Chapter Text
Golden locks of hair were smoothed through with honey toned fingers as a frustrated sigh escaped the prince's lips. A grown burrowing itself deeper into his face with eyebrows knotted in concentration no matter how he tried to keep a neutral face. He hated this. He hated his lessons. All of this felt useless, meaningless, abhorrent even. Why did he need to learn how to court someone in an appropriate manner. It's not like he ever intended to. His piercing blue eyes shifted in attention to the happenings outside his window but not without a firm voice snapping him out of his distraction.
"Master Cipher, this education is for your own good. Now I suggest you listen closely! Or do you wish yourself to be forever unwed and to spend your days a lonely king alone on the throne?" It wasn't a question. The woman before him held a stern stone cold look to her as if she was made out of pure ice.
Honestly how wasn't this old hag dead by now it was rather impressive given all her wrinkles he half expected them to weight her down so much she'd be barely able to walk. He smirked with a scoff at that thought.
"What? You find it amusing? There is nothing amusing about that possible and potential situation now focus!" A loud smack on the oak table beside the older woman.
"I'm listening." The prince grumbled, he just didn't care. Couldn't they move on to learning Latin, archaic preferably. That and history seemed to be Prince Cipher's most prized studies, of course alongside literally everything else aside from this obtuse lesson which served him no use at all.
The woman finally gave in with a huff. "Fine. Out with you." Her arms crossed, maintaining the grip on her wooden pointer which rested in her right hand. This boy was impossible to teach and she wouldn't waste her time further with him.
A smile finally replaced the prince's drab expression and he made like the wind, out of that door and off towards his library. Yes he did enjoy his other classes...When he could do them himself without some mentor or teacher around. It was nearly impossible for him to get a moment to himself.
As if today would be any different.
"Bill darling come here!" The sound of a woman's voice chased after him and his pursuit for personal freedom. "Darling come, let's go into the town together son." His mother desperately called. Was it his own personal curse to never get a moment alone to himself ever?
"Coming mother." The tall blonde responded defeatedly and began his slow descent down the rows of staircases to where his mother called him from, the hall just below him. It was incredible how well the palace carried sound...also incredibly disturbing but it did mean he was always within hearing distance of everyone. Or maybe the other way around? He shrugged.
Before him in the marble and gold decorated hall was a woman, his mother, with her hair down in a decorative and intricate braid neatly accented with a gold comb at the very top with a beautiful feather shape. A dress she was often seen in. White bust almost blouse like and rose gold with various frilled hems from the waist down. Bill's own hair colour mirrored that of his mother, blonde with an almost gold glow to it.
"You will come into town with me now won't you? Your father is much too busy and although I could send the servants to go collect a few things I'd much rather go outside myself." She smiled up at her son.
It was hard to say no, not that he could anyway so he nodded.
"Very well, come, the carriage is already up front of the gates ready for us."
He took his place walking beside his mother towards it.
The town wasn't too far from the castle really although that was said as someone who could take a 2 minute trip by carriage and be there in under 30 minutes walking the bridge that kept the castle united to the locals.
Upon arriving the carriage stopped in front of the bakery where his mother was heading to collect some baked treats as well as drop by the seamstress to peruse the new dresses and such she had in stock. Not much for prince Cipher to do other than follow his mother around with their royal guard always in tow. It would not be until later in the afternoon that his mother would be ready to return but she did allow him to go off and explore and learn more of the town and kingdom they ruled over as was his duty to do so. And his royal chaperone at every step he took.
"I am more than capable of walking around by myself and alone you know that Kryptos. Last thing I need is you following me around everywhere I go."
"Yes yes I know, doesn't mean it's not my royal pain in the backside to follow you everywhere you go." The raven haired man responded with a grimace in his navy guard suit. It may be a good time to mention that Kryptos was indeed rather close to Bill and although his job description may be to keep the royal idiot out of trouble he was, unbeknownst to his majesties parents, a terrible enabler.
"Right where are we off to? Sitting by the river again doing absolutely nothing whilst you study your boring plants or spout complete nonsense no-one but you royals understand?"
"Hmmm." The prince hummed. "I don't know. I was the one who was dragged out but rather tempting now that you say that..." Bill smirked with a teasing gaze over at Kryptos.
"No. Don't you dare. Why don't we just go to one of the taverns or something. Come on, let's do something fun." Kryptos bumped his arm against Bill's with a smile that honestly always meant he was up to no good.
With this distraction from both sides the next thing the prince knew he was down on his ass from being bumped into. The form of whatever, or rather whoever, bumped into him now atop him. Short brown curls peeked out from under a dark blue cloak.
"I- I'm so sorry." Squeaked out this person. And soon enough they were being dragged away from Bill by Kryptos.
"How dare you bump into the prince! Watch where you're going!" The chaperone barked but Bill raised his arm up from his spot on the floor to get him to settle and interrupted before anything further could be said.
"I'm fine I'm fine. It's ok, it's my fault as well." Bill responded and got himself up dusting himself off. The person in front of him didn't raise their head. "Are you alright?" He tilted his own head attempting to get a better look at this stranger.
They merely bowed and continued to apologise "No I'm sorry your highness it is my fault I am sorry, please forgive me." The shape looked up, giving Bill a glimpse of the large brown tired eyes hidden behind the curls.
And he just stood there. No words slipped from the prince even as this commoner continued to apologise before he ran off with a final bow to escape from the terrible awkward situation.
And the prince just stood there...