Dean felt too bummed to sleep that night once the feast had ended. Castiel had left after he finished his small portion of a meal and disappeared to God knows where. He left with a glance at Dean, who had been trying unsuccessfully to avoid his gaze the entire time. Dean followed his father to his room and said his goodnight, and entered his own room.

He was lying on his back on the bed, arms crossed behind his head, staring out the open window. It was still too early for Dean to even attempt to sleep, and his mind continued to race with thoughts of the Prince. Castiel.

"Arggg!" Dean covered his face with his hands and sighed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and grabbed his sword and a coat, stuffing his feet in his boots and running his fingers through his hair.

He opened his door and peaked out; there were no guards in sight, not that they would've stopped him anyway. He softly stepped past his father's bedroom, and walked down the stairs. He found his way to the entrance of the castle and opened the large doors. They were quite louder than he anticipated, but he quickly shut them behind him. A few of the guards standing on either side of the door completely ignored him as he walked past with a charming smile.

"Hey, how ya doin?" They remained perfectly still and he shrugged and continued on.

The kingdom inside of the castle walls wasn't very large; most of its previous residents slaughtered when Azazel had come to power. However, he did make notice of a pub not too far off. He quickly passed the homes that stood between himself and a pint.

When he opened the door to the pub, he was greeted by the sound of loud music from a small group of people in the corner. He smiled as he saw most of the residents of Angel Wood laughing and drinking and cheering for the band. He slipped his way inside to the bar.

The bar keep looked him over and at once knew he wasn't from around here.

"Don't recognize ya. You a soldier, boy?"

"Uh, yeah, that's me. Just a soldier. Anyway I could get some beer?"

"S'long as you got coin, you can have whatever you like." The bartended grunted and went to get another cup for Dean.

Dean turned in his seat to look around and enjoy the warmth of the room. It felt much more like home to him. He loved times like this; where he could pretend to just be another average Joe, not have the weight and responsibilities of being a prince on his shoulders. He wanted to work hard during the day and relax at night with some friends. Unfortunately, here, he didn't have any.

Maybe he could make some?

His answer came a moment later when a woman pressed her weight onto his back.

"Hello, handsome," she whispered into his ear. He turned around with a grin.

"Hello, back, sweetie." The woman bit her lip and smiled.

"Never seen you around here. And I know I would remember a face like that, sugar." She moved into the empty seat next to him. She looked at him up and down. "And a body too." She winked suggestively. Dean smiled.

"I know you would. And no, I'm not from here. Names Dean." He held out his hand to her.

"Dean, huh? My names Ruby." She handed her hand over and he placed a kiss on them. She swirled her blonde hair around her fingers and smiled playfully. The bartender brought Dean his drink and he drank it as Ruby continued to flirt her way into his pants. And for a short while, Dean was able to put all thoughts of Castiel on the back on his mind.

Until he looked into her eyes and saw they were a much duller color than Castiels bright blue eyes, and her hair was much to long for her. He shook his head and tried to put those thoughts away again. He found himself enjoying her company for the most part and began wondering if he brought enough to pay her for her services for the night. He noticed her watching the pouch partially filled with gold coins and as he was about to proposition her for a night of pleasure, he saw a familiar face in the corner of the bar by the band. He lifted his head up and squinted, trying to get a better look.

He saw the figure with the dark hair turned to the side, whispering to one of the band members and they both threw their heads back, laughing. Dean watched as Castiel smiled at the man with the guitar in his lap as he cleared his throat and began to play again. Castiels head turned and he lifted up his cup to take another drink, when his eyes met Deans. They stared at each other, and Castiels head bowed slightly. Dean swallowed. He didn't expect to see the prince here.

"Dean? Did you hear what I said?" Ruby shifted in her seat, leaning in closer to him. He nodded without looking at her. "Well, do you want to go find a quiet place to be alone?"

"Um…" he scratch the back of his head with his hand. "I, uh, need to go talk to someone real quick…hold on a second."

He stood from his chair and walked across the room, dodging those that were already drunk. Castiel watched him from the corner of his eye and Ruby huffed and sat with her hand under her chin.

Dean knew this might be the only time he would get to speak to the prince. He wasn't sure why he wanted to speak to him so much, nor what he was going to say. This felt like such a bad idea, but it was one moment he couldn't pass up.

He stood before the beautiful prince and bowed slightly.

"Castiel." He whispered. Castiel looked up at him from his seat.

"Dean." He said, in a much deeper voice than Dean had expected. The sound sent chills down his spine.

"I, uh, happened to notice you over here. Just wanted to formally meet you."

"Yes…it's always great to meet with friends of my…king. I wasn't expected to see anyone from the castle here." He said, looking away.

"Believe me, it's definitely not like that. I only came along because of my father. To the treaty signing, I mean. I'm here at the pub for a drink."

Castiel looked back at him wearingly. "You know any deals Azazel makes will only benefit him, correct?"

Dean nodded. "I trust in my father to do his best to protect our kingdom. I don't like it though."

Castiel pondered this for a moment before nodding. "I suppose there's not much choice in the matter then." He looked down at the table once more. Dean tilted his head to side.

