The Runaway Prince
Chapter Five: A search commences
Mikhail looks away from his conversation with Daniel and notices a lack of a certain someone. A certain idiot prince. "Damnit, where did he go now?" He groans and Daniel laughs.
"He went off with Ranier to play cards, I would assume!" Daniel says, watching as Mikhail pales.
"Oh shit, his money!" Mikhail quickly leaves Daniel who is now doubled over from laughter. He arrives in a back room where Alexander is sitting next to Ranier, with at least seven other men around the table. "…What are you doing with him?"
Ranier looks at him with a smirk. "I'm teaching him to play cards."
"It's poker!" Alexander says happily. "And I've already won a lot!" He points to a huge pile of money and Mikhail sighs.
"Well…I think it's time to call it quits." The man says, grabbing Alexander's hand.
"Let the kid have his fun!" Marceau laughs, patting Alexander on the back. "You should see his face light up when he wins! It's too cute!"
Alexander blushes a little as both Mikhail and Ranier pout. "Th-thanks…" The blonde mumbles, neither him or Marceau picking up on the other two men's annoyance.
"You know what? Maybe it is time for you to go home, Alexander." Ranier grumbles and Mikhail nods.
"Yes. We are going home now." He commands, pulling the boy up onto his feet. "Collect your money and let's leave."
Alexander looks up at him with wide green eyes. "But I want to keep playing…"
Mikhail rolls his eyes as Ranier hands him a bag with the money in it. "We're not playing anymore." He says, taking his coat off and covering Alexander's face with it. "Now quit looking at me like that and move your ass."
"B-but Liu and Daniel…" Alexander begins, groping around the air until he finds Mikhail's arm.
"They're leaving, too. Neither of them are dumb enough to blow all their money here. Unlike you, evidently." Mikhail chastises and Alexander's head lowers sadly.
"….Alright…" He mumbles before removing the coat and looking to Marceau and Ranier. "I will see you two later!"
Ranier smiles and waves politely. "Please return anytime."
"Yeah! We can't wait to see you again! Even just to hang out! Marceau exclaims, grinning at the boy.
"Do not talk as if this is your house!" Ranier scolds. "You're just some annoying guy who won't leave at closing time!"
"So meeaaannnn!" Marceau whines as Mikhail leads Alexander outside.
"Hey…Mikhail…am I some annoying guy who won't leave to you?" Alexander asks as they get outside alone.
"I've been saying that from the beginning." Mikhail answers before seeing the disappointment on Alexander's face. "…But…I guess I'm in no real hurry for you to leave."
Alexander smiles at him. "Would you fight to keep me here?"
"Let's not get crazy." The older man groans, leading the way back to the house. "Besides, who would fight to get a brat like you back?"
"I will have you know I am very well liked at the palace!"
As Alexander catches up to Mikhail, he narrowly avoids a soldier from the palace, unbeknownst to him. The soldier, Monika, looks at the slum portion of town in disgust and keeps walking, figuring he wouldn't be there anyways. Finishing her rounds, Monika returns to the castle and to her older sister Julchen.
"I have not found him, and I have not heard anything about a prince being captured or jewels being sold. No signs of him anywhere." Monika says and Julchen smiles a little.
"At least he's not being sold on the black market…" Julchen sighs, looking up the stairs. "Poor Rika has not left her room since he left…"
"Princess Franzeska has come today to see her." Monika says, sighing heavily. "Everyone has been so sad since he left…"
"He is a sweet, intelligent boy. Who wouldn't miss him?" Julchen asks before a look of disgust comes to her face. "I only hope he isn't stuck with some gross and unkempt man that takes him places like casinos and back-alley markets. Our poor prince wouldn't know what to do with himself in such a situation."
"He would be terrified." Monika mumbles. "He was always scared of such 'ruffian' things."
"I think he wanted to try it." Julchen says, smiling a little. "…With a friend or something."
Monika frowns. "Did he really have a friend? Workers don't truly count, they cannot be honest to god friends…so did he?"
"The queen kept him pretty isolated from guys…other than teachers and ambassadors." Julchen laughs bitterly. "That boy must have been so lonely…it's no wonder he ran away."
"Julchen, Monika! Princess Franzeska is here!" Madeline exclaims, running over to them. "Felicia is bringing her upstairs to see princess Rika."
The sisters nod before looking over to see Franzeska walking up the stairs in a hurried manner, leaving Felicia behind as he goes to the bedroom and swings the door open.
"Rika!" Franzeska calls and Rika turns in her bed to glare at her.
"Shut my door! From the other side!" Rika huffs, Franzeska ignoring her orders and coming in further, shutting the door so the staff can no longer hear them.
"What are you doing in bed?" Franzeska asks, walking up and sitting on the edge of the large mattress. "The Rika I know would be taking control of the search efforts. You're far better at that sort of thing than your mother." The Austrian princess points out, leaning over and stroking the woman's hair. "It's alright, he will return."
Rika looks at Franzeska bitterly. "I do not want false comfort from a forced fiancé."
Franzeska removes her hand from Rika's hair in shock. "Rika…what are you talking about?" She frowns and leans toward Rika, whispering in her ear. "I've only wanted to marry you my whole life."
Rika blushes, squirming awkwardly under her blankets. "You…could have said so sooner…" She clears her throat before throwing off her covers and standing up. "Enough of these childish affairs, let's find my baby brother."
Franzeska smiles and stands up on the other side of the bed. "Of course. I have brought as many spies as I could to help in the efforts. Get dressed and come with me."
Rika nods, looking back at Franzeska. "I will be right there."
Franzeska leaves the room, the four other women watching as she does so. "Good day, ladies. Prepare a meeting room for Rika and I to discuss further searches." She says, before going downstairs.
"Wha…?" Monika stares in awe and Julchen smirks.
"So Franzeska preformed a miracle, huh? Impressive."
As the women go about their orders in the castle, Alexander notices something familiar in Mikhail's house. Brought by him, in a protective cover and hidden, is a painting of him and Rika. "Ah…sister…" He mumbles, bringing out the picture and running his hands over it.
"Homesick?" Mikhail asks, sitting beside him.
"No, I'm just…Rika is so attached to me…I hope she is alright." Alexander mumbles before looking to Mikhail sadly. "Was I too selfish? Should I have had Rika bring me around town? Or perhaps just Julchen…anyone who would have let Rika know I was alright…"
Mikhail stares at him as Alexander's head drops and his shoulders begin to shake. "Well, if you're going to cry about it…there is something we can do." He says, looking away from the boy's tears.
"There…is…?" Alexander asks as he wipes his tears away with his sleeve. "Wh-what would that be?"
"Send a letter to your sister, from somewhere else that Ranier can find, telling her you are okay and do not want to return for a while…or whatever it may be you want." Mikhail mumbles and Alexander smiles.
"Thank you Mikhail!" He exclaims, moving forward and hugging him.
"I-I did not say you could hug me!" Mikhail scolds, struggling in the boy's grasp.
"But I've wanted to for so long!" Alexander says and Mikhail blushes lightly.
"Y-you…are really not making this any better." The Belarusian grumbles, weakly trying to move him away. "You're such a creepy little boy."
A/N: I've been meaning to show those at the castle...and now they will come up more often, probably. I would assume, since they will be searching for Alexander. XD