Not So Bad [LanceLot]

Wedding Day

—Kingdom of Altea, some months ago...

The Altean crossed the kitchen with as much subtlety as he could. Hunk, an apprentice chef, went with him to avoid suspicion. Both wore long white aprons and walked hurriedly. Lance kept his head down and continuously threw the huge chef's hat forward, in fear.

The prince managed not to pounce on the door when they were in front of it. This was the only exit where there were no guards, nothing could go wrong, he had to calm down.

Once they were finally out of the palace, they looked at each other with complicity and ran to the stables. Lance felt a huge satisfaction growing more and more inside his chest, his heart roaring adrenaline with every meter. He saw the horses and their friend Pidge, waiting for them with three bags already loaded on the backs of the animals.

" You took too long! "the girl said, getting on the lowest horse.

Lance felt a tingling in his stomach, like a child about to make a prank. The feeling mixed with the fantasy of freedom. He was a whirlwind of emotions, unstoppable, ready to face whatever it took to defend his rights. This was his last chance.

"Allura didn't let me out! "The prince defended himself "She insisted on trying me once again on the suit for ... that thing

He was not even able to pronounce the word wedding. His friends did't want to talk about it either. In any case, they would not allow that ceremony to take place. It was a fact that if it came true, Lance's life would be ruined. No more parties, no more movie fridays, no evenings playing "monsters and mana". Who once was the brave and joyful heir to the throne would become the shadow of his husband. The shadow of a beast.

Lance and Hunk got rid of the uncomfortable uniforms and left them behind a pile of hay, with some luck nobody would see them in days. Enough time to leave Altea. Pidge had contacts, his brother knew a lot of people. The plan was infallible. They would go to the village, then would stay at a fisherman's house that night and the next one they would meet a pirate at the bar, whom they had already paid to take them to a kingdom where the Galras and Altean soldiers could never find them.

The heir got on the horse. His body wobbled a little, but he knew how to keep his balance. He looked at his friends with a smile.

"Thank you guys, I don't know what I would do without you.

They returned the gesture.

He took the reins in his hands, a chill ran down his back. He was afraid Afraid to leave his home and his people, to defraud them all. He felt his eyes burning. He did not allow himself to shed a single tear, he had to do this. Even if it felt like betrayal, even if he knew it wasn't right. A part of him was doubting too much about this decision.

"LANCE!

He turned around, giving a start. He felt his dreams crumble in front of him.

The group was surrounded by a lot of guards. The horses neighed, appalled. Lance did not make a sound. He listened to the distant voices of his friends making excuses. Something inside him began to fade.

He looked straight ahead, chin held high. Alfor was looking into his eyes, it was not necessary to use words to say what he felt. Disappointment.

------

The door closed tight behind them.

The prince remained standing in the middle of the room, turning his back on his father, with his arms crossed over his chest and always with a straight back and an enviable dignity.

The king watched him a few seconds, with a terrible desire to squeeze his little one in his arms, protect him from all evil. But a leader must put his people as a priority. He approached the young man and put a hand on his shoulder.

"We have already discussed this. " His voice was like a sigh. Off, tired.

There was no answer.

"This is for the greater good, my boy. I swear I hate this as much as you do, but sometimes we must make sacrifices.

He expected a torturous silence, a shout of protest, perhaps even a cry. He expected everything but what he heard.

"I know, father.

The prince turned around and blinked at his elderly father. All he needed was the tender embrace of his father, the fraternal warmth that always managed to comfort him. Alfor did not want things go this way. He dreamed of a peace alliance, but he didn't think that this would be the price. The happiness of his boy.

------

"I'm so sorry dude, I cannot believe we failed.

Hunk sat next to his friend, who looked at himself in the mirror, adding the final details.

He wore a thin gold crown with a small crystal embedded in the center and it, neck and arms were covered by jewelry of the same metal. He wore a white tunic down to his ankles and golden sandals.

"It's okay Hunk, I guess it's my duty. I will do this and I will not try to escape anymore. I'm too tired, I just want it to happen at once.

The bells rang in the distance.

"It's your signal, Lancey" announced Allura, her youngest sister.

The boy sighed. He looked at his two friends and smiled at them with melancholy. He got up from the chair and took the hand of his sister, who squeezed his, in a vain attempt to make him feel accompanied.

They walked down a long corridor, followed by Hunk, Pidge, and a few servants.

The prince did not look at anyone as he moved along the long carpet, only to the front. He walked to the dome, always worthy. He stood in front of his fiancé and dedicated himself to study him while the priest recited a long discourse about peace and love.

He was short to be a galra, but he was still a head taller than the Altean. He had blue eyes, a blue as strong as the paint that his mother gave him years ago, when they were happy. He also wore a tunic, but black. His crown and jewels were silver. He wore his long white hair pulled back in a braid. He was handsome, he had to admit it. Pointed nose and appetizing lips.

He was somewhat distracted, so he did not listen when it was his turn to say the vows. There was some laughter in the background, the prince of the Galras did what he could to hide his smile, but could not prevent the corners of his lips rose a little. The priest had to repeat the instruction. Lance said his part, ashamed of himself. That man can not seem handsome, he's a monster. He would not fall into his trap, never caress those tempting hairs, much less kiss the seductive skin of his now lifelong companion.

He was free, brave and decided. He would not be tamed by an arrogant prince.

No, he was not going to fall.