"Mother, I don't want to marry," Harry mutters. He looks up at his mother. Despite the fondness lingering in his emerald green eyes, he's taken by the fact she wants him to marry. And a woman at that. "I'm far too young." It's an excuse and Harry knows it, but he just wants to be happy and marrying a woman isn't going to make him happy. He's already being pronounced King today, so what's the hurry? For all Harry cares, he can wait until he's forty to even think about marriage.
Anne clearly doesn't want that. She wants Harry to be known as a powerful, yet ultimately caring King. And that could be Harry - if he had a right hand to rule with. At least that's what Anne thinks. "Harold, a wife is exactly what you need." Harry cringes at his full name. All of his friends always call him Harry; it's how he grew up.
"Mum, I don't quite think you unders-"
"Harold! Anne! Hurry down here, please!" Harry's father, Desmond, shouts. His voice booms through the halls, demanding the attention of everyone who happens to hear him. He always manages to command authority, even with age. Harry's beginning to feel like he'll never live up to his father. Desmond ruled the Kingdom with such grace and prestige. Harry is still a kid.
Despite Harry's nervous thoughts, he follows his mother downstairs. He remembers to hold his head high and keep his hand on the flower in his pocket, a tradition his family started years ago.
Harry's Kingdom is filled with the wonders of nature. Their family had always believed in filling the purpose of protecting nature and its gifts. In order to keep the world in glory, it's their duty as rulers to maintain nature's balance. Plants and animals litter the Kingdom. The crown that Harry wears is one of flowers and leaves. Of course, it isn't his actual, official crown, but Harry loves it the most. It symbolizes everything Harry believes in. His family raised him to protect his surroundings. If he didn't, nature would have nothing to give. Their Kingdom was built on the foundation of nature, yet holding fast to ruling with commanding authority.
Harry and Anne approach Desmond and nod accordingly. Instead of being in the King's chair, Desmond is standing to the side, as he should. It's Harry's rightful place now. The golden, emerald laced crown is sitting on a plush, royal blue pillow. It's breathtaking. The bright green emeralds reflect the light in a way that captures your eye. However, the crown's intricate and thought-out designs show just how wealthy the Kingdom really is. To the common people, it shows that a single person was in charge, with a woman at his side for support. To Harry, it's a horrible way to run a Kingdom, but he's required to abide by the rulings. It's tradition. "Are you ready?" Desmond's voice startles Harry as he breaks from his thoughts.
He forces his surprised look down as he looks his father in the eye. "Yes, sir." Harry's voice is strong, laced with the authority of a rising King. He'd reach his full potential with time. "I'm feeling exceptionally well about today." His voice is so soft and gentle, yet authoritative all the same. His greatness as a ruler is already showing.
"So let's begin," The King says, a smirk covering his chiseled features.
--
"Louis!" Jay's voice echoes through the halls as she goes on a hunt for her child. One would think that the King would conduct himself accordingly on such an important day. Louis' mother couldn't help but be disappointed in her child, yet immensely happy that he was happy.
"Mum!" Louis' sing-song voice echoes back through the halls and Jay lets out a small chuckle. Louis is always doing things like this, pulling tricks here and there. Despite his actions not being very Kingly, it keeps the Kingdom alive with fun and joy. Louis always makes it that way. Since he was a child, Louis was almost never caught not scheming. It's devious, yet enlightening all the same.
"Louis, please!" Jay begs loudly. Louis' loud, angelic laugh can be heard all throughout the halls. However, Jay knows better. Her feet carry her all the way to Louis' favorite hiding place. Even at 24 years old, he's still acting childlike. Jay walks up to his hiding space quietly and waits for a moment. She reaches out and yanks the cabinet doors open. Louis is sitting on the floor, holding in a laugh. As soon as he sees his mother, he bursts into a fit of laughter. Jay joins him, helping the young man to his feet. Louis has been the King for nearly three years now and it's as if he hasn't aged a bit.
"Mum," He says, nodding politely.
"Must you always play games?" Jay sighs, faking exasperation.
