An AU fic, set in the Enchanted Forest. Don't want to give too much away. But just know this was a Parent Trap inspired story.
Chapter 1 - Roland
"Young master, please finish your breakfast."
Roland was tired. Day after day it was always the same. People telling him out to act, how to sit, and now, even how to eat. All he wanted was to have a normal life, like a normal seven year old boy. He just wanted to play with his friends, that is, if he had any. But all his hopes and wishes didn't matter, not when your mother is a Queen.
Ever since he could remember, he was always being watched, whether it was a servant in the castle, a tutor, or one of the knights his mother assigned to him that day. He couldn't really blame her though, she was a Queen. His mama explained to him that she had a duty to her people, which why she was busy all that time. Roland never really understood but has come to terms that his mama loves him but was always too busy to tuck him in or read him stories at night.
On very rare occasions, him and his mother would take a horse out and they would ride together outside the castle walls. Those moment were always the best because Roland had his mama all to himself. It's not that Roland didn't want to share his mama with people, he just wanted to spend time with her. He noticed that she was always so carefree and smiled more when they would leave the castle. Not as the Queen but just as his mama.
But unfortunately for Roland, today wasn't one of those days. Today was a typical 'I'll-be-gone-for-a-few-hours-so-be-a-good-boy-and-stay-in-castle' day. He was all too familiar with that speech, meaning his mama would be gone and he would again be left all alone. Again.
"No, I don't want anymore!" Roland told one of the servants as a shoved the plate away from him. He was usually always polite and always doing what he was told but today he just about had it. "I'm going to my room." And with that he walked out of the dining hall and into his room.
Roland sighed as he sat in his bed, he knew it was wrong of him to yell, but he was fed up. More than anything, he just missed his mama. She was gone more often and he hasn't really had much time to spend with her. But he knew was his mama would've wanted him to do, so he got up, went to dining hall and apologized to the servant he yelled at earlier.
"I'm sorry Mary." He looked up at her with his big brown eyes and pouted slightly, showing off his dimples. He knew that usually did the trick, when he mama was upset with him for something it always worked on her.
"It's okay, young master, you need not to apologize for anything." Mary smiled and that seemed to satisfy Roland but he still couldn't help but feel bad.
Paul, one of the knights on duty to watch him, saw this and thought that Roland could use a bit of cheering up. As Roland was making his way back up to his room, Paul stopped him. "Your highness, how would you like it if we played in the courtyard for a while?" Roland's eyes lit up when he heard this and smiled, he always knew Paul was his favorite knight.
Paul and Roland were currently outside the courtyard, near his mama's favorite apple tree. He looked out towards the ledge, the land stretched out as far as he can see. "Where did my mama go?" Roland asked Paul with a hint of sadness, the better question asked would be 'why does mama always leave?' Paul knows all about Roland's loneliness and always tries his best to reassure him that he isn't alone. "You know she loves you very much, Young master."
"I know..." Roland sighed stepping a little closer to the ledge, not wanting Paul to see the tears threatening to leave his eyes, "but why does she always have to go?"
Paul felt sorry for the boy, no one should feel that way. So instead of answering, he proposes another idea. "Hey, what do you say you pick out some apples from the Queen's tree, and maybe when she gets back, you can ask her if she wants to feed the horses with you." That seemed to brighten Roland's mood almost immediately.
The little boy turned around and started jumping up and down the benches that surrounded the tree, trying to pick out the best apples. "I want that one!" Roland said, while motioning to Paul to pick him up so he could reach. Paul had to laugh, Never doubt the mood swings of a seven year old.
