Chapter Text
A door opened, releasing a sliver of light and a small boy onto a darkened street. The boy, bundled in a thick jacket, stepped onto the sidewalk. He shut the door behind him, blackening the road once more. Alexander shivered. Spring mornings were cold in the port town of Mt. Vernon, and he was up and out before the sun today. The salty breeze off the Atlantic ruffled his dark brown hair. Alex pulled up his hood and headed north toward Port Street. The dark morning didn’t bother him; he’d been born blind.
Alex was already ticking off the things he needed to do at work. It was spring, the busiest time of year for the pet washers in Mt. Vernon. Alex was low on pet shampoo and ear cleaner. Since he didn’t use store-bought products, he’d have to mix up two batches before the Miranda opened at eight. Alex knew the way to work by heart. He’d memorized every uneven step on the sidewalk, every protruding porch, every signpost. He used his walking stick only when he went somewhere new, which was never.
Alex reached Port Street and turned left. He heard a pair of carriage horses trot past him. It was the morning newspaper delivery. Alex sniffed the air. Flowers were in full bloom, coffee was brewing somewhere, rough smoke filtered out of the chimneys, and the smell of hay and horses lingered heavily near the town stable.
When Alex arrived at work, the owner, Mr. Washington, was already there and the front door was unlocked. Alex slipped upstairs to his washing room, hung up his coat, and tied on his apron. He opened his jars of ingredients, and dove into the long workday ahead of him. Alex had no idea that, within a few hours, a chance meeting and how he appeared in another’s eyes would change his life forever.
•*•*•*•
“This is honestly the worst thing to ever happen,” Thomas said to his little dog, Sally. She was asleep next to Thomas on the window seat. Sally was a black and tan yorkie, and spoiled rotten. Thomas kept her long silky bangs clipped in a pink bow. She was his favorite pet and she knew it. The rest of Thomas’ dogs lived in a large kennel behind the stable. Sally lived with Thomas in the castle.
“I know you’re awake,” Thomas accused her. Sally yawned and peeked at him. He pulled her onto his lap. “Look at this letter.” Thomas unfolded a note written on fancily bordered, peach smelling paper.
He held it in front of her eyes as though she could actually read it herself. Sally sniffed the paper and sneezed. “Gross!” Thomas cried. He snatched it away from her and wiped the note dry with a lace handkerchief. “I’ll read it to you.”
/Dearest Thomas,
Prince James Madison has come down with the pox. He is not permitted to leave our castle for two weeks. We regret to inform you that he will not be able to perform at the Spring Festival this year. Regards, Queen Eleanor./
Thomas’ mother, Jane, had tucked the note on his breakfast tray.
“What am I going to do, Sal?” Thomas groaned. “Who’s gonna sing James’ part in my performance?” Thomas and his family were vacationing with all the other royal families on the island of Mt. Vernon. It was spring break! For six long weeks, the kings and queens would relax from the hard work of ruling their separate kingdoms while their children enjoyed a break from school. The seven royal families looked forward to visiting their second castles all winter, and Thomas’ family lived in the largest one.
The year-round castle workers had made sure the pantries were stocked with food and the second homes were clean and ready for their owners. As soon as their ships anchored, Thomas and his (royal) friends flocked to their second bedrooms to see what books or clothes they might have left behind the year before. Dusting off their swords and suits, they readied themselves for endless parties, sleepovers, trips to town, and the highlight of the season—the Spring Festival. Non-royal families from Mt. Vernon and nearby kingdoms could purchase tickets to view the different tournaments or to attend the dance, but damn were the tickets were expensive.
Right now, sitting with Sal, Thomas could only think of one thing—his singing performance. The show had been advertised in the town newspaper, and the princes (and princesses) had been practicing for many weeks. James’ illness left Thomas with only five singers. If he didn’t find another person soon, he’d have to cancel the performance. Thomas shuddered. There was other royalty to choose from, but Thomas was picky. His entire dance was color-coded, from the hair to the dresses to the shoes. The idea of two people performing who looked the same made his skin crawl.
