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“Any faster, sweetheart, and you'll swallow your spoon.”
Louis looks up and gives the amused cook a sheepish smile, “I can't help that you make the best food, Mary.” He says with a wink.
“Is that so?” She throws him a dry look as she pulls the curtains apart to allow the sun to seep in fully. "Flattery will get you seconds, dear, keep it going."
Louis giggles, "I have plenty of compliments, don't worry."
“It's curious to see you here so early,” she points out. “Is something the matter?”
“Does there need to be something wrong for me to want to visit my favorite chef?” Louis pouts and holds up his bowl expectantly. “Seconds, please? “
"There's still food in the bowl, your Highness," She crosses her arms and gives him a stern look, "You know better than to waste food."
"But it's cold," Louis pouts, poking at the cold oatmeal. "I'll trade you for a warm bowl?"
“Trade? How ridiculous.” She sighs but pushes another bowl of steaming oatmeal topped with strawberries in front of him. “You can come down here anytime you want, sugar, but it's obvious when you're trying to avoid something.”
She gives him an once over before adding, “Or someone.”
“Maybe I'm just hungry.” Louis grumbles, shifting in his seat.
“A valid excuse, of course, but on the off chance you aren't, just know you can't hide here forever,” Mary chides, lightly, tapping his nose as she passes, “The King has been searching for you, as well.”
“He has?” Louis looks up at her.
“Zayn has already passed through here in search of you twice,” Mary throws him an amused look, “Best to go on your own before he catches you.”
“He’s always in a sour mood when he can’t find me,” Louis sighs, “Alright, fine, I suppose it’s better to get it over with.”
"Wasting food." She frowns down at his already forgotten bowl.
"Save it for me and I'll come back down to eat it." He grins cheerfully as he stands.
“You hate leftovers, so I doubt it,” Mary states but smiles as she passes him the daily newspaper, “But, here — to brighten your day, I'm sure you'll love what it has announced.”
He pauses as he skims over it. “What is it?”
“The Fire Festival has finally arrived in the capital. Plenty of merchants will come 'round during the week,” she leans over his shoulder to point towards the specific page, “Here, look, it starts here.”
"Mary, why are you showing me this?" Louis frowns at the paper, "You know I can't go; I can't even step outside most days."
She gives him a sympathetic look as he flips through the paper, his eyes lighting up as he reads through it, “Perhaps but, with a bit of persuasion, Zayn can certainly go for you.”
"Perhaps," He concedes, "But the King—"
"This is your kingdom, too," Mary interrupts, stepping away. "You’re allowed to visit the capital just like the rest of us, no matter what the King says."
"That is dangerous talk, Mary," Louis warns, "I don't mind it but if the King ever caught wind of it."
"Forgive me for overstepping, your Highness,” Mary bows, her eyes soft as she fixes his hair, “I just don't enjoy seeing you sad."
He waves away the apology, "Insult the King all you want in my presence, but take care of that talk around anyone else. I don't want you getting in trouble."
She gives him a soft smile, "Of course."
"I'll ask, I don't know how well that'll go over but it's worth a try, isn’t it?" Louis bites his bottom lip, he already feels the excitement welling up inside him at the mere prospect of being able to go — well, anywhere.
"I hope it works out for you," Mary winks. “There will be a book merchant from what I’ve heard.”
“Really? Thank you, Mary!” He jumps up from the seat, giddy as he pops one more strawberry in his mouth as he gives her a quick hug and sprints out of the kitchen.
{☆}
“Your Highness!”
The shout of a guard falls on deaf ears as he races up the spiral staircase, taking them by twos.
The domineering portrait of the King greets him as he lands on the second floor, looming and judging him with its crass lines and gloomy colors as he speeds past it, the sun filtering unabashedly through glass windows as tall as the ceilings.
His fingers tighten around the paper against his chest as he races past onlookers, ignoring the pleas for him to slow down that trail behind him.
He barges into his uncle’s office with a loud bang of the door hitting the wall. He winces and mutters a quick apology, hurrying to close it with a gentle click. Louis turns and steps towards the spacious desk that stands as powerful as a throne in the center of the room. He hopes the noise doesn't deter the King from hearing him out; it wouldn’t be the first time his lively attitude irked him.
“What did I say about running in the palace, dear?” His mother greets him where she stands next to the desk. He startles, not expecting her to be there. She steps forward, arms raised, as she drops a kiss on his cheek.
“Mum, what are you doing here?”
“I just needed to discuss something with the King, that's all,” she waves the question away as she flits her eyes down to the paper, "What have you got there?"
"Oh!" He exclaims, a giddy smile stretches on his lips, “All this commotion is worth what I have brought — look at what a merchant is selling in the Capital!” Louis bounces on his toes as he places the paper on the desk with bated breath.
His uncle takes a moment to finish signing a paper before glancing at the newspaper before sending Louis a stern look. “All this commotion for books?”
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” He pulls the paper back towards himself, a gleam in his eyes as he explains, “They are selling so many of them this time; on science, fiction and music!” The wistfulness in his voice could not be mistaken for anything else. He’s thought of getting his hand on a new instrument for so long it felt as if it was futile to even dream about, at this point.
"Music and adventure books, hm?" His mother raises a perfectly arched eyebrow at him. She reads the advertisement over his shoulder, "Now, I see."
“There are so many options, too!” He raises the advertisement high in the air as if it was the answer to all of his life's problems, “If I picked up the music book along with the guitar then I could learn to play!”
His mother hums, indulgent, as she brushes a stray strand of hair from his eyes, "It all sounds fascinating, dear."
"It is! I hear when you flick a string, it makes a particular note depending on which string it is. It can go high or low and —”
“Oh, Louis,” His mother interrupts, shaking her head, “You and your little whims.”
“It’s not a whim,” He huffs, taking a step away from her caress as he looks down at the advertisement, “There is no need to patronize me, Mother, these are things that make me happy.”
“Wouldn’t that give you callous, love, hm? Strumming strings all day long sounds strenuous on your delicate fingers.” She reaches forward to grab hold of his hands to inspect them.
Louis whines as he snatches them back, “My hands will be fine, Mother,” He leans against her side as he looks up at her with wide eyes, “Nothing would bring me more joy than to learn to play.”
She covers his eyes with her palm, laughing, "Don’t give me those puppy eyes, they will not work on me."
"It was worth a try." He mutters, leaning against her armchair with a sigh.
“Louis, you’re soon to take the throne and playing with such toys —”
“It’s not a toy!” Louis interjects. “These are things that interest me, not toys or whims. I must find some sort of entertainment in this dreadful place,” He turns away from her, his eyes already filling with tears of frustration, “Of all things to deny me of, I can't believe it's this.”
“You know how to perform on the piano,” The King finally intervenes. He pushes the advertisement to the side and returns to his reading, “How are you not satisfied?”
“Piano is no challenge for me after learning for so many years,” he wipes away the stray tears before he turns back towards them, “Playing the same songs bores me.”
"Then, learn a new one," The King mutters as he rises from his seat, making his way to the small bar in the room's corner. “Since you have enough time for these frivolous interests of yours, I am sure that the task I gave you last month is fulfilled.”
“Of course it has.” Louis narrows his eyes. “Who do you take me for? I had Zayn do it, now can we talk about the guitar?”
The King scoffs, "So, not you then?"
"What does it matter?" Louis says, waving his hand carelessly, "The request is done, and that's what matters. Now, can we discuss this further? I'd like to have permission to go into the city this week."
“Absolutely not!” The King snaps at him. “I am not here to humor your whims, Louis.”
“What the King means is that we can get these books you desire if you'd like, but a guitar sounds like an activity best left to betas, dear.” His mother reminds him, patting his hand as she shoots the King a look.
It was the most irritating thing to hear; there were few things they had denied him in his life but the fact they denied him this of all things — because of his secondary gender, no less — made him want it even more.
“How boring.” A quick roll of the eyes and a stomp of his feet shows his annoyance. “I’m sure I would excel better than any beta would.”
“It’s a strenuous activity that is not suitable for O’s delicate fingers, I am sure after a few lessons your fingers would bleed and scar,” The King drawls as he refills his glass to the brim, eyeing him over the top of the glass. “No one would want you, then.”
“Who said I ever cared of what anyone wants or not.” Louis tilts his head to the side.
The King narrows his eyes in disgust. "So, you intend to be mateless for the rest of your life?"
“I intend to live my life regardless of if I am currently mated or not,” Louis says, shuffling the papers in his hands as he lifts his eyes to meet the King’s. “Is that an issue, sir?”
“You’re on thin ice with that mouth of yours, Louis,” His uncle rises to his feet, his form large and menacing as he towers over him, “You best be careful before it gets you in trouble.”
Louis ignores him, instead, turning to his mother. “I actually need to ask you something. Where is Maia?”
"Hm, who?"
"Maia," Louis repeats more slowly, “The little girl who always trails her mother in the library? About 11, this tall " He adjusts his hand to his waist, "She asked me for a picture book, and I went to bring it to her this morning but she wasn't there, do you know?”
"Her mother is no longer with us, Louis." She clears her throat, adjusting her hair as she gives a glare at the King. He huffs and sneers at her before he turns back to his work.
Louis looks between the two with a frown. "What is it? What did she do? Where's her mother? Where is she?"
"You're awfully inquisitive about this girl. What have I told you about getting attached to the help?" The King snaps with a growl.
Louis blinks, “I—”
“I suppose it would be too much to hope that you’d ask for a new dance instructor like a normal omega after you chases away your last one.” He continues, eyeing him.
"If I can't find a mate because I don't know how to dance, then it was never meant to be," He sniffs, turning up his nose to the side, "My beauty alone should suffice."
