Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After a long and stressful night, the only thing Louis needs is an espresso. And silence with a dash of whiskey. Depends on how caffeine treats his hangover. At barely 10 AM there's only one place that can provide him with both. 

The Club.

He spends a moment examining his outfit for stains and checks if everything is in place before he reaches for the heavy doors. Once he ended up there in his boxers. It was the first and the last time, if he had anything to say in that matter. His friends haven't let it go for months, poking him whenever they deemed it fit. Nevermore.

It is still early, but the Club is already earning half of its daily income. Almost every table is occupied. Louis slips inside, careful not to be spotted by a small group of his university friends, sitting by the windows. The bartender greets him, asking for his order. 
 

"Coffee. Black." He hears a burst of laughter, coming from his friends. "And a glass of brandy," he adds, considering his company, a plain shot of caffeine won't be enough. 
 

He takes the glass of amber liquid, asking for his coffee to be brought to his table, and then begins to look for a salvageable seat. He's had enough of a cantankerous company for at least a week to share a table with someone he'd have to interact with. Last night was truly the last time he has ever gone out with a ballet dancer. So uptight, so bloody boring. But then again he has to acknowledge he's also not a dream date either. 
 

I guess that makes us even.
 

At long last, he finds himself at an empty table. It's in the room separated from the main part of the Club. Good. Less probable for one of his mates to notice him. Peace and quiet, just as he wishes.
 

Without much thought Louis throws himself onto a leather armchair, his whiskey spilling atop his wool slacks. He's very satisfied with this small victory, however, when he's about to take a triumphant sip of his drink, out of the corner of his eye he sees the tables have turned. That table isn't empty, as across from himself he finds someone sitting there. Legosi has always had a low presence, looking as if suffocating in any small space he's been occupying. That's how he was in Eaton, all of those traits intensifying as they got into Oxford. Still today his broad shoulders look even more slumped than usual. Considering the Crown Prince's early visit to the Club, a bottle of Scotch half empty on a table, and his overall dejected visuals, something's not right. Louis observes his old friend, evaluating whether to say anything or keep quiet, but as Legosi's set on ignoring his presence, Louis intends to do just the same.
 

Relaxing in his seat, Louis takes a sip of his whiskey, nearly yet again spilling it onto his trousers, when a massive sigh explodes in the air. He wipes out his hand with a handy, sending a rather disdainful look towards his friend. A waiter brings him his coffee. Taking a sniff of his cup, he chooses to first aid himself with alcohol, then doze himself with caffeine. Louis puts down the cup. Or more like he would if not for yet another sigh from Legosi. This time the coffee ends up on his trousers. 
 

"What could possibly trouble you, my friend, who walks between the raindrops by?" He hastily tries to take some of the liquid off of his slacks before it leaves a burn mark on his thigh. That coffee is blazing.
 

Legosi narrows his heavy-lidded eyes at him. "Nothing which could concern you, Decerf."
 

"Your mournful groans could be heard from the other side of the town. Prey tell what's gotten into you? Or judging from your expression, who?" His snarky comment wasn't destined to hit any particular spot, but seeing Legosi's eyes growing wide, it apparently did hit home.
 

The prince doesn't get to answer as the worst has happened. Hearing thumping footsteps behind his chair, Louis sees the same group, he was dead set on avoiding, now approaching them. He's been exposed.
 

"Don't tell me how you're gonna whine to Louis about the trials and tribulation of that little fling of yours. It's about time someone talked some sense into that empty head of yours," says Robert, called by his friend Bill, or when they feel like wexing him even more, lil' Billy. But Bill by no means is a small man. His shoulders are broad just as his smile is as toothy as that of a shark, while his remarks tend to sting more than those of a hornet. Everyone knows when he's smiling as now, the shite's about to freefall.
 

"Don't kick a man when he's down," Jack chastises his friend for it not to get worse as it already is. But then again hardly anyone ever listens to him. Louis blames it all on the fact the man broke out of his gang's Eaton heritage and got into Cambridge.
 

"Yeah, his mother does enough of that already," Thomas blurts almost immediately bursting into laughter, the rest of their friends following suit. Except for Jack, who looks about to explode and Dominic, who's been quiet the whole time through. If that's even possible, Legosi looks even more miserable. Thinking he won't get any coherent answer from his roaring colleagues, he turns to Dom.
 

"Not that I care―"
 

"But it's not a secret." The man shrugs.
 

Louis breathes out a sigh and takes a massive sip of what's left in his glass. "That's why I said I don't care. Could you take it somewhere else? Whatever that is."
 

"Another tough night?"
 

"You're so insensitive to your friend's suffering. He's just been rejected," Bill interjects with mock concern, pointing at his friend.
 

"By his mother," Thomas adds, barely containing his amusement. 
 

That's exactly why Louis prefered to stay out of their way this morning. Their company almost always is an antithesis of tranquil.
 

"He asked her to marry the Hareford girl and she said no. Legosi's having a hard time accepting that. I think he still tries to find a way out of this mess." Dom sits next to him, distancing himself from their rowdy friends. Louis watches with disinterest how Jack's attempts of keeping their mockery civil are of no avail.
 

"What for? That girl wasn't a catch. It's better if he forgets about her altogether."
 

"That's what he told him. And now he's sulking in a corner."
 

A glass thumps over a wooden table. Apparently, Legosi has had enough of them laughing at his expense. "None of you understand the meaning of love and devotion. I love her and that's the only thing that matters to me." His brows nit and Louis swears he's closer to tears than he lets it show.
 

What a lovesick fool. Louis thinks. He's just like a puppy scolded for wetting an expensive carpet. Even if Louis cares bare minimum for their monarch, he can't blame her for opposing that idea. Haru Hareford has a bad reputation, and it's unheard of for the Crown to accept anything less than perfection from its family members.
 

