Chapter 12: The Hurried Help

Antonio couldn't believe it. He honestly could not believe it. He wouldn't have believed it if the dirty flailing sobbing boy wasn't screaming Arthur's name. Could this really be Mathew?

He had made the boy drop the knife, at first thinking he was going to stab one of his men only to realize with a pang of sadness that the boy was trying to kill himself with it.

However it all fit, at least with all Arthur had finally confessed with Francis' gentle encouragement. This was a couple of hours ago. They had been a wreck. Antonio had never met Matthew and neither had Francis but perhaps they were picturing Alfred which made it all the more devastating to them. All the more painful.

Of course Arthur was the one in pain the most the one who knew Matthew who saw the boy grow up not knowing the hell the boy was going through. Arthur undoubtedly blamed himself and perhaps even hated himself over it.

This was precisely why if this hysterical boy was indeed Mathew, well Antonio could not let the other two see him like this. So desperate to die, so pained and tortured.

Arthur didn't even know the full extent of the boy's pain and shame all he was able to tell them about the bruises the boy's deranged mother inflicted on him and the night Arthur killed the Bard after that it was just guessing that the Bard wasn't a one time occurrence, though they all desperately wish it had been.

Antonio doubted it he knew the Bard and how that creepy bastard would cling to one unfortunate boy rather than prey on multiple at a time. Then there was the deep deep deep thought that maybe in some way Antonio was partly to blame for this.

But he slammed that door shut immediately refusing to allow the dark haired angry italian boy to creep into his head when he had pressing matters to attend to.

Antonio watched the boy crumple onto the floor and ordered the guards to keep their mouth shut. He picked the skinny boy up gently in his arms. Was it possible the boy was freaking out because he thought the Bard was alive?

Arthur was almost certain the blow would result in Matthew losing some memory of the event and if this was true he made them promise not to alert Matthew that they knew what his mother had made him do.

"I couldn't bare to see him so ashamed….he's a prince he needs pride and strength…he….he wouldn't want me to know," the broken man confessed although Antonio assumed that the man's desperate pleas to not let Matthew know were as much for him as they were for the boy.

Antonio sighed heavily if that was indeed the case, and based on what Antonio had further learned about Duke Bard thanks to Francis there was no doubt in Antonio's mind the boy would rather die.

Glad he had gotten there in time to prevent a real tragedy Antonio brought the boy to his room. He didn't want Matthew to freak out if it was indeed Matthew but the boy just laid there obediently eyes open.

He didn't even cry out when Antonio undressed him but he also clearly didn't believe Antonio when he said Bard was dead and he wasn't going to hurt him.

Antonio had to blink back tears as the boy flinched and at his far too thin body riddled in bloody cuts, scars and bruises. Wherever he ended up after Arthur disappeared it was not the place they would have hoped.

Finally the boy spoke up his voice cracked and full of defeat his eyes cold but dead.

"Should I take a bath," He stated simply as if this was a routine he had been through many times before. Which it probably was, Antonio couldn't hold it in any longer and started crying.

"Matthew…..I swear on my life I won't let the Bard touch you…..I want to help you…..I want to take you to Arthur…..he's desperately been searching for you,"

Matthew seemed to perk at this although perk wasn't the right word as he started crying but at least Antonio broke through the flimsy facade of the boy's not caring.

"He's alive…he's not in the dungeon?" He asked hysterically and Antonio stiffened with surprise.

"…you didn't know…?" shaking his head Antonio helped the filthy boy stripped to his underwear to the bathroom. Antonio wouldn't dare completely undress him with the knowledge of what Mathew had been through.

He wanted to leave the boy to bathe himself but Matthew was going in between hysterically crying to fading out almost passing out his eyes unfocused and empty. So Antonio supported him and set him gently onto the cold tile wanting this desperately to not be Matthew, because surely this was worse than never finding the boy? How could he be salvaged and helped enough to face Arthur let alone go to live in the castle?

But on the other hand knowing it was Matthew and broken or not the boy was in good hands now and life should turn around for the tragic prince. He just prayed it wouldn't be to hard on Prince Arthur and his dear friend Francis.

There were definitely big changes in store for this boy. This young prince who didn't even know Arthur was a prince or that he is one as well? This boy's life would definitely turn around the question was more of would Mathew turn around with it.

Once in the tub the dirt came off and the water turned black. Trying not to throw up because yes the boy was filthy and smelt awful but even worse was as the dirt fell away more bruises and injuries appeared making it clearer than ever this boy had been through hell.