“Give me strength." The King mutters, raising his eyes to the ceiling as he finishes his brandy in a very long gulp. He sighs as he lowers his glass. “Where did I go wrong in raising you?” he wonders out loud.
The retort of him not raising Louis is at the tip of his tongue that he tries to withhold — most of the raising was by his mother; the title of guardian was in the most superficial sense alone.
“It must’ve been between the ages of three and five, I suppose, Uncle.” He drawls, he swells with happiness when his mother lets out a soft giggle. “Now, about this festival —”
“You are an Omega, Louis," The King growls, causing him to groan. "You can't go around in public without a care of what might happen.”
“You are the only one who thinks that, Sir. You aren't looking out for me; I am a mere bargaining chip you’re planning to give away to any Beta with power who'll make their way to the castle.” He retorts with a frown.
The King's lips thin and eyes narrow, "I'd rather Betas than have filthy, mindless Alphas come from across the sea to even attempt to court yo—"
"Alphas aren't mindless. You’ve never even met one and neither have I," Louis frowns, looking away. “Your meaningless hatred towards them is unbecoming of someone of your status.”
His uncle slams a hand down against the table. “It isn’t meaningless when the barbaric Southern kingdom exists.”
“Paranoia is an awful look on you, sir.” Louis mutters.
“You think I care what you think of those filthy specimens. They are beneath us, boy, do well to treat them as they deserve.” The King grits his teeth. "Beyond these walls, there are suitors dying to meet you. The fact you exist is a danger in of its own merit and you do well —"
“Beyond this castle, I know nothing about the people I am supposed to lead one day,” He throws his hands in the air and scoffs, “I am ignorant of their wants and needs, how am I supposed to take the throne when I know nothing of my people?”
"Take the throne." His uncle scoffs, sitting back down.
"Yes, take the throne." The prince cocks his hip and crosses his arms, "Did you forget you are only King Regent. You are only the acting king until I find a mate, which you continue to remind me to do so!"
"If you find a mate with an irritating attitude like yours." The King mutters.
"Artur," His mother snaps with a glare, "Watch your tongue."
“I am the rightful heir to the throne, and I don’t know how to rule.” He repeats.
“For the sake of your protection, boy,” The King emphasizes, “You think those savages wouldn’t snatch you up the moment they would have a glimpse of you, if they ever arrive in the castle, well…” He scoffs, “You are well aware of how they view your kind.”
“My kind?” Louis frowns.
“Louis,” His mother’s voice warns.
“No, Mother, let the King continue his thought. How do they view my kind?”
“Yes, your kind,” He spits out, rising to his full height and haughty. “You think Alphas take to Os kindly? They sacrifice you, hang you up in barracks and have the entire clan have a go at you.” He snorts, shaking his head.
“I can take care of myself, sir.” He crosses his arms. “That is why you hired a sword master to tutor me, is it not?”
“If you think your sword skills can go against a savage, especially with that pitiful little thing you call a sword,” Harsh, brittle laughter echoes in the silence that shrouds them like a veil, “Then, you’re more naïve than I had thought of you.”
"Me? Naive?" Louis huffs, “With all due respect, you have no right —”
“Enough,” his mother cuts in as the King releases a growl. She stands and looks at them both with stern eyes, “This is no time to fight about this.”
The King lowers himself back to his seat, his eyes cut to the right as he says, “As the superior wolf, a beta, all I have is my land — if I can’t protect it, then there is no point for me to rule.”
He swings back the last of his whiskey before he slams the empty glass down with a loud clunk. “And you are an Omega in power, more wars yet to come will be fought for you — for this land, you ungrateful brat.”
“Not if I have any say in it,” Louis snaps, “Wars are frivolous and waged only by men who are desperate to prove their pathetic, meaningless worth.” Louis rolls his eyes as he turns away, “No worthy person vying for my attention would ever wage a war and hide behind their men.”
“Louis!” His mother gasps as his uncle turns a garish shade of purple. His mother’s outrage would have made him shift with guilt any other time, but now he is too tired, too sick of the same argument to even care.
"An alpha would rip you to shreds, boy, maybe one day you'll learn of their savage ways."
"I don't make it a habit to pass judgement before I know a person," Louis says, he throws a sardonic look over his shoulder. "The new stable hand Zayn hired is one, so I guess we will all find out about an Alpha’s nature, won’t we?"
The King jumps out of his seat, his face red in anger as he grips his desk tightly. "You hired an Alpha?"
"He was the most qualified applicant,” Louis says, frowns. “Thats what Zayn said, at least.”
"Then, he is from the South," The King straightens up with a growl, "No alpha would dare live in my territory otherwise, I will have him removed at—"
"There is nothing wrong with allowing a person to work, Artur," His mother says with a frown, "Sit down."
“If you’ll excuse me, I can't stand to be in the same room as him.” His stomach weighs heavy like lead, and he has the strongest urge to vomit as he nods at his mother and turns to leave.
“You've not been dismissed, boy!”
“I can't see how that concerns me.” He shoots back, not turning back for a second.
{☆}
“I'm leaving whether you like it or not,” He announces as he stands in front of his retainer and best friend. Strapped to his thigh is a small blade glittering with sapphires and embroidered with his name that his mother gifted him on his 18th. “I want to go to the capital, and you can't stop me, Zayn Malik.”
“I’m sure I can't, Your Highness,” Zayn replies, mirth fills his voice, “But my orders are to ensure you don’t step foot outside the royal grounds.”
“It’s a mere walk from here.” Louis points out.
“That’s an exaggeration.” He challenges, crossing his arms.
“Oh, come on, I can see it from here!" Louis flits his eyes to the side when Zayn raises an eyebrow at him, “Fine, if you must, you may accompany me.”
“Your Highness…” Zayn trails off, waving away the other guard and waits until he is a fair distance before he turns his attention back to him.
“Alright, what’s gotten into you?” Zayn shifts to a more informal stance, crossing his arms as he raises an eyebrow.
Louis huffs, looking away, “What do you care?”
“I’m worried about you,” Zayn narrows his eyes, "You know you can't leave and yet, you're being awfully insistent about it — more than usual, that is."
"I can't leave because I'm a prisoner here, right?" Louis asks bitterly, looking away with a huff.
Zayn sighs, "Of course not..."
“Then, let me through,” Louis insists, “Please?”
“You know I can’t do that, Your Highness.” Zayn says, peering at him with a flat look on his face. "My duty is to keep you here."
“How many times must I tell you to use my name? We grew up together,” Louis says, turning away. “If anyone is allowed to be informal with me, it’s you.”
Zayn’s lip twitches as he flicks a stray hair out of Louis’ eyes. “Of course, Louis.”
“You’re mocking me,” He points a finger at him, “I can have your head for that.”
“I don’t think I’ll look as beautiful displayed on a pike, though.” Zayn muses.
Louis laughs, nudging him with his shoulder, “So, you have a sense of humor hidden behind that stoic, pretty face of yours.”
Zayn taps his nose, “Always have.”
“Then, it would be hilarious if you’ll allow me through here, right?” Louis stands to his full height, trying to appear as intimidating as he could despite his short stature.
“Your Highness, you know very well the King really would have my head if I let you through these doors.”
“The King is an idiot. I'll just say I slipped out without your notice,” Louis says and Zayn flinches, glancing around to see if anyone else had witnessed the casual disrespect to the King. “He won’t allow me to buy books in the city today, the one thing I would like to do.”
“I’m sorry.” Zayn murmurs, resting his hand on the smaller one’s shoulder. "I know you feel stifled here, but—"
"But it's for my own good," Louis finishes with a sigh, brushing off the hand, "Everyone has decided what is good for me with no consideration of how I feel."
"I will go to the capital for you," Zayn offers, "I'll buy all the books you want if that’ll make you happy."
Louis sighs, all the anger leaving him almost in an instant, “I just want out, that is what will make me happy.”
“There are too many unknowns, Louis, suitors are vying for your hand as we speak and with all the rumors of a hidden away princess spread out through the years, it'll only get worse,” Zayn replies, leaning his back against the wall. "That's just a price we have to pay."
“The price is my freedom,” Louis glares at him, “My life.”
Zayn sighs, walking past him. He leans against the wall as he watches the happenings in the courtyard.
"I just want to see a world that isn't described in a book." Louis murmurs.
“In exchange?”
“What?”
“What are you willing to sacrifice in order to see the world,” Zayn elaborates as he turns to look at him, “Your life?”
It leaves Louis speechless, unsure on how to respond and allows the silence to fall between them. Zayn shakes his head as he releases a sharp breath. “Going to the city will really make you happy?”
"Of course, I feel caged here, just this one time, please?” Louis begs before he adds quickly, “I promise I will be back by dinner and I will even bring back sweet rolls!”
“You never share your sweets, so that means nothing to me.”
“I will today.” Louis says, fluttering his eyes.
Zayn stares at him for a moment before he sighs, “You know I hate to see you sad. I have to go train some new soldiers today, so you'll have to wait until after I’m done.”
He widens his eyes, catching on, “Wait, are you serious?”
Zayn spares him a smile as he bows, “Good day, Your Highness, I’ll meet you at the stables around three, yeah?”
Louis watches him leave in astonishment for a moment before he shook himself and gathers himself. He would be a fool to let this opportunity pass him by. As he pushes the doors open, he sighs as the rays of sunlight caresses his skin, shivering as he makes his way down the long trail from the castle to the stables, his elation not once leaving him.
{☆}
The stable is only a few minutes' walk from the castle, but it doesn’t stop his ears from tinting a cherry red in the unforgiving wind outside.
The Estate is a beautiful piece of land, just hidden away behind the castle. It stretches as far as he can see, with fields of green swaying gently against the wind, scattered with clusters of wildflowers and daffodils. A tall apple tree that his mother always said his father used to be fond of stands tall just near the stable, casting a pleasant shade against the building.
