"Are you out of your mind?!" Zayn whisper shouts. "This will never work!"
"If you have another solution, then please let's hear it" Niall mocks. Zayn thinks for a while, but he can't really come up with anything. "Exactly. Think of your country, not yourself" he scolds him.
"Prince Harry and I are friends. This will ruin everything! He knows me, Niall!"
"When was the last time you saw each other? Two years ago?" Niall turns to him, "He'll never recognize you"
Zayn shakes his head. "We won't get away with this"
"Actually we would, as long as you play your part. There were no witnesses" Zayn looks at him with confusion. There was. "I'm sure the brave doctor who helped us will be remembered"
Zayn gasps, "You killed him?!"
"It was a sudden death. No one could oppose god's will"
Zayn closes his eyes for a moment. He can't believe Niall just poisoned an innocent man. "He could've had family to look after. You ever thought of that?" he hisses.
"I think we should keep the carriage here. Tiana's ladies must have arrived already. I'll fetch them and bring them to you. They should help you then with the ... preparation" Niall informs him then leaves, completely ignoring him.
Zayn is left with his thoughts. Tiana's ladies won't agree on this, that's for sure.
🌟
"Tiana's dead?" Elma, one of Tiana's ladies covers her mouth as she cries silently. The other ladies do too.
Niall and Zayn can't tell them what exactly happened, because he is to blame. He is the one who pushed her back. She didn't even have any last words and Zayn prays she forgives him.
"But ... What about the treaty?" Alyson, another one of Tiana's ladies asks behind her tears.
"That's why we need you" Niall speaks up. "We can't lose this. Our country can't lose this. That's why-" he turns to Zayn, "You're going to turn him to Tiana" he smiles as Zayn glares at him.
"Well ... They're a bit alike" Giselle, another one of Tiana's ladies squints her eyes at Zayn, "His hair is shorter, but the same color. At least it reaches over his shoulders"
"He doesn't have the same eye color, though. Tiana's eyes were a darker shade of brown" Hylda, the last one of Tiana's ladies notes.
"The prince won't remember that" Niall waves a dismissive hand. "I'm sure he hadn't paid much attention to such details" he turns to the girls again, "Dress him up. We'll see the outcome" he smiles brightly as Zayn groans quietly. The ladies' eyes stare into his body, and he isn't comfortable. Not one bit.
🌟
"You're the same height. And obviously the same size" Giselle teases him. "Your waist is a little small for a man" Zayn gapes at her but she shrugs, "Works for you" she says as she looks over the dresses that belonged to Tiana.
"You have to get rid of your beard as well. And your other facial hair. Like, all of it" Elma walks up to him. "You need a smooth skin" she smiles, "Definitely waxing"
"I can style your hair to be wavy, splits it from the middle, adds value to the sides" Hylda unties his hair, "We need to do something about your invisible boobs" she points out.
"You need to adjust your behavior too" Alyson says from where she stands next to Niall looking over the jewelry, "You're lucky though. Turning into a high profile person" she whispers the last part to herself knowing very well that Zayn doesn't need a reminder of who he is. A bastard. The son of the king's mistress. Someone with no title.
"You need to practice on your voice as well" Niall points out.
Zayn shakes his head, "He'll find out, and we'll all go to hell for this"
"Your fate is the same, mate. It's either you die of shame here, or die of shame there" Niall pauses when Zayn sighs heavily, "He doesn't need to know"
"I'm a man!" Zayn shouts, "How is he never going to find that out?!"
Niall winces, "It's your job, not mine" then he leaves before Zayn could yell at him more.
The ladies help Zayn to get his body waxed. And it hurts, very. Then into the dress, which was a horrible experience as well. They've chosen a less-revealing dress to make sure the stuffed-fake-boobs aren't showing. Well, just enough for an outer appearance.
The problem was the corset. They had to pull it tightly and he just wonders how Tiana used to wear it all the times. He can't even breathe, mind doing the casual routine. And the heels were also a disaster.
