Chapter 2

May 24th, 1837

The sun shined through the balcony window right in Dean's line of vision. He slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry and he could only see a blob of white sitting on the side of his bed near him. Once his vision cleared, he could see that Castiel was watching him sleep. "Castiel!" he exclaimed sitting up. "Do you always do that?"

"It's my duty to watch over you, Dean," replied Castiel casually. Dean pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Before he could let out the first yawn, his servants were running around like chickens trying to get him ready.

Dean was already dressed and had his hair was combed by the time he began to wonder why no one was paying attention to Castiel. He assumed his servants would at least have a few questioning looks. A servant wheeled in his breakfast. Dean nodded his head as his thanks. "Castiel, do you want anything?"

"I don't eat, Dean," said Castiel. Dean nearly choked every time Castiel spoke with his deep, monotone voice. He rolled his shoulders back in an attempt to shake it off. What the hell is wrong with me?

Dean looked at Castiel in shock once everything processed in his brain. "You don't eat? Ever?" Castiel shook his head barely enough to be visible.

"Are you alright, your highness?" asked a servant. Dean turned to face the servant. It suddenly dawned upon him; Castiel was his guardian angel. Maybe no one else could see him. That would explain why everyone was acting like Castiel wasn't there.

"I'm fine. Ignore that," said Dean. The servant bowed to Dean and left the room.

Dean quietly ate his breakfast leaning against the stone railing on his balcony. Castiel stood beside him and watched him. Dean felt a struggle with each swallow having those blue irises watching his every move. He tried to keep his attention on the garden, which was being prepared for the coronation. Servants left and right were setting up an area for people to sit by carefully placing mahogany seats, and preparing the area for Dean to stand while the ceremony is carried out. Rare flowers had been flown out to be planted just for the event. Dean personally didn't understand the need for fancy flowers, but he wasn't in the mood to argue his father over such a small detail. He really didn't care about the flowers or the type of wood of the seats. In a matter of hours, he would be king.

Dean finished eating breakfast and turned to his left without looking. He smacked his nose against Castiel's nose. Dean darted backwards. "Castiel, personal space!" he exclaimed.

Castiel bowed to Dean. "My apologies." Dean huffed. It was hard to stay angry when Castiel did things like that. Dean walked back into his room and sat down on his bed. He closed his eyes and ran all the rehearsals through his mind. Stand, smile, greet, dance, choose. Stand, smile, greet, dance, choose. Dean rested his hands on his knees. His hands slowly balled into fists until his knuckles began to turn white. Stand, smile, greet, dance, choose. Stand, smile, greet, dance choose.

"Which part is frightening you?" asked Castiel breaking Dean's train of thought. Dean's head shot up and his hands relaxed.

"What?" he asked. Castiel sat down next to Dean and angled himself to face Dean directly.

"You were running a list through your mind. Stand, smile, greet, dance, choose. Which part of your list of tasks is frightening you?" Castiel was only looking at Dean waiting for a response, but Dean felt like Castiel was staring into his soul.

"It's the…" Dean didn't know why he was about to open up to Castiel, but then he remembered Castiel could read his thoughts. He had been watching him his whole life. Dean sighed realizing he needed to get used to being aware of being watched. "Choose." Castiel tilted his head slightly. He remained silent, encouraging Dean to explain. "My mother died when I was a baby. Whenever my father talks about her, he shows how empty he is inside. I don't want to fall in love and have it taken away from me. I don't want to be a shell like my father."

Castiel gingerly placed his hand on Dean's knee. Dean looked at him with a shaken expression before relaxing to his touch. He also needed to get used to the fact his guardian was touchy, and not in the usual way. "Dean," said Castiel. "Everything will be alright. You will find a beautiful woman to marry, and you will start a family of your own when you're ready. You will not become like your father." Dean's expression softened. He was beginning to understand why the royal family had guardian angels. He found comfort in Castiel's blue orbs that saw into his mind, heart, and soul. Castiel softly smiled. He reached up and used his free hand to gently stroke back a lock of Dean's hair. "You do not have to be afraid." Dean closed his eyes and relaxed to the angel's gentle touch.

"Your highness," said one of Dean's servants. Dean quickly withdrew from Castiel and looked up at the servant. "Your uncle requests your presence in the library." The servant walked away after completing his task.

Dean stood up and began to make his way to the library. Castiel followed quietly behind him. Dean wondered why his uncle would request to see him. He had never showed any interest before. Aaron never visited, and never even sent a letter. He was the only family member that completely ignored the rest of the family. He didn't even show up to reunions.

Dean walked into the library and spotted his uncle sitting at his father's desk reading a book. He didn't know how to feel about that. "Aaron."

Aaron looked up from his book. "Dean. I'm glad you came. Say, have you read The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club?"

"I'm not a big reader. Why did you request my company?" asked Dean approaching his uncle slowly. Aaron smiled at Dean.

"Dean, I didn't ignore the family. I was busy," said Aaron putting the book back on the shelf. "I just wanted to talk with you. How are you? You should be beaming! You become king in a few short hours."

Dean stood his ground not feeling comfortable around his uncle. He couldn't figure out why. He had no reason to fear Aaron, but something didn't feel right. Castiel took a step forward and stood right beside Dean. Dean's shoulders relaxed from the angel's close proximity. "The coronation is in a few short hours, yes. I know being king will be a very big responsibility. I will carry the fate of the kingdom on my shoulders. I'm sure I'll be 'beaming' one the crown is on my head and it's all over."

Aaron's smile turned crooked. "I'm sure you will. Do me a favor and hold this please," Aaron placed a book in Dean's hand. Dean let out a cry of pain and dropped the book on the floor causing the pages to collide with the floor. The palm of his hand burned and blood dripped from all five finger tips. "Dean!" Aaron quickly wrapped a cloth around Dean's hand. "What in the world happened?"