The pastures rise into hills and just off the side of the royal stables; the sky stretches onto the horizon. Clouds drifts aimlessly as the sun dips, casting a warm glow across the land. Louis walks past the small lake that feeds into the river, the sound of gushing water causing a calm to come over him. He jumps from one rock to another, following the river to the front of the entrance.
"Is anyone here?" Louis walks slowly into the stable, looking around curiously. The floor litters with hay and the sounds of the horses scuffing in their stables fill the air. Louis lights up when he spotted the familiar mane of his mother's horse.
He jogs over, giggling as the pure white horse instantly recognizes him and nuzzles into his cheek. "Hello, Bell, you won't mind going to the capital with me, would you?"
The horse snorts. Her hooves stomp against the ground as she nudges against the gate.
"That's what I thought, sweet girl, you're always up for an adventure." He unlocks the gate quickly, coaxing the horse out with its rein and stands back, frowning as he realizes he doesn’t know how he’s supposed to get on Bell, let alone ride her.
“This is my first time mounting on my own,” He gives the horse a stern look as he braces himself, "No laughing." He tries to jump up just as the horse moves, neighing in protest. He stumbles back with a curse on his tongue.
“It’s not as easy as it looks,” Louis huffs, hands on his hip as he gives the horse a hopeless look, "How does Mother do this?"
"Were you…trying to mount?"
The amusement in the newcomer’s voice startles him and he yelps, spinning around; at the door of the stable stands a man, tall with thick ropes looped over his broad shoulder. His face looks young with a bright smile on it and green eyes that captivate him. His scent drifts towards him along with the breeze and Louis can practically taste the Alpha rolling off the man.
"You were trying to mount without a saddle, weren't you?" The stranger teases gently as he fully enters the stable. Louis’ mouth hangs, unsure how to respond as the stranger speaks to him with such familiarity. "Most likely your first time, yeah?"
"No," He lies, shaking his surprise to cross his arms with an indignant scoff. “Of course not.”
The alpha gives him a skeptical look as he drops the ropes to the ground and continues, giving him an once over, “No saddle or a stool, no riding boots either?” He gives him a flat look, his enormous arms crossed across a broad chest, “You know nothing about riding horses and that's a fact.”
"You know nothing of who you're addressing, do you?" Louis retorts, mimicking the stranger’s stance, "This is my land, and I will do the questioning here. Now who exactly are you?"
“Isn’t it obvious?” The alpha gives him an amused look, turning towards the black spotted horse in the corner. He pats his nose as he throws over his shoulder, "The name’s Harry, I work here."
“Well, Harry, I am the ruler of these lands,” Louis looks away quickly as he mutters, “Well, soon to be ruler, at least.”
Harry gives him a once over, surprise coloring his voice. “You're the rumored princess?”
“W-well, yes.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be locked up in a room in a faraway tower? Your beauty being unworthy of us mere mortals,” Harry wiggles his fingers and grins, “Well, that's what the rumors in the capital say, at least.”
“And are the rumors correct?” He can't help but ask. “About my beauty?”
“More than any heresy of you could ever conjure,” Harry replies quietly, turning back to the horses. “Your beauty surpasses any expectations I had.”
“Well, I’m shocked to hear such sweet words coming from a…” He trails off, knowing finishing the sentence would be rather rude of him.
A raised eyebrow joins the tiny smile on the alpha's face as he picks up a pitchfork. "From an alpha or a stable hand? Take your pick, Princess," He laughs sardonically, his face pinched, "Well, that’s another rumor that’s true I suppose; the royalty here is rather strange and rude."
Louis frowns at that. "I... I’m sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
Harry waves it off, turning back to the stack of hay and takes a big stab at it with the pitchfork, lifting it effortlessly in the air. "It's fine, no offense taken. To be fair, the North is rather different from what I know of, as well. So, I don't hold any ill towards you."
"So, you really aren't from the North?" Louis' eyes lit up, "I mean, our population of alphas is nonexistent, but I didn’t think…?” He nearly vibrates with excitement as he continues, “Are you from the South, then? Where—"
"Where Alphas live, yes," Harry threw the hay into Darla's stable, wiping the sweat from his brow, "I admit it's far colder here than in the South."
"What is it like?" Louis steps forward, the eagerness in his voice is too obvious to hide, "Are you all really dying out? Are there feral alphas like the books say? What about—"
"Does the royalty of this land always probe the new stable hands like this?" Harry raises an eyebrow, a quirk of a smile forming on his lips, showing he was more amused than annoyed. It leaves him flushed, though, and stammering for a second before he sighs, tucking his hands in his pockets.
"I'm sorry," Louis looks down at the ground, "It's just — there aren't any Alphas here, so I was just curious if they are truly as they're described in my books."
"Oh?" Harry tilts his head to the side. "So, this land is actually predominantly Beta? I didn't think it was true, it's a very interesting dynamic."
"I suppose so."
“Well, then?” He flexes an arm out, his muscle bulging in a way that makes Louis' gaze linger. "As the first alpha you’ve met, have I met your expectations, my Princess?"
"Oh," Louis raised a hand over his mouth to stop the small giggle that threatens to escape, the ease in which Harry adds on a possessive before his title stirs something in him and it makes him want to explore the heat that spreads through him.
"You’re alright." He, instead, settles with as he takes a step back. The trickle of slick that runs down his thigh would just have to be his little secret, for now.
Harry huffs out a laugh, “You’re rather interesting,” He leans back against the wall. “So, before I came in, you were trying to mount Bel. Why?”
“I wanted to go to the capital,” Louis says. “My friend was to escort me later on, but I wanted to go on my own.”
"You've never been to the capital?" Harry asks. Louis bites his lip at the surprise coloring his voice.
"Not by choice," Louis murmurs. "It's considered a security risk."
Harry is silent as he moves towards him, patting Bell gently as he asks, "If you’d like, I can bring you but,” Harry narrows his eyes, “I won’t have the royal guards on my ass if I agree, will I?”
"Of course not," Louis huffs, shifting his eyes to the right as he adds quietly, “Possibly. Maybe.”
“That's not reassuring.”
"I won't let that happen," Louis says firmly. "You are the poor soul who caught me trying to take Bell."
Harry sighs, “Alright fine, let me go get the saddle. Since you’ve never ridden before, I'll take the reins and you just hold on tight.”
"I won’t slip off, will I?” Louis asks, stepping in close next to Harry, being this close has the side effect of reinforcing how big Harry truly is, broad and tall with Louis having to look up to meet his eyes.
Once the saddle is fixed, Harry turns to him, taking a hold of his waist gently, “I won't let you fall.” He lifts him up and gently places him on Bell, who snorts but doesn’t protest.
"King Artur won’t be happy," Harry frowns, “Though, maybe if it’s you, he won’t be too mad.”
Louis chuckles, mirthless, as he drops his gaze, “The King?” he scoffs, “He’s never been happy in his entire life, especially with me. He always finds something about me he wants to fix or improve on.”
Harry stays silent, but Louis doesn't have to look up to know his gaze is intently on him. The Alpha steps forward, lifting his hand to brush away some of Louis’ fringe from his eyes.
“I see nothing that needs fixing.”
{☆}
It takes longer than he expects to reach the capital, but his eye brightens as he catches the first sight of the city. The roads filled with people, going about their day and filling the air with aimless chatter. Street performers take up spots doing dances and tricks for anyone willing to spare a few coins, merchants proclaiming their inventory in boisterous voices to anyone willing to listen. The atmosphere is vibrant and fills him with excitement.
“It's so lively here,” Louis’ eyes glitter with excitement at the prospect of exploring the large city. “There’s so much to do!’
“I’ve only been living here for a few months, but this is exactly how it usually is, traveling merchants, performers, food,” Harry grins as he dismounts and helps him off of Bell, “The capital of this kingdom is never boring, I’ll admit.”
“You’ve only been here for a short time? What exactly made you want to come here?” Louis asks as Harry fixes his hood.
“A change in scenery,” Harry says simply, he tugs on his hood one last time, making sure that Louis’ face is covered before he steps back, “There, stay close to me and make sure you don’t get lost.”
Louis blushes as Harry grabs a hold of his hand and tugs him along. “Is there a specific place you want to go?”
“I want to visit the bookseller at the festival.”
“All the festival’s booth are being set up in here.” He points towards the large tent at the end of the street, gently guides him to the front and allows him to enter first. They weave and push through the crowds of people doing their own shopping as Louis tries to spot the book merchant that was in the advertisement.
"There!" He points in excitement towards a stall with stacks of books lined up as the man rings a bell to entice customers as he calls out to people passing by.
"Hm," Harry walks towards the stall and hums as he picks up a book, inspecting it. "I take it you like books?"
“Was it that obvious?” Louis asks in a sarcastic tone, bumping his hip against the alpha’s.
Harry shrugs, “How would I know? For all I know, you'll make a cozy fire with these books.” Louis giggles as he rolls his eyes.
The merchant stands to the side, watching them eagerly with his hands clasped together as Louis browses through the collection. "To answer your question, I like to read, yes, it gives me a reason to escape from my situation, mentally, at least."
“I see.” Harry places the book down on the table. He glances at him, “You must feel caged.”
“I do,” Louis bites his lip, “All I want is to be free to go out and do things.”
Harry turns to him, "As long as you’re with me, I’ll take you wherever you want to go, Your Highness."
"I wish it was that easy," he sighs wistfully, picking up another book and calls out to the merchant, "How much?"
"20 gold, sir!"
Harry hums as he reads the book’s cover over his shoulder. “Alice in Wonderland?”
“Its one of my favorite books,” Louis says, bouncing on the heels on his feet as the merchant wraps the book up. “I can't believe I found a copy, now I don’t have to borrow it from the library anymore.”
