Joshua was just really put in a room that night. He didn't want to be out with them all. That man, that man who threatened to kill him and Ruby was there, he was there, and Joshua was with him and Ruby was dead. It was still painfully fresh in his mind that sight, Ruby laying on Lance's kitchen floor with a knife in her chest and a frightened expression, his name being her last words.

Eugene and Rapunzel were alright, Joshua supposed but they were with everyone else fawning over the babies that Ruby had said he needed to pretend were his siblings. He didn't have to pretend now that Ruby was gone or was, he still supposed to be Lance's son?

Joshua cried. He didn't know he didn't know. Ruby had never told him when the gig would be over, she was dead now, did he just always pretend to be Lance's son now? No one could tell him but then again, he hadn't spoken to anyone since Rapunzel and Eugene rushed off with Lance leaving him to be escorted to a guest room.

The room was nice enough. It had a bed and a fireplace and some dressers. Joshua wondered if the fire poker would poke him like how the knife had poked Ruby. Swinging his feet and sniffling he got off the bed where he'd been observing everything and walked over to the fireplace.

The poker was quite heavy, and he wondered if the knife felt heavy before Ruby stabbed herself.

He was going to, Joshua had it positioned to where when he jumped off the bed it should go through his heart.

But then he stopped recalling one of the last things Ruby said to him before they went to Lance's house.

The flames flickered in the dawn light and Joshua made sure his dark hair was out of his face before going over to Ruby who was staring blankly at a knife. "I'm ready to go, mama." He said, gaining her attention.

"...Uh that's...that's great Joshua. Look." Ruby rested her hands on his shoulders and gently brushed his cheeks with a thumb. "No matter what happens I am going to take care of you. We stick together no matter what happens and I..." Ruby looked away from his chocolate eyes and brushed tears from her own discreetly.

"Let's just do this and head off to Rome, hmm?"

She had said no matter what so Joshua had to believe that even if she was dead, she would be looking out for him. So, he put the poker away and laid down on the floor, the bed was too nice, and he just couldn't sleep in it, and drifted off into a restless sleep.

That had been his first night in the palace, but he was a pro now, he had eventually moved into a bigger room in the palace after he accepted the title of Duke. He was more of a figurehead than anything, but it felt awesome to be recognized like that.

Currently, despite the trouble it would get them both in, he and Elaine were in his room on his bed kissing over each other's face and throats, gentle enough so not to leave bruises but harsh enough that the other enjoyed the sensation.

Elaine purred and nipped the crook of his neck and his arms held her tighter.

A knock sounded on his door and Rapunzel called out. Both their faces went from soft blush to ghastly pale skin and rosy red faces as Joshua pushed her off and they straightened out their clothing then Elaine acted like she was casually fixing the bed while Joshua opened the door and wiped his nose with a cheeky grin.

"Morning mom."

"Good morning Joshua. You know we've all been waiting half an hour for you in the garden?" Rapunzel inquired, peering around his shoulders as Elaine gathered some clothing in a hamper and squeezed past the royals.

"Oh, uh right. Breakfast. Sorry I overslept and Elaine just came and woke me up and-" Joshua rambled while fixing his collar and making sure any possible love bites would be hidden.

"Uh huh. You know I wouldn't have a problem with you and Elaine if you would just tell me blatantly. Because it's rather obvious by now that you two are trying to date behind our backs and that's not good for a public image." Rapunzel said as they walked towards the garden.

Joshua dipped his head in shame a blush covering his cheeks. "You know about that?" He squeaked.

Rapunzel nodded and indeed the entire palace knew that the Duke and his lady in waiting were closer than ought to rightly be, but nothing was said. But after a month of the same excuse and situation Rapunzel decided it was time that she stepped in and called Joshua on it.

The young man only played with his cuffs and hardly touched his breakfast of French toast and fried ham slices, poking it from one side to the other while it soaked and became soggy from the syrup.

"All right, young man, you've been able to have your little secret for months now, but it's time you come clean. There are no secrets in this family, and you know that." Rapunzel prompted firmly, eyeing the teenager as he melted like the butter on his hot cakes.

Joshua just wanted to die at that moment, his mother's stare unrelenting.

"Well?" She prompted and Joshua sank further.

"... just kissing and stuff..." He muttered, his voice cracking at the end, his cheeks brightened. Thankfully, his skin was dark, and his hickeys weren't easy to see due to that and his high shirt collar.

"But you're just a child." Arianna said with a hint of worry for her grandson.

Joshua just sunk further into his chair and waited for this embarrassing meal to end. Because at that moment he wanted to die.

It's Joshua and the Sundrop's turn to hold the limelight! Yeah! Also, as a side note it has been five years since the last story nothing left to lose.

You don't need to read it if you're new it's just some basic plot and character development.

So, what do you think will happen next?

I most certainly will give this It's fair share of flashbacks to fill in the blanks of Joshua's childhood and as well as a current mystery for you all to unravel!

Updates every SUNday

Please enjoy, stay safe, and review!