More Than Just A Feeling {Larry Stylinson}

Chapter~19

The sun has fully set by the time Louis, Liam, and Niall arrive at the Kingdom of Mundesy. Their bums ached from sitting on them for so long, and they're about ready to hit the hey and sleep before they start looking for the antidote first thing in the morning.

Louis takes a moment to observe their surroundings. He raises a brow when he spots a couple of citizens still working on unfinished buildings, stocking firewood, and other things that shouldn't be done this late at night.

Carefully dismounting from their horses, the friends make their way over to a boy who looks to be around their age. Louis hands Niall his horse's reigns as he saunters to the lad.

"Hey there, mate."

The boy whips his head to Louis, confusion written on his face.

"Uh, hi?" He says unsurely, taking a step back.

Louis notices his unease, so he calmly tells him, "don't worry, we won't cause you any harm. My friends and I just want to know if there's a place here we could stay for a couple of days."

"Oh... OH! How rude of me! You're not from here, are you? My apologies for being such a stupid peasant."

His words caught the three friends off guard. How could someone talk so low of themselves?

Liam approaches the boy who had a look of disappointment on his face, "hey now, don't call yourself that."

"But it's true! Even thy Royal Highness knows." He mutters the last part, but it was audible enough for the three lads to hear, "I'm so sorry for stalling, I'll show you guys to a cottage."

The boy motions for them to follow him, and they do without uttering another word. They're shocked at what they had just heard.

Even thy Royal Highness knows.

Now that is just plain out rude and degrading. A King should not be calling his subjects names and making them feel like they're worthless.

Niall exchanges glances with Liam and Louis, seeing that they too are concerned for the citizens of this Kingdom.

"Hey uh, we haven't quite introduced ourselves to each other yet." Louis speaks up, breaking the tension filled silence. "I'm Louis. The blonde to my right is Niall and the brunette to my left is Liam."

"It's nice to meet you..." The boy trails off, not looking back at them.

"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" Liam questions.

"No. Doesn't matter." He shakes his head, "King Cowell says peasants like me should not be addressed by their name. It would be considering us as equals. We are nothing but slaves. If we cross that line we are immediately punished."

They're taken back at the response. Concern evident on their faces.

"That's not...-" Louis begins but cuts himself off, not wanting to trigger something in the boy. "Can we please just know your name?"

The boy stops in his tracks, stiff with hesitation.

Louis goes to apologize for maybe breaking a boundary but then the boy speaks up.

"...it's Alex." Is all he says then continues to lead them to their temporary home.

They stop a few seconds later in front of a decent sized cottage.

"Uh, thanks for letting us stay here. How much do we-?"

"You guys don't have to pay." Alex cuts Liam off. "There are hardly any visitors stopping by here, much less staying for a few days, here's the key and a spare." He hands the keys to Liam, "if you need anything, I'm just a few houses away." He then points to a house further down the street.

"Thanks Alex." Niall tells him, not missing the slight cringe of the boy when his name is said.

"Y-yeah, I'll be getting back to work then."

Louis wants to ask why he still has work but Alex has already fled away, leaving him, Niall and Liam standing in front of their cottage.
------

"I don't like how things work around here." Niall suddenly says while laying on his stomach on the bed he claimed as his.

Liam nods, "me, too. From what I've observed, the people here are treated poorly and are overworked."

"King Cowell is nothing but a power hungry douche bag who only cares about himself." Louis says with gritted teeth, "I don't even wanna think of how his daughter will be once she takes the throne."

"I doubt she'll take the throne." Liam claims, "The very reason why King Cowell is doing this is to blackmail us. Specifically King Robin. After the failed attempt at making an alliance with Donshire, and also ruining the plan for Harry to be with Averie here in Mundesy, King Cowell is taking desperate measures to get what he wants."

Louis and Niall are surprised at Liam's statement.

"How'd you figure that out?"

"Isn't it quite obvious?"

Taking a moment to analyze the situation they're in and what Liam had said, it all makes sense.

"Huh, you're right."

"So, if he plans to blackmail us, he most likely has the antidote..."

Things just got a little more tricky for the them.
______

-next day- (Donshire|early morning)

Sitting silently next to her sleeping son, Queen Anne could only hope and pray that Louis, Niall, and Liam come back safely with the antidote.

She barely slept a wink last night. Ever since she found out that her beloved son could possibly die if not given the antidote on time, she's been keeping an eye on Harry at all times.

Gemma would join her sometimes but knowing her mother is not capable of helping Robin with the Kingdom, she took it upon herself to help her father, who is also struggling with the fact that their only son is not okay, but needs to tend to his royal duties.

"You'll be alright, baby." Anne mutters softly, fighting back tears as she presses a hand to Harry's slightly cold cheek, "Louis and your friends will be back with the antidote soon." She wipes a few stray tears falling down her cheeks, "They care about you so much that they're ready to risk their lives for you. So please, don't let their struggle go to waste. Keep fighting, darling."

The saddened mother let out a chocked sob, grabbing one of her son's hands and pressing a kiss to his knuckles.

"Don't give up, Harry."