“If you read it already, why would you read it again?”
He gives the alpha an incredulous look. “A good book will always be good, no matter how many times you’ve read it, Harry.”
“I don’t quite get it but alright.” Harry says with a chuckle.
Louis gives him a withering look as he pushes another book in the alpha’s hand to carry, talking animatedly about what else he wants to read. He’s grateful when Harry doesn’t ask any more questions.
{☆}
Louis holds on tightly to Harry on their way back, this time at a more sedate pace. The books he bought sits securely between them as Louis lays his head against the Alpha’s broad back. The sun is setting, much to his surprise — he didn’t realize how much time must've passed since he left. He estimates its near the time dinner’s served, and he knows he’ll receive an earful from Zayn.
“We’re almost there,” Harry whispers, urging Bell to go faster and he lifts his head to see they’re indeed in front of the castle’s entrance. The castle stands majestic as ever, tall, with white pillars and iron gates. Memories of running with Zayn through the garden and the same lush, filled grass Bell steps on now flutters through his mind.
He can already make out the guards as they make their way to the entrance, sandwiched between the King and his mother. He groans, burying his face into Harry’s back.
“What is the meaning of this!” The King shouts as they near the entrance to the castle, guards surround him, weapons poised and ready to strike. His face twists in fury, the closer they get, “Louis, answer me!”
Harry doesn’t spare the King a glance, instead jumps off Bell and offers Louis a hand to dismount. Louis sighs as he accepts the help. Harry winks at him as he jumps off Bell to face the King.
“I went to the capital,” Louis says once his feet touches the ground, “The stable hand was kind enough to accompany me.” Harry smells like cocoa, a bitter but warm scent that fills his nostrils as he feels the alpha’s presence from behind him.
"There's a reason you aren't allowed to leave the castle," His uncle's words are harsh, his teeth grits as he pushes a guard aside to step in front of him. His Uncle towers over his short stature but doesn’t come close to Harry’s height. The thought emboldens him. “I would have more headache than needed if someone, or this alpha fool, snatched you.”
Louis frowns at that. "I just…"
"You just wanted to cause me trouble, boy." The king's nostrils flare as he cuts him off and Louis glares at him.
"I just wanted to buy some books, that isn't a crime!"
"And if you were kidnapped, my plans would be ruined!"
"I had Harry with me, nothing was going to happen," Louis replies, "I was perfectly safe."
"Now, I'm supposed to trust an alpha who doesn't know their head to their ass with my possession?"
Harry growls, taking a step forward as Louis snaps his teeth, "I'm not your possession!"
“Until I agree to a suitable arrangement, you’re under my care and my possession,” He growls, he turns to the guards, “Take this alpha in for questioning, I’m sure his intentions were nefarious.”
“No,” Louis shouts, stepping in front of Harry, “Harry was only doing what I asked him to, leave him out of this.”
His uncle ignores him, “Take him into custody for questioning.” The soldiers shifts, one hesitantly stepping forward in a feeble attempt to follow orders.
“Harry —" Louis pauses as he takes a proper look at the Alpha just as the soldier reaches to lay a hand on the man’s shoulder, and he knows it’s a mistake even without knowing what is to transpire next.
Faster than he could follow, Harry slams his body against the soldier and they both tumble to the ground, Louis crying out in surprise. The other soldiers flank the Alpha immediately, trying to restrain him through a chokehold from behind. Harry easily throws them to the ground and Louis shivers at the raw power on display, never once witnessing such instinct-driven behavior before, and for one irrational moment, he thinks Harry is going to tear out the man’s throat, too.
“All alphas are the same, bunch of animals, arrest him!” His uncle shouts through all the commotion. Louis throws him a glare.
With a flash of Harry’s teeth and another snarl, the last soldier bends his head to the side in submission, trembling in fear as Harry stands to his feet. His scent is heady and strong, filling the area with alpha, and Louis wants nothing more than to answer the whims of his own nature.
“You can’t charge me for a crime I haven't committed, your Majesty,” Harry says in a low voice, his Uncle trembles with anger but make no move to speak as Harry goes to grab Bell and begins towards the stables, “You’ll need more than this feeble army to bring me anywhere.”
{☆}
That night, Louis sits in the comfort of his bed, his duvet wrapping around him like a cocoon, his mother sitting near his bedside, sighing as he meets her eyes, “Today has been chaotic.”
“Everything is settled now.” She says with a soft smile.
“I’m just glad I could save Harry from being dismissed.”
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you,” She says softly, “You know, I never seen Artur so furious."
“Why do we keep him around? I can rule,” Louis says with urgency, his hands curls into fists around the duvet. “Uncle brings nothing but trouble for this kingdom.”
“Omegas can’t rule without a mate, it's a rule this kingdom has followed for centuries,” His mothers swipes a hand across his cheek, “Your time will come. I’m sure Mr Styles shares the sentiment that you handled yourself well today.”
"It's my fault he was in trouble in the first place,” He replies with a sigh, “I made a whole mess of things.”
“It isn’t your fault. Believe it or not, I understand why you wanted to leave, even for a few hours, and I wish I could give you the life you always dreamed of, Louis.” She lowers his hands from his face, her eyes sparkles as she looks at him.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It's just...your Father would be very proud of you, never forget that.”
Louis nods, tears gathering in his eyes at the sentiment, “I know.”
Before his mother could comment any further, there is a knock on the door before Zayn peeks his head in with a tentative smile, "Am I interrupting?"
She rises, "Not at all, dear."
He sighs in relief as his eyes settle on Louis, hands in his pocket and a wry smile on his face. “I thought I told you to wait for me and not to go on your own. You made me worry.” He flicks his forehead with a shake of his head.
“Harry was with me,” Louis pouts as he holds his forehead. “I was safe.”
“Speaking of,” Zayn looks behind him for a second when a growl resonates in the hall, he rolls his eyes as he adds, "Harry's waiting outside, if you hadn't noticed. Well, I mean, if it’s alright for him..." He trails off, glancing towards them.
“No need to say more, Zayn,” she bends to land a quick peck on Louis' cheek before stepping away, “I must attend to something, goodnight to you all.”
“Goodnight,” Louis mutters, picking at the spare threads on his quilt. "Harry can come in."
He hears whispering between Zayn and his mother as heavy footsteps approach his bed.
“Your Highness…” the Alpha speaks, sitting beside him — this close Louis catches the alpha’s scent and he can’t help but to lean closer to get more of it. “Princess.”
“You…” He looks down at the Alpha’s hands and catches the blood still beneath his fingernails. “You didn’t have to do that. You didn’t have to do anything,” He bites his bottom lip. “It was my fault.”
“I don't care. I rather take the blame, lose my job or take any punishment if it means you didn't,” Harry huffs, cupping the Omega's face with a gentle hand. “As you keep saying, I’ll keep you safe.”
Louis’ eyes flit across his face, desperate to find any signs of deceit and frowns when he finds none. “You are… not like anything I’d have expected an Alpha to be.”
“What did you expect us to be like?” the Alpha asks, a flicker of curiosity flashing across his face.
“I don’t know. My Uncle and the books I’ve read—”
“Oh, no,” Harry cuts him off with a grin, “I can only imagine what the King has said.”
Louis huffs out a laugh, “Yeah, nothing nice.”
“We aren’t too bad,” Harry winks, he grabs a hold of his pinky with his own, “I promise.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” The way the other’s pinky engulfs his own distracts him, “Are you hurt?”
“Hardly,” Harry scoffs as he lifts his leg. “Just my trouser is torn, but that’s it.”
“I can fix them for you.” He blurts out without a second thought, it feels right to do so.
Harry looks at him in surprise, he rests a hand near his waist. “Really?”
Louis is busy trying to think of something coherent to say as Harry’s thumb caresses the side of his waist, he swallows heavily at the tickling but relaxing sensation. The way the omega side of him reacts to the simple touch is almost pathetic, yet unintentionally, his entire body loosens up. He isn’t sure why he feels happy at the attention Harry is giving him, but he never wants the Alpha’s eyes to stray from him.
“Yes, just drop them off tomorrow.”
“Oh,” Harry’s eyes soften as he leans forward, “That sound.”
It takes a moment for him to register the loud vibrating sound in the room, soft and comforting, he looks around for the source before he realizes it’s coming from him, "I never made that sound before." Louis says with wide eyes as he covers his mouth, the sound still vibrates through his chest against his will, and he feels like he could be swallowed whole at the look Harry shoots him.
"You’ve never purred before?" Harry asks quietly, he leans closers until their noses are almost touching. “You sound beautiful.”
"I don't think I have." Louis replies with a hum.
Harry frowns, humming as he rises to his feet, "That’s unfortunate.”
"Don't go," Louis grabs his hand, "I'll stop, I swear."
"Please, beloved, never stop purring. It just means you’re happy," Harry says softly, he secure the surrounding sheets until Louis is tucked in, he leans forward to nuzzle his cheek, “Sleep.”
Harry’s scent invades his bed and tangles in his sheets, lingering even after the alpha leaves. He buries his nose into his pillow, not yet daring to admit aloud how comforting he finds it.
{☆}
The next morning, the sun peeks through his curtains like thin threads in a needle, settling into his bedroom and casting a warm glow as he opens his eyes. He frowns as he slips off the bed, his feet padding softly against the wood as he makes his way to the bathroom. Clothes had already been placed in the basket near the sink and the bath already runs with his favorite oils. He slips out of his robe and sinks into the warm water.
A half an hour later, he steps out of his room, greeting everyone he passes as he rubs his eyes, sleep still clinging to him as he makes his way to the kitchen. He halts in his steps as he comes face to face with the King. He swallows as he looks up at the aged grey eyes and furrowed eyebrows. His Uncle's face fills with disdain and displeasure just at the sight of him, and Louis takes a step back away from him.
