May 21st 1856,
The Throne Room,
Main Hall,
Dannamore Castle

It is yet another sunny day. The birds are singing, people are milling about in the town minding their own business, children are laughing.

Yet there is trouble brewing in the castle.

King Louis paces in front of his throne, the sound of his footfall echoing around the large hall.

Queen Therese, on the other hand, is sitting her throne with her face buried in her hands.

"What were you thinking?" he hisses, turning around to face his son, who is kneeling in front of the dais their thrones were laid upon.

The boy didn't say anything, too tired to rise to his father's rage. He wipes at the blood trailing slowly from the wound on his temple, wincing slightly at the touch. His head is still throbbing, though not as hard as when the royal guards found him in the dumpster behind the tavern. His right eye is bruised, the purple of it contrasting against his pale skin and there are scratches all over his face.

"Theodor sweetheart, why did you go to the tavern last night?" The Queen finally opens her mouth, her eyes training hard on her son's dark head.

"I needed to forget everything that happened at tea yesterday," he mumbles.

"So you thought you should go and drown yourself with alcohol?" The King hisses, now stopping in front of the Prince. "What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing," Theodor says, his fingers curling into fists. He inhales deep breaths, knowing his anger is starting to brew and it is not wise for him to lose his head now. Not when the king himself is about to lose his.

"Then pray, do tell me," King Louis starts, lacing his fingers together, "why did you go to Brown's tavern, polish off every single whiskey, bourbon, wine - everything - and then get into a brawl?"

"The thief started it," he says. "As I was about to pay Brown, I didn't find my money sack that I had tied to my belt. I noticed the thief was waving the sack around in the air, laughing with his friends."

"So you decided to knock his teeth out," King Louis exhales. "Why didn't you just confront him with words instead of fists, Theodor?" he moans, slumping into his throne.

The young prince's face reddens. "He mocked me, Papa."

Both the King and the Queen goes silent. Their son didn't realize how serious a mistake he had made.

"Do you know of the thief's identity, son?" The King asks. Theodor shakes his head. The King closes his eyes, trying to steady his heart. One day, this boy will be the death of him.

"Go and rest, my sweet," The Queen says, finally breaking the silence. "We are holding court today to welcome the Deschampian delegates."

"What?" Theodor springs to his feet, a look of pure horror on his face. "They are already here?"

"They arrived yesterday at noon. " she says calmly, putting a reassuring hand on her husband's arm. "We are going to announce your engagement tonight."

Her son opens and closes his mouth, not sure how to respond to this news.

The queen inhales deeply, for she knows how hard the king has been trying to rein in their son, especially since the Viktoria incident. Any moment now and he could drop dead due to the stress.

But she doesn't blame her son, either. At times, her husband could be too overbearing and too strict.

King Louis opens his eyes and stares at the high ceiling. "And Elena's older brother was seen to enter Brown's tavern last night," he says. "A fine young man dressed in fine, royalty clothing." He waits for the words to sink in his son.

Theodor's face scrunches up in confusion for a moment, before realization hits him. "Do you mean to say that I may have gotten into a brawl with her brother?"

"Yes," his parents say simultaneously.

For once in his life, the Hereditary Prince Theodor is speechless.

👑👑👑👑👑

At twelve bongs of the clock tower in the middle of the city, the royal family is already standing to attention on the dais in the throne room along with the nobles from all over the kingdom.

Waiting for the delegates from Deschamps to enter the hall.

It is quiet for a few moments.

And then the fanfare is blown and the crowds outside the castle cheers, so loud that the glass windows overhead trembles.

The King and Queen, clad in all of their royal glory from crown to slippers, stand proudly when the footmen opens the gilded doors and the delegates march in. Leading the procession is the royal family, with their courtiers trailing behind. All of them are dressed in the finest of the finest clothes.

The man at the foremost wears a black jacket with a gold medallion draped on his chest, gold scaffles on his shoulders and a blue sash with gold trimmings across his broad chest. His blonde hair, streaked with silver, is parted at the sides and a thin gold circlet adorns his head.

The Crown Prince Henrik.

Trailing behind him is a young man close to Theodor's age who resembles him so much, dressed similarly but without the medallion and circlet. He is also sporting a bruise over his left eye and jaw, though it is not too noticeable, probably concealed with powder.

Prince Henrik Albert.

And gliding next to the young man is the apparition of an angel, younger than him, dressed in a beautiful emerald dress with gold embroidery at the hem. A blue sash, slightly different from her father and brother, is pinned to her dress at the shoulder. Her blonde hair is twisted into an elaborate bun at the top of her head, with a few strands let loose at the sides. A beautiful silver tiara graces her head, the sunlight causing it to sparkle brilliantly.

The Hereditary Prince could feel his heart hammering against his ribs, so hard that he wouldn't be surprised if they cracked.

Because he has never seen a creature as radiant and graceful as her.

The Princess Elena took the young Prince's breath away.