Chapter Text
Tove was overwhelmed. With emotions, fears and most importantly the heavy weight of responsibility he was about to get himself into. He was aware since his eighteenth birthday, when his parents sent Finn after him, that his life wouldn't be easy.
He's always been a quite disturbed child. His host parents never understood why can't he just stay focused for more than fifteen minutes. He heard his host parents talking about how he had the attention spam of a 5 years old. He has been working pretty hard ever since to improve it but sometimes he just cannot help it. The auras, the colors, the emotions. It's just too much. That's when he started moving things around. That terrified his host parents. They had thought that the house was haunted by some ancient ghost seeking revenge on the living. They were odd people but their wealth was outstanding so the Kroner family didn't care about that.
When he arrived in Förening he felt something about this place. The people he met were naturally beautiful on the outside but on the inside... They were so different than anyone he has ever met. The colors and the thoughts were bright and loud, at first the emotion waves coming from his own parents knocked him out for hours. Before he could meet them properly he had to move the furnitures around in his room so he would be least sensitive. His parents, the real ones, seemed to love him which made him kind of happy. He never really had love in his life. Which he didn't mind until the point he started his new life and Finn taught him how to behave, what is the proper way to talk, eat, walk and dress. The tracker lectured Tove about his place in the Trylle society. How he's one of the most powerful Markis'. He showed him places he would have never visited without Finn. And he ever so slowly developed a crush on him. A tiny-little one and it did not worry him. Because his emotions were messed up and he couldn't straightened them out. Not without a week of house redecorating with his mind.
He was in a huge dilemma. He kind of knew he was attracted to boys but never really thought about it. He didn't think he could focus on solving his sexual orientation for more than 10 minutes without being affected by the surroundings and losing the tracks. That's why during a peaceful afternoon he decided on doing something about it so he called Finn. The black haired boy was free so they met. Tove asked a few questions from him about love and feelings and even though Finn was caught off guard by that sudden curiosity about feelings he gladly answered and then, like it was not a big deal. Tove said.
"I think I might be gay."
Ever since Finn and Tove were good friends. They were close, very close. But not in the way you'd think. It was the purest friendship and Tove was well-aware of that. Of course he was. He could see how Finn's aura was always that deep brown around him while he was with Tove. He had such a strange aura. Always so light brown. Like the sand on the beach. Calm, but so much hidden treasure under the forced peace. The younger boy has always wondered why did Finn kept so many secrets and pain inside him but he's never mentioned it.
And suddenly, out of nowhere , came a girl with this strong aura and moved to the palace. Tove was interested in her. She was different than anyone else he had met during his years in the capital. Powerful, full of passion and hidden wrath. The girl was amusing. Tove liked her instantly. Wendy's thoughts were loud and her aura was a mess with different colors spread out on it. She had much to learn and Tove was willing to help. Even if it was torture for him to stay in the palace for the study sessions. The Queen's thoughts kept distracting him from the tasks. The dark thoughts made him worried and lose control. The young man tried and tried teaching more and more to Wendy because he had to. He was afraid what might happen if the thoughts and little whispers were true and the Queen hadn't had much time left. They can't let the Trylle being led by an untrained leader.
Wendy learned, matured and made Tove proud. And that very day, he was going to marry her. That's why he was so afraid of everything and moved the whole room upside down. He knew there's gonna be a couple hundred people in the halls and he could have gone crazy just thinking about the crowded place with all those voices and colors. He was not afraid of marriage. He knew that it was necessary for the kingdom. He was willing to sacrifice his freedom. If he even had one before which Tove was not so sure about. Aurora, his mother, always seemed to control him. At least she thought she did but in reality Tove did what he wanted and made his mum believe he's just a doll to play with. But the game still made him busy 24/7 so he didn't have much time to enjoy the moments when he was free. Suddenly there was a knock on the door so he let the bed fall down from the air, making a loud cracking voice as it hit the wooden floor.
"I'm sorry to disturb your peace or whatever you call it" Tove turned around slowly because he thought he might have been hallucinating. It can't be Luke. As he faced the door his heart dropped. He hadn't seen his friend in a long time. They met a year ago in a smaller Trylle town. The blond boy was so flirty, handsome and rebellious that Tove couldn't help himself and fell for him. It was that typical summer love that you forgot right after it happened. Kissing, whispering, giggling and Tove throwing furniture out of the window because he became so frustrated that he just had to. He was mad, furious and nothing could have stopped him. Luke tried it and Tove basically threw him out of the room. If that's what love can do to him he'd rather die than risking his loved ones lifes. But Luke stayed and they were friends. There was no love anymore. Maybe there wasn't any on the first place. The blond had a boyfriend anyways. They were out and the Trylle basically outlawed them. Another reason why he can't just come out of the closet. He had a name and he wanted to help others. He may have been unfocused, disturbed or just strange but he tried to put everyone else before him. That's who he was under the calm appearance he made up for himself.
"Luke! I didn't know you were coming" said Tove with calm tone and walked to his friend and hugged him. His vibrating red aura seemed to be brighter than ever.
"Give yourself a break from this cold-hearted Trylle culture.I know it suits you but I like the smiley Tovey way better!" Luke pushed him playfully and Tove cracked a smile but couldn't stop worrying and thinking. The tall blond seemed to notice the worried expression so he hugged Tove again and when he let him go asked him with an amused expression.
"So what is that thing about you marrying a GIRL? We all know that you are not into girls. I can prove it, you sucked the life out of my neck a few summers back."Luke laughed and Tove was so embarrassed that he shut the door and pulled the other boy into the room. He was so childish back then. He just wanted to feel love of some kind and Luke seemed to be good for that task.
