tsked and began to select clothes for the royal to wear that day. "Besides," she added, "It'll be quick. It's only a little, harmless meeting."
Caspian sat up and ripped off his purple, silken sleeping mask in fury. "Yes, a 'little', and 'harmless' meeting, with the person I've been setup to spend the rest of my life with! I still can't believe they would blindside me with something like this." The Prince crossed his arms over his chest, recalling how he was awoken only to learn that his parents had already found a girl for him to wed. "Absolutely incredible," he commented sarcastically under his breath.
"Unfortunately for everyone, excepting their Majesties, you cannot circumvent this appointment, so I would suggest you get dressed. Unless of course you would prefer to meet your future wife in pajamas," Sadie quipped as she exited the room, closing the door behind her.
Caspian sighed with manufactured exasperation, launched himself out of bed, and shuffled toward his dresser. He picked up and inspected the outfit Sadie had selected for him.
As he set it back down, preparing to change, he heard a crash from the other side, of his room, near his window.
His vision followed a trail of scattered books across his floor, which led to a startled Bandit, who began to apologize profusely for once again putting Caspian's beloved books through such great trauma. Caspian simply laughed, informed him that he had no reason to apologize for an accident, and invited him to sit on the edge of his bed for the second time.
"So, what are you doing here in the first place?"
"Well... last night, after I told Baron everything that happened, she was completely dying to meet you. It's too dangerous to take her with me here, so... would you want to come with me on a little escapade?"
Caspian's entire demeanor brightened at his perfectly timed good fortune. "It would be my honor," he enthusiastically replied. "Wait near the back entrance to the gardens and I'll meet you there when I'm ready," he told Bandit, who nodded in affirmation and headed out of the Prince's window yet again.
Post many rejected outfit choices, and confused glances from the kitchen staff toward Caspian when he disappeared through the back gate of the castle, (in commoner clothes nonetheless), the pair were well on their way to an alleyway in the closest village where Bandit and Baron had been staying.
"I've never... walked this much... in-my life," Prince Caspian panted, after they had reached Main Street.
A few moments later, Caspian had regained his breath and glanced in awe at the villagers around them. "I'm beginning to feel incredibly spoiled for taking a carriage everywhere," he admitted.
"Don't sweat it, it's not your fault you were born into the financially superior family line," Bandit reassured the royal as they approached the alleyway Baron was located in.
"Where is she Bandi-" Caspian was startled silent when a giggling six year-old tackled Bandit by the legs, Bandit picking her up and spinning her around happily.
"I missed you too," Bandit laughed as he set her down on the ground. "Baron, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Bandit gestured toward Caspian, who smiled shyly and waved. Baron responded by offering her hand for him to shake. The Prince was suddenly reminded of his years of royal etiquette classes, specifically how to greet a lady, and kissed the back of her hand, to her pleasant surprise.
Baron tugged on Bandit's arm to get his attention and stood on her tiptoes to whisper rather loudly, "I like him already."
Caspian and Bandit exchanged a look and laughed heartily as they all sat in the alleyway to converse.
A few memories and inside jokes made, and hours later, the sun began to set and Caspian bid farewell to Baron, promising he would visit her again soon.
"Your sister is an absolute delight," the Prince praised while he and Bandit approached the back gates to the castle.
"Judging by her not-so-discrete comment I'm sure the feeling is mutual."
The pair chuckled and Bandit departed with a wink and a wave.
Caspian trudged to the castle, well aware of the lecture he would receive upon entering.
"Worth it," he mumbled to himself.
"CASPIAN ARTHUR JAMES WHERE IN HEAVEN'S NAME HAVE YOU BEEN?!" His mother shrieked upon seeing him. His face dropped instantly.
"Maybe not so worth it," he whispered before trying to dart to his room.
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" The Queen roared, grabbing Caspian's ear as he tried to sneak past her. "You are in SO much trouble young man," Queen Catherine whispered, her voice deadly. Caspian gulped.
As he later found out, his punishment for skipping the meeting and leaving the castle without permission would simply be his inability to leave the castle for a month.
"I'm grounded?" he muttered to himself upon being locked in his room. "That is utterly pathetic. They could have bestowed upon me an array of torturous punishments, and they decide to ground me."
The remaining days of that month were spent whining by Caspian, who longed to see his white-haired friend, and said friend's adorable younger sister, again.
During that month he also met and befriended Selina, the young woman he was meant to marry.
Despite their pleasure at Caspian's cooperation, on the third day of the following month the king and queen could no longer bear his incessant whining and lifting his punishment, allowing him to roam free.