However, as Louis has had enough of all of this and prefers for his friends to cut it out, he says: "Not to your mother. You're the sole heir of the throne, Legosi. You should accept what comes with it."
 

"Just find yourself a young, innocent bird, and get over Haru. It'll never work. You've got to come to terms with it, mate," Jack agrees, looking at Legosi with compassion.
 

"Yes, there are plenty of young heiresses, who would love to meet you. Nice, pretty and made for the role," Bill proposes sounding surprisingly serious.
 

Legosi narrows his eyes at Bill. "No one can come close to Haru."
 

"That's exactly the point…" Thomas mutters.
 

"What about that Grey girl? The youngest daughter of the Earl?"
 

Hearing that, Louis snorts out his whiskey. He knows the girl Dominic has been going on about. 
 

"Absolutely terrible idea."
 

"How so?" Jack raises an eyebrow at him.
 

Louis finds himself baffled at the fact he has to justify this. It's pretty obvious. "She's still a teenager. A kid in a bubble of her nanny's fairytales."
 

"You know her?" Bill's eyes widen at that, and Louis can tell this conversation is about to take an ugly turn.
 

Suddenly Louis finds himself pinned to the armchair, at least six pairs of eyes staring at him in bewilderment. He straightens in his seat, not bothering to cover up the irritation he's feeling.
 

"Not in that way, you beasts! One of my father's sisters married into the Grey family a long time ago. I've known the kid since she crawled on the grass with dogs."
 

"Juicy." To Louis' discomfort, Bill smirks, giving him a look of admiration.
 

"Bugger off! The point is, she's not fit for it. She hasn't been introduced yet. Better find someone more experienced with hout monde."
 

As Louis' resolution is plainly obvious to the men, while Legosi looks even more miserable than before, they decide to drop the subject altogether. To Louis' contempt, they bring themselves chairs and join them. There goes his peaceful morning. Now he's forced to hear Bill go on about his philanders, while other men roar with rambunctious laughter whenever he mentions something remotely sexual.
 

Deciding to call it a day, and head back to get a shuteye, Louis bids farewell to his colleagues and gets up to leave. On his way out he chats up the bartender for him to call him a cab as there's no way for him around with coffee-whiskey stains all over him. A couple of minutes after the car is waiting for him, yet he doesn't get to leave the building. Someone stops him. Legosi's hair is a mess from the run and he's out of breath. Just as Louis thought this morning couldn't get any messier than it already has been, the prince asks Louis to introduce him to Juno Grey. To add to his own misery, Louis says he'll think about it.

Louis could have been no more than 5 or 7 when his father first acknowledged him. It's not that weird that he remembers it. It happened right after his mother passed away. Before that time, he only had her and one of her close friends. If he was to be perfectly honest, Louis has to admit that for those couple years of his early childhood, he was convinced it was Ibuki who was his father.
 

A child's mind is a curious thing. Even now, as he already knows the truth, Louis still remembers it vividly. Wherever his mother was, he was always close. He even came along, when his mother and he were invited to take a look at the very first girl in the Grey family. His mother was chatting with aunt Elizabeth, who had just gotten married to one of the Earl's cousins, while Ibuki pushed him in the direction of a crib. Louis has no idea what was so special about any baby, not to mention this particular. Before he made a step towards the crib, a loud wail pierced through his ears. He dropped the mascot he was holding and ran back, hiding behind Ibuki. The Earl burst out in laughter and so did Ibuki. All at his expense. The Earl got the howling demon out of the crib, while Louis watched it from a safe distance, guarded by Ibuki's massive body. 
 

The kid stopped crying for a moment.
 

Louis dared to take a peek.
 

The Earl kneeled in front of him.
 

"You can give her the toy. She'll like it."
 

But the toy was by the crib, while Louis had no intention of getting it, suspiciously gazing at the demonic potato. 
 

"Come on, boy. It doesn't have teeth, it won't bite you." Ibuki gave him a little push, but Louis had his doubts, and in his mind, they were more than reasonable. However, he forced his legs to move. The infant didn't take its dark eyes from him, still silent. Louis decided to take a closer look. He was wrong, thinking the kid looked like a potato. Its wrinkled face, round, dark eyes and skull covered with clumps of black hair reminded him more of a rotting pumpkin.
 

Louis made a face, the pumpkin had started howling like a banshee. It was a day lost for Louis, but once they returned home, his mother couldn't stop smiling. 
 

And then she died, Ibuki following right behind.
 

Only the rotten pumpkin and aunt Elizabeth remained.
 

As his aunt to this day is a pleasant woman, albeit eccentric, he cannot say the same thing about the pumpkin, who developed a nasty habit of screaming, whenever she saw him. Considering how she grew up, Louis thought howling at his sight to be much better than how she got used to following him.
 

She's still a kid. What the hell is he thinking?
 

Louis? 
 

"Louis! Who are you talking to?"
 

The room is dark, with yellowish lighting peeking from behind the curtains. Louis realises he spaced out. He's not a kind and this is definitely not a nursery. He swings his legs over and sits at the edge of the bed before a small hand grasps his arm.
 

"Penny for your thoughts?"
 

Louis turns to see a petite silhouette propping her head onto her elbow. Haru's blonde hair falls gracefully over her shoulder, revealing her naked body. This is the last time they're seeing each other, yet he can't feel his heart-tugging or stomach twisting. That emptiness is disconcerting. He glances up at her face and then turns back to the window. Despite the late hour, the city is only waking up with its rich noises and bright lights.
 

"You'd have to give me a lot more to tell you anything. Why so chatty? I genuinely like that trait of yours, you know?"
 

"What trait exactly?"
 

"Knowing when to keep your thoughts to yourself."
 

Haru chuckles. "Just as you're doing right now?"
 