Antonio cried as he gently used the sponge to wash the boy he was sure it hurt or at the very least stung but Matthew had completely shut down. Even though he was still in his underwear Antonio was sure the boy was terrified and uncomfortable.

"You'll see Arthur soon I promise….things will get better for you….," he said softly trying to get Matthew to lower his hair into the water.

"…no no no no," the boy started hyperventilating and Antonio struggled to calm him down.

"Alright alright I won't wash your hair but do you want Arthur to see you like this?" he asked as gently as he could but the boy just started crying.

"She will find me she will find me," He chanted rocking himself back in forth in the muddy water.

"no she won't your mother is gone…..just like the bard," Lifeless cold beautiful violet eyes met his.

"…..gone?" he asked quietly his voice barely a whisper.

"yes," Antonio promised and saw the first spark of hope in Matthew's eyes. They were beautiful eyes, Antonio was starting to see the resemblance of the young handsome Alfred in Matthew's features and he was sure that this disgusting black hair would be as vibrantly gold as his brother's once washed.

"You really will take me to Arthur?" He asked his voice a little stronger. He was strong, this boy was surprisingly strong and Antonio noded shocked by the fear in Matthew's eyes and the response that followed.

"…does Arthur know…?" The young prince's eyes fell to the ground welling with tears.

Antonio wasn't sure what to say but desperately not wanting this sweet boy to shed anymore truly heart wrenching tears he lied before he could think it was the best choice or not.

"He does not know about what the Bard did…..I only know because I killed the Bard and he confessed to all his sins before I executed him," He sure as hell wish that was the truth he would have liked nothing more than to have killed him, he had begged for the job and given his history was so close to doing killing the bastard.

But he couldn't really blame Arthur for stealing his chance, besides if it had been him he might not have been able to kill the Bard for years to come. Not until negotiations with the other kingdom had been straightened out.

Shaking himself he focused on the boy surprised by how calmly he had responded. He met Matthew's eyes and forced an encouraging smile to his lips, and in response the boy disappeared under the inky black water. For one terrifying second Antonio thought the boy was trying to kill himself again. He was about the plunge his hands into the water when the boy sat up again causing Antonio to gasp.

He surely was the lost prince. He was most definitely Alfred's brother. He was still dirty but his black hair was now murky brown with streaks of blond starting to poke through. Antonio could actually see the boy's skin on his face as the dirt had become smudges.

Alfred was right about them looking similar but while Alfred was handsome Matthew was beautiful. Antonio must have been staring because the boy's face turned slightly pink and he was staring at the black water.

"…..i'll…..i'll bathe myself again….," he mumbled clearly embarrassed by how filthy he was.

A little uneasy about leaving the boy alone Antonio noded. Mathew had definitely calmed down and there was life in his eyes which made them even more stunning. Why hadn't Arthur told them how beautiful the boy was. Had Arthur even seen the boy clean?

He knew the boy's mother neglected him and he was pretty sure the boy had layers of dirt on him years and years old. When was the last time he properly cleaned himself. Antonio left promising to get some appropriate clothes for Matthew and stationed a soldier he trusted outside the door making the man promise only to enter if there were signs of distress or something wrong.

Antonio avoided running into Francis or Arthur. He was pretty sure they were in their bedrooms sleeping. But he almost jumped out of his skin when he saw Alfred in the hallway but the boy didn't even register him looking almost as lifeless as Mathew had just cleaner.

Shaking his head knowing it would all be ok soon he took the opportunity to go into Alfred's room and grab a pair of his clothes. Sure he would later have to admit to Francis and Arthur that he had cleaned the boy up but he wanted them to see Mathew….well any other way than how Antonio had found him. His heart had broken for the boy. He went back to his room and excused the guard knocking on the bathroom door.

"Mathew…?" His heart hammered as for what a long time there seemed to be no response.

"How…how do you…know…my name," the boy shivered as he shakily opened the door wrapped in a big fluffy towel.

Yes, he was no doubt about it, Matthew. He must have taken at least three baths and scrubbed hard as his skin was pink but clean.

His once browner than Antonio's skin was now milky white like Alfred's and his hair was shiny blond, lighter than Alfred's and shoulder length and wavy like Francis'. He was like a blend of the two of them and was absolutely adorable. Antonio smiled but Matthew didn't smile back.

"How do you know my name?" He repeated his voice definitely louder but still practically a whisper from what Antonio was used to.

"I told you Arthur has desperately been looking for you," Antonio said as cheery as he could manage to be given the situation. He didn't want the boy to be scared he wanted to show the boy it was alright.

"But….you're a soldier….," the boy said after a moment of glancing at Antonio's grey outfit with the kingdom's crest printed largely on his chest.