James’ color for the show was green, so Thomas would have to find someone who looked good in the same color. Thomas sighed. He had two weeks to find someone, make friends with them, and teach them the song.
“I might have to use Prince Lee,” he told Sally. Charles Lee didn’t match the outfit he had planned at all, but Thomas would make it work if he had to. Lee was a year younger than Thomas, but he wasn’t...fit for the role. While it was false that all royalty were beautiful, some truly were, and Thomas only befriended them. It wasn’t something he thought about; he simply enjoyed beautiful things and surrounded himself with them—from his dogs to his shoes to his perfume.
Thomas also happened to be quite handsome himself, and he lured many princesses (and princes) into following his every command.
“I’ll have to figure this out this later,” Thomas decided, still talking to Sally, who was snoring now. “But first, I have another problem.” Thomas hadn’t yet picked out his Spring Festival outfit. Every year he wore the best suit to the dance, and every year he was featured on the cover of top magazines.
Clothing rumors were galloping across the island faster than the knights raced horses, and it was said that the Schuylers had fantastic outfits from their homeland of New York. Everyone knew the finest fabrics in all of the seven kingdoms were woven there.
Thomas was friends with the siblings, sort of. Angelica kinda scared him, and not many people could intimidate Thomas. Eliza was sweet and gentle, and Thomas used to not be able to stand three feet from her without Angelica glaring at him. Peggy was...well they were interesting to say the least. Peggy was a non-binary, do no harm but take to crap kinda person. Their royal status was simply “Heir of New York” instead of princess or prince.
The Schuylers were singing a fabulous solo together in the show, and their dresses would no doubt be the center of attention. He wanted his friends to be happy, but Thomas wanted to be the best. He frowned. He needed to find a truly special outfit...
“Sally, I have to go shopping today!” Thomas shoved his dog off his lap and she landed on the floor with a sharp yelp. “Sorry,” he said with a quick pat on her head. He would ride to the dressmaking shops in Mt. Vernon and keep his eye out for anyone who looked good in green. They didn’t have to be a royalty, they just had to be perfect!
Thomas walked into his clothes closet and chose the new riding outfit he’d received last year. The breeches were a dark magenta, and the shirt matched, buttoning down neatly. Thomas pulled on his black riding boots, his black gloves, and tied his wild hair back with a ribbon.
All ready now, he sauntered out the door. Sally crawled into a miniature canopy bed, the exact replica of Thomas’, and went back to sleep.
“Ma!” shouted Thomas from the top of the stairs.
“There will be no yelling in the castle,” answered Queen Jane from the first floor.
“M’kay.” said the prince, still shouting. “Let’s ride into town. I want to go shopping!” Thomas slid down the rail and landed dramatically on his feet at the bottom of the marble staircase.
“Thomas!” his mother scolded. “Calm down.” The regal queen was also dressed for riding. She was tall and her hair was black and wavy, but cut short. And unlike Thomas who had deep brown eyes, Jane’s were more hazel.
“I already ordered the horses,” she said. “Did you forget that I’m taking you to the Seaside for lunch today?” The blasted note from the Queen had ruined his morning and Thomas had forgotten. He flashed his mother a charming smile.
“We’ll shop /and/ get lunch!”
“Alright.” agreed the queen. Thomas was strong willed, sarcastic, and he drove Jane crazy, but she adored her only child all the same.
They held gloved hands and walked outside together. The gentle heat of the spring sun greeted them. Thomas took a deep, long breath, his troubles forgotten for the moment. The meadow surrounding his castle was full of flowers, colorful songbirds decorated the trees, and the last of the snow had melted into the bubbling creek that fed their pond. Frogs croaked loudly on the large, flat lily pads. At the forest edge, he spotted a red fox and her kits chasing bugs. The entire island was blazing with new life. Thomas’ homeland,
Monticello, was still covered in snow.
