HufflepuffHolland's Writing Collection

Mistaken Royalty (Part 3) // Tom Holland

"Harrison, are you alright?"

"Harrison?" The guard eyes Tom for a quick second. He'd known Harrison since he was a child – granted, he hadn't seen him since he was about four, around the same time he'd last seen Tom, but could he have changed this much? "Mr. Osterfield. I used to take care of you and your sister when you were younger, when you came over to the castle for Prince Thomas."

Tom gulped, nodding nervously. "Uh, well, yes. I need to get back to the castle."

"Should we bring your friend with you?" The guard asked, looking at you up and down. "To ensure the safety?"

"No!" Tom answered quickly – knowing his cover would be blown the moment you stepped foot onto the castle's premise. He glanced at you, seeing the hurt look on your face, making him regret it immediately. And, without thinking, he took his words back. "I mean, of course, if it's fine with my guest," he turned to you with a pained smile, praying you'd say no. You smiled back at him at the proposal, and nodded happily.

"Of course! And, if I could help in anyway with the look for the Prince, I'd be happy to do so."

"Very kind of you, Miss." The guard said, helping you into the carriage and waiting for "Harrison" to get in.

Fuck.

-

"When we get to the castle, Lady Y/N–"

"Just, Y/N." You interrupted him, reminding him of your lack of a title. He smiled at you, he was going to miss that.

"When we get to the castle, Just, Y/N," he teased, placing a hand on top of yours, that rested on your lap, "something... may change, between us. It could be for good, or bad," he admitted, looking at you nervously, which only made you nervous.

"Harrison, what's wrong?"

"I don't want you to hate me," he said, feeling his throat closing up. "I, uh, I feel like I need to be one hundred percent honest with you, but then I know I'll lose you. I've enjoyed the limited time we've had together, very much."

"I have too, Harrison." You smiled, still lightly confused.

"Please, don't call me that anymore," Tom cringed.

"Your name? Why?"

"Because... Because, I'm not who you–"

Before Tom could finish his confession, the chariot stopped, jolting you and Tom from your seats "Sorry, just a second," the guard said, hopping down. You both stared confusingly at each other before glancing out the small opening, watching him walk up to a guard who had been riding behind. They exchanged a few short words, before he walked back. "Turns out they found the Prince."

Tom's eyes widened, his eyebrows pulling in. "W-what? Where is he?"

"The castle. He was in the garden, apparently."

Tom looked at you, and you did nothing but smile, oblivious to the fact that, that had to be impossible.

"He announced it over the intercom in the pool house. But, told everyone he needed to be left alone – so they left him and trusted he was okay. The family friend saying he'd check on him."

Harrison, Tom thought, smiling. That bloody genius.

"Harrison?" You said, trying to get Tom's attention. "Haz?" You said again, not getting him to turn around.

"Sir, I believe the Lady is calling you," the guard coughed, nodding toward you. Tom turned around, realizing he still hadn't told you his real name. Did he need to, now?