Royal 5 Seconds of Summer Imagines

#7 Prince!Ashton

http://abundance-of-casualties.tumblr.com/post/115653923059/7-prince5sos-he-confesses-despite-your-social

(P/N)- Princess's name

(D/N)- Duchess's name

It took weeks to get the message out to your parents back at your kingdom of the slow dissolve of the marriage agreement. When you received the letter that morning, you could feel their sad disappointment but understanding of your choices. You heard laughter outside the castle and saw Ashton with (D/N) strolling outside hand in hand. You felt the slight envy of that smile he gave her and shook your head retreating from the window. As of recently, the duchess was allowed to visit the castle frequently with permission from the queen. It was later allowed that she would be moving into one of the spare rooms. Ashton was clueless of such decisions being made, but he decided not to question it since he could be with the one he truly loves. It was going to be announced tonight at dinner, the new agreement and the news about you. Since you will no longer be his bride, you have no purpose of staying with Ashton and his family. You were going to move back to your kingdom, and according to your father, you will be meeting and greeting alternative suitors. In these past weeks, you have slowly separated yourself from Ashton, you refrained from touching him so casually and kept a space between the two of you when speaking. As much as you wanted to tell him you loved him every day as usual, you had to stop yourself from such a habit. When the sun set, dinner was then served, and everyone ate quietly at the dining table. Guests included were (D/N)'s family as well as close noble families that were able to make it that evening. You could feel the shifting gazes of Princess Lauren and Prince Harry who looked confused as to why the duchess and Ashton were intimately sitting next to each other and you were sitting at the far opposite end of them. "Is she allowed to do that?" Prince Harry whispered to his older sister gesturing to the duchess, and she shrugged while eyeing the situation. Their mother stood up and cleared her throat, "Well then, I guess explaining needs to be done...As you may have heard a few weeks back, a proposal was made between one of the well known noble families sitting at this table and I. After weeks of contemplating the proposal, I have decided to announce to all of you the decision that will be made. Due to my son's wishes I will allow this marriage proposal between him and his sweetheart (D/N)," she announced, and everyone began to break into whispers and shock. Ashton sat there trying to process his mother's announcement, and you kept your eyes on your food. "Now, everyone at this table knows that my son already has a fiance that I have taken in at the age of 16...This decision would not have been finalized unless she gave me her word of approval. As of recently, she gave her word and has allowed this affair to continue on. As of this day, the marriage arrangement between our two kingdoms is dissolved, and we will instead continue our peaceful alliance as it has been for years," she says and turns her gaze to you. "Since the agreement is dissolved, Princess (Y/N) will be returning to her kingdom...Sweetheart any last words you would like to share?" she asks, and you felt everyone's eyes on you. You glanced at Ashton who looked surprised by the news of you leaving and then back to the guests. You stood up and gave a smile, "I arrived to this castle at the age of 16 and have lived here for 2 years. This castle is like my second home, and I will miss these stone walls greatly on my journey back to my own kingdom. Thank you for being so kind to me, but I have overstayed my welcome, and I believe it is time for me to go home," you said before lifting your cup and taking a sip. Everyone applauded and followed your lead before continuing the dinner conversations. After dinner, everyone continued to mingle in the dining room sipping wine and congratulating the duchess and the prince of their fairy tale love story. You could no longer handle the scenery and decided to retire for the night. On your way back to your room, you heard footsteps coming after you and Ashton calling your name repetitively. "(Y/N)...(Y/N)! Stop walking please!" he called, and you did but refused to face him. "...Prince Ashton, you should head back to the dining room. Your fiance will miss you by her side," you said still not facing him. "Why...Why did you do all of this?" "Are you telling me that you did not wish to marry her?" "...No I-I...I just..." he stuttered and sounded frustrated with his feelings. "Prince Ashton, that night you dragged me out into the hall, away from that duke who fancied me...Do you remember?" you asked. "Yes," he answered simply. "Do you remember what you told me? How you really felt about me?" you questioned again, and he was silent. You turned to him with a sad smile and tears forming, "If you don't remember, then I'll tell you. You said you could not return my feelings but would still want me by your side. I'm sorry prince, but you cannot have both ways. As much as I want to stay by your side, I don't think I can bare myself to do so..." you said before allowing your tears to fall down your face. He took a step forward, and you stepped back to keep the distance. "Please, just leave it this way...I have my own pride to protect," you told him before walking back to your room, and he decided not to follow. Day by day the bond between you and Ashton started to fade. That conversation you had with Ashton was stuck in his mind, and despite having it his way, he didn't feel happy. He couldn't understand why his days with the duchess started to turn dull. Now that he didn't need to sneak around every once in a while to see her, the rush and excitement that came with being with her just faded. She was in his reach, but now that he had her, did he still want to go on with their life long promise? "Prince Ashton?" (D/N) calls out, and he turned his attention to her. "Yes love?" he says smiling at her. "What do you think about the parting gift?" "Parting gift?" "You know, the parting gift we will get (Y/N)...She is leaving this Friday after all," she says. "O-Oh..." "So what do you think about the assorted sweets from the bakery in the village?" she wonders. "That doesn't seem like her taste...Besides, she will be traveling for a long time and it wouldn't last..." "Really?...Well I guess I am not good at this, I barely know the princess after all," she says sheepishly. "I'll take care of the gift..." Ashton says and smiles before kissing her head. He took a moment to reevaluate the kiss and nothing, no sparks...On Friday, Ashton headed to a store that was famous to nobles that held accessories and precious jewels. He was picking up the wedding ring that his mother had ordered ages ago, despite the ring being meant for you, she decided that it would suit (D/N) either way. Ashton browsed the display for something that would match you, but nothing caught his eye. The thought of you leaving today clouded his mind, and he couldn't think straight. "Your majesty, here is the ring," the jeweler says showing it to him. The ring was embezzled with diamonds and was made of white gold. The thought of you wearing it made him smile, thinking that it would suit you very well. He realized his sudden thoughts and shook his head. He tried imagining (D/N) wearing it instead, but it clashed with her style. She didn't like simple, and she didn't prefer white gold. "Your majesty?" The jeweler calls out again. "I-it's beautiful, wonderful craftsmanship," Ashton says and took the ring. "I believe it will suit Princess (Y/N) quite well," the jeweler says smiling. "(Y/N)? Did you not hear? Our...Our engagement has been dissolved. I'm marrying someone else," Ashton explained. "O-Oh, my apologies your majesty...Well...I hope you don't find this as an insult, but I really did make this ring with the princess in mind, however, I do hope your new fiance will like it either way," the jeweler says smiling. "You were browsing a while ago, do you need anything else?" he asks, and Ashton paused and thought. Did he need anything else? Did he really have everything? He kept glancing at the ring and the thought of you popped up in his head. "I...I need (Y/N)..." he admitted before paying and running out the door. His mind was made up, he needed to tell you. He was heading back to the castle, running back despite the carriage waiting for him at the front of the shop. While he ran back, another carriage passed him, and in the corner of his eye, he saw you inside. He stopped running and turned back to watch your carriage move farther and farther from him. His realization was too late.