Reference collage^^^
Turns out the chapter before was longer than my first chapter???? It seemed so short but I guess not.
Anyways I'm not going to have a set schedule for updating or anything but I plan on writing whenever I have free time, so if you want to keep up with the story I would just keep your eyes open for new chapters :)
***
HARRY
After tending to his flowers, Harry made his way back to his room, passing more knights. "A new shift of guards must be filling the place of the ones that left," Harry thought.
He eyed the men curiously. All the knights were men, due to Harry's father's old ways. He didn't understand why his father thought the way he did. Harry ignored the most likely reason: the King was self-entitled and believed everyone, including his wife, was below him. Harry's mother was mostly there for the King to flaunt around. She was a closed-off individual who rarely left her study. Harry wished his parents took their roles as caregivers, but, being the ignorant teenager he was, he chalked it up to them being busy with the kingdom.
Harry carried on down the castle hallways, taking a detour towards his father's room so he could wish the man a good night. He rarely actually talked to his parents, but, even if the conversation led to a door slammed in his face, their talks always left Harry feeling lighter. Harry enjoyed talking to anyone that would listen, even for just a moment. He rarely had company outside of Liam.
Hoping to see his father, Harry smiled at the sight of the King's slightly opened door. Inside were about three of the head knights and Harry's father surrounding a map.
"We're going through that town of greedy gremlins, so I expect full security to ensure nothing is taken from this castle," Harry's father, King Aaron, whisper-shouted. Harry's face contorted in confusion at his father's words. Greedy gremlins?
Harry knew very little about the towns in the kingdom. The King insisted that Harry had to at least be an adult before they could discuss the technicalities of ruling a kingdom. Harry only knew that they ruled over a great and powerful kingdom, so why would they have a town full of greedy people?
"Dale, I expect you to be well-versed in this town and keep an eye out for any traps," The King continued. Harry had begun unconsciously approaching the door, as he became more engaged in the words being spoken throughout the room.
Suddenly, Harry caught the eyes of a guard who was previously as engaged in the conversation as Harry was.
"King!" the man spoke, pointing at Harry. Harry's eyes bulged as he quickly turned around to run. Harry wasn't sure exactly why he was running, but when he heard a door slamming, Harry decided he made the right choice.
Gasping for air, Harry clutched his chest and doubled over to even his breathing. The experience was equally terrifying and exhilarating. Harry giggled for no reason in particular and determined it was better to ignore the meeting taking place in his father's room. He would be told about everything in two years when he was of age anyways.
Harry made his way to his room contemplating how he wished to end his mostly uneventful day.
***
Entering his room, Harry made his way to the balcony so he could peer at the barely visible houses and never-ending forest. As he approached the railing something moving caught his eye. A figure with dark hair darted into the forest before Harry could see anymore of the person. Harry looked around where he saw the figure and spotted Liam.
Liam was walking in the opposite direction as the dark-haired individual, towards the castle. Slowly moving closer, Harry could view Liam's contagious smile. Liam eventually continued into the castle beaming from ear to ear, unaware of the Prince watching him.
It was nice to see Liam genuinely happy, Harry just wondered what caused it. He guessed, "Maybe Liam had his garden."
He brought his attention back to the reddening sky. Harry leaned against the railing and took in the view before him. Shades of green covered the area below. The sky cast an orange tint, making everything glow. Harry was mesmerized by how beautiful the world naturally is.
Harry allowed his thoughts to wander and bring him to the conclusion that he wished he could share this site with someone who would also appreciate it. He was tired of feeling alone and ignored. He wanted to have someone to garden with, share breakfast with, and take walks with.
He wanted a friend and someone to understand him.
He wanted to go to town and see if he could find a friend there. Harry had Liam, but Harry knew that Liam viewed Harry as a prince he had to care for. Harry was a chore for Liam.
He sighed once the sun was finally hidden behind the trees, waiting for morning to arrive. Harry began his night routine and, after showering, laid in his bed. Thoughts of his perfect someone clouded his head as he dozed off.
***
LOUIS
Once Niall was done frolicking in the water, Louis and Niall made their way back to Louis's house.
"Okay, my needs have been fulfilled for the day Tommo, so I think I will indulge in another nap," Niall declared while lying down in Louis's bed. Louis scoffed at the blonde boy and yanked the covers off the bed.