'Don't bow like that! You're a lady now!' Giselle said to him. 'Smile' Elma repeats to him. 'Don't use your deep voice!' Hylda scolds him. 'Don't wipe at your face! Your make-up!' Alyson keeps shouting. 'No pulling at your hair!' Niall reminds him. 'Stop walking like that! A lady, Zayn. A lady!' Elma keeps repeating.
And that's how he spent his month.
🌟
England, 1560.
"They said she was ill, that's why it took her much time to arrive here" Liam whispers into his ear.
"Well, I hope she's fine by now" Harry replies with a nervous smile. They met before when they were so young, just a small visit. He'd seen her again with her brother two years ago, but didn't stay together for a long while. He'd seen Zayn for another three times to add to the total, and he took a liking to him. They stood as friends.
Harry would lie if he said he took a love interest in Tiana. He barely had the time to talk to her, but for political reasons, they are to wed. He still remembers her cheery personality though. And she is beautiful, he won't deny it.
Horns are blown to announce her arrival and he straightens himself as he stands next to his parents, and Liam, his most trustworthy counselor and old friend as well as a good swordsman.
The carriage stops and one of the guards open it. Tiana's ladies are now aligned next to the carriage as Tiana descends. Harry stares as Liam turns to grin at him.
"Turned out even more beautiful that the princess herself" Elma whispers to Hylda, "I feel like I'm a proud mother"
Hylda chuckles quietly, "Pray the prince feels the same way"
"Oh, please. The girls are ogling, and the men are stunned. What more proof do you need?" Alyson whispers back to both girls.
Zayn on the other hand feels like he'd faint at any moment by now. Such attention to him being a girl is something he never anticipated. He still smiles politely bowing his head down.
Harry smiles and walks up to him, "It's good to see you again, Princess Tiana"
Zayn doesn't look up, too afraid Harry would recognize him, "You too" he settles for something short. Harry frowns.
"Are you still ill? Your voice seems a bit-"
"I'm fine" Zayn quickly cuts him off. Harry is still confused but leads him inside anyways. His parents greet Zayn before they leave Harry to show him to his room.
"Wasn't the one to be shy" Harry teases. "I mean, I know it's not the same, and we're engaged now, but you don't need to be shy" Harry turns and stops in front of him.
Zayn closes his eyes, still ducking his head slightly down, and he is grateful for once that there's a height difference between them. "I'm just tired" Seriously, why didn't he have bangs that cover his eyes completely? He should consider that.
Harry nods understandingly but he still feels something odd. He leaves Zayn once he reaches his room.
The first thing Zayn wants to do is to get the dress ripped off him, and take the corset off. And wash his face, this doesn't feel normal, at all.
But he doesn't get the chance as Tiana's ladies knock on his door and get inside.
"You can't take your disguise off. What if someone knocks on your door? You need to be prepared" Giselle reminds him.
"I can't sleep in this!" Zayn points to his dress annoyingly.
"There are much comfortable ones" Elma speaks up, "Women's clothes. But as comfortable" she says quickly to assure him. "We can't risk bringing you men's clothes into your chamber"
"You can borrow Harry's once you too ..." Hylda trails off smirking.
"Right. As if we will go there. Do I have to remind you that we are both men?!" Zayn whisper shouts. "Can I at least take off the corset?" he whines.
"No" Elma says sternly as she and the rest stand up, "Remember, the king and queen invited you to have dinner with them and the prince tonight" she smiles. "We'll be there to adjust your look, don't worry"
Zayn fights the urge to pull at his hair, groan loudly, or smash something to be relieved.
🌟
That night when Zayn comes off his room, obviously still tired, and feels himself even more tired as he adjusts his posture. Walk like a lady. He rolls his eyes at himself and sighs.
Someone walks towards him, a guard apparently, and his eyes are locked on him. Zayn forces a smile out and stops when the guard stops in front of him. The guard also smiles politely and bows.
"My lady"
"Um-" Zayn starts. What should he say? Should he even say anything at all? Wait, why is this guard even talking to him?
