Thanks to those that have been reading. It means a lot :)
Sorry, no Jimmy in this chapter either. I needed to focus on Thomas' decision before starting their story. Jimmy will appear in the next chapter, promise!
Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes.
"You were right," Thomas said to his father after he sat in the dining room for breakfast. King Albert could see his son's pain. Thomas was on the verge of tears.
"Thomas," he said gently. "I am very sorry. My intentions were never to harm you."
The Prince shook his head. "I know that. Without your warning, I would have done something very stupid." He laughed bitterly. "I thought he was different. I thought that for the first time in my life, I wasn't being treated as a prince. I thought he wanted me for who I am, not for what I am." He wiped the tears that were falling down on his face. "I thought, I, um."
"Thomas," his father interrupted. "Don't shed tears for someone that betrayed your love, your trust." He stood up and went to sit next to his son. He clasped his shoulder. "You have so much of your mother in you. You have her eyes and her strong ability to love." The King sighed. He suddenly realized how much he missed his beloved wife and how proud she would be of Thomas. "My son, my greatest wish for you is to pursue your happiness"
Thomas gasped in surprise. "Thomas, that night that you and... him departed, I saw the look on your face, you were smiling. I haven't seen you do that in a long time." Thomas looked down at his lap. "I felt different for the first time, I felt alive. I forgot about everything."
"You felt happy," the King said.
Thomas smiles sadly. "I suppose so, yes."
Several days went by since Thomas' conversation with his father. He was still surprised at how his father handled his sexuality, heartbreak and desire to become happy. He felt grateful for those things.
His experience with the Duke made Thomas see things a little different. Even though he was tricked, before that, he felt important to someone, nothing else mattered, he felt excitement... he felt loved. He couldn't remember the last time he felt excited over something. He wanted to feel that again and not just for a while, he wanted it to last until his very last breath. The only problem was that he had no idea what to do.
One morning, he was looking at the paper and one particular headline caught his attention. Downton Abbey Excels As One of the Top Universities in the World. Thomas raised his eyebrows. "Hmm." I was home schooled. He read on.
Downton Abbey was rewarded as one of the top in education. This would mark the third time that this prestigious university wins such honor. Headmaster, the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley, has been the only Earl to win three times in a row. His father won it once. "I hold Downton Abbey close to my heart," Lord Grantham says. "It is my pride and joy and I am delighted that we are being recognized worldwide."
Lord Grantham has been successfully functioning Downton Abbey University with the help of his wife, Cora Crawley and their daughters Mary, Edith and Sybill.
The university has a variety of majors that promises the best in the world. Each professor is chosen according to each major and are regarded highly.
Thomas stopped reading and looked up. His sad lips began to curl up slightly at the new idea that was forming in his head.
"Out of the question!" Exclaimed King Albert.
"Father," Thomas said as calmly as possible. "This is a new way for me to integrate myself in society if I'm to become king."
"By enrolling at Downton Abbey University as a student?! You will become king, but that is not the point," the King said frustrated.
Thomas closed his eyes briefly. I'm not giving up. "Then what is the point?"
King Albert sighed, "you will be exposed to the media."
Thomas laughed. "The media? They barely know who I am. I'm always locked up in this damn castle anyways. It's not like I'm going to enroll as 'Prince Thomas'."
"Then as who?"
Thomas thought for a moment. He thought of his mother and how she would have approved of his decision. She had the free spirit that he craved. He smiled and decided that by carrying his mother's name would honor her memory.
"Thomas Barrow."
The King gasped. "How dare you?"
Thomas raised his hands. "What? Do you think this is a joke for me? That I'm making fun at mum by taking her name? Father, I wish for a life that I can be accepted for the person that I am. By my values, my moral, my sense of humor, everything that is me. I am tired of being treated like a delicate dish just because I'm a prince. I want this for me, not to make you angry. This has nothing to do with you. And I would be honored to carry my mother's name."
Thomas plea showed the King how serious his son was. He saw Thomas take control of his life for the first time. And Thomas was right, the media barely saw him and his brother Peter because they were protected from them. Nobody would know who Thomas is. He sighed.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
Thomas nodded determined. "Without a doubt."
"Hmm," the King said. "Well, Thomas Barrow, you will go to Downton Abbey University."