Chapter Text
On the shores of the West coast of a large island known as Spring Hill, there laid a kingdom. This kingdom in particular, had been around for generations and had spent most of its days prospering at peace. The citizens of Spring Hill were always well taken care of by the royal family as that was the secret to a thriving kingdom. The shops were always stocked, the pockets of even the lowest class residents were still comfortably laid down with coins, and the bellies of even the livestock were always full. For years, this pleasant pattern continued and the kingdom of Spring Hill grew in size and in reputation.
The seasons here were distinct in their character. Spring brought the rain that grew the crops that fed the kingdom and stocked the traders' wagons. Summers had warm days and cool nights that provided comfort and activity for the residents. Fall brought the cool winds back through the valley. Winter, although lacking in its benefits, made up for it in beauty. The peak of the mountain in which the castle was built into, was tipped in white snows that sparkled in the sun. They had never been harsh but more so chilly and dark, absent of harsh winds and heavy snows.
This winter however, had started off stronger than usual. The temperatures were frigid and the winds howled throughout the day and night. Even still, the kingdom's people had spent the month of December preparing for the New Year Celebration that kicked off a good and prosperous year. It was never held in the town square like the Summer’s Eve Celebration due to weather, but instead inside the castle hosted by the royal family of Spring Hill.
The castle was bright with life as guests from other kingdoms and residents of Spring Hill poured in. Rainbows of colored banners waved in the air from the caravans that carried royal members and their parties from the other neighboring island kingdoms.
The steps leading up to the castle were carved into the mountain in a zigzag up a hundred feet to the front gate. The castle was always shining as its care was regular with many renovations to keep its appearance pristine. White limestone built up its core structure and carried over into its tall towers posted at its edges. At their peaks flew navy blue flags with large teal crests signaling the Spring family name. These flags had flown every day since they’d been raised on their poles.
By the time the guests had finished pouring into the castle, the winter sun had begun to set on the horizon, the torches and fires being the only source of light left in the castle. Charlie sat in the Main Hall at the Head Table with his head resting on the palm of his hand. These events always bored him as there was never anything exciting that happened. His parents, the King and Queen, spent the night associating with the kingdom's citizens as well as the Kings and Queens from the neighboring kingdoms as well. They prided themselves on their trade agreements with the others, creating mutually beneficial partnerships between all kingdoms.
His sister, Tori, sat to his left and his younger brother, Oliver, sat to his right. At the farther ends of the table sat a few other royal families and their bored sons and daughters as well.
“Don’t slouch on your arm,” Tori said to Charlie. “You know mum will scold you for not sitting properly at the Head Table.”
Charlie straightened his spine and raised his chin up so that his stature matched the status of his name. “These parties are always so dull. Like I know we’re celebrating the kingdom but isn’t this quite a waste?”
“Being friendly with the other kingdoms is the most important thing we can do. These relationships keep things in order.” She stopped then added. “Don’t be a knob.”
Charlie flashed a small smile knowing his sister was messing with him. “Shut up.”
They ended their conversation and turned their faces toward the crowd. Most people seemed to be sitting at the other long tables that spanned the length of the room. However, some gathered in the standing areas up front near the Head Table and chatted. Charlie scanned the crowd for familiar faces but didn’t find many. It seemed like every year there were more and more strangers in his home. She was right, he didn’t quite understand it yet but he supposed it at least made sense.
Charlie looked out into the crowd and spotted his parents. They were speaking to a woman who, next to her, stood a boy. The boy looked to be about Charlie’s age, maybe a year older. From a distance, he couldn’t see the color of his eyes but his hair stood out as the same color as a flame. Although upon second glance it looked lighter and less ginger. He couldn’t tell.
Charlie examined him curiously. Who was he and who was his mum? He’d never seen them before to his knowledge, yet they looked comfortable speaking to the King and Queen as if they were noble. The boy’s navy tunic was form fitting and it highlighted the muscled parts of his body that stood out. His clothes were nice but they were missing some of the finer details that Charlie recognized from his own clothes that were always brought to him.
Charlie continued to watch, possibly for too long because the boy turned to face him and they locked eyes. He felt the immediate urge to look away, but for some reason couldn’t break his mesmerizing gaze. The color of his eyes was vague from this distance but the boy exuded a look of comfort that was captivating. He smiled and ran a hand through his hair that flopped back down, right in the same place it had laid before. Charlie gave him a small smile back and kept a steady composure. There was something about him and he radiated compassion and loyalty. Charlie wanted to get up and go to him but he couldn’t bring his feet to move.
