the royal affair // larry au

01

"C'mon Harry, I've shown you how to do this a thousand times. Look closely." Gemma held what was supposed to be a flower crown made out of daisies in her hands, trying to fix what Harry had done wrong.

The siblings had been sent outside to the royal garden after their parents had received important news, not allowed back in until they were given a sign.

"I have more important things to remember than how to make a stupid crown out of flowers."

"Tell me that next time you ask me to make one for you since they're so pretty. Now shut up and watch."

Harry had his eyebrows furrowed in concentration as he tried to memorize every movement made by his sister's dainty fingers, but he was distracted by a displeased shout coming from the palace. He immediately recognized his mother's voice.

He and Gemma exchanged worried looks before Harry got up and held out a hand to his sister. When they were both standing, they made their way towards the palace.

"You're not allowed to enter." One of the gardeners said, leaning against the wall with their eyes closed, soaking up the sun. This caused them to stop in their tracks, Harry slamming into his sister.

"Eleanor, since when do you fancy rules?" Gemma said with a laugh and Eleanor seemed to think before grabbing Gemma's hand, gesturing for Harry to follow them.

"Fair point. Though if I were you, I would take the way through the kitchen. Will make you less noticeable. The prince his clumsy manners would probably alert every person within the span of ten feet." Eleanor said, looking back at Harry with a grin.

"Shut it, Eleanor. I'm not that clumsy."

They quietly entered the kitchen, the room empty and quiet besides the sound of the dishwasher.

"I need to finish my duties in the garden. Try not to get caught without my help. Gemma, I will meet you after dinner?"

Gemma beamed, "Of course."

Eleanor nodded politely before she sneaked back out, looking like a ninja. Only she looked like a ninja in a dress and a bun.

"Of course!" Harry mimicked his sister, batting his eyelashes. He earned a stomp on his shoulder for that, wincing as he rubbed it.

They made their way down the hall which was surprisingly empty before they neared the dining hall, in which their parents were talking. Their ears were pressed against the wooden doors within mere seconds.

"That's downright absurd! Think about our rep-"

"Robin, I've made up my mind. Go and get the children now, we only have a day to prepare."

Gemma and Harry shared a look before scurrying away, hearing the doors open. Though Harry being the clumsy lad that he is, tripped over his own feet, right on top of Gemma. He cursed Eleanor for being right.

"Get off me, you bastard!" Gemma groaned, trying to push him off with all of her strength.

Harry quickly got off her and brushed off his suit before meeting his mother's eyes.

"I expected nothing less from the two of you. Always messing about," she shook her head fondly, gesturing towards the dining hall. "Go on then, you little rebels, there's big news."

~*~

"Weren't we always taught the French were bad? How come we're having dinner with them now? What's next, exchanging Christmas presents? Family barbecues?" Gemma raised her eyebrows when their parents were done explaining.

"It's not just dinner. It's to fix the problems of the past, clear up the unnecessary bad blood."

Harry had kept quiet, not really having an opinion about everything. He knew the French and the English had never gotten along well, even after the war there remained tension between the two countries. For generations and centuries on end. He thought it was stupid to hold grudges, but never expressed this opinion.

It would only anger his family, who had their minds set on their family's pride.

"So what, we're just supposed to forgive them?" Robin demanded, nostrils flaring.

"No, of course not. Simply tolerate them to clear up our reputation." Anne said like it was the most logical thing ever.

"Who will be attending this dinner?" Harry asked, finally speaking up, trying to mobe the subject away from solely the French.

"The royal family of France, Pakistan, Italy and Ireland, and our staff. We thought it would be nice to have some people we get along with."

"Don't Italy and Pakistan hate each other as well?" Gemma questioned.

"Not really my business right now, I'm busy enough. Go get your hair done. Harry, please call Liam and Niall to inform them about the feast."

Harry and Gemma nodded before leaving the room, stopping just as they turned the corner.

"This feast is going to turn into a royal disaster." Harry muttered.

Harry laughed at his unintended pun while Gemma shook her head and kept walking, probably heading for the back doors to rant to Eleanor.