Chapter Text
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
Alec had never related to a saying as much as he did with this one. Ever since, he had become of age, the pressure sat on his shoulders and was constantly pushing him down.
Alec stood on his balcony, with his hands behind his back, looking out at his city, Alicante. It was beautiful. Especially the night life. The summer solstice was due in a few days, so the city hummed with excitement as everyone prepared for the best night of the year. Alec remembered how he and Izzy would sneak out of the castle as kids, to go watch the fireworks and the dancing in the city centre. A smile came upon his lips when he thought of the time he was somewhat free and happy.
But now, he was of age. He was next in line for the throne which seemed way too daunting to Alec. Especially since his father began to show signs of illness, which scared Alec even more. Alec looked at the city lights and listened for the distant city noise of people laughing and talking. He wondered what it was like to not have everyone looking at you, watching your every move, waiting for you to screw up.
“Alec.”
A voice, Max, drew him out of his thoughts. Alec turned around and saw his youngest brother standing at the threshold of his balcony.
“Father has requested to see you.”
Alec nodded once and let out a sigh. Before following his brother out of his room. His father wasn’t an easy man to get a long with. Alec took deep breaths in and wondered what his father would want to say to him. He reached his father’s quarters and nodded at the guards who stood outside of the the bedroom doors. He knocked on the door and was immediately let in.
Alec saw his father in bed and cringed at what he saw. One of his father’s mistresses lay beside him, the only thing covering her private parts was the thin sheet she had loosely wrapped herself around in, at the arrival of Alec. One would think the king was too ill to fool around with his whores. But not King Robert.
Alec had been fifteen years old when he had learned of his parents’ marriage and what really happened behind closed doors. He supposed his parents were in love once upon a time, but their love was fast and fleeting and didn’t last. Since Max’s birth, his parents stopped sleeping in the same room as each other and his father took mistresses (plural) to parade around his room. And his mother would plaster on a smile and wave to the public but Alec knew she cried in the privacy of her own room. As he watched his parents’s marriage fail and fall apart, he had vowed to himself to never treat his future husband like his father treated his mother. Even if his father forced him into a business alliance, Alec wouldn’t cheat. He would not become his father.
“You asked for me. Father.” Alec stepped further into the room and tried his best to not look at the naked women next to his father. He also tried his best to not think about the fact that his father was naked under those sheets. Alec balled his hand into fists behind is back - a coping method he had picked up as a teenager - digging his nails into the palms of his hands, and focused only on the king’s face.
King Robert sat up and nodded.
“Yes. Alexander. I need you and Isabelle to go into city centre tonight.” He motioned one of his servants for his robe and quickly tied himself. He walked into his private office that was attached to his bedroom and Alec followed. Once seated, his guards closed the door and Alec looked at his father waiting for him to explain further.
“You see… there’s been talk of a rebellion.” Robert continued.
Alec raised an eyebrow but didn’t dare interrupt. “They call themselves the circle. They don’t believe in monarchs and want to kill us all. But they need supporters. I’ve heard they are still very small so it is our job to get the people on our side first. It is your job.”
Alec fisted his hands tighter as he heard the news. His father didn’t seem all too worried about said rebellion which worried Alec more.
“Go and see the preparations for the summer solstice, help the commoners. Get the people on your side.” His father continued.
Alec nodded. Then he nodded again. He knew that bringing up his concerns to his father would be pointless and so doing what he was told was his only option at the moment.
“Don’t let me down, son.” Robert concluded. His face stern.
***
Izzy had gleamed with excitement when Alec informed her of their task, even though she was furious when he told her about the potential rebellion. They didn’t get the chance to go to the summer solstice anymore and if Alec was being honest with himself, he was pretty excited too.
They took only one bodyguard each, deciding that marching into the city centre with a whole army full of guards wasn’t the best impression. Alec and Izzy were trained in combat training themselves, so really they didn’t need their body guards. But it was a rule. A safety precaution. They weren’t to leave the palace grounds without at least one bodyguard. And so they endured.
They rode their horses into the city centre, which didn’t take long. As the the royal siblings enjoyed the gentle night breeze. Their horses enjoyed it too if their constant neighing was anything to go by. As soon as they got close to the city, laughter and the sound of people having a good time was louder. Everyone sounded so very happy. Alec yearned to feel that.