"I don't know!" exclaimed Dean. His hand twitched in pain. Castiel gently took Dean's shoulders in his hands and turned him. He placed two fingers to the top of Dean's head. The moment he pulled away Dean's hand was completely healed. Dean looked at the palm of his hand in shock.

Aaron took Dean's hand and examined it. "Your angel is watching you." Dean looked at his uncle with wide eyes. "Yes, I know about the angels. I can't see him because he doesn't want me to, but I know he's by your side. I'm glad he could heal you." Aaron took the cloth from Dean. "Why don't you go rest up? I think we've had plenty of time to bond." Dean looked at Aaron suspiciously and left the library with Castiel.

Aaron stood over the desk in the library. He had locked the doors, and shut the curtains. He stood in front of a bowl that was filled with various strange things, bones, powder, and teeth. Holding the cloth that was still stained with blood, he began to mumble; his voice rose and fell throughout the chant. After the chant was complete, he dropped the cloth into the bowl. The cloth burst into flames and burned until just Dean's blood was settled at the bottom of the bowl. Aaron picked up the bowl and smiled, "It all ends tonight."

Music filled the air as the orchestra began to play. Dean walked down the marble path in the garden carrying his father's scepter. Everyone that was attending to ceremony watched Dean carefully. Dean stopped in front of the angel statue. He stood in place and listened as the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke.

"I present to you, King Dean Windsor," the Archbishop slowly placed the golden crown on Dean's head. The crowd erupted into applause once the crown was in its proper place.

Dean smiled and gave his thanks to everyone that attended the ceremony and invited them to the castle's ballroom.

The ballroom was lively with people dancing, and laughing. A traditional waltz was being performed in the center of the room. Around the sides of the room, people stood and exchanged small talk while enjoying the refreshments. A beautiful crystal chandelier hung above the center, illuminating the room perfectly.

Dean greeted everyone that approached him with a gracious smile. He took turns dancing with each princess that introduced themselves. He was dancing with a beautiful brunette named Lisa. She fit up against his body perfectly. Her hair flowed like ocean waves, and her smile was unlike any other princess'. Dean couldn't help but to smile as he guided her. Castiel was standing up against a wall watching Dean. He couldn't be seen by anyone, and Dean was completely lost to the world. He was a fly on the wall.

"You're beautiful," said Dean gently squeezing Lisa's waist. Lisa leaned her head on his chest and smiled. She sighed.

"You're wonderful, Dean. Any princess would be lucky to marry you," said Lisa in a smooth, silky voice. Dean smiled and gently lifted Lisa's chin. He leaned down and gingerly brushed his lips against hers. Castiel smiled watching Dean.

Later in the evening everyone was sitting at tables for a proper meal. Dean lightly tapped his spoon to his glass to gain everyone's attention. Once silence fell over the room Dean stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement." He smiled. "I have chosen my wife," he reached down for Lisa to take his hand. Lisa smiled with tears in her eyes and stood by Dean's side. "Princess Lisa and I are to be wedded." The room became filled with applause.

Aaron stood up and tapped his glass to turn everyone's attention to him. "I just have a few words on my nephew's behalf. He is a wonderful young man and has chosen a wonderful young woman. Today is his first day as king," Dean smiled at his uncle, "and his last." Dean's smile faded and his eyes became filled with panic. A scream rang in his ear and he turned to see Lisa stabbed through her stomach with a sword by a royal guard. Dean turned to the guard horrified. The room was filled with screams and people running in every direction.

The guard raised his sword, but was unable to bring it down to murder Dean. Castiel brought the palm of his hand to the guard's face, which soon caused an illumination from his ears, nose, mouth, and eyes. Castiel watched as the guard dropped to the ground dead.

"I should have warned that idiot about you," said Aaron. Castiel began to walk over to Aaron. "So this is your angel, Dean. Yes, I can see him. The angels make themselves known when they protect their humans."

"Aaron enough of this!" yelled John storming into the room with three guards following behind. "You will back down now or I will have you executed right here and now!"

Aaron sighed, "Oh, John. You're hilarious. Where's that angel of yours?" Suddenly, a tall dark skinned man appeared by John. "Raphael, I've heard so much about you." Aaron turned to Dean and his angel. "And Castiel, oh no there are two angels protecting you. Whatever shall I do?" Aaron picked up the bowl with Dean's blood and poured it over a particular spot on the floor. The floor began to glow and the two angels fell to their knees.

"Castiel!" exclaimed Dean getting on his knees to meet the angel's height.

"Raphael!" John began to panic just as much as Dean.

"What did you do to them?!" asked Dean glaring dangerously at his uncle. Aaron laughed and tossed the bowl aside.

"You may not know, but angels aren't very useful when they're human. This spell only lasts a month, but that's more than enough time." Aaron snapped his fingers and a guard drove a sword through John's body.

Dean felt as if time was slowing down around him. Pandemonium scattered across the room. He watched his father fall to the floor. Blood stained the sword and began to pool around John's body. Dean watched his father's mouth move to say his last words, but he couldn't hear them. He scrambled to his feet and began to run at Aaron, but was stopped by Castiel. He stared at his angel in terror and turned to look at his father only to see that John's head lay limp with the rest of his body. Dean cried out for his father as tears began to gather in his eyes. Castiel kept his grasp on Dean's arm as John's last words echoed in his mind. Save my son! Castiel used the last bit of the angel abilities he had, and flew Dean and himself far away from the kingdom. He gripped Dean close to him knowing he was all that was left.