Julian:
Despite knowing there was a good chance I would see the king here, I had drafted. Years had passed and the times had gotten only harder.

"Papa! Papa!" I wailed, griping his fragile arm in mine. "You can't leave us!" My mother placed a gentle hand on my back and gave me a tearstained smile.

"Dear, he's gone. As much as I love him, we need to worry about us. His medical bills used up the last of the funds and with all the time you've been taking off to tend to him, you've lost your job." I nodded miserably. "I think it's time we take the most extreme measure."

"Mama, no. You can't."

"Dear, it's either I go to work as a maid in the castle or you are drafted for... for the king's army."

"I'll go, I'll save us, mother."

"I love you."

"I love you too, mother."

My father, the main supporter to my family and the very heart of my dreams had passed away, leaving the two of us behind in the dirt nearly homeless and starving. Of course, at that point I would have done anything to save my mother and get us a better life. The only option I could find was to join the king's army. As much as I hated and lusted after him, I still joined. It was for my mother, no one else.

I stood still in the line full of men about my age. Each person in a different state of starvation. Three long years had passed and stubble was growing around my chin and I could only hope he had forgotten about me, though if we were really soulmates, there was no chance.

Thomas had come running past us, his even longer blond hair whipping behind him. My only friend in this place, I thought as I watched him go. I had never been ones to make friends in my village, more staying to myself.

Loud footsteps echoed throughout the room and I knew in the pit of my stomach that it was the king. King Jasper. Times had grown harder for my small village. Hangings increased and daily beatings weren't uncommon. Calm down, after all, he's only human. It was then that my unsuspecting eyes met his dark ones.

Jasper:
A cruel smile twisted my lips and I stepped a bit closer to the obviously startled man. "Julian! How great to see you once again!" The men standing in line beside him seemed startled and were soon whispering to one another in awe. "Silence!" I commanded and the room fell silent once again.

"How great to see you too, your majesty."

I wanted more than anything to kiss him, though I hated his very guts. For a minute, I allowed my eyes to drop down to those pink lips and I could imagine...

Wait! Stop it! You're a king and he's a peasant, a lowly creature. Even further-

"Your majesty, you're seething." Julian gave me a small smirk with the words.

I could feel my face turn a bright fuchsia and I stomped my foot once in anger.

"Just like a spoiled brat." His voice lashed out once more, cutting me and making me turn even redder.

"SILENCE!" I wailed, needing him to stop.

"Yes, of course, my lord." By this point, the entire room was in absolute shock at the way he spoke to the king but no one was brave enough to speak up or to ever challenge the king in that way.

Giving myself a second to regain composure, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Once I had opened them they held a coldness not previously there.

"Training starts tomorrow. If any of you take a step out of place you will be punished." And with that, I swept out of the room and to my quarters.

Julian:
The room was silent in King Jasper's wake. After a long minute Thomas stepped forward from his place on the wall and gave an awkward smile. "I will lead you to your quarters. Follow me."

We silently followed him up the winding staircases and through the dark corridors until we reached a large wooden door. With a large heave, Thomas pulled in open and stepped inside, politely waiting for us all to file into the huge room. The second I stepped into the room, I was astounded by its humongous size. Large windows crowed the walls and rows and rows of bunks adorned the spacious room.

"Take your pick of a bunk and meet in the main room for lunch at noon. Good day." Thomas had disappeared as quickly as he had come.

Now me and about twenty other man stood in the entrance of the large room, glancing at each other curiously. I strolled over to a random bunk and set down my small bag on the top, waiting for the rest to join in. Second was a tall man, about as tall as me who walked over to where I was and put his stuff on the bunk below me. From where I was up on the high bed, I looked down on him.

He looked up and with a bright smile stuck his hand out, "William Alton."

I smiled lightly and shook his hand with my dirt stained one. "Julian Harcourt."

"What you did out there with your majesty was splendid!" He chuckled and dropped my hand.

"Thank you," my smile dropped and I internally groaned. I was sure to be punished for that later.

Another man walked up and also congratulated me and before I knew it, at least half the room had joined them in praising me for rude attitude to the king. It seemed he was more hated then I originally thought.

The day flew by fast with small talk with William and the other men and before we knew it a loud horn was being played in our ears.

Thomas stood at the edge of the doorway, calling out to us. "Training with the king! Training with the king!"