“Hi,” he heard from his right. Charlie’s concentration was broken by the boy that was sitting down next to him. He must’ve been staring for so long that he didn’t even realize Tori had gotten up.
Charlie recognized the boy right away. His name was Ben, the Prince of Hope Valley. He had seen him at many gatherings before but in the past year, they had become…close.
*A year ago*
Ben sat down at the table next to Charlie and looked directly into his eyes.
Charlie looked back, then looked away as he didn’t know what to say.
“Do you know me?” He asked.
Charlie looked him up and down quickly once again, even though he already knew. “Your name is Ben.” Charlie swallowed hard but hoped Ben didn’t notice. He in fact had noticed Ben more than once and even though he didn’t know him, he found him attractive and intimidating.
“It’s a bit boring here innit?” Ben asked. Charlie noticed the slang in his voice. He was always scolded for sounding improper and he was surprised Ben used it so freely.
“Yes, they’re quite…dull. We both know it’s mostly for the adults anyway. Most of us won’t be in power for years.”
“Yeah, some of us,” he replied. “Do you want to take a walk with me?”
Charlie looked at him and his heart beat faster. “Oh, er, yeah?” A walk could be nice.
Ben stood up from the table and motioned for Charlie to follow. He did so and they both slipped away down a nearby corridor that was much quieter.
Charlie walked with his back straight and his hands clasped just in case he ran into anyone proper. He didn’t want to appear slouched in front of any royal family for his mum's sake.
They walked in silence for a minute until there was almost no noise audible from the Great Hall anymore. Only the torches lightly hissing on the wall provided any noise and light for that matter.
“What are-” Charlie started before being cut off.
“So are the rumors true then?” Ben asked. “Are you really…gay?” He whispered the last part even though no one was around.
“Oh,” Charlie said, defeated. “And what of it?”
Ben stopped and turned towards Charlie. “Oh, no. Don’t be shy about it. I don’t mean to be rude. I just think it’s very brave that you can be so open about something like that.”
“Well, it wasn’t exactly my choice but I suppose it’s who I am. My family is supportive anyway so I guess I’m lucky. People are…accepting for the most part around here.”
The dim flames highlighted the boy’s faces with light. Ben took a step toward Charlie and a shadow crossed over his features. “Well, I still think it’s brave,” Ben said, reaching out and grabbing one of Charlie’s hands in his own.
Charlie froze, unsure of how to react. He didn’t want it to stop but he didn’t expect it to happen.
He held his breath as Ben leaned closer to him, lips approaching lips. Charlie closed his eyes as he felt Ben’s lips touch his. It was slow and it was tender, but it felt rushed. Ben pulled away quickly and looked into Charlie’s eyes.
“Was that alright?” Ben asked.
Charlie nodded. “Yeah it was…good.”
Ben grabbed Charlie’s arm and spun him back towards him. “Wait! Will you see me again?”
Charlie’s heart fluttered. Was he asking to go out? He was a Prince after all so it’s not like things couldn’t work.
“Yeah. I will,” he replied with a small smile.
“By the way, don’t tell anyone about this,” Ben said. “I don’t want people to talk.”
Charlie understood the struggle of figuring out one’s sexuality so he nodded in agreement.
*Present Day*
Charlie followed Ben. He followed him down the same hall that they had slipped away in just a year ago. Since that year had passed Ben had visited a good number of times. When he did, he visited Charlie and they would slip away and talk and kiss. It was never for a long time but Charlie appreciated any time he could get.
Ben led him to the light of a nearby torch so they could see each other in the light.
“I missed you,” Charlie said.
Ben didn’t respond. He only looked back and forth between Charlie’s eyes and his lips.
“I want to kiss you so bad right now,” Ben said instead.
Charlie smiled and looked back at Ben’s lips. Ben didn’t waste much time in closing the gap between them and pressing his lips against Charlie’s. They pulled apart and looked at each other.
Charlie had been wanting more for a year now and he was always left with a bittersweet feeling after they kissed. He understood Ben’s hesitance to mention their relationship to anyone but he couldn’t help but wish they could be more.
“Do you think?” Charlie asked. “You would like to come visit here more? Maybe it would be alright if you stayed for longer periods of time.”
“What?” He said, almost seeming offended. “Why would I do that?”
“It would give us more time to be together. You’re always here for such short spans of time.”