The King sniffs and looks down at him with an upturned nose, "Tell your mutt to stay in the stable where he belongs.”
"Don't call him that," Louis says, narrowing his eyes, "He has been more kind to me than you've ever been in my entire life."
"Look at you," the King scoffs, shaking his head, "Defending alphas as if they have the intelligence to understand anything except to sniff their own hinds, disgusting."
"Yes, because they are wolves just like us, just because you deem them inferior doesn't mean they are." The urge to push past him grows stronger the longer the conversation lingers.
"They howl to the call of the moon each month, they shift into monstrous beasts, they're mindless and useless, need I go on, nephew?" He snaps, his face twisting into an ugly sneer.
"You know nothing of them, and your ignorance won't allow you to understand them. So, please stay away from me as we have two differing views of the world. Have a good day." He walks away, hating the way his chest tightens.
He makes his way back to his quarters, no longer having an appetite after that confrontation. He steps in and groans as he realizes that his scent and Harry’s are beginning to mingle in his room.
The thought of Harry's scent alone has his legs moving on their own accord towards his bed. The sheets are made and tucked in neatly, yet his nose still itches with that scent he can’t quite place. He trips over himself as he flops onto the bed, the smell overtaking him. Louis buries his face even further into the spot where the alpha sat last night.
He savors the scent that clings to him with each stroke of his cheek against the spot. He’s wet, he knows, but tries stubbornly to ignore it. He sits up and leans against the bed frame; clutching the pillow tightly as he digs his nose into the soft mound, inhaling as his eyes roll back and then shuts them completely.
"Why?" He sniffs again, groaning, "Why does he smell so good?" He tries to think of something safe, something that didn’t feature him on his knees, but to no avail.
Just like a thirsty man needing water, he greedily keeps the pillow near his face, inhaling the scent left there as if it was his only necessity to survive. The scent there makes him tingle all over, almost like electricity and it isn't long before he’s whimpering as slick leaks through his underwear, soiling his clothes and the sheets as his hole twitches, desperately waiting to be filled.
"Your Highness?" He jumps at the sudden knock at the door, scrambling to regain composure and control his rapid heartbeat as he stumbles to his feet.
“Y-Yes?” He squeaks, shaking his head to clear his muddled brain as he opens the door halfway to peek through.
The servant bows, "Your mother is requesting your presence at the dining hall for breakfast."
"Oh, yes, right," he clears his throat, waving her in as he says, "Maria, can you have someone clean the sheets, please?"
"Your sheets are clean so there’s no need to replace them today…" she trails off as Louis smiles at her almost painfully, "O-Oh, right away, your Highness!"
"Some oil spilled on the bed." he supplies quickly as his cheeks redden.
The servant merely nods, but Louis still feels as if she knows he leaked all over those sheets. The only thing he mourns is the loss of Harry's intoxicating scent that clings so stubbornly to those sheets.
{☆}
"Hello, again! It seems almost like fate, the amount of times we've run into each other now." Harry greets him with a charming smile as soon as the large castle doors close behind him.
Louis blushes softly at the sight of him. The memory of his scent still lingers in his mind, "Of course, especially with the way you wait by the castle's door as if you're waiting specifically for me." He shakes his head as he walks past him and into the courtyard.
"And if I am? You wouldn't know that, though." Harry says cheekily. Louis huffs, trying to keep a straight face as he speeds up, “Hey, wait!”
“Why should I?” Louis raises an eyebrow as Harry easily catches up to him.
“Oh, Princess, don't be like that. I thought a friendship was blooming between us,” Harry teases as he walks beside him, hands behind his back as he leans forward to catch Louis’ eyes, “I brought you these.”
The smile finally breaks through as Harry pulls out a bouquet of tiny flowers of varying sizes and shapes. Louis doesn’t hesitate to take them, “Flowers?”
“Wildflowers from the fields, they grow beautifully around this time of year,” He looks pleased with himself, “They remind me of you.”
“Thank you.” Louis whispers shyly, his face almost completely buried in the flowers.
Harry grins, “Of course, no need to thank me when I actually came here to thank you.”
“Thank me?” He throws a glance at him suspiciously. “What are you on about?”
“Don't play coy, you're the reason I still have a job, yeah?” Harry says, he gently grabs a hold of one of his hand causing Louis to blink up at him. “Thank you, beloved.” Harry bends to place a kiss on his hand.
He can't hold back the blush that arises at the sincerity in his voice, “O-Of course, like I said last night — it was my fault, anyway.”
"It wasn't your fault," the alpha shakes his head as Louis resumes walking. From the corner of his eyes, he catches the way Harry hesitates before he adds, “I want to thank you with dinner.”
"Are you asking me on a date?" Louis halts. “That is very forward of you, Mr Styles.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Harry chuckles, scratching his neck nervously. “Think of it as a thank you. I didn’t mean for it to come out so bluntly, though —”
Louis looks at him, incredulous, “Wait, you’re actually serious.”
“Deadly,” Harry shrugs, walking back from where he came from. “Forgive me if I overstep…”
“No,” Louis blurts out, before he takes a deep breath and repeats, “I mean yes, I would love to — as a thank you, I mean.”
Harry’s smile deepens, turning playful as his eyes hood slightly. “That’s fine by me, I don’t expect you to fall hard and quick as I have for you, anyway,” His words are soft as his hand brushes against Louis’ wrist, “I’ll see you tomorrow at six, beloved.” He bows, waving as he runs back to the estate.
Louis waves back and returns to the castle in a stupor, forgetting what he even set out to do. The warm, bitter cocoa scent Harry leaves behind causes his heart to flutter erratically through the whole walk back to the castle.
“Oh, he is going to be a problem.” He speeds his steps as he enters the courtyard.
He spots Zayn almost immediately, sparring with the newly selected soldiers. He grins as he cries out, “Zayn!” He spares no time rushing to him, gripping him by the shirt and collapsing into his side, "H-He called me beloved and- and asked me to go out and—!!"
Zayn drops his weapon, reaching up and flicking Louis in the forehead, causing the omega to flinch back and whine, "Please don't cling to me unless you’re in danger or you’re crying.”
"Can I consider that assault on my person?" Louis crouches with a pout. "I think it counts."
"No, it doesn't," Zayn straightens his shirt before he waves of dismissal towards the soldiers who stand there awkwardly, grabbing water as he sits on the ground. "Now, what are you on about?”
“I have a date,” Louis says giddy before he backtracks, “Well, not really a date but more like a thank you date because I convinced Uncle to allow him to keep his job.”
Zayn slowly lowers the water and stares at him, “You're talking about the stable hand, yeah?”
“Well, yes," Louis frowns, picking at his trousers, “Who else would I be talking about?”
Zayn silently leans forward as he pulls out three letters from his back pocket, “You just received three proposals today, your Highness,” He throws them to the ground in contemplation, "Three rather prominent princes from what I saw."
Louis groans, rolling his eyes as he flops down to sit next to him. “What have I told you? Burn them all. I have no interest. “
“You mean you have no interest unless it's a certain stable hand?” Zayn corrects with a smirk, “You’re the elusive Princess that common folks have never seen except through rumors and gossip. Of course, there’s high interest in you and not only in this kingdom, might I add.”
"If they only wish to see my face then I will gladly do it, if that means I will finally be left alone," Louis crosses his arms as he frowns, "Why can't I have a say in who I mate?"
"You technically do," He replies with a grimace, "You've rejected fifty betas in the last two years."
“Then, let's keep the trend going,” Louis says with a pout as he fingers the wildflowers. The image of the big, burly alpha picking these tiny flowers just for him makes him giggle, “I want to see where this thing with Harry goes," he sighs wistfully with a large smile, falling back on the patch of grass as his eyes glitter under the falling sun, "It's like my own fairytale is unfolding.”
Zayn sighs, shrugging as he pockets the letters, “As you wish.”
{☆}
“Why did I say I'll fix them for him?” Louis moans, looking at the trouser as if they offended him.
“No idea,” Zayn peeks over his book with a raised eyebrow. “You've sewn nothing in your life.”
“I've sewn nothing in my entire life,” Louis repeats in horror, eyes wide as he turns to him, “I don't know why I thought to agree.”
“How very omega of you.” Zayn drawls with a snort.
“Shut up,” Louis whines, he jumps up to his feet, pacing, “What do I do? What do I do? I told him I could have it done by tomorrow!”
“It's obvious, isn't it?” Zayn waves a flippant hand, not sparing him a glance, “Get Mary to fix it.”
“No,” Louis shook his head, running his hand over the torn seam, “That seems wrong.”
"Wrong to get it sewn back by someone who knows how to sew?" Zayn says slowly, as if Louis is dense. He returns to his book, “Okay.”
"I don't know, I feel like I should do it. I'm the reason they’re torn in the first place." Louis mumbles as he sits next to him.
"So, what? You're going to learn how to sew?" Zayn sits up.
"I don't know, maybe?" Louis says with a shrug. He runs his fingers across the rough fabric, it makes him itchy, and his sensitive skin is already turning red from where the contact happened. "Do you think I should wrap it?"
"Wrap it?"
"After I'm done," Louis bites his lip, "To return it to him."
Zayn gives him a shrewd look, “Huh.”
“Huh, what does "huh" mean?” Louis huffs, crossing his arms. “What do you want to say?"
Zayn drops the book in his lap, giving Louis an innocent look, “Nothing at all, just,” He shrugs, raising his book once more while giving Louis one last once over, “Just…huh.”
Louis throws a pillow at him, laughing, “Stop that! That doesn't answer my question!”
"I just never seen you like this with, well, anyone ever," Zayn says slowly, "It's interesting."