"Yes, mother, I must," Louis says, grinning. Jay takes a second to analyze her son. His piercing blue eyes are certainly one of his more prominent features. Jay knows that if Louis preferred women, they'd all be at his feet. Despite Louis' attraction to men, the women were still at his every want and need. The light specks of hair on his face make him appear older. His hair is nearly always styled in a quiff, too. It suits Louis well.
"We're leaving now. The Styles Kingdom very well won't wait for us to arrive." Jay gives her son a pointed look before stretching her arm out. Like the gentleman Louis is, he guides his mother through the corridors of his palace. It's still a lot to take in, even after three years. Louis is a King. The land is his, the palace, his people. He rules everything and he can still hardly believe it. Louis' mind quickly wanders to the Styles family. Their only child and son, Harold Styles, is being pronounced King today. Louis could care less. He's only going because of the invitation that was placed in his hands a few days prior. What could he possibly want with this Kingdom? There are no opportunities there whatsoever. However, Louis feels obligated to at least make an appearance. That and his mother pushed him to go.
As Louis boards the covered, black carriage with his family, he immediately goes silent. Carriage rides are Louis' favorite part of being King. The calming clump of the horse's hooves on the ground is pleasing to Louis. It's a satisfying sound. Normally, Louis gets a lot of thinking done in this time. It's beneficial, but toxic all the same.
The ride doesn't last as long as Louis would have hoped. However, he gets out of the carriage with as much grace as any King should. He walks in front of his parents, smiling and waving at what is soon to be Harry's people. Louis can't stop the disgust the washes over him. What kind of Kingdom is filled with such frivolous things like flowers and plants? They're literally everywhere. What exactly were Harry's plans for this Kingdom?
Louis' family is greedy, he knows that. They're one of the most wealthy Kingdoms in the entire land. In being so, it comes with many responsibilities. It's as if they're expected to have a multitude of expensive items; so they do. Their Kingdom is lavish and appealing. So as Louis walks through the doors of the large Palace, he wonders what ever made him agree to his mother's wishes to make an appearance.
Louis does his best to focus as he walks towards a seat reserved specifically for him. The balcony view is already amazing and he has to admit, he loves seeing "King Louis Tomlinson" scribbled in fancy writing on the ivory paper. It's appealing in itself. Louis forces himself to sit down and be patient as he awaits the arrival of the future King. The King is just a kid. He's only 22 years old. But Louis knows that Harry isn't that young and it bothers him that Harry is becoming a King so late, too. Louis was a King at 21, a year before Harry. He supposes they just have different traditions.
"Announcing King Harold Styles; all rise!" The royal speaker yells over the crowd of people. Everyone remains seated until the young man steps out. And Louis finds himself being the only one who doesn't stand. And it's not because he's bored, and certainly not because he's not paying attention because oh, he most definitely is. But it's because his breathing stops. His breath literally catches in his throat as he stares down at the handsome man below him. He scans every feature of the beautiful boy. His crown sits atop his head perfectly and his outfit is crisp and clean. The boy's curls fall perfectly, framing his perfect face. Even from the balcony, Louis can see the piercing green of Harold's eyes. Louis finds himself staring, his mouth open slightly.
And it takes him a second to realize Harry is staring right back at him. Louis realizes he's the only one still sitting and hurriedly stands. He lets out a nervous cough as everyone stares at him. An intense blush creeps up his neck as he casts his eyes down.
Harry had just got done surveying the crowd when he'd seen one man in particular, breaking tradition. The man is still seated and Harry can feel his breaths grow shallow. He isn't angry, hurt, or even disrespected. He's blown away. Because the most perfect man he's ever seen is sitting above him, staring at him. The man is so intensely breathtaking that Harry finds himself taking deep breaths to maintain composure. The man soon realizes his mistake and stands, a sheepish, barely there smile crossing his face. Harry lets out a small sigh and turns to address his people.
He's just seen the most beautiful human being ever and he can't even focus on him. It's disappointing to Harry, to say the least. Harry's eyes widen slightly when he realizes he's thinking of a complete stranger this way. He finally takes in a breath and addresses his people.
--
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- P & K.