They slowly rode their horses in and Alec tried not to cringe at how everyone stopped what they were doing to stop and stare. He sneaked at glance at Izzy and saw her smiling and waving at everyone. She was a natural. Alec was not. He rather stay and hide in his room with a good book where as Izzy was out pleasing the people. Alec forced out a smile and hoped it didn’t look awkward, before they both mounted off their horses.
Just as Alec did, an elderly woman came up to Alec.
“My prince.” She bowed. “I would like to offer you a rose.” She held one out to him. Alec saw she carried a basket full and guessed she was selling them. Alec smiled and took the rose, raising it up to his nose to smell the flower.
“How much would that be?” Alec asked, fully intent on buying it from her. But the woman shook her head.
“Oh no. That is free of charge. I couldn’t possibly ask the prince to pay.” She chuckled to herself as if Alec had made a joke, before she bowed and walked away. Alec watched after her for a few moments before a small tug on his tunic pulled his thoughts away from the kind woman. He looked down and saw a small girl, no older than perhaps four or five. She had chocolate brown skin and small braided pig tails woven into her hair, her eyes were wide with curiosity.
“Excuse me sir.” She spoke, her voice soft. “Would you like to buy a cupcake?” Alec couldn’t help the smile that etched on his lips. He crouched down until he was eye level with the young girl and nodded.
“Did you make them?” Alec asked. The girl nodded and smiled proudly.
“I helped nana but I mixed all the ingredients by myself!” She exclaimed. Alec chuckled and eyed the treats she held in a tray.
“Well… you sure did a lovely job. They look lovely.”
The young girl giggled and smiled at Alec, who felt his heart warm. “What’s your name?” He asked.
“Madzie.” She replied.
“My name is Alec.” The prince replied.
“I know.” Madzie retorted. Alec wasn’t surprised.
“And I would like to buy two. One for me. And one for my sister.” Madzie grinned wide, showing Alec the gap between her two front teeth.
“That will be £1.” Madzie said, holding out her little hand and Alec smiled again when he handed over the money. He took out the cupcakes he wanted and shook his head fondly as he watched her run off to another person to sell them. Alec slowly walked over to Izzy, who was talking to two women at their stall.
“Here you go.” Alec handed over the cupcake and Izzy smiled in thanks, before continuing to talk to the women.
He smiled to himself as he bit into the delicious treat and watched all the people walk about. Everyone seemed to know each other and were having a good time just enjoying each other’s company. He people watched for a few more minutes before his eyes were drawn to a stall he hadn’t see before.
Dreamcatchers
He slowly made his way to the stall and admired the dreamcatchers that were on display. They were beautiful and in so many different colours. Alec was amazed. When he was younger, he had had one. But it had broken after years of use and Alec was made to throw it into the bin.
“I made them myself.” A voice drew him out of his thoughts. Alec turned to look at the man behind the stall. At first Alec was stunned. He had seen his fair share of beautiful people in his life. Had people come and go into the palace. Had people make advances at him that would make Alec blush as he nearly always refused. But looking at this man, no one could compare. Alec supposed it was his eyes. They looked kind as well as beautiful.
It took him an embarrassingly long time to realise he had been staring, and so he awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Erm… they are beautiful.” But not as beautiful as you. Alec left unsaid because he could never be able to pull off that kind of flirtation.
The man smiled. “Would you like to buy one?”
Alec thought if he should before thinking why not and nodded his head.
“Pick out which ever you want.” The man encouraged. As Alec did so, he couldn’t help but get curious.
“So have you been making these for long?” Alec asked.
The man nodded. “Yes. Ever since I was a child. Used to make these as a pass time.” Alec nodded and went about looking for more, when the man’s voice spoke again. “I’m Magnus. By the way.” He introduced himself and reached out a hand for Alec to shake. Alec looked up at his face and saw Magnus’s expectant eyes for Alec to return the gesture. Alec shook his hand. Not bothering to tell his name since Magnus probably knew it already.
However, Magnus didn’t know his name as Magnus raised an eyebrow and said, “and you are?”
Alec was slightly startled but gave his name anyway. “I’m Alec.” He didn’t think highly of himself but considering his family was the ruling family of Idris, he kind of figured everyone knew his name and knew who he was.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Alec.” Magnus replied and shook their hands. Which Alec realised they were still holding.
“Likewise.”