Two chapters today guys! I'm feeling generous...
Chapter 10!
Enjoy!
On Prince John's royal vessel, he stands in his living quarters staring out the window. The ship remains docked at the port and will stay there until the ship's captain can muster the courage to leave civilization again. The captain was one nervous wreck. Harald, a middle age private servant and tutor to the royal family joins John in his room. Out of all thirteen princes, John was closest to Harald, they knew each other the best. Harald practically raised the prince.
"Your Majesty, how was your evening sir?"
"Harald. It was pleasant, thank you." John smiles at his personal butler and friend.
"How was the ball sir?" He asks from the doorway.
"A very nice one. Why do you ask? You were there!" He laughs at his long time friend.
"Yes my liege, I was there, and I saw his majesty enjoying himself, am I correct?" He raises an eyebrow at John.
"Yes, I did find myself enjoying the festivities? Where are you going with this?" He asks skeptically. Harald knew him so well, he couldn't get away with anything.
"Well sir, for someone who claims to hate parties and socializing, he sure did seem to like this particular event. Hmm?" He puts John on the spot.
"I guess because I didn't have to spend time with my brothers tonight." John shrugs and returns to looking out the window of his bedroom.
"Yes, instead you spent time with another young beauty?" He again raises an eyebrow at the prince.
"You mean the Queen?" John asks without taking his eyes off the window.
"Yes sir."
"And let me guess, you saw me dancing with her?" He asks.
"Yes sir."
"And you saw me talking to her?"
"Yes my liege."
"And you heard me talking to her." John says matter of factly instead of questionably.
"Yes sir." Harald responds after a moment of hesitation.
"And you heard me lie to her." John finally turns around to face his butler. Harald sighs heavily and nods.
"And what do you have to say about my actions tonight Harald? Spit it out, I can tell you want to." It was John's turn to raise his eyebrow.
"Sir...you didn't have to lie." His butler confesses. John sighs himself and runs his now ungloved hand through his hair.
"Yes I did, you know I had to. There are some things you need to fake and lie about." He sighs and takes a seat on the couch.
"But sir, there was something there tonight. A...spark...in your eyes, between both you and the Queen!" Harald steps farther into the room.
"Harald, I think you're reading too many of those romance novels. There can never be something between us Harald. Even if what you supposedly saw tonight was true, it's not. There was no spark, there are no feelings. She's a Queen Harald, I'm a...well you know very well what I am. There can never be anything between us." John turns away from his friend and shuts his eyes while mending to the headache in his temple.
"I know exactly what you are. You are a proud Prince of the Southern Isles, who shouldn't deny something so palpable as chemistry!" Harald exclaims. John opens one eye and squints at him.
"That made little to no sense." He mumbles and shuts his eye again.
"My liege, if you tell her tomorrow when you see her again, maybe you can avoid a whole misunderstanding and-!" John holds up his hand and signals for him to stop.
"There is nothing to avoid Harald. I am doing this for the good of my kingdom. If we want to salvage any relationship we have left with Arendelle, then I have to do it like this. Because I am not going to do what my brothers would do and try to gain Elsa's hand in marriage just to salvage an imaginary bond between two kingdoms. It's wrong, and I won't do it. So lying is what I can do. I'm not hurting her, or anyone by doing this. But at least we'll gain some trust. And if, no, not if, when she finds out, I'll be long gone, and I'll never see her again. But at least we'll still have trade posts with Arendelle. That's one gain we get out of this." John finishes and takes a shaky breath afterwards.
"You would give up your one chance at something real, for the better of your kingdom?" Harald asks. John stares up at him and sighs deeply.
"Mother and father are both ill. And there is a high chance that they're not going to make it Harald, so that leaves the next in line to take the crown. And if this will help protect the Southern Isles, then I'll do it." John admits with a frown. After a moment of silence, Harald speaks up.
"You would make a wonderful King your Highness."
"You know that's not what I want." John says.
"Maybe you will, by some miracle perhaps?" Harald grins and John just shakes his head.
"I know you mean well my friend, but I must do this, there is nothing between me and the Queen. There can not and will never be anything. Now please, it's been a long day. Go get some rest."
"Yes sir, good night." Harald bows and backs out of the room.
"Goodnight." John whispers after he leaves and returns to staring out the window at the star-studded night sky.
I wonder where this is going? Is John up to something? What is he keeping from Elsa? Could it destroy the whole kingdom if it gets out?
...you're guess is as good as mine cuz I didn't write it yet! HAHA!
Like usual, be sure to leave a review, EVERYONE! I need reviews! I need motivation!
Thanks everyone! :D