Prince Charming

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It's ya boi Amelia. I would just like to say I very sorry for not giving up on me from the past few weeks I've been sick and depressed so I hope theses weeks will be better.

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"I think this cape weighs more than my sister."
"I think you might be right, Prince James." The servant offers a humble smile as she fastens the gold chain over Bucky's collar bone, undoing a few misaligned buttons on his shirt.
"I'm going to get shoulder pains. I'll be sore."
"I'm sorry, your highness, but I'm afraid his majesty's orders outweigh your complaints."
Bucky huffs and tries to replace a stray lock of dark hair as the servant brings gloves and boots.

He looks dashing, absolutely, it's undeniable.
But he feels like giving up, like getting back in bed, hiding under the covers and never looking out again.

"Are you satisfied, your highness?" the servant moves so he can see the mirror. She is watching his face, her nerves well masked.
"Yes, yes, I look beautiful. As always." He tosses a devilish smirk on to his face and smiles back.

"Then we'll meet your father downstairs." She bows before she leaves the room and he stares in the mirror a moment longer.
The king is standing in the hallway outside the throne room, wearing twice as many fanciful layers as Bucky but still somehow looking more respectable. It helps that he is surrounded on all sides by five royal guards.
Bucky's older sister, Princess Rebecca, appears to his right, followed by her seemingly ever growing pack of ladies in waiting and preceded by two particularly terrifying guards.
Two years ago an attempt was made on Princess Rebecca's life and she has been kept well guarded ever since.
Bucky, however, has no guards leading him. He had one but he was called away to protect the king during a journey and unfortunately died along the way.

Bucky wasn't very attached to him or anything, but he is rather hurt that it's been nearly three weeks and there has been little to no effort to replace him.
They stand there stiffly for a good ten minutes before their guests finally arrive. Bucky thinks his fancy collar might be choking him as his father exchanges very proper greetings with the royal negotiator from the kingdom next door.
The negotiator attempts to be as polite as possible but seems to be in a hurry and leans forward to whisper something to the king.
The king appears to understand, turning to Bucky and Becca. "Wait in the throne room, my children, it seems this matter has garnered a great deal more urgency than we originally anticipated."
It takes all Bucky has not to groan and roll his eyes out of his head. All this preparation and he gets to sit around and wait like a little kid.
Thankfully Becca is more mature, nodding, "I understand, father. I wish you well in your discussions." She curtsies as the king turns and Bucky only remembers to bow when she shoots him a threatening glare from under her ornate hair piece.
They're only allowed to move once the king is completely out of sight. When he is, Bucky drops entirely the few formalities he was holding and drags his feet into the throne room, behind his sister.
With the doors safely shut behind them she turns and lightly smacks the back of Bucky's head.
"I swear if you weren't a prince people might mistake you for an ass!" She says, scolding, menacing even, but unable to keep the lightheartedness from seeping into her tone.
"Ow! I was being nice! At least--nice for me! Not everyone can be a pretty princess like you, Bec." He sticks his tongue out at her.
"You could at least try, Bucky. I saw you roll your eyes at father."
He winces. "Oh man, thought I caught that before it happened."
"You mustn't want it to happen at all! Though it is unrelentingly tedious, these are important matters. The matters of a kingdom you may very well rule someday if I ever achieve that which I wish to." Becca sighs and looks towards one of the long windows wistfully.
Bucky smiles. Though he's heard about her dreams of adventuring and discovering new lands enough times to groan at the mention of it, it still makes him feel fonder of her sometimes. She has such a passion in her heart, such a fire behind her eyes.
He can tell, when she looks out the window like a daydreaming schoolgirl, he can see the adventures, he can see she truly believes, to her it's not just dreams.
Their combined musings are interrupted by the door creaking open and a slight clatter as a guard hurries over to Bucky's throne.
The guard is very small and trembling ever so slightly, standing diligently to the right of Bucky's seat.
Becca smiles. "Looks like they finally remembered that new guard you've been needing."
"About time." Bucky huffs and turns sideways in his throne, tossing his legs over one arm and leaning his back against the other.
"Don't be so sour, Bucky. You and I both know the kingdom is lacking in luxuries right now, not just for you but for everyone."
"Easy for you to say! Two guards have you everywhere you go, I could have been murdered by now!" Bucky tosses his hands in the air, though he's not really that angry. Compared to his beloved sister and sternly ruling father, no one really cares about him, especially not enough to have him assassinated.
Becca shoots him a glare. "It's not like it's fun to be accompanied everywhere--though I do honestly mean no offense," she adds as she turns towards her guards with a sympathetic face, which is returned by one of them. The other just glares.
"I would give many things to be looked upon as a strong, young prince, Bucky, not a daydreaming damsel."
"If only I could spend more time as a daydreaming damsel, I should be a thousand times more complacent without half so many oppressive expectations weighing on me." Bucky sits his chin on his fist and pouts.
Becca is opening her mouth to say something, likely slightly scolding but also reassuring, when there's a knock and the door opens again.
A servant hurries to Becca's throne and murmurs something to her. Her face grows grim and she nods quickly, rising to her feet.
"Sorry, my brother, looks like you will be daydreaming alone for the duration of this meeting." She gives him an apologetic nod before leaving with the servant leading and the guards in tow.
As soon as the door is shut behind them Bucky groans dramatically. It makes his new guard glance back at him with worry but he quickly looks away again when he realizes it was just Bucky's way of complaining.
The small action is all it takes though, reminding Bucky that he's a whole human being and can therefore be used for entertainment.
"Turn towards me." Bucky orders, confidently, sitting upright in his chair.
The guard obeys without hesitation, his sword holstered at his side, his helmet under his right arm.
Bucky looks him up and down, meaning to be intimidating but he is too easily distracted by the little locks of golden hair slipping out from under the guard's chainmail hood.
The guard readjusts his grip on the helmet. He's shaking like a leaf.
Bucky blinks and smiles slightly. "You don't seem like much of a guard."
"I'm the best guard I can be, your royal highness." He keeps his eyes fixed on the floor behind Bucky's feet and speaks quietly.

Bucky wonders what on earth they might have told him to make him so terrified. "You can treat me like anyone else, you know."
"I'm afraid I can't, your royal highness."
"Why not?"
"You're the prince, I would be beheaded, your royal highness."
"I wouldn't them do that. I might challenge you to a fight if you piss me off though." Bucky bites his lip with a smile.
The guard looks up and straight at Bucky, revealing lively blue eyes and flashing a dazzling smile. "Well, your royal highness, that's a fight I could win."
Bucky scoffs, the only thing keeping him from choking on surprise is the warm sense of delight washing over him, even as the guard quickly drops his eyes again. Now he is shaking less but Bucky can see his small chest heaving with measured breaths.
Bucky sits in stunned silence long enough for the guard to turn around and step away, moving back to his set post.
"Prove it." Bucky finally says, eyes fixed on the guard, grin suppressed only by biting his lip.
"Excuse me, your royal highness?" The guard responds, still staring straight ahead, back to Bucky.
"Prove you can win."
"I'd rather not," there's a hint of attitude before the guard quickly adds: "if that's alright with you, your royal highness."
"Why not?" Bucky leans forward with his elbows on his knees.
Bucky can see a chuckle shake the guard's shoulders. "Because that would definitely get me beheaded."