Royalty ~ Ongoing

Secret Courting

Hadrian let out a long breath, he looked out the window of his room.

"Dark." He muttered, knowing that he must get back to his cabin soon. There were people that needed him.

He groaned as he rolled out of bed and pulled his shoes back on. He found a scrap of parchment and jotted down a quick note.

I apologize for leaving suddenly. I worry that people need me. I love you, Lily. Consider what I said, James.

-H.E.

Hadrian silently made it outside and mounted his horse, galloping away. The guards would probably tell the king that he had left in the middle of the night. Damn guards told the man everything.

/:/

'Home sweet home' Evans thought as he tied up his horse.

Evans stepped inside and sat down at a small table. He shivered at the cold, getting up and starting a fire in the hearth.

Hadrian sat near the fire until he warmed up a bit, then sat back down in the chair.

He stood and walked to the cabinet for all of his bandages, simple potions, and herbs. The male noted that he was low on angelica root, clove oil, and ginger root. He would go shopping tomorrow, he works buy the herbs and some food. He was running low on food.

The man sighed and lied down on his bed. It felt nothing like the bed at the castle.

/:/

Hadrian rubbed his eyes tiredly and yawned. He changed into new clothes and put on his shoes, frowning at them. Covered in mud, nearly falling apart. He, of course, could always buy new ones, but never got the chance to. Bedsides, nice shoes were expensive. All Hadrian had was a few gold pieces, that would pay for only the necessary things.

Hadrian opened his door and walked outside, enjoying the feeling of the warm sun on him. He clicked his tongue to catch Charlie's attention. Charlie - being his horse - looked up and whinnied softly. He smiled and patted the horse's nose.

"Hey, boy. Wanna go on a ride?" Charlie couldn't understand him, but he asked anyway. Hadrian smiled and mounted the stallion, clicking his tongue to get Charlie to move.

/:/

Hadrian picked up a vial of clove oil and paid the old woman for his items. She smiled.

"What's a handsome young man like you buying things like this?" She asked, voice soft and gentle.

"I'm a doctor, I suppose. Been doing it since I was just boy."

"Oh, what an honorable thing to do. Good luck." He waved and put the things in his bag. He headed to Charlie, but was stopped by a royal guard. Longbottom.

"Your presence is needed at the castle immediately."

"What for?"

"Prince Riddle was shot on the way here." Hadrian cursed to himself and got on his horse, racing down the market street.

/:/

"James? Where the hell are you?" Hadrian shouted, doubting that they made it to the infirmary.

"Over here!" The King called back, his voice traveling down the corridor. He sprinted to where the voice came from.