Louis wonders whether he genuinely keeps his musings private for the sake of it, or if there's a deeper meaning to it. Not that Haru would care anyway, Legosi's moving on with his stagnant life. She already did just so.
 

Speaking of which.

"Congratulation on your betrothal," he says suddenly. Haru's brows knit upon seeing his trite smile. "The young Levertorn is an excellent catch. Care to share who got who?"
 

She sighs. "Neither one of us. It's my father's doing."

Louis looks at her over his shoulder. Could it be he's wrong about Haru's indifference?
 

"And you're not opposing." 
 

"Do you have any better suggestions? You perhaps?"
 

"Or the Crown Prince?"
 

Haru gives him a blunt look, before falling back onto pillows. "Touche. Love is nothing but a whimsical dream you wake up from once you grow up."
 

"What a bitter creature you are," he chortles.
 

"Not bitter. Just an adult," she asserts looking quite serious, but a moment later she's back on her elbow, eyes twinkling with mischief. "I can still have him, you know?"
 

Thinking of Legosi's crestfallen expression and how strongly he protested about forgetting about her, Louis thinks she's not that wrong.
 

"And you certainly still do," he admits bemused. "Even if the Queen instructed him to find himself a girl, thus leaving what happened between the two of you behind."
 

"Good. He should to just so." Despite her previous statement, Haru sounds dejected. "How's the search going?"
 

"It's going."
 

"Louis!" The annoyance in her voice makes Louis roll his eyes. He can't keep up with her mood swings. Especially when she's armed with quite a heavy pillow and is not hesitant about using it on him.

"What am I supposed to tell you? He can have anyone he lays his eye on. He's first in the line to the throne."

Haru narrows her eyes. "So there is someone… Do you know any of them? Personally?"
 

"They wouldn't be taken into account whether I'd known them that well."
 

"Fair enough." She taps her chin as if thinking of her possible rivals. It takes her far too long for Louis' comfort. After all, he's not that vile.

"Just a couple of kids. No one special."

"Wouldn't call the only daughter of an earl no one special," Haru says matter-of-factly. "You're the one being bitter. How so?"

Louis finds himself baffled by the fact Haru already knows about young miss Grey. Nevertheless, it doesn't change much in the overall development.

"News travel fast. She is a kid," he brushes her off.

"A young woman, Louis," she corrects. "You should introduce them. Let them decide. Legosi deserves a nice girl."

Louis can't argue with that. The Crown Prince deserves a pleasant princess. He is his friend. Louis wishes him the best. Howbeit, he's not sure said nice girl deserves all the hindrances that come along with the involvement of the Crown. He's seen what it does to people. He's seen what it's done to Legosi. Maybe it's been years since the last time Louis has seen Juno, but still, he wouldn't wish upon his greatest enemy the life in the shadow of the Crown. 

Chapter Text

The Sun is high above the horizon, making his cheeks tingle with an upcoming sunburn. Even if there are no clouds, the air smells like rain. Louis takes a deep breath. It's not just the rain. He smells a wet dog. 

He clenches his fists, wondering how the hell has she found him. If not for all the animals that follow her around, Louis wouldn't know when Juno’s coming. Too bad he's in an open space, no place to hide apart from a handful of rose bushes. Today's his birthday, and he wishes he had more to say in the department of the guest list because if that was the case, he wouldn't agree for aunt Elizabeth to take Juno with her. Louis likes the Grey brothers, who even if a little too rowdy, at least leave him be, when he doesn't wish to play with them anymore. That doesn't apply to their youngest sibling.

Louis promises himself next year he won't have to hide in the garden from that pesky pumpkin. He'll be 12. He won't have a party at all if that's what it takes to get rid of her. 

Now it's too late.

First, a massive tongue slashes across his face, before a massive dog steps on his stomach, causing all the cake he's eaten earlier to travel up his throat. A lispy, high-pitched voice calls for the dog. Louis wipes off his face with the back of his hand, giving the young owner of the dog a dirty look.

"Stop following me already. And keep that beast away from me!" He points accusingly at the dog, who's about to jump at him again.

"He jutht liketh you." Juno flashes him a smile. Louis winces at a massive gap in her teeth.

"Well, I don't like him." 

Juno pouts and Louis can swear with every year she gets rounder and rounder on her face. A couple of years more and she'll truly turn into a pumpkin.

Louis gets up, shakes off the grass from his trousers and heads back to the mansion, leaving both of his unwanted guests behind. He prefers to join the Grey brothers in their tiring games than be left with the girl and her beastly pet.

"Where are you going? Louith! Wait up!" Juno calls out after him. She bumps into his back as he abruptly stops.

"What now? What do you want?" He tries to be polite, but some of his annoyance slips into his voice. Louis tries to cover it up with a smile.

"Can you tell me that poem again?"

Knowing she means she wants him to reenact almost his whole performance from the play he acted in a week ago, he gets even more annoyed. He already did that today at least three times. What's enough is enough.

"I heard your parents want to leave soon. Better look for them, so they don't leave you here."

"They won't leave me."

"Better safe than sorry." He forces himself to smile again, then pivots on his heel and leaves her. Juno tries to catch up with him. Louis picks up his pace, skipping every other step. As he thinks he has lost her, he hears a loud yelp, followed by silence, which makes his blood grow cold. Not particularly keen on looking around, he slowly turns to see the girl laying on the stairs, her cheek scratched and reddened from the fall. 

Please don't cry…! He thinks already frightened as he remembers the capacity of her lungs. She could be loud with her wails. That would alarm the adults and he'd get blamed for all of this. 

Juno's lips quiver as she looks at him.

Louis' heart stops.

Her eyes get teary.

There's no other way. Before she explodes with tears, Louis's already by her side, helping her up. Surprisingly, that damn beast of a dog stays put the whole time.

"So you wanna hear that poem again, huh?"

Upon hearing this, Juno's eyes immediately dry out and inwardly Louis grinds his teeth.

