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The Prince and the Pauper

~Chapter One~

Free pt. 1

The sun rose. The sound of feet running left and right could be heard from anywhere in the castle. In one room, however, there was only one set of feet running around.

He paced the floor with his schedule book in hand. He paced faster as he went down the list and gazing at his clock at the same time. He obviously wasn't happy and neither was the person he was talking to. "Oh! We're late, late, late!" he must have repeated that a million times. The Prince rolled his eyes and kept his face frozen as if he was paying attention. "We have 20, maximum 22 minutes, for your royal fitting. And then it's move, move, move to your speech at the historical society! After that we have to rush, and I mean rush, to the horticultural society for tea. Ugh... Then there's your math lessons, your geography lessons, your science lessons..." he went on and on but the Prince at this time distanced himself more than ever.

He thought about how he had no choice but to marry… he thought about his urge to get away was being pulled through his fingers with every day SHE comes closer. At this point in time he stepped off his stool, where maids were fitting his suit, and he walked toward the window with a plain look on his face.

"All my life I've always wanted to have one day just for me nothing to do and for once nowhere I need to be; with no lessons, lords, or lunches or to-do list in the way no one to say when to eat or read or leave or stay… that would be the best day." His ice blue eyes looked around, the maids were done with his suit were now leaving. A few others came in and started to remove his clothes. They surrounded him and slowly took off his shoes and pants and shirt and vest. After they were gone a few other maids came and started to dress him.

The Prince was used to this but he hated the fact that women had to do it. He was just lucky that they didn't have cameras because he knew that girls outside the castle would love to see him and his junk but cameras were not allowed… due to some things changed in the law book.

Once the maids were gone the Prince ran his fingers through his long silver hair. Sighing, he thought, 'What would it like to be free? Free to try crazy things… free to fly… free… to marry whom I choose…' at those words his eyes landed on his teacher. Her blonde hair was one of no other. Her strong blue eyes were always observant and she was beautiful.

She was taking notes from the "Schedule-man" as the Prince called him. She was somewhat in charge of the Prince, she was always at his side to give him the information he needed about anything. The Prince swallowed as he felt his heart race. Everything about her was a danger to him, he wanted nothing more than to touch her and kiss her. But that would be against the law for him to do that… not just because she's not royal but because she's a servant she was off limits.

Sighing, the Prince pulled his eyes away, she was too beautiful. And he wasn't free…

At this moment the Prince felt a hand touch his shoulder. "Son, I know how you feel about this."

He gazed up at his mother, her ice blue eyes spoke the words of concern, "I know mom… its my duty…"

She smiled at her son, "Riku, I know you too well, duty or not you won't be happy unless you get what you want… and I wish I could give it to you."

Prince Riku looked at her, she had a smile, although it was sad, it was obvious that she still cared. "You could…"

"And that is?" her face lit up a little, she gazed into his eyes and waited.

"I want…" he froze, he figured that it wouldn't be a good idea…. How could it? "I want you to be sure… I want you to be happy…" he lied.

She smiled, "Well, my Riku, my happiness will come from you being happy."

He smiled, his fake smile, and kissed her forehead. She smiled along with him, and accepted his kiss. When she lifted her head she heard the door open. She saw at the corner of her eye a few servant boys carrying wrapped boxes.

"Ma'am, there are more presents here," one said.

The Queen faced one of the boys and examined the boxes, "Oh look, it's another engagement gift, Riku," she said.

Prince Riku walked over to the presents, 'You would think that I'm so lucky, that I have so many things. But I now I realize that everything has strings.' Prince Riku looked at the many presents and felt the muscles around his heart tighten. The tears started to move toward his eyes, "I don't think I'll ever be free…" holding in his tears he walked out to his balcony. When he reached the end of the walk way of the balcony he rested his hands on his parapet of ivy stone. As he stood there he closed his eyes, "I close my eyes and I feel myself fly a thousand miles away," opening his eyes he continued, "I could take flight but would it right that my conscious tells me stay?"

Prince Riku gazed down at the city below and stood there with empty thoughts. He had never been outside the gates of the castle before, as a kid, anyway. And he wished he had. But he couldn't now… not now with the marriage so close.

Prince Riku looked over his shoulder and gazed at the people inside, still delivering boxes, still dusting off his pure white suit for the wedding, and some standing still waiting for the Prince to make any orders.

He looked to the city below once more and chuckles to himself, "I'll remain, forever, royal. Duty means doing the things my heart may well regret. I'll never stop believing, there's more to living than gloves, gowns, threads and seams, and… and in my heart, I'll always be free," he said. He then accepted his fate and swallowed his pride.

The Prince then jumped, a butterfly handed on his hand. A blue one, with black edged wings, it stood in front of him then flapped its wings and flew away.

"Hey," a voice called to him.

Prince Riku turned to face the voice to find his love there, "Oh, Namine…"

"Nice morning isn't it?" she rested her elbows on the parapet.

"Yes," Prince Riku answered, "It is nice… Namine listen… I… I want to tell you something… before…"

"What? What's wrong?" she stood up and squared up to him. She held her hands behind her and she waited patiently.

Prince Riku looked into her eyes, and he paused, "Namine, look, we've known each other for our whole lives and… I've come to see you as my best friend and… I want you to know that I…"

As he chocked his mother came out to the balcony, "Namine, dear, I need you for a moment," she waved for Namine.

Namine looked at Prince Riku, "Sorry, I must go, we'll talk later ok?"

Prince Riku snapped his head away, "Yeah, we'll talk later," she smiled and walked away to meet with the Queen.

Prince Riku sighed, "I'll always be free….. but my feelings will never stop caring for you… Namine."