"Liam Payne, your highness" Zayn replaces his 'oh' with a simple nod and a wider smile. "I was asked by the prince to accompany you to the dining room"
This time Zayn does say 'oh' and waits for Liam to lead the way.
Another thing that Zayn is glad of, is that the fire brings less light into the room, and his eyes take a darker shade of brown, the same like Tiana's. He can now at least hold a proper conversation where he doesn't have to duck his head. Not that he wants to, but people would start to suspect if he didn't talk.
Harry smiles at him as the servant pull a chair for him.
"Hope you're feeling better?" Harry asks once he's seated next to him, "We have some experts here at court if-"
"I'm well, thank you" Zayn looks up meeting Harry's eyes and smiling politely, then turning his head towards the food.
For a second, Harry narrows his own eyes at him. Tiana's eyes weren't shaped like that. He can at least remember that. But he turns his head away as well.
"We heard about the horrible accident that happened on your way here, my darling. We offer our deepest sincere for your loss" The queens speaks up making Harry turn his head in her way. He didn't hear about this!
"Thank you" Zayn replies. And his tone is actually not an acting one. He still sees the body of his sister, cold and pale, covered in blood and still, laying on that bed, breathing in her final seconds.
"Well, I can assure you a secure and a happy life here at the English court" The king smiles at him and he smiles back, muttering a 'thank you' again.
"I'm aware of the fact that you too hadn't got the chance to know each other that well. But you have long days ahead of you before your marriage" The queen speaks up again and Zayn has to force a smile out. The worst disaster of them all, he's getting married to a man. At best cases, Harry might not be interested in the marriage, which leads to him not being interested in Zayn, and if things go well, he might never have to talk at all.
"Well, I'm already mesmerized by her extraordinary beauty" Harry turns to him and Zayn nearly chokes. Nearly. He might as well make Harry hate him in the process. But if Harry hates him he might cancel the wedding ... But that's also not an option. The marriage itself is just political. It's not based on love, and Zayn is grateful for that. Should he say 'thank you' at this too?
"I still remember that one time you came here and spoke to that French boy. It's amazing that you're fluent in four languages" The queen speaks again, and Zayn actually panics. His sister was good at German, English, French and Spanish. It was amazing actually, how she used her free time to do all of this. But this is also not a good thing for himself. Zayn can't speak but German and English.
"Good times" he settles with that accompanied by a smile.
"The night is calm outside, the summer breeze is very pleasing. I'm sure Harry would like to show you around" Harry nods at his mother and turns to Zayn.
"It's not like you visited here in the winter, much better" Zayn looks up at him and opens his mouth to say something but Harry speaks again, "Would be honored if you joined me. Get to have a little time to ourselves"
"Sure"
"And I'll send a tailor to your room tomorrow" The queen informs him, "To make sure the fabrics are more suited to the weather"
"Of course. Thank you" Zayn manages to glance at Harry before he turns back again. Harry was looking at him, but in a more confused way. He prays that what's in his mind isn't true.
Harry gets a word with his father alone after finishing their dinner and before accompanying Zayn outside.
"How come I didn't hear about the accident?"
"Oh! Well, apparently they got attacked by bandits while on their way, and her brother was murdered" the king pauses, "They've been close, I suppose she's still not over it yet"
"Yeah" Harry says frowning as he looks back at Zayn.
🌟
"So, tell me about yourself" Harry starts glancing at Zayn.
"What exactly do you want to know?" Zayn frowns.
"Your hobbies? Your favorite color? Just ... Anything you want to tell me" He smiles and Zayn smiles back.
"Um ..." Hunting? No, that's not something girls would do. Tiana never did that. What did Tiana do? "I ..." Damn it! What did she do on her spare time? He wasn't exactly there with her all the time. "My favorite color is green" he sends Harry a smile. Yes. That's a good start. Harry nods. "What about you?"
Harry stops and turns to him, the light is still not enough to make his face properly, his eyes are still hidden under the shadow of the night.