God, she's a bother.

The cigarette in his hand is about to burn out. It's the fourth one and Louis still has doubts about whether this is a good idea. Looks like finding out where Juno is wasn't the toughest part of his task. He throws the butt out, squishing it with the sole of his shoe and takes out another cig, swearing it's the last one. He'll smoke just one more and he will cross that street. 

"Most probably she still looks like a pumpkin and behaves like an ignorant brat…" He muses. 

To hell with that. Louis believes in his luck, so maybe it's good to set those two up. Legosi will take a look at her just to never mention her again.

That would be for the best.

Time passes and he's taking a slow drag after drag, staring at the golden plate above the massive, wooded entrance ― The Royal Ballet School. His mind involuntarily wanders to the memories he thinks he’s already forgotten. When was the last time, when he crossed the School’s threshold? 

Long enough.

He casts all of those musings aside. In his current situation, there are far more pressing matters to be worried about.

In his mind he tries to name all of his recent flings, wondering about the possibility of bumping into any of them. He regrets not paying enough attention during his most recent date to know whether that stuck up ballerina attended this particular facility. 

Too bad his time ran out and he's left with a burnout butt between his fingers. Louis is a man of his word; he adjusts the collar of his jacket, before striding towards the entrance to the school. He's stopped by a security guard. The man's grey eyebrows furrowed, giving him a resemblance as if a caterpillar sat on his face when he looks Louis up and down.

"How can I help you, sir?"

A duo of teenage girls bump into him on their way out, giggling once they see his face. Louis feels their curious glances on his back. Finally, the door shuts and he's alone with the guard.

Louis briefly introduces himself, saying he's here to meet with miss Grey. Apparently, saying his name would suffice, as the guard almost immediately gets out of his booth, guiding him through an artificially lighted corridor. Before he leaves Louis by the door to the practice room, where he should find Juno, the man asks whether he should announce him.

"That would be enough, thank you."

Without further ado, the man leaves. Louis takes a deep breath and then enters the room. First, it's hard to make anything out as almost all lights are turned off. He scans the room searching for a chubby kid he remembers from those years ago, but to no avail. However, the room is not empty. Louis' brows furrow, when he sees a tall, young woman moving through the motions of her ballet routine with an ease of a leaf being carried by the wind. Some strands broke loose from her bun. Still, it doesn't seem to bother her, as she performs each and every single one of her dance moves in graceful harmony. If only he could take a closer look at her face. It's too dark. All Louis can make out are high cheekbones and big eyes now narrowed in concentration.

It's been a while since Louis has seen such a promising, young dancer. She's not there yet, but he has no doubts that girl will make it in the art world someday. 

Suddenly, the dancer falls onto her knees, thrusting her clenched fist into the parquet. She almost immediately yelps in pain, making Louis snort out loud. The girl's face shots up in his direction and a sudden realisation dawns on him. 

Firstly, he's been creeping in the shadows for too long for it to be called unintentional. 

Secondly, his indiscretion made him reveal himself. 

Lastly, he recognises both those big, round eyes and that voice. By the time she says, "Who's there?", Louis is certain. This whole time he's been gawking at Juno Grey.

Chapter Text

Even if born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Juno has never used her father's connection to get into the Academy. She got accepted both into the Royal Ballet School and Oxford thanks to her hard work and determinedness. Of course, her parents pay for her education, but the same goes for Ellen and all of her nasty girlfriends.

It wouldn't be half as bad if Ellen has only been poking fun at her status. No, the girl went a step further, basically took a leap of faith, threading over every possible boundary of decency and called out Juno on her appearance. Too tall, too bulky, overall too much to be a proper dancer. 

Her father must have paid a lot for her to land even such a small part in their upcoming performance.

It's infuriating to Juno. The girl has a nerve when everyone knows her mother owns one of the most prominent theatres in the capital. 

Ellen never loses the chance to step over Juno's pride. It's become that bad, the lone sight of the girl parading around with a more or less well known, but definitely, handsome boy, makes Juno's blood boil.

Her most recent fling is the last straw that broke the camel's back. 

It's not that she's jealous. Or insecure for that matter. 

Alright, maybe she is a bit, but it's all because she's started dancing fairly late, unlike the other girls. Howbeit, Juno's landing a part in the debutant performance for the Queen, despite her short experience, was neither thanks to her connections, nor wealth. She's just been working her arse off the whole time. She's always believed she can do anything, as long as she puts her mind to it.

And put her mind she did.

She'd be damned if she's ever let them view her less than that. Cross her heart, and kiss her elbow, Juno'll show them she can shine despite her close to no experience, making them choke on their insults.

That is exactly why she talked to one of the guards on duty ― mister Fernsby ― to turn a blind eye, when she stays after her group practice, to train some more. Now, it's been nearly 3 hours as she's been sweating her arse off, and just as she thinks she finally gets a grasp of her part, her feet tangle up and she falls to her knees. As if to mock her, the music still plays on the loop. Juno's frustration with this day has reached the tipping point. She clenches her fist, thrusting it into the floor. She yelps when a shot of pain jolts up from her knuckles.

Damn, be Ellen and all of those vile people. 

"Oh, bugger…" Juno mutters, hiding her face in her hands. She takes a deep breath, and just as she's about to stand up to do the whole routine one more time, she hears someone snort. She looks up, startled. 

"Who's there? Mister Fernsby? I know it's late, but―"

"It's late for a lady like you to be here all by herself." A tall man with reddish-blonde hair comes out of the shadows, one of his hands leisurely stuffed into the pocket of his coat. Juno looks him up and down, her brows rising.

"And who the hell are you? Mister Fernsby―!" She starts to yell and in a flash, the man's cool demeanour drops. He raises his hands as if to show her he comes in peace. Not that Juno doesn't know the likes of him or he for that matter.

