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“At least try and enjoy yourself,” Perry suggested lightly, placing a caring hand on Gus’ shoulder as he walked up the grand stairs to the main ballroom.
Gus hummed. “We’ll see,” he said. None of his friends were going to be at the ball, and performing the role of prince was an emotionally taxing one. At the very least, the clothes he got to wear were comfortable.
He broke away from Perry and dispersed into the crowds quickly. He just had to hope that he wouldn’t be approached by any young princesses looking for a suitor. That just wasn’t something he wanted to think about right now. He was still young and wanted to live out his time being curious instead of wondering if he was marketable enough to marry.
“Hey,” someone behind him said.
Gus felt his hands clench before he turned around.
The boy behind him was sharply dressed, but had a lazy and disheveled demeanor to him. “I think I’ve seen you around before.”
Gus blinked and gave him another look up and down. “Maybe,” he said. He could recall seeing someone that looked vaguely like him before.
“You’re Augustus, right?” he asked. “You have a pretty face.”
That soured Gus’ expression. “I’m just glad you said that about my face and not elsewhere,” he said.
“Right, right,” the other prince said, nodding and holding out a hand to him. “My name is Matt. From the House of Tholomule, or whatever.”
Gus looked down at the hand extended his way. He accepted it reluctantly and lurched forward as Matt pulled him in. He had to admire the confidence, at the very least. “I thought Prince Tholomule was older?” he asked, raising a playful eyebrow as Matt led him out onto the dance floor. He had never really paid much attention to the live music that was always playing at these events before, but it was a good tempo for a waltz.
“Oh, yeah,” Matt scoffed. “That’s my brother, Steve.”
Gus nodded as Matt continued to dance him across the floor. “I didn’t know there were two Tholomules,” he said.
Matt shrugged. “A lot of people don’t,” he said. “Whatever. I like being a second prince. Less pressure that way.”
Gus stared off for a moment and nearly tripped over his feet while he pondered that. Maybe being a second prince didn’t sound that bad. He’d always been the sole heir to his father’s throne. “I think that could be nice,” he said.
Matt smirked at Gus and guided him into a turn. “Yeah, you look pretty miserable at these things on your own,” he said. “I get it. Steve has more fun at these things than I do. It’s a game for our parents to play matchmaker.”
Gus let Matt hold him in the sweetheart hold tight. “Maybe yours,” he said. “Dad says I should focus on myself for now.”
“Maybe it’s different because Steve is still looking for someone,” Matt said. “Can I count on dancing with you again?”
“Certainly.”