Ben was quiet for a few moments. He looked to be in thought. “I doubt I can. Why mess up a good thing? Are you not happy?”
“No, I am. Sorry. I know you’re busy.” He held his head low, slightly disappointed.
Just then, the silence in the corridor was filled with faint echoes of loud shouting and commotion.
“What is that?” Charlie asked. He started to make his way back to the Great Hall to see what was happening.
He didn’t pay attention to whether or not Ben was following him and instead kept on. There was still noise coming from the hall but it wasn’t the same joyous music and laughter that sounded before. The music had stopped and the voices were serious.
Charlie walked through the threshold and immediately into the chaos of the Great Hall where he was grabbed by one of his family guards. People were frantically running around throughout the space screaming in horror. He couldn’t quite catch what was going on but he knew it was serious if his guards had to intervene.
The guard pulled him to the side of the room where his mother, sister, and brother had already been corralled. They were surrounded by a group of security that circled them completely. Charlie still didn’t know what was happening but he couldn’t find the voice to ask. Instead he went with the flow and remained safe in the protection of the guard.
They moved through the Great Hall and as they passed, a gap in the circle broke and Charlie saw through to the High Table. In the center chair of the High Table, Charlie saw two guards lifting his father’s body up, revealing an arrow in his chest. Charlie’s heart sank and he felt the phantom slice of an arrow in his own chest. He finally understood the severity.
He felt cold suddenly. His body froze up and his legs felt numb like the blood had left them. He stumbled forward with the group and eventually his vision went fuzzy and then dark. The last thing he remembered was his name being shouted in the distance.
_____
The sun was shining brightly when he opened his eyes again. It poured in through the small window in the limestone to his right side. The chilly air bit at his cheeks until a shift brought warmth from the fire started in the fireplace. He wondered who started it since he had been without an attendant for a few months now.
He pulled the thick layers of fur atop his bed off his body and sat up. He rubbed the sleep away from his eyes and looked around. Something felt off, not physically but mentally. He gave it a few more seconds for his mind to catch up then all at once the flood of information that was sealed away came crashing through.
His mind flashed the scene of the previous night over and over again in his head and he had a question about each part of it. What happened? Who attacked the castle? The biggest question in his head plagued him. Was his father…dead?
He got up and went straight for some more clothes to cover up. He grabbed a yellow tunic, not bright yellow but more faded that contrasted with his dark hair, and changed into some casual brown pants. He grabbed the first pair of boots he found and proceeded to stumble across the room while he threw them on. Falling forward, he braced himself on the large wooden door that sealed the room. Pulling it towards himself, he swung his body through the threshold without even looking and smacked chest to chest with another person.
He recoiled a bit from the impact and apologized instinctually, especially when he realized he spilled food all over them. “I’m so sorry,” he said, frantically. “I-”
Charlie slowed down and focused his eyes. He found himself looking into the same eyes that he spotted across the room the previous night. They were brown, but not dark, instead light with hues of green and hazel.
There was food spilled on his shirt but he still smiled and gave the sense that everything was still going to be alright.
“Hi,” Charlie said, heart fluttering. He didn’t know whether to feel embarrassed or relieved that something worse didn’t happen.
“Hi,” the boy responded. He smiled with his mouth closed, and even though it wasn’t huge, there was a feeling behind it, a feeling of genuinity and warmth.
“I’m sorry for running into you. I was in a bit of a rush out,” Charlie said.
“Don’t be sorry, your Highness. I understand all things considered.” For the first time, the other boy's smile had faded and it was replaced with sorrow.
Charlie’s face followed suit. “So you know what happened then?”
“Well, no, not exactly. It might be better for you to go talk to your family. They’ll have more answers for you.”
“Thanks,” Charlie replied, moving past the boy in the space he created. He knew he had to get going but his curiosity won out before he left. “Who are you?”
The boy stood up straighter as if presenting himself to the Prince. “My name is Nicholas Nelson, Your Highness.”
“Nicholas. Sorry, again, and thanks.”
Charlie walked out of the room once again and down the stairs. There were two guards standing there that appeared to be on watch for his room. Charlie wondered how Nicholas had gotten through if he hadn’t had permission, unless he did. He had been so caught up in the boy's appearance and his good spirit that he hadn’t stopped to think for a second about why he was there.
He didn’t have to think about it now anyways. Instead he followed the guards and played the name over in his head while he walked.
Nicholas. Nick.