"Relax! He's the one who let me in."

"Well, he shouldn't," she asserts, placing her hands over her hips and raising her chin. "No strangers are allowed into this part of the Academy. I'd like you to leave before I genuinely call the security. Mister Fernsby is just one of them."

Louis stares at her in disbelief, not recognising the pumpkin he remembers. However, looking at her, seeing her eyes, it's unmistakable. It is Juno Grey threatening him to scream bloody murder because he doesn't want to leave her alone. At least that part of her personality remains intact, apart from the reasoning behind it. When she was a kid she wailed because he didn't want to pay her any attention. Now it's the opposite.

"Well?" She looks at him waitingly, her dark blue eyes blazing with a threat.

As if I'd get scared by that old geezer, Louis thinks, barely imagining the old guard trying to throw him out. Nonetheless, it looks like Juno and he got off the wrong foot. If he intends to get anything done, he has to correct his mistake. She must have not recognised him. That has to be it.

"Before you jump to any more unnecessary conclusions, allow me to introduce myself. My name is―"

"Oh, but I do know who you are. No need for introductions."

Juno's blunt statement strikes him across his face. He already feels his cheeks getting hot. Louis clenches his jaws, struggling to keep the last, pitiful bits of his cool.

"Good, in that case, let me explain why I got here in the first place―"

The girl raises her hand to yet again cut him off. "No need for that either, as you're already leaving."

"I'm certainly not!" Louis declares indignantly.

"Well, then you're staying here on your own."

He watches astounded but what has just taken place, as Juno hurriedly gathers her belongings and heads for the exit. She's about to leave, while Louis strains his currently shocked brain cells to pinpoint when, or more like how this simple endeavour has made a freefall before he as much as has opened his lips. It's futile and Juno's already past him. In a misguided attempt to either buy himself some time or make her stay, he grabs onto her hand. Juno looks shellshocked, glancing between his face and her immobilised hand. Unlike him, she gathers her wits pretty quickly, her eyes already boring a hole into his skull.

"I've had a rough day as it is. I really don't need another one of Ellen's attempted jokes to add to my misery. Viscount or not, let go of me or I will scream," she slithers, and Louis does as she says, forcing himself not to take a step back to avoid her steely gaze. He doesn't even bother to correct her about his lack of said title. Not the best moment to educate her.

"Look, I crossed the line, my sincere apologies. But still, I haven't the slightest what are you talking about. Who's Ellen?"

Juno snorts. "Your sweetheart. That Ellen."

The possible worst has happened. Louis knew he should have been more thorough with checking his list. But still, he has no sweetheart he can think of. Just for the sake of getting anything out of Juno, he lets that fact slip.

"What about her?" He asks matter-of-factly.

Juno purses her lips and marches towards the exit of the practice room. If he thought before was bad, now he has no doubts it's a disaster.

Juno didn't give Ellen enough credit. Ellen is worst than the devil himself. Just a week ago the girl was bragging about her supposed romance with the son of the viscount Decerf, she laughed at how Juno would never catch an eye of a man like him.

Not that Juno has ever had any intention to. She's known Louis since they were kids. Juno knows about Louis' flaws, but still, she would have never expected him to be just as vile as Ellen proved herself to be.

But then again given his reputation for changing women like gloves and Ellen's manipulative personality, it shouldn't be that surprising. 

Juno's heart sinks, thinking they've gone through that much trouble for shits and giggles. 

"We got off a very wrong foot and it all escalated quickly in a direction even I cannot phantom. Please, just wait. Whatever you're thinking right now, it's definitely not this." She hears Louis' desperate call. He's a great actor. She must give him that.

"Oh, please," she huffs. "Maybe I look the part but I'm not that naive."

"Wouldn't expect it any other way," Louis agrees and it surprisingly sounds too much sincere for her comfort. She couldn't be wrong about him, could she?
Juno turns to look at him and see how truly sincere he is about his words. "Go on then."

"My name is Louis Decurf―"

"As I said before, I know who you are, Louis. It hasn't been that long ago since I last saw you. Aunt Elizabeth invited you to my birthday party."

"Is that so? Can't recall any of that." Louis rubs his chin as if trying to bring back to mind any of those events. Unlike him, Juno remembers it clear as day.
Because you fled an hour in with a box of champagne and my friend Georgina, she thinks sourly, then asks, "What brings you here?"

Louis flashes her a brilliant smile. "Good that you're asking. It's a long story, but―"

"Be brief, this evening is exhausting as it is."

Not only for you. 

But as he sees no point in ensuing another quarrel, Louis decides to get this over with.

"The crown prince requested me to introduce the two of you."

Juno regals Louis with a look full of disdain then pivots on her heel. "Goodnight."

What a wretched wench.

"You wanted to make it short, so how should I put it any other way?!" Louis calls out for her.

Just as she's quick to threaten him to leave, Juno's just as fast to stop dead in her tracks. However, this time she doesn't stop by the entrance, but gets back to him, her eyes holding a sceptical gleam. "What is the real reason you're here? The last time I saw you, you literally trashed my party and bailed. You're definitely living up to your reputation. What do you want?"

"My reputation? And what is my reputation?" He asks nearly choking at her brazen attitude. He's had enough of this.

"A rotten example of a man with too much free time on his hands and money to spend."

"Seeing you now, it was beyond a bad idea to come to you." Louis winces, giving up on all the reasons he has found himself here in the first place.

"Wouldn't put it better myself," Juno agrees, this time leaving him for good.

It takes a couple of minutes for Louis to swallow his disbelief at what has just happened. Not that he was especially keen on acting the part of a Good Samaritan, helping the prince out with his search, but that one is rotten to the core. Louis believes Legosi has just dodged a bullet.

Alcohol is not the answer to all problems, however, it largely helps with washing down the humiliation this day has been today. It's not rare for Louis to seek solace after a love failure. He doesn't come to the Club that often.

