I now present to you, chapter 2! Special thanks to OkamiDemo for reviewing! I'm planning to update weekly, but I decided you guys deserved another chapter a little early, just 'cause you bothered to read this. Anyway, enjoy!
It had been 4 years now. 4 years since he had heard that darling voice or seen those ocean-blue eyes. One and a half years since Francis had started pestering him to marry him. Arthur had been refusing for too long. He was only hurting his aunt and uncle now, and he couldn't turn down a marriage proposal from the crown prince of Florin anymore. Why wouldn't Arthur say yes? His teenage infatuation had been missing for 4 years now, and him marrying into royalty would do wonders for his uncle's farm. "Fine." He had marched up through the castle (he was let in without question these days) and knocked not-so-politely on the Crown Prince's chamber door. It opened, and Francis leaned up against the doorframe invitingly. "Fine." His face showed one of surprise. "What?" Arthur huffed and repeated himself. "Fine. I'll marry you." The frog- ahem, prince's face immediately lit up. "Really? Oh my sweet, darling Arthur, you just made me the happiest man in Florin!" He smothered the other in a hug, and aforementioned other leaned away. Arthur made a face. "This is only because I'm becoming a burden to my aunt and uncle, and you're the only one who can seem to stand me. I don't love you, and I never will." The frog smirked and pulled him in closer, whispering low in his ear. "Oh, don't you worry, Sweetheart. You'll learn to love me." He pulled back and smiled once again. "After all, you have a whole lifetime to do so!"
After that er, exciting event, Arthur found himself riding his horse in the wood. He knew didn't love Francis. There was no way he'd be able to love someone like that frog. So why did he agree to marry him? Had he lost faith that Alfred would come back? Yes, he had. He'd lost all hope after that third year. So now he was marrying Francis, that irritating git, in hope that he could fill that gap Arthur's farm boy left those long years ago. The Frog honestly wasn't that bad. They got along, as long as Francis wasn't being too touchy and flirty and Arthur received enough sleep the night before. He didn't love him, but that didn't mean they couldn't form a friendship. "Excuse me, sir!" Arthur blinked a few times as he was pulled out of his thoughts. He looked down to the source of the voice. There were three men before him. Foreigners, he guessed. The first one, the one who spoke, was dark-skinned and haired, with a white mask covering his eyes. The next had the same general features, although he was leaner than the first. The last of the small group was also the most unusual. He was tall with a large frame, and had blond hair and a baby face. It was definitely an odd combination, and the light pink scarf didn't help. The newly-engaged offered a polite smile. "Can I help you?" The masked man smiled back at him, although there was something off about it. "Kind sir, we are weary circus travelers trying to find the way to our next performance." He dug in his pack for a moment and pulled out a map, carefully unfurling it. "Perhaps you could help us find it?" Arthur nodded. "Of course. Do you know what town it is in?" He asked, jumping down from his horse. He took a few steps towards the group, reaching out to better see the map. Next thing he knew, Arthur was being roughly pulled forward, one hand covering his mouth, the other his nose. He panicked and struggled for a few seconds, but his world soon faded to black.
And there you go! Once again, if you have any questions, reviews, requests, etc, feel free to let me know! Also, I hate to make France the antagonist, since he's one of my precious babies, but I immediately knew he'd be Prince Humperdink when I started this. Until next time!
- Cass