Louis turns as he blushes, the torn trousers still in his hands. It's true that he's never worried about what anyone thought of him, especially someone he just met but Harry is different, intriguing, and he isn't sure yet if it was the fact that he is the first Alpha Louis' ever known or something more.
He bites his thumb, “Maybe, I’m sick.”
“Sick in the head, sure,” Zayn yawns, stretching out on his bed, “But I don't think this is a sickness, though.”
"I just want to get closer to him.” Louis says, “Is that bad?”
"Huh."
"Stop that!" Louis throws another pillow at him, this time hitting him straight in the face.
Zayn leans forward, “Your Highness, is this not too much effort to put into mending old trousers when you can just buy him new ones? I think this isn’t you trying to prove something but, rather, you’re trying to impress him.”
Louis stares at him for a moment before turning back to the trousers, “Well, fuck.”
{☆}
"All the books I've read, all the lessons I took, but I still can’t sew a simple trouser!" Louis growls, tears of frustration pricks at the edge of his eyes.
Mary smiles kindly, placing a warm hand on his back, "You mustn't be too hard on yourself, your Highness. This doesn't come easy and you've been cared for since you were a pup."
Louis pouts, “I just wish this was one thing that would come easy.”
"You know plenty of things, and you will continue to learn as long as you're willing," Mary assures, "Now try to turn on the machine again."
"What are you doing?"
"Harry!" Louis shouts. jumping back from the counter as Harry enters the kitchen. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same," Harry smirks, making a show of looking around at each corner. "This is the kitchen, right? I was hungry."
Louis nods, avoiding Mary's inquisitive look, "Right." He shuffles, trying to push the trouser out of sight before Harry can catch a glimpse.
"His Highness was just getting a bit of a crash course on sewing," Mary says with a smile, looking between the two. “He’s on quite a mission to get your trouser fixed, Harry.”
“Traitor.” Louis shoots her a glare.
Harry nods, "Princess, if you didn't know how to sew, I could have easily fixed my own trousers."
Louis' eyes widen, his mouth hanging open. "You know how to sew?"
"Nope, but I have a friend who does,” Harry buries his hands in his pockets. “You seem so adamant on doing it, so I didn't protest too much, but fixing the rip is no challenge."
Louis turns away with a huff, standing in front of the machine again. He would never admit that the thought of someone else fixing the trousers stirs a vicious jealousy in the pit of his stomach. "No, I must do this. I'll have it by tomorrow for you." He falters as he looks at the machine. “At least, I hope I will.”
“Okay,” Harry replies, his eyes soft, “I won’t be here this week, though, but I expect them when I come back.”
“What?” Louis looks at him in alarm. “Where will you be?”
“Secret,” Harry says, winking. “I’ll return, don’t worry about me.”
“Okay.” Louis says with a shrug, not wanting to show how much the alpha’s presence has wormed into his daily life. He’ll feel his absence in no time.
Harry looks at him with a smirk. “Okay? This is the part where you beg me to stay.”
Louis rolls his eyes, huffing as he pushes him towards the door, “I think I’ll survive without you.”
“I’m sure you will.” Harry buries his hand in his pockets as he bends forward. “Do I, at least, get a goodbye kiss?”
Louis tries not to show his amusement as Marry giggles behind him, “Maybe, next time.” he says, before closing the door in Harry’s face.
“Maybe next time? What an opening you’ve left for him,” Mary raises an eyebrow at him, “You are usually the straightforward ‘No’ type, your Highness.” Louis stays silent, trying not to ponder too hard on the difference as he returns to the sewing machine, holding the trousers of the alpha he just pushed out the door with a critical eye.
“It means nothing.” Louis mutters, Mary throws him a knowing look.
{☆}
Harry doesn’t return in a week or two weeks.
Louis sneaks out once the castle goes dark after the two-week mark as the guards are amid changing shifts. He sticks to the shadows; he isn’t a great fighter with only a dagger strapped to his thigh. He reaches the estate, narrowing his eyes when he finds it locked. He stumbles back at the scent of Harry rolling off the building, more potent and stronger than he’s ever smelt before.
“Harry?” He whispers, knocking softly. “Harry, are you there?”
“It isn’t safe out here, baby love.” Louis spins on his heels, jumping as he spots the small glow of a cigarette as the stranger takes a slow drag, “There're lurkers about waiting to snatch up a pretty omega like you.”
“Who's there?” Louis calls out, pulling out his blade swiftly. “Show yourself.”
“I am a mere guard, your Highness,” Louis blinks as the person steps out of the shadows; it’s a woman, an alpha - she is beautiful, brown skin and long curly hair.
She bows low, “My name is Val, it is an honor.”
“You said you were a guard?” Louis asks, as he lowers his blade a bit. “I’ve never seen you before.”
“I never said I guarded the royal family,” Val says with a smile and looks past him, “If I am not overstepping, may I ask why you are here, your Highness?”
Louis reddens, stammering over his words as he shifts, “Well, I was looking for someone.” He looks up at her, “He isn’t in the kingdom and–”
“And you were going to look for them...in the stables? The estate?” Val finishes for him, crossing her arms with a scowl. “You understand there are constantly lurkers near the border trying to specifically get to you, correct? If one has gotten past the border guards, they could easily have reached you.”
Louis knows of them, multiple attempts at kidnapping him ended up in their deaths, “I–” He looks away. “I didn't think of that. I just want to make sure he’s alright. What if he’s hurt?”
“Hmm,” Val hums, throwing the cigarette on the floor and putting it out with her boot. “I may be of assistance; I see anyone who comes and goes. What does this friend of yours look like or their name?”
“His name is Harry, he's a stable hand and an alpha,,” Louis looks up at him, pleading, “Have you seen him?”
“Tsk, that idiot,” Val mutters as she shakes her head as she addresses him, “Harry is a friend of mine, he’s returned a few hours ago and went straight to sleep. He asked me to not let anyone disturb him.”
Louis narrows his eyes. He can tell a lie when he sees one — if Harry returned, he would have gone straight to him. He tries to look past her towards the entrance of the estate. “Are you guarding the entrance or someone?”
Val scrutinizes him with a blank stare for a moment, it makes Louis nervous, and he almost backs down until –
“What a clever omega you are.” Val grins.
That’s all the answer he needs to confirm his suspicions, he tries to enter only for Val to block him once again. He huffs and glares at her, “Why did he leave? When did he come back?”
“Harry is very dangerous right now. He returned from the South a week ago not feeling well and he doesn't want to hurt anyone.”
“What does that mean?” Louis frowns, taking a step forward, “Is he alright? Can I see him?”
“I don’t think that’s the right decision,” Val says, looking him up and down, “To put it bluntly, he’s in rut and, I say this in the kindest way possible, you’re probably the last person he wants to see right now.”
Louis stumbles back, hurt marring his face as Val’s words register, “What?”
“Val, what the hell are you saying?” A growl comes from the threshold of the estate, guttural and deep as someone steps out.
“Harry!” Louis moves forward to get closer to the alpha but stops at the last moment, his nose tickles at the off scent, “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Harry pushes past Val with a glare, “Know your place and don’t overstep.”
Val bows, “Of course.”
“My rut finished a few days ago. I just wanted to stay in for a few more days to be safe but I caught your scent,” Harry whispers to him, keeping his distance. “I’m sorry for staying away, but it’s for the best.”
“Can I sit with you?” Louis steps forwards, spreading his fingers as wide as they can go over Harry’s arm, pressing harder when the Alpha leans into him. “Can I hold you or do you really want to be left alone?”
“I don’t want to hurt you, I can barely think straight --” Harry didn’t lift his head, stepping back.
“Is it safe to stay here? I’ve… I’ve got a heat room and… that can work, can’t it?”
”My sweet Omega,” Harry says in a low voice, shaking his head, “Here is fine, I rather keep my distance—”
“You won’t hurt me, come on.” Louis says firmly before Harry can finish. He leads him into the stables and pokes and pushes until they both lay on a stack of hay.
“There’s a perfectly good bed in the Estate,. Harry points out.
Louis shrugs, “Your scent is overwhelming, the stable is better ventilated.”
“Shit, that’s so good.” The second Louis settles across Harry's thighs, knees straddling either side of the alpha’s waist, the big brunette all but collapses in relief. He wraps both arms around his waist and pulls the Omega in closer, tighter and buries his face in Louis’ throat. One word bounces through Louis' head, one he can’t deny anymore as he purrs and inhales Harry’s potent scent.
Mate.
“Sorry,” He mumbles, lips brushing over Louis’ skin. “I’m so sorry, I don’t want you to see me like this, Princess.”
“I was waiting for you.” Louis murmurs softly, holding on to one of Harry’s hands to ground him. His head is dizzy with the scent of Harry surrounding him. “I came to the stables every day, but you were never here.”
“For me?” The alpha repeats, sweat pours profusely down his face and it looks like all his effort was in keeping himself still, “I hope you realize I don't live in the stable, Omega,”
His cheeks reddened, because, no, he didn't realize, “Well, now I do. “
“Harry, are you ill?” Louis finally asks what he’s been dying to ask since he came out here, “Do you need a doctor?”
“No, I just need you.”
{☆}
The next time Louis enters the estate, it's with a tray of food and a box of sweets. Harry lays sprawled on the bed, head underneath a mound of pillows.
“Harry?” Louis kneels, placing the tray next to the immobile alpha, “I brought you food, Mary made it herself, so I’m sure its delicious,” he nudges him with a whine when the alpha doesn’t even glance up at him, “Get up!”
“I’m up,” Harry’s voice still has that guttural tone within it, but he looks less frenzied than he was earlier and Louis takes that as a good sign. “You brought me food?”