Besides, it's not love, not a bloody failure.

"But what the hell was that?" He muses.

"Is the brandy not to your liking, sir?" The bartender raises an eyebrow at him, hoovering the bottle to pour him the fourth round.

Definitely not a failure, so he motions his hand ― that's enough. The man leaves him alone and Louis drops his head, breathing a heavy sigh.

"I'll take that it didn't go well."

Louis jumps, as Legosi appears at his side. "You bloody bastard! Don't sneak up on me like that! Make some noise!"

"My bad." The prince smirks, enjoying his discomfort far too much. But then again who could have blamed him? It's close to impossible to catch Louis off of his guard.

Louis purses his lips, eyeing his friend's smiling face. He reaches for his glass just to find it empty. Now he can use a drink. It's for different reasons, so it doesn't count. He motions for the bartender to get another glass and a bottle of brandy he's been sipping on throughout this evening.

"She's not for you. Let it go," he says after soothing his nerves with a fine slurp.

Legosi watches him, as if trying to figure out whether he's jesting, but since Louis doesn't budge under his gaze, he sighs. "Don't think my ego became fragile, but it's the first time a girl has ever rejected me. Both odd and refreshing. Did she say why?"

Louis scrunches his nose, recalling how it all went freefall. He'd rather not tell, as just thinking about it makes his face grow hot with shame. Louis tries to dismiss him with some half-baked excuses, but as a group of tipsy rowers tumble inside all of his words get lost in their rumbustious presence.

"Wait, I didn't hear you. Can―"

"She told me off. She didn't believe me, okay?!" Louis barks out in annoyance and plasters his lips to his glass until it's empty.

Legosi's brows furrow. "What on Earth have you done to her? I thought you said you know the bird."

"So did I…" Louis mutters, gazing at the bottom of his empty glass. "Anyhow, you're in luck. She's a rotten one, that much I can tell." He points his glass at the Crown Prince, emphasizing it's not a laughing matter. Unfortunately, Legosi sees it differently, as he sniggers.

"Because she lambasted you?" He questions. "Too late for that. I already told my mother. She was thrilled to hear I'm moving on and I'm doing so with the daughter of the Earl Grey."

"Good grief! You never tell her anything! Should have kept your mouth shut," Louis exclaims, feeling the ground slipping from under his feet. If the Queen knows about any of this, it's a done deal. Backing out now would mean falling out of her good graces. And she's always liked him, which comes in handy, considering his both reputation with women and side hassles.

Usually, Louis' impudence rolls right off Legosi's back. Not today. "I do whenever you talk back to me. I'm your future monarch. Show me some respect."

However, considering the Queen's possible discontent with him, Louis couldn't care less. Without batting an eye he says: "When pigs fly," making Legosi crack a smile.

"Please, Louis, that's all I'm asking. I don't want to scare her off," the prince asks and Louis is in a bid. After all what else more he could do? And it's such a bad idea. 

Juno's too opinionated and audacious for becoming the proper princess the Queen wishes for her only son. Louis looks at Legosi, who looks as if anticipating an ice-cream truck.

The pumpkin would definitely be good for him.

The current Juno will eat him alive.

Nevertheless, he says, "I'll try my best," because looks like he needs to learn it the hard way.

Chapter Text

The rain tumbles against the window, making it nearly impossible for Louis to fall asleep despite all of the alcohol streaming down his veins. He didn't expect to be distressed enough to lose any sleep because of Legosi's request. Maybe as it's levelled up to a proper request? The first time around it was merely his goodwill, to visit that damn ballet school and try to talk the girl into meeting with the Crown Prince. Now it's different. Truth to be told, Louis has never paid much attention to his role as a Decerf, the most loyal confidante to the Crown. It all goes way back. From the times of his great grandfathers, Decerfs have been the sole advisors and friends to the monarchs. 

Is it just the responsibility that drives his thoughts? 

Louis thinks of his life so far. To his discomfort, it smells more like a habit.

And old habits die hard.

Louis curses under his breath and rolls onto his stomach, thrusting his face into his pillow to stop whatever storm it's raging inside of his head.

Maybe this could be the last time he serves his role? And then he could bail on all of them before he's shackled?

Somehow that thought is comforting to Louis. His business needs just a couple more months to work properly. 

If Heaven can wait then so can the Crown.

Louis rolls back onto his back. He can do this. The least he can do is to get them together in the same room. Legosi would see-through and he'd be excused. Difficult, but doable. Especially with a little help. 
As it happens, Louis already knows to whom should he turn in order to receive such aid.

Lady Elizabeth Grey, called by her friends Beth, or Ladybird by the public, is somewhat just like said bug itself. Those who like insects care for her, and those who dread them simply cannot feel anything negative toward them.

Aunt Beth is just like that. Not old, not young, not very round and not thin either. Her hair is light, neither grey yet, but not blonde either. Ladybird just is. Not widely loved, but respected and thought to be one of those will do people. 

When Louis spots her at a cafe waiting for him, he still cannot decide whether he likes bugs or not.

His aunt notices him and smiles. Louis strolls to the table.

"Trouble likes you, boy," she tells him in lieu of a greeting. Louis could have expected a jab like that, nonetheless, it's hard for him not to sneer at that. He bends to kiss her cheek, before taking a seat.

"Good to see you, aunt. You've changed your hair."

Lady Elizabeth looks at him sceptically. They both know Louis' just trying to be charming and she hasn't changed a thing about her appearance since a couple of weeks prior when they met. Still, she smiles.

A waiter comes to ask Louis for his order. It's early and breakfast would be appropriate, but since it's hot even for the late may, Louis gets himself a cup of coffee. Once the man is back with his order, Louis' aunt gets serious.

