Seriously! What the hell is wrong with me? Mathias found himself wide awake in the middle of the night, and nothing – no matter how or which way he tossed and turned – would help him achieve the only thing he wanted. Sleep.. Something he normally had no trouble at all, getting. Heck, part of him was tempted to see if he would sleep better in his office, considering he passed out all the time there.

Usually, he didn't think too deeply about anything. Excluding war affairs. It was easier that way, even if he was often scolded for it. But tonight, his mind strayed traitorously. Winding aimlessly and affectionately around a pair of sharp blue eyes and a scowl that never seemed to fade.

"Damn it.." he cursed, throwing his pillow over his face in an attempt to stifle the image that his brain clung to desperately, almost like a lifeline. … It didn't work.

I don't even know a single stupid thing about him.. he sighed loudly, fingernails digging deeply into the down on the goose feather pillow. Tension had struck and infected him like a plague ever since he looked at Prince Sigurd – and the strange thing was, he couldn't figure out why. And besides.. it's obvious he hates me. Even though he hasn't taken any time at all to get to know me. Not like anyone does that anymore anyways. I'm just the soldier boy. Nothing else.

He laughed bitterly and forced his thoughts to fall silent as best he could – pinning them up into a makeshift pen inside his mind. The fences were thick and tall, or so he imagined they were. Whispers of Sigurd probed the cracks in the wood and slid through easily, but finally the droning drove him to fall into a restless sleep.

"... Mathias!" a voice suddenly shouted from the edge of the garden. The Dane hadn't remembered coming outside, or even waking up, but he didn't worry. It was too much work. Besides, the weather couldn't be more perfect. The sun lightly brushed its warmth and delicate rays over the plants, cooled by a slight breeze that caused the many different colored blossoms to bounce and sway. He was almost prepared to lay back down in the grass as the wind swept gently through his usually messy hair, almost comfortingly.

"Mathias!" the voice came again, louder this time. It wasn't terribly familiar, but it enticed him all the same. He slowly got to his feet and brushed the blades of grass off of his clothes.

I must've fallen asleep out here... or gotten drunk. He thought.

"Mathias..." the voice grew softer, the bare whisper being carried to him by the wind. It took on an almost seductive tone. Mathias hadn't realized, but he was running blindly forward, hoping desperately that he could find the voice's owner. He could practically feel himself get closer- actually feel a deep, dull ache within his chest. If he didn't get there soon, he felt his heart would implode.

"... You came."

Mathias' head snapped up, his cobalt gaze coming to rest on possibly the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Was beautiful the right word? The man's light blonde hair seemed to shine, imitating a bright, golden halo. Eyes a deep, deep shining indigo with endless depths that Mathias could already imagine himself falling into – not that he'd mind. Pale, ivory skin that was silky smooth and held no imperfections whatsoever. A slim, delicate figure that rested amongst striking buds of roses and lilies – so fragrant he could smell their perfume from feet away.

The Dane suddenly felt extremely self-conscious. Like a tiny, squat black ant in the presence of a flaming monarch. All speech left him, all thoughts fled.

"Well?" Sigurd said impatiently after a moment, arching a slim, blonde eyebrow.

Mathias knew he was staring, but he just couldn't help himself. It was hopeless to try, and he just couldn't drink it in enough. If only he had beer that felt like this. Lost for words, he managed to nod shakily.

"Do you know why I brought you here?"

"..." Mathias opened his mouth to speak – but it felt odd, like his jaw was almost rusted shut. All that emerged was a hoarse croak. He flushed and quickly resorted to a shake of his head.

"I didn't really mean it when I said you were stupid."

".. You.. you didn't?" the Dane was so surprised, his voice must have been spooked back into him as well.

"... Yes." Sigurd replied coolly, but acted as if he didn't really care.

"So.. uh. If you don't mind me asking.." he swallowed nervously and rubbed the back of his head. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I'm not marrying Tino." Another straightforward answer that Mathias was not prepared for.

"What? But the kin-"

"I don't give a rat's ass about the king."

"... Oh. So what are you going to do about it then?"

"You're going to help me." the Norwegian shrugged his shoulders halfheartedly as if Mathias should've known what was expected of him in the first place.

"Me?"

"You."

"But what can I possibly-"

Sigurd cut across him sharply, "You'll see. I'll talk to you about it later."

".. Later? But I don't understand. Why can't you just tell me now?"

"Just trust me, Mathias." Sigurd's gaze was so intense, Mathias already found himself nodding – even if he didn't want to.

"Okay."
The prince let out a long sigh, his lips curling downwards into a soft scowl. "I'm sure I could find somebody better, but for now, you're all I've got."

"Than- hey!" the Dane protested with a pout.

"Don't read into it too much. You'll just hurt yourself. I've got to go."

Mathias' brow furrowed in confusion and he glanced down at the grass, "Go? Go where?" But Sigurd was already gone.

He jolted awake with a sharp gasp, small beads of sweat dotting across his forehead. "A dream..?" he murmured to himself, swallowing thickly. His mouth felt parched and uncomfortably dry. It had all felt so completely real, especially Sigurd. Had it really happened? He slowly shook his head, dumbfounded. Although, something lingered deep inside his thoughts, nagging at him. Sigurd still needed his help. He was sure of it. None of his other dreams had ever felt so real. Mathias thought about telling Tino, but quickly changed his mind when a voice the resembled Sigurd's told him it would be much better to not worry the prince.