"You can't just say things like that. There are people out there who have to believe in me. They expect me to marry a princess and to produce a heir. I am a Markis and a soon-to-be prince" even if he was mad at Luke for being such a noisy boy he decided to stay calm and distance with his tone. Who knows what would happen if he decided to let his emotions take over his actions? Probably not fun stuff.
"Produce a heir! How romantic! What will you do when you can't produce your precious heir? You think you can force yourself to stick your dick into a girl? Because you are wrong about that. I tried and it didn't work. I know you have to do this but I am still against it. There is someone out there waiting for you. And that someone is more than lucky to have you. Just wait for it."
Luke's words moved something in him. Mostly sadness. Not that he's not used to it. He lived in sadness. Not because he wanted to but because his powers wouldn't let him have a good time. If he's having fun with someone he would eventually hear the darkest thoughts of that person. People tend to think about sad stuff more strongly and powerfully than happy things. That's why he didn't talk that much. He heard and see enough to entertain himself.
"Luke, that is not about me. It's about being a good Markis. I am going to marry Wendy because I have to. I love her, not the way you love your wife, but in a friendly way. I can not wait for someone who loves me unconditionally because my family wouldn't let me. So if you came to judge every step I make I suggest you to leave. If you want to support me as my friend, you can stay."
His cold voice freaked out Luke. He did not like that Tove. He changed so much. He behaved like a true titled Trylle.
"If that is what you want. I'll wait for you downstairs. I bet you'll do great!" he backed out of the room, leaving a emotionally tired Tove in the bedroom.
"Thank you..." Murmured Tove. Deep down he knew Luke was right but he had to do this.
***
"Are you nervous?" Markis Bain asked Tove while they stood in the room behind the ball room where the ceremony was held. There was only one little chandelier on the ceiling which gave a pale shining to the golden wall decorations. Tove looked at him and nodded not wanting to talk. He always felt strange around him. He was devilishly handsome and had those bright blue eyes which meant he had ancestors from the Skojare tribe. That's pretty amazing to be honest. That was a smaller tribe connected to water stuff. Tove only knew that one thing about them. He never really paid attention to other tribes while Finn tried to teach him. The other thing that was different about Bain is his aura. Usually auras are bright, light colors and change to dark shades when emotions were showing on them. But Bain's was deep blue like the ocean. Tove has never seen it in any other color. Not even a slightly hue change. Not that he met him so many times before except a few occasions.
"Girls like to freak out and babbling about their make-up or their dress. If you want to try it I'm here for you" the older man smiled and Tove suddenly wondered how old is he exactly.
"How old are you, Markis Bain? If you don't mind me asking." Tove tried to be polite with him. Hell, he tried to be respectful with every single person he met because if he wasn't he would just avoid them.
"I don't mind and call me Bain. Being a Markis does not define me. I'm close to my twenty-second birthday, Prince Tove" Bain answered with a smile and stepped closer to Tove. He frowned at the title.
"Tove. Leave the titles out of question."
"Well, you are going to marry the princess. No one can take your title away. Not without facing some consequences." The man said and Tove wondered why he felt so nervous around Bain. But he did not want to admit that so he just went along with the little chat.
"I'd rather not marry her but I don't have a choice. As my mum and the Queen said; there is no love in marriage."
"You're wrong" Bain laughed slightly. Tove looked him in the eye and silently admired the little wrinkles created by his small laugh. But who could blame him? Bain was hot and Tove was not blind but adoring another man on his wedding may not be appropriate. "Marriage is love. I've seen a lot of them and I can assure you; if you marry the right person it will all be about passion and love."
"Right. But... I don't love her" He whispered and looked up at the blue eyed man. Why did he tell him? Maybe the whole furniture moving failed to help and he's losing control again. He thought Bain wouldn't say anything but he surprisingly did.
"I know you have to marry her. But if you want someone who you can talk to... I'll be more than happy to distract you" He offered and there was a strange feeling coming from Bain that Tove couldn't figure out. He couldn't hear his thoughts; his powers were faded and Bain probably hadn't had loud thoughts.
"I'll keep it in mind." Tove felt himself close to Bain. Not in an inappropriate way. They were way much professional for that. He felt like Bain tried to say something with his words. Not that he didn't just say those words but meant something totally different but Tove didn't allow himself to think about that. He needed his full concentration on the wedding ceremony. Bain and him stared at each other for a few minutes then the older boy turned to the old oak table and picked up his book for the ceremony.
"It's time, Tove" He shoot the young one an encouraging smile and led him out of the room. They walked to the front where the two will tie the knot. People noticed their presence and started going quiet. Tove hated how he still could hear the thoughts of these trolls. Silently but it was still there. The whole room was filled with colors for his eyes. He could sense how people went silent but they can't put their thoughts on silent.
"Hey Tove" Bain whispered and Tove tried to focus on him. "I just wanted to wish you luck. Weddings must be terrible for you."
Tove smiled and brushed his hand through his hair, making sure it looked decent. He could hear his mum screaming in her mind Stop touching your hair, Tove! so he did. Sometimes he wished he inherited his mother's healing powers.
Before he could answer Bain, the door opened and a little girl rushed down the aisle throwing flower petals everywhere. Wendy looked amazing but it was no big news. Most of the trolls were good looking. They are the children of mother nature after all. When she reached Tove they murmured a silent hey to each other.
But as Tove watched Wendy walking down the aisle, he missed how Markis Bain tried to hide his staring at Tove with pretending to read the lines he already knew by heart.