Lady Elizabeth leans in her chair, that merry flicker she's known for now gone from her eyes. "So the prince is set on young Juno? Can't blame him. She grew up to be a proper lady."

Louis doesn't want to argue. "Yes, she grew a lot. She's very tall." His aunt doesn't look satisfied with his answer.

"Tell me something more. How did it come to be?"

Louis rolls his eyes because it's not like he hasn't just spent half an hour this morning getting into details of his very short story about both the prince's request and his encounter with Juno.

"I already told you everything on the phone. There's nothing more. Unless you'd like me to make up stories," he adds with his lips tugged up in a sour manner.

"I've always liked fairytales." Ladybird chortles. "Just explain it once more. I'm getting old and I'm not sure if I got everything right."

Louis knows the woman got everything correct and it's a drag to go through all of that again both because he still feels the pangs of embarrassment and because there's nothing more to say. Howbeit, she's agreed to help him out with his bid and now he's at her mercy because God knows he won't get far without her help.

Lady Elizabeth stays quiet until he ends his pitiful recap.

"You shouldn't worry about any of that. Juno's a fine lady. She has some attitude and a will of her own, but… Well, I think she'll come around, even with that temper," she assures after letting his tale sink in.

Louis cringes. "I'd like to see that. So will you talk to her?"

"We should wait, give her some time."

"The only thing I lack is time, aunt," Louis winces. The feeling of the ground slipping from under his feet returns. Even his legs begin to tingle. At least one.

Ladybird's reserved attitude gets spiked with a tinge of annoyance. When she looks at him with her eyes crinkled in the corners, Louis feels like a scolded child. "Maybe you should have thought about it before you surprised her with your visit a week ago. She was very disappointed with you."

"You already talked with her? What did she say? Will she meet him?" He asks, not caring about her admonishing attitude, because he might have gotten what he came for, but still what he hears next, even if just an innocent remark, feels like a slap across his cheek.

"You start to resemble more and more of your father… Your behaviour is so sterile and businesswise." The woman adds quickly, seeing his shocked expression. Louis tries to compose himself, but it proves itself to be hard. Lady Elizabeth clears her throat. „Did you know Juno wanted to call you when she got accepted into the Royal Ballet School? The first thing she thought about, when she got the letter, was to tell you."

Louis leans back in his chair. "I haven't heard from the Greys, you being the exception, for a couple of years now.”

"It's true," the woman asserts feigning excitement. "She even got accepted into Oxford because you were there.”

"I'm flattered."

His aunt watches him with an unreadable expression for a long moment, while he laces his fingers across his stomach as if daring her to say anything more. She doesn't. For the rest of their little meet-up, they chat about nothing of any importance to him. A new gardener, the Queen's recent trip to one of the Commonwealth countries, the prices of scones in Ledybird’s favourite bakery. Louis's being civil, waiting for the moment his aunt asks him what he knows she's been itching to know for a couple of years now.

What exactly went down those couple of years ago for the young heir to the Decerf title to be treated with such hostility by a girl who used to follow him around. 

Louis doesn't know. That's the only truth.

"It was good seeing you, Louis. Thank you for calling me." She glances at her watch and stands up, motioning for Louis to sit, when he jolts up. 

"Will you talk with her?" He asks, already knowing the answer. The woman smiles indulgently.

"Give her some time."

Louis rakes his fingers through his hair, wondering what should he do now. Dropping everything seems like a good idea. It's not like Legosi would ask for his head on a plate. 

"Louis?" His aunt's soft voice interrupts his musings. He looks up at her. She seems bothered by something. "You're skin and bones. Stay and eat something, would you? My treat."

It's a small thing, definitely nothing much. His aunt smiles when he nods. Satisfied with his answer, she tells him to visit her more often, before she leaves him with his thoughts. 

It's no mystery that a lack of sleep, proper meals and overall tiredness can make one paranoid. Right after she returned to her dorm and dropped on her bed, Juno knew her reaction wasn't appropriate. This feeling only got stronger once she got some sleep. She didn't want to think about what happened in the studio that night, but the images and voices kept creeping into her consciousness. 

The Decerfs are good friends to the Crown with Louis and the Crown Prince not being an exception. How that little detail could have slipped her? That lone realisation would stop all her crazy rambling about Ellen pulling some vicious joke on her, with no one other than Louis Decerf himself.

Maybe she's not particularly fond of Louis, nonetheless, she has no doubts he would never dream of dragging the Prince, his good friend, into Ellen's antics. 

What a ridiculous idea. How could she think so?

She could have met the Prince.  

But it's a done deal now, as she has no intention of coming back with her tail between her legs to ask anything of Louis Decerf.

At least she thought so until Lady Elizabeth Grey, her aunt, paid her a visit. The woman cut to the chase and excused Louis. She explained her the Crown is looking for someone for the Prince to settle down with, and how she thinks about Juno being perfect for the role.

"Plus it's a marvellous introduction to the Society, dear. I know your parents are private about their lives, thus don't care for recognition, but think how you being the queen consort would elevate your family's name. And the Prince is a handsome devil," Lady Elizabeth adds with a mischievous smile.

Juno couldn't disagree with it, at least most of the things her aunt told her. The Crown Prince is indeed handsome. Tall, dark and handsome. One would have to be blind to call him otherwise. That's actually one of the headlines she read some time back.

That's the reason Juno's agreed to her aunt's proposal to give it a go and meet with Louis. She's not looking forward to seeing him, as their encounters throughout the past couple of years were the least to say nasty, but still, she shows up at the appointed time in a restaurant. On her way inside Juno bumps into her aunt. The woman greets her, telling her she regrets she can't stay with them as something came up. Juno opens her mouth to propose to reschedule, but her aunt already tells her Louis is on a terrace and she forgot to mention to him Juno's coming. 
Ladybird is in the middle between being subtle and obvious with her meddling. 