His eyes travel across the large tray of fruits, cheeses, and meats with a frown. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Someone has to keep you alive,” Louis huffs. “Eat.”
“You can have it,” Harry says, pushing the tray towards him as he looks away. “I’ll be fine.”
Louis gets the strange urge to simply place his hands over the larger male’s own and demand his attention, but he restrains himself to keep a modicum of his dignity. Instead, he sighs, “I can’t let you die from hunger out here.”
Harry glances up at him, and Louis hopes he sees the determination set in his face. “You’re not gonna leave until I eat, are you?”
“Nope!” Louis chirps, pushing the tray back towards him with more force.
“Alright, fine,” Harry says with a sigh. He picks up a grape and inspects it, “I’ll eat.” As he eats, Louis notices the dark circles under his eyes — even tired and half-asleep, it's unfair how attractive the alpha is, “You look exhausted.”
Harry huffs in between bites, “Ruts will do that to the best of us.”
“Do you want to cuddle again?” Louis tries to stay flippant and uninterested. “I don't mind.”
“No, I’ll live, but thank you for bringing me food,” he says with a small smile appearing on his face. Louis finds he likes it when Harry smiles — the way it lightens his entire face, wiping away the tension — it makes him look youthful. “I appreciate it.”
“Of course,” Louis says, pulling the box of cupcakes towards himself to distract himself, “It’s important to have a balanced meal, after all.”
Harry’s eyes flit over the tray, his eating slowing down as he frowns in confusion. “Where’s your food?”
“What do you mean?” Louis blinks at him, raising the box of cupcakes with an enormous smile, “It’s right here.”
Harry stares, stopping his chewing completely. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not,” Louis says blankly, unwrapping the box. “Dont worry, I’ll save you one.”
“Sweets are not food, let alone a sustainable diet.” Harry barks out a laugh, leaning forward to pull the box away from him.
“It is sustainable for me,” Louis whines, protecting the box with his body. “Back off.”
“Sustainable how?”
“It stimulates my brain,” Louis huffs when Harry merely laughed. “So I have a sweet tooth, who cares!”
“I care,” Harry shakes his head, incredulous as Louis flips the box open and grabs a cupcake, “How are you still alive?”
“I’m just that perfect,” Louis says with a grin, taking a bite of his cupcake. “But it’s nice to know that you care.”
“Of course I care,” Harry says the words so earnestly that Louis’ heart jumps for half a second before he continues, “I feel obligated to be somewhat kind after you bought me food.”
“You're quite rude,” Louis sticks out his tongue, “I'll have you know, I can have your head for that.”
“I’m sure you can, Princess.” Harry replies politely, pulling him into his lap as he swipes a smidge of icing from his cheek. Louis pouts, pretending to be angry until Harry allows him to eat all half a dozen cupcakes.
{☆}
Louis only spends one day with Harry, lounging in the stables until the Alpha stops clinging onto him. It is the most exhilarating, yet terrified Louis ever felt, unsure how it would unfold. Harry was snappy and possessive, adamant to hold him as close as possible, yet he did nothing further than scent Louis. It confuses him. Harry’s rut didn’t align with what he’s been told about Alpha’s and their basic instincts before, during, and after their rut.
“So,” Mary takes the kettle off the stove and turns to him with a perplexed look, “What does it mean?”
“That's the thing,” Louis says, “I don't know what it means. He was the perfect gentleman and just wanted to cuddle. Have you ever heard of stories of Alphas wanting to only be near an omega and not fuck, Zayn?
Zayn leans across the counter and hums, “No, I—”
“Exactly,” Louis jumps to his feet, pacing, “What sense does that make?”
“Maybe Alphas are different in the North, maybe the ones we heard about as children are the few.” Mary suggests as she splashes a bit of milk in his tea.
Zayn adds, “Or more possible, all they have taught us has been lies.”
Louis looks up at him, “What are you on about?”
“Something shady is happening in the kingdom,” Zayn says, sitting up straight, “I don’t expect you would’ve noticed as the King ordered the soldiers to be quiet about it but more and more Omegas are being reported missing, it almost seems organized.”
“Like Maia and her mother?” Louis murmurs. His mind instantly thinks of the two Omegas that vanished and everyone seems so adamant to forget their existence.
“Right,” Zayn leans back, “It’s a stretch but I think your love interest knows something about it.”
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying it's too convenient that a kingdom who is well known to be hostile against alphas suddenly has a bunch of alphas working at the castle," Zayn shrugs, “Just be careful, yeah?"
{☆}
Autumn settles to welcome crisp wind and crystal snow, it’s Louis’ favorite time of the year. Time seems to pass more quickly when he's in the presence of Harry, which is most days. It's been three months since he's met Harry and already he feels himself changing along with the season.
The change is gradual but apparent; he purrs more often. He's happy, according to the Alpha, and isn't that such an odd thought. Was he ever happy before he purred? It was a thought he wasn't sure he's ready to delve into. The stable hand has become a permanent fixture in his routine and he's gotten out more than he's ever had in his entire life.
"Good morning, Harry," Louis greets him with a smile like every morning, running across the field to hug him from behind.
Harry pulls him to his side, holding him close. "Look."
Louis looks up at him with wide eyes, wondering if this proximity between them was appropriate, as he can smell the mixture of Harry's scent and the cologne he wears from where he is held firmly to his side.
Harry looks down at him, amused. “Not at me, silly.” He points towards the lake and Louis’s eyes follow.
Louis gasps as he walks forward, a picnic is set up near the lake. “What? A picnic?"
"You like it?" Harry passes him and towards a blanket that’s laid near the lake. "Mary helped, I thought it was fitting."
"Fitting for what?" Louis kneels on the blanket, tilting his head to the side as Harry sits next to him and hands him a small box.
"Open it."
"Harry?" Louis flipped the box open, and his eyes widens as he takes the jewelry out of the box, "A piercing?"
Louis thumbs over the belly ring in his hands thoughtfully, lingering on the balls at the end and running a finger along the emerald charm that hangs at the other end.
“Where I’m from — from the South, I mean,” Harry speaks carefully. “We don’t use mating rings, instead, we use piercings to start a mating. The ceremony is more festive but given the circumstances, I can’t give you that now. ”
"Wait, are you…?” Louis looks up at him in alarm.
“Well, Princess,” He swipes a thumb across his cheek, “Would you like to mate with me?”
“Isn’t it too soon?” Louis bites his lip in worry, his eyes trapped by the beautiful jewelry in his hand.
"I think I chose you since the moment I met you," Harry tips his head to meet his eyes, "I don't care about formality, as long as you...as long as we want the same thing then we’ll be fine."
"Since when have you been so persuasive?" He grumbles as Harry places the box back in his hands. He clears his throat.
“So,” he drawls, he inspects the jewelry to calm his beating heart, “I can get this pierced in my belly?”
“If you wanted to,” Harry shrugs casually, but Louis spent enough time with him now to know how much it will mean to him if he wears this. He smiles, hoping Harry understands his traditions were just as important to him.
Harry clears his throat, leaning forward and points at the one round end, “This would go up on top, like this.” He took the piercing from him and lifts his shirt, lining it up against the curve of his belly button. The feel of how it would cross his skin to let the small emerald hang down makes him giddy.
He looks up just as Harry lets out a shaky breath, “Just seeing it pressed against your skin is more than I could imagine.”
“Does it look good?” he asks shyly, peering up at him from under his lashes.
“More than good,” Harry growls, deep from deep within his chest. “You’re perfect.”
He lays his hand over his and waits until Harry finally looks up at him to reply, “I love it, Harry.”
“You will never understand how much that means to me.” He whispers as he strokes his hand, his scent getting stronger. It makes him shiver with want.
"Why did you choose a belly piercing?"
Harry’s eyes darken, his large hand spreads out on his stomach, "I want to trail your skin with kisses until I reach your belly and see the physical proof that you're mine, every single time," he pulls him closer until he is sitting in his lap. He swallows heavily, feeling the physical proof of the Alpha’s arousal prodding at his backside.
He clears his throat and takes back the jewelry, distracting himself from the heat that’s growing in the pit of his stomach. “Can I give you one, too, if I want?”
Harry stares at him in shock, and it terrifies him he might have said something wrong or offensive. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean —”
He halts as Harry’s scent flares around him and he groans, clenching his shoulder as he buries his nose in the Alpha’s neck. He pants as he rocks forward, his slick already forming as Harry growls.
"What you do to me, baby," His large hands cradle his face, his eyes shining with that same look that has become more and more common to see, “Nothing would make me happier than wearing something you picked, Omega."
“Good.” He whispers, his mouth feels like a desert.
“Usually, in the South, mates wear each other’s jewelry to be marked as off-limits. It doesn’t have to be this kind, too.” Harry runs a hand down his back, he says nothing, but the way his eyes darken shows he can smell Louis as slick leaks across his underwear.
Louis blushes as his stomach swoops in a nice, fluttering way. “Then, I’ll find one to give to you and I want you to wear it.”
“Anything.” He replies. “I will wait for anything and everything for you.”
“What if I don't want to wait?" Louis asks, his pupils are large, swallowing up blue like a black hole and his skin flush. “I don't think you want to, either."
“Tonight, Harry,” he clenches Harry’s shirt tightly, “Please.”
“Louis,” Harry groans. “Do you really...?”
"Yes…" he whimpers, mouthing at his neck as he rocks against him again. He can’t take the tension any longer, they were practically mated! He accepted the gift. It’s all but official now.
"Not here." Harry growls, his calm facade dropping entirely as his grip on his hips tightens. Harry scoops him into his arms and carries him back — the return is torturous for Louis. The estate isn't too far, but the walk feels like forever.
"We're almost there." Harry whispers as he opens the door with no effort.
Harry lays him down on a soft bed as he kneels in front of him.