"No, because we're going to Zayn's to see if he's back from his mystery adventure." Niall crossed his arms and huffed at Louis's words, but stood to follow the older boy out of his house. During this walk, Niall avoided anything green that was sticking out of the ground to prevent a worse itch. Louis chuckled every time Niall hopped around the green plants.
Arriving at Zayn's, Niall and Louis spotted branches shuffling in the distance. A smirking Zayn emerged from the treeline almost knocking into Niall.
"Oh, uh, hey boys!" Zayn practically yelled, winded. Louis and Niall skeptically stared back at Zayn trying to figure out where he had gone off to.
"Hey, Zayn, where the hell did you scurry off to? And how is it more important than what we'll be pulling tomorrow morning?" Louis was the first to speak to Zayn. Zayn blushed and scratched the back of his head.
"You know mate, I forgot I had to help my parents bring in anything they hunted," Zayn replied unconvincingly.
"Right, that's why you're being awkward as fuck... Well, keep your secrets for now because we still have to plan this out so we can steer clear of trouble." Louis said while walking to Zayn's front door. Zayn nodded and followed Louis. Niall still confused about what was wrong with Zayn, at last, made his way to the house.
Zayn handed out wooden cups with water as they started talking about strategy.
"There's only one road that passes through here and the castle, so we all know where the money will be," Zayn spoke. The other boys nodded as Niall added,
"With that storm that came by, we could place a tree or something on the road. It's cliche, but it works."
They discussed the perfect plan. Place a tree on the road, Zayn will dress in a guard suit they "borrowed" from a passing carriage, Zayn pretends to be injured to distract, Niall and Louis take the money, and they run for their dear lives.
"Alright, I think this stealing scheme will go perfectly if I do say so myself," Louis concluded. Niall cringed, catching Louis's attention. Niall was a tough person who had been through plenty, but he morally couldn't handle the word, "stealing". They all agreed to call their selfless actions something less derogatory: borrowing. It necessarily wasn't wrong, since the money would make its way back to the castle anyway.
"Sorry Ni, our borrowing scheme will go perfectly," Louis earned a small smile from the boy. All three yawned in unison and chuckled.
"I'm tired mates," Niall rubbed his eyes as he brought up the obvious.
"Let's all get some rest for tomorrow so we're in our right minds when we do this shit," Zayn uttered. The three of them said their goodbyes and hugged before Louis and Niall trudged along to their houses.
***
Louis admired the bright oranges and yellows the sky turned while he walked home. This world may be filled to the brim with callousness, but it had its moments. Angry reds faded into deep navy blues during Louis's walk.
He enjoyed the sky. It seemed so free and careless.
While staring at the morphing sky above, Louis arrived home. When he walked in Daisy and Phoebe, his younger twin sisters, tackled his legs. Louis lightly laughed and hugged the two. After freeing himself of the two trouble makers, Louis greeted his other sisters, Felicite and Lottie, who were playing with dolls their mother made. He kissed them all on the head and walked to where he could smell a delicious meal his mum must be cooking.
"Lou, you're back! Eleanor stopped by to give the girls some ribbons and mentioned seeing you and Niall at the lake," Johannah announced.
"That's nice of her, and Niall wanted to make use of the random warm weather, so we went down there." Johannah nodded as she stirred the stew she was making.
"Do you think you'll be able to take the girls out to gather flowers? I would, but the baker in town is supposed to have fresh loaves tomorrow and we all know how fast those are sold," She laughed and turned to face Louis.
"I was planning to hang out with Zayn and Niall tomorrow, but what time is the baker supposed to come?" Louis asked.
"Around sunrise, I believe."
"Yeah I'll take the girls to gather flowers mum, I should be back by then." Louis kissed her forehead as he had done for his siblings and walked to his room, waiting for supper. He had a tight schedule with the money that should be in town about an hour before he needed to take his sisters to pick flowers, but Louis could make it work.
***
I feel like this chapter was a little boring, but the next chapter should be more action-filled and the plot will hopefully start presenting itself.
As always let me know what you guys thought, I'm enjoying writing, so I hope you guys are enjoying reading :)
Thank you for commenting and voting, and most importantly:
Take care of yourselves, drink water, and eat (even if it's something small) I love you guys <3