"Do you mind if I sit?" Castiel gave a slight nod and Dean sat directly across from him at the small table. He could see the man with the guitar eying him carefully as he played.

"Castiel…why are you here and not back with your fiancé?" Dean asked, trying not hide the disgust in his voice. He could see Castiel close his eyes.

"Why…why would I choose to be there with him?" He asked, so quietly Dean almost didn't hear him. "I despise him and everything he is."

"Then why are you marrying him?" Castiel looked up, almost angrily.

"You act like I have a choice in the matter. My family is all gone. It's just me now, and I have to continue to protect my people. At least with me at the throne, I can try."

Dean's face dropped. "You mean, your father was king before Azazel took over?"

Castiel nodded. "Yes…I…I'm doing what I can…"

Dean felt his heart breaking in two. He could almost feel the purity radiating off of Castiel. If what Castiel is saying is true, then it was his father who stood before Azazel and fought bravely to the death on the throne. Dean sighed.

"I understand your motives, I just…I don't know if I would ever be brave enough to do that…I mean…I don't know." He dropped his head to the floor. Castiel looked over at him.

"I think you would." Castiel whispered.

"What makes you say that?"

Castiel shrugged. "Just…a thought I had. It doesn't matter."

Dean raised a questioning eyebrow. "You don't even know me."

"And yet, here you are, talking away like we're friends. Did you come over here just to question my motives?"

"I was just…never mind." Dean turned quickly and walked back to the bar. Ruby gave him a false smile when she saw him.

"Took you long enough." She said. Dean looked her up and down before shaking his head. "Not tonight, sorry." He dropped some coins in front of the bar keep who raised his hand in thanks, and Dean walked out the door.

The night had a bit of a chill in the air and he tugged his coat a little tighter.

He knew it was stupid to talk to Castiel. He knew he should've just let things be. If Castiel wanted to sacrifice himself for his people, then that's his problem. It's not like he doesn't understand doing right by the throne. He knew what sacrifice was. After all, one day he'd be the one giving orders, and hiding behind castle walls while men fight for him and his kingdom. He didn't want to do it; he wanted to see the battlefields, to charge thru the mud and fight to the end alongside his soldiers. He wanted to have a life, not just live. But his father made sure he was ready to be King. And he really, really didn't want that.

Maybe it's not the same. Perhaps Dean was definitely getting a better deal than Castiel was. What did he know about this kingdom, about what goes on behind those castle walls when the King gave his orders. Who knows what kind of torture the citizens go thru?

Dean was so lost in his thoughts he didn't pay attention to the footsteps behind him, and was only aware of the person when a hand grasped his shoulder. He instinctively grabbed his sword and unsheathed it, placing it at the stranger's neck.

"Dean…" Castiel said, not flinching a muscle when the blade pressed against his throat. Dean quickly brought his sword down and muttered a quick apology.

"It's quite alright. I just…wanted to catch up to you. I wanted to apologize for my behavior. Today's been a bit stressful." He looked into Deans eyes and Dean gave a small smile.

"Ok…I understand. It's cool." He slid the sword back into its sheath and turned to continue walking. He could hear Castiel following.

"That's it? I'm forgiven?"

"Of course. I had no right to upset you. I know you probably go thru a hell of a lot on a daily basis with that guy sitting on the throne." Castiel chewed on his bottom lip as he followed behind him.

"It doesn't matter."

"But it does, Cas? Can't you see? You're basically calling forfeit to a life. You know you won't last long here, just like the stories say about his last marriage."

Castiel blanched a bit but composed himself. "Yes, I'm aware of the tales of his past. You have a brother don't you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Wouldn't you do anything to protect him?"

"Well, yeah of course, but Cas, these people aren't your family. I mean, yeah I get it, they're part of your kingdom, but they're not blood. It's not worth killing yourself for."

"I…I'm not doing this just for the town, Dean." He whispered, looking up to the sky. "I'm doing this for my sister."

"I thought you said your family was all gone?"

Cas nodded. "It was just she and I. We were both captured when Azazel took the kingdom by surprise that night. We were thrown in a dungeon. She was just barely ten, Dean. Azazel said that if I didn't accept his proposal he could kill her and then me. I bargained for her life to be spared and for her to be sent away to a kingdom of my choice. My sister is safe thanks to my sacrifice for her. Now that I'm of age, Azazel plans to make good on his proposal. I've been prepped for so many years on how to be a good husband, but Dean, I don't want that. Not with him. But…" He drew a breath. Dean had never seen someone speak so quickly.

"But that's the sacrifice you made. I get it. I'm sorry this happened to you." Castiel nodded.

"I will be alright. It's beginning to get late though. I have to get back to my room before Azazel check on me."

"I'll escort you back." Dean said, stepping in line with Castiel as he walked him back to the castle.

They walked in silence to the front door of the castle. The guards ignored them as they walked thru, but Dean could feel the tension radiating off of Castiel as they passed. He led Cas up the stairs and stopped at his door.

"Goodnight, Cas."

"I noticed you keep calling me that…I like it. Goodnight Dean."

Dean gave him a small smile and went inside, shutting the door gently.