"I was looking for a deeper answer, but that's also okay. But I also remember it was red?" Harry tilts his head.
"Uh ... Changed my mind. Too bloody" Zayn still smiles. It's what Elma always tells him to do, saying it's more charming that his usual cold face. He was supposed to feel insulted.
"Por qué están mintiendo?"
Zayn freezes. Is that French or Spanish? Most importantly, how is he going to answer?! Harry looks at him expectantly, and it's most obvious that Harry already caught him. When Zayn doesn't give him an answer Harry gives him a tight smile.
"I said you look beautiful under the moonlight"
Zayn stares at him for a moment, "That's not what you said" he says quietly.
"I thought you knew Spanish" Harry fakes a surprised face, "I talked to you once in Spanish. You can't have possibly forgotten how to speak a language?" Zayn looks down biting at his lips. "I mean ... If you knew how to speak Spanish in the first place"
Zayn looks up to see Harry's serious face, angry even, or betrayed, something in between hurt and shocked as well.
"I asked why are lying to me" Harry demands again. "Mind telling me as well what the hell are you doing in women's clothes, Zayn?" Zayn closes his eyes. He's not even through his first day and he's already caught. Where's Niall and his brilliant plans? God knows he needs one to escape this place, if he could.
"Tiana died when the bandits attacked us" Harry throws his hands up and huffs a breath. "This was to avoid war!" Zayn raises his voice, "I never wanted to be here either, but I'm supposed to think for my country!" Harry turns to him again, "You should consider the lives that I spared dressing like this" he says more quietly.
Harry sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose to calm himself down. "You ... are risking everything with this ..." Harry points at him, "Does your father know?"
"No" Zayn mumbles, his cool attitude is long gone. Can he mess his hair now?
"Well, I assure you he'll get a word soon"
Zayn's eyes widen and he stands in front of Harry, "I'll be dead!"
"Exactly"
"Harry! You're opening a door to another war!"
"Do you realize we'll be married in days?!" Harry shouts back.
"Get a mistress" Harry stares at him for a while then sighs.
"You've thought this well, haven't you?"
"I swear I'll never be in your way ... Please" Zayn begs quietly.
"We'll talk in the morning. I need to clear my head" Harry extends his hands for him earning a genuine smile from Zayn.
"Thank you for at least considering this" Harry just nods at him leading him back to his room.
🌟
The next morning Zayn groans when he hears knocking on the door. He sits up rubbing his eyes and heads for the door.
Wait.
He's not dressed. He'll need ages to get ready! "Um-" he starts but the person across the door interrupts him.
"Zayn, it's me" Harry's voice come from the other side and Zayn yanks the door open.
"First, don't call me that" he glances behind Harry and when he sees no one he relaxes allowing Harry in.
He goes back to his bed, grabbing a hair tie on his way, and sitting on it facing Harry. He pulls his hair up in a ponytail and blinks at Harry.
"Wow" Zayn doesn't really understand why Harry is staring, and certainly not like this. He glances down at his own body, he's wearing a thin white chiffon dress that is barely hiding much with its transparency. It's not his fault that he doesn't have men's clothes. He'd like to have some pretty much. Zayn guesses Harry might be uncomfortable. He is himself.
"Definitely could pull off both looks"
"I'm sorry?" Zayn frowns.
Harry clears his throat and looks up to meet his eyes, "I've thought about your offer. And it's too risky. I can manage you a ship with my most trusted men to another country to fleet safely" Zayn blinks at him, his brows are knitted together. "Tiana's death doesn't have to ruin the treaty. I'll talk to my father, and we'll come up with something"
Zayn looks down eventually. Harry won't kill him, but he also doesn't want him to stay. And he is right, Zayn agrees too, it was his plan at the first place. But what about his country? Can Harry really reach an agreement with his father?
"I need to know if my country's safe first"
"Zayn" Harry sighs, "I've already sent a word to your ladies. You should pack as well" Harry stands up, "You leave tonight"
🌟
Translation:
Por qué están mintiendo? = Why are you lying?