Juno watches the woman leave and wonders whether she also should follow suit. It's not as if Louis is waiting for her.

But she's already here.

Juno's not a coward. It's better to get this over now than to put it off forever.

With that resolution, Juno marches towards the terrace. She spots Louis sitting at the furthest part of the patio, looking far older than those 26 years. So serious and too old for his metrics.

"God have mercy…" He whines and he's yet again the boy she knows from her memories. 

"No need for that. I left my hatchet at home." Juno fakes a smile, waiting for him to invite her to sit.

"As if your mouth wasn't enough to leave me scarred for life."

"I didn't come here to argue, Louis," Juno says, struggling to be polite. His nonchalant demeanour irks her. Now she remembers why exactly he acted so harshly back in the Academy. "Let's put aside all the negativity and call it a truce."

"What a shabby apology," he sneers and takes off his glasses to toss them atop the table. Juno's nearly at a loss of words at his audacity. 

"I have nothing to apologise for. It's you who barged in on me, spouting nonsense. You should be the one saying sorry."

In a flash, the air gets thick with hostile tension. Juno withstands Louis' gaze, already prepared to counter any of his verbal attacks, but none of it comes. He just leans back in his chair, his glasses back on his nose, his hand stiffly pointing at a chair on the opposite side of him. 

"Alright then. Let's say we both regret what happened and put it all behind us," he proposes.

Juno raises her chin slightly. "Fair enough." 

"It must have slipped Lady Beth's mind and she forgot to mention you're coming."

"Would you prepare better?"

"Definitely."

Juno thinks he was supposedly prepared the other time and it didn't work that well. 

"It's fine as it is. I'm here to hear what you've got to say."

At first, Louis is doubtful whether the girl sitting across from him won't lash out at him, but as he gets into stating his case Juno stays quiet. She really is listening to him. So Louis gets more comfortable.

"The only thing the Prince asks for is to meet you. After that feel free to do whatever you please," he finishes his little speech.

Juno takes a moment to reply. Louis would expect her to be either nervous or giddy with the prospect of a date with Legosi, however, Juno's hands aren't shaking as she raises her cup to take a sip of her tea.

She's really changed. Looking at that elegant young woman, Louis has a hard time processing she actually is that chubby kid from his memories. Her hair is long, falling gracefully over her slender shoulder, eyes big and blue like the sky and mouth… Her mouth is moving and Louis has only realised it now.

"Oi! Louis! Snap out of it!"

"You were saying?" He looks at her innocently, but that trick, usually flawless, is not working on her. Juno narrows her eyes at him.

"I asked you did the prince tell you why me?" There's a hint of annoyance as she repeats her question.

Louis knows he can't tell it's all because soon to be Levertorn, Haru was rejected by the Queen Mother and Legosi is looking for a replacement, so he recalls what his friend told him and what he also happens to be true.

"You're young, beautiful, witty and of noble background," he informs casually, to which Juno's eyes widen. "Plus the Prince said he'd love to meet a person who told me off with such an ease," he adds a bit sourly.

Juno's sudden outburst of laughter astounds Louis. What surprises him, even more, is that her laughing at his expense doesn't vex him as it should. The girl looks far too comfortable with that. 

"I see it's a rare occurrence." 

"Rare enough for me to not hear the end of it for quite some time," Louis concludes and Juno's back into her laughing outburst. It's odd for Louis to again find himself in her company. None of them is the same, yet he doesn't feel that much different. She on the other hand… He shakes his head, as this thought makes him uncomfortable. Louis decides it's time to put an end to her jolly mood. 

Juno's laugh catches up in her throat, when Louis leans closer, resting his elbows on the table and looks her in the eye with a smirk. "So pray tell, who's that Ellen you were going off about?"

The very same night Juno lays in her childhood bedroom. Even if her bed is far more comfortable than that in the dorm, she finds her mind wandering, preventing her from getting any sleep. It's wild what has happened throughout those couple of days. Juno still can't believe she could meet the sole heir to the throne, the Crown Prince himself. She could if she was to believe Louis' words…

But aunt Elizabeth vouches for him. 

Juno's really to meet prince Legosi. She has a hard time believing a person of his status took an interest in her. He surrounds himself with movie stars, models, and athletes and yet it's she who he noticed among all of those grand people. How crazy.

Random headlines flash through her mind as she remembers how many times she's seen the Prince make it to the front page. Thinking of that, she remembers a magazine she bought as she waited for the train home. 

Juno rolls to the edge of the bed to reach for her bag. She retrieves the magazine and gets back on the pillows. There's a massive picture of the only son of the Queen on the cover. Juno wonders whether he's just as dashing in person as he is in that photo. Straight hair pushed back in an elegant hairstyle, dark eyes and a build of a man who has many sports achievements. Opening the magazine, Juno's convinced it must be even better in person. She skims through the pages, her eyes absentmindedly slipping from one photo to another. Suddenly a thought creeps up on her.

Why would Louis arrange any of this? What's in it for him?

It's a wide known fact that the Decerfs have been close confidantes to the Crown for generations, but still…

He's changed. Could it be that he's grown up too? Juno muses. Truth, he lashed out at her when he first approached her after all those years, but she had worn his patience thin even by her standards. And in the restaurant, he did seem more reserved and polite, albeit grumpy. 

Just as she's about to change her mind about Louis after all those years, their final encounter, how painful that day was and how long did it take her to get over how he treated her. 

And he even dared to say he doesn't recall any of that.

Louis still has the nerve…

Juno shakes herself off of those thoughts and directs her mind toward something far more pleasant at this moment, namely, the Prince. She immediately feels giddy at the prospect of their upcoming date.

She's glad she agreed. 

Juno lays the magazine on the nightstand and rolls onto her side. Her mind is filled with the images of Legosi as she falls asleep. Her dreams are pleasant that night.