John Laurens, the stable boy, waited with their horses at the front door. Thomas almost didn’t recognize him. He’d grown a lot in a year. His hair was longer, showing off it’s curliness, and his face had lost its roundness. His shoulders were broad from stacking hay and training horses. Laurens no longer resembled the boy Thomas liked to boss around.
Queen Jane mounted her gray mare, Lucy. Thomas turned from Laurens and gaped at the horse saddled for him. It was Randolph. The brown gelding—the *plain* brown gelding! He scowled at Laurens, and he looked at Thomas with the same young eyes he’d had since boyhood. Thomas would not take this treatment from him or anyone!
Thomas stood as tall as he could (which was pretty tall) and pointed hard at Randolph.
“I am not riding that horse. Bring me Republic.” Jane raised her brow. She wished her son wasn’t so rude, despite how sweet he could be.
Laurens hesitated. “Bring me Republic,” Thomas repeated. Laurens tried to change his mind.
“Thomas, Republic needs a lot more training before she’ll be a safe riding horse. Take Randolph, he’s trustworthy.” Thomas fumed. He was a good rider, and he could handle Republic. He wouldn’t change his mind.
“Everyone in Mt. Vernon is shopping today. I can’t be seen on a boring brown horse. Bring me Republic.” His brown eyes flashed. Laurens gave up. He led Randolph back to the stable, and fifteen minutes later he returned with Republic. Thomas’ eyes lit up at the sight of his pretty mare. Republic was as dark as night. Her long mane and tail curled in loose ringlets and were as silky as you could get a horse’s hair. Her eyes were large and black. Even as a foal, royals had traveled to the castle to watch Republic play in the fields. She was, hands down, the best-looking horse on the island, and perhaps in the seven kingdoms.
Republic pranced in place, her head high, her neck arched. Thomas noticed Laurens had taken the time to paint Republic’s hooves magenta to match his riding outfit. /That’s more like it,/ he thought. He decided to forgive him for saddling Randolph first. Laurens helped Thomas mount his horse.
“Go slow, your highness,” Laurens warned him. “She’s fresh from eating the spring grass.” Spring grass was full of sugar. It could make even a calm horse hyper, and Republic was already not a calm horse. Laurens wished Thomas would ride Randolph. Republic had more energy than anyone needed. Thomas smirked.
“No worries, I can handle her. Are you ready, Ma?” Thomas didn’t wait for an answer. He pointed Republic toward town and tapped her lightly with the riding whip. Republic reared back on her hind legs and bolted across the meadow. Thomas let out a short yell, then a laugh.
He let go of the whip and wrapped his fists in Republic’s mane, hanging on for dear life as the mare thundered toward Mt. Vernon.
“That boy!” moaned the queen. Jane kicked her mare and chased after Thomas. Laurens shook his head. Republic was also the fastest horse on the island, Jane wouldn’t catch her. Still shaking his head, Laurens walked back to the stable.
Republic galloped across the meadow, into the woods, over a stream, and then down the country road all the way to Mt. Vernon. Jane followed at a canter, unable and unwilling to ride at the same breakneck pace. All the way she feared she would come across her son fallen on the ground, injured or worse. Finally, the two mares came to a sliding stop at the town gates.
“Are you all right, Thomas?” the queen asked. Jane’s horse was out of breath and steaming sweat. Republic was still dry. Her large eyes glittered with pleasure. Thomas grinned and gasped for air.
“I’m fine, Ma,” he choked. He patted his horse. “We wanted to run, didn’t we, Repub?” Jane only cared that Thomas was okay. She didn’t expect her stubborn son to admit he was scared.
“Then let’s go shopping,” said the queen. They trotted through the gates of Mt. Vernon side by side. Still fiery, Republic pranced down the cobblestone streets, flicking her sassy tail. Thomas relaxed. The townsfolk paused to watch them pass. /Everyone wishes they were me,/ he thought.