“Such a good Omega,” he growls, “Letting his Alpha take care of him just as you deserve, beloved.”
He doesn’t notice he’s purring until Harry replies in turn, growling low and nipping his neck as his hands stray north.
“Harry.” he chokes out as Harry’s hand rests on top of the smaller boy’s waistband.
“Shh, let me take care of you,” Harry mumbles, playing with the band for a while before slipping past them, swiftly.
“Alpha,” Louis moans, “Fuck me!”
“Not yet."
The moment he buries his face near his opening, he shouts. Harry nuzzles and inhales deeply. “You smell divine.” He groans. “It makes me—” Rather than finishing the thought, he goes back for more, desperate for it. His face presses deeper between his legs with every stroke of his tongue. Every moan and gasp eggs him on as his fingers dig into his hips as he futilely tries to lick every drop of slick.
Louis cries out the moment the alpha’s tongue plunges inside him, he’s so hungry for it. His face pushing forward as his tongue strains into him, his nose cramming between his cheeks and his chin nudging against him.
He's unbelievably wet—he can feel it in the way Harry's face slides against him, in the way slick drips to the floor and down his thighs. He's twitching eagerly as the plush length of Harry's tongue spreads over him again and again, his groans vibrating inside him. Louis collapses forward on his arms with a strangled cry, pushing his ass up against the torturous strokes of Harry’s talented tongue. The pace was brutally slow as the alpha takes his time.
“You taste like candied oranges, Louis.” Harry growls, burying his face into the juncture of his neck as he licks the scent gland there, hungrily. “My imagination will never do you no justice. You are absolutely beautiful." Harry pulls away to say, his voice deep and low.
Harry's voice and praise only make him wetter, squirming helplessly under the intense gaze of the Alpha.
He shivers as he hears the growl Harry releases as he inhales the scent of aroused Omega. Louis cries out as Harry enters him with no further preparation. “Deep breaths, baby.” Harry whispers, and Louis does as he’s told, promptly losing it as his Alpha presses forward slowly but firmly until he bottoms out inside of his Omega.
Louis’ back arches on a cry, his nails clawing down his Alpha’s back and shoulders, his whole body twitching as if being electrified. His heart beats rapidly like thunder in his ear as his eyes rolls back, the feeling exhilarating yet foreign and he wants more.
“Look at you, how desperate you are for my cock and touch, so shameless with all those beautiful moans, beloved.”
His whisper in his ear makes him shudder as Harry’s fingers pinches his nipple, electricity running through him in rhythm with his thrusts. His body seizing as the stimulation crashes through him like a tidal wave. He instantly pulls Louis into a kneeling position with his legs spread wide, showing him just how much of a mess Harry has made of him.
Harry gazes at him with that smug, adoring smile; small mutterings of how beautiful he is, along with small kisses all over his face and neck as his thrusts become harder and deeper, Louis shakes with the overstimulation, practically dead weight against Harry as the alpha takes and takes.
Harry licks feverishly into Louis’ scent gland, nipping and sucking as if intoxicated. He's reduced to broken whimpers and moans, a litany of alpha and please being punched out of his kiss-bruised lips.
“Fuck!” Harry presses himself as close to Louis as physically possible, grinding against his ass while his hands find themselves along his chest, directly over his heart. Louis mewls happily beneath him. This. This is everything, being surrounded by Harry, inside and out. Becoming one with him.
When his cock finally softens and slips out, Harry slips underneath the sheets, pulling Louis to his chest and he relishes in their closeness. He slides his hands up and down his body, warming him up as he shivers. Louis shifts, unused to the way his entire body seems to mold into him when Harry touches him.
“You belong right here.” It is more of an order than a statement, more claiming than wondering. Harry’s grip is grounding and unrelenting, where he holds Louis tight and Louis has no complaints.
In the alpha's embrace and as his mind fills with what their life together could be, Louis takes in a dizzying breath as he whispers, “I think I could fall in love with you.”
Harry brushes his lips against his heated skin before, “Then, fall.”
{☆}
Meeting Harry’s friends differs from what he expects. It’s loud, for one thing, more than any party he’s been to and far less fake laughter. The banter is lighthearted and not veiled insults like he’s used to hearing. It’s seamless between all of them and completely unfamiliar to him.
“You’re sure this is a good idea, Harry?” Louis asks.
“They’ll love you,” Harry reassures, a warm hand on his back,, “It’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure,” Louis mutters, “I hope I don’t embarrass myself.”
Harry smiles softly, “It’ll be, hey!” He calls out with a wave to a group in the back of the room. Louis fidgets as all eyes turn to him. “Everyone, this is Louis.”
“No shit?” One of them cackles, leaning forward. “You’re more beautiful than what they say.”
“That’s Val, you’ve met her, Mitch, and the moody one is Callie,” Harry whispers. Louis sucks in a sharp breath as his scent engulfs him and he takes a step back, “Don’t get on her bad side.”
“Nice to meet you all.” Louis mumbles shyly, as he slides into a seat with Harry next to him. He relaxes when Harry wraps an arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer.
Val looks at them over the rim of her drink, an enormous grin on her face. "You and Harry have been tussling recently, baby love?"
Louis looks at her warily. "Why do you say that?"
Val shrugs, casual as she adds, "All that hay in your hair looks real pretty on you, Princess, that's all."
“I have hay in my hair?” Louis turns to Harry with wide eyes, “I have hay in my hair and you didn't tell me? My hair takes an hour to fix, Harry!” He whines as he tries to cover the mess his hair surely looks right now.
“Omega,” Harry grinned, unrepentant, as he leans in closer to finally pluck away the hay from his hair, “When I have you all messed up and whining under me, the last thing on my mind is some damn hay.”
Louis slaps him on his chest, his eyes wide and cheeks flushed as he tries to pull away as Harry's friends hoots and hollers, "Don't say such crude things in front of your friends."
"They get it," Harry steals one more kiss as he plucks the last piece from his hair, "You're too beautiful to resist."
The group laughs, resuming their chattering as Louis hides his face in Harry’s chest. Val elbows Callie next to her when the couple turns away from the group. "The Princess is kind of cute, isn't he?"
Callie looks at her with narrowed eyes, "You got a crush or something?"
Val tilts her head to the side as she contemplates, "Me? A crush? Nah, more like—" Her boots thumps against the wooden table as she crosses them.
"Don't go getting all feelings and shit on me, Val," Mitch slung an arm over her shoulder, "Stay focused, we can't afford to get attached when we don’t know what we’ll have to do."
Val flicks the stem of a cherry at him, "No need to tell me twice," Her eyes strays over to where Louis sits, still whining until Harry rumbles down at him — filled with affection and feelings — as he places multiple kisses on the top of his head. "Though, maybe, we need to worry about someone else entirely."
{☆}
Louis sits slowly at the counter, frowning down at the plate of food placed before him as he looks up at exactly who gives it to him, "Mary usually serves me breakfast, Jane."
Something dark passes through Jane's face before clearing, "Mary is no longer with us, Your Highness."
"What? Where did she go?" Louis asks in alarm. It feels wrong. Mary is loyal, loyal to him - she has been a constant in his life since he was a pup, it feels like a betrayal to even think she would up and leave, without him.
Jane's bottom lip trembles, "I don't know, Louis," She drops the formal address in her distress, twisting the tea towel in her hands tightly as she looks around, almost afraid that someone is listening. "She went to sleep last night in her quarters, but — we can't find her. This isn’t the first maid to go missing and I’m afraid I might be next."
Louis jumps to his feet at that, startling Jane as he runs out of the kitchen. He doesn't get far before he slams into Harry, stumbling back until the alpha catches him.
"Harry!" Louis gasps out, his entire form trembles.
"You're in a hurry," Harry says with a smile before he frowns. "What's wrong?"
Louis shakes his head as he drags the taller man with him to his room, closing the door in fear of being overheard. "I think my uncle is up to something. Zayn mentioned there's been more and more missing people in the kingdom and now, Mary --" He chokes up, unable to continue as the severity of the situation settles.
Louis bites his bottom lip as he asks, "Why did you come to the North?"
Harry is silent, and Louis is sure he will not receive an answer until, "On a mission."
Louis sits heavily on his bed, his legs no longer able to carry him as his heart speeds up and everything falls into place, "To bring this kingdom's downfall." He chuckles humorlessly, "Of course, why am I such an idiot?" He buries his head in his arms, groaning.
"Falling in love was never part of the plan," Harry tilts his head up. "I wasn't aware of your existence until I came here."
"Why?" Louis clenches at his pants leg. "You're my enemy yet..."
“I never expected to find you here, I have never felt like this before,” Harry whispers with a smirk. “My mission was clear; infiltrate and destroy.” He looks at him with tender eyes, “You changed that.”
“Harry, what are you saying?”
”I intend to take down your uncle and rebuild this kingdom,” Harry says, he leans forward. “Will you stop me?”
Louis folds into himself, tucking his knees under him as he rests his hands on his knees as he looks up at Harry, he clutches at his chest, the sound of his heart spurs him on, "These feelings I have… it's love, isn't it? Isn't that enough to prove that I won’t?"
“You've been sheltered all your life and hidden away in this castle,” Harry says softly, “What do you know of love?”
“I don’t need to know much to know that I have never felt like this before,” Louis says, looking to the side. “Isn’t that why you asked me to mate with you? Do you not feel the same as me?”
”I feel like I could never take another breath if you’re not by my side.” Harry says simply.
”Then, I want to be by your side.” Louis says, “Wherever that may be.”
“Your uncle, he’s been kidnapping omegas and selling them,” Harry says as he rises. “I plan to kill him and I need your answer, will you stop me?”
Louis stays silent until Harry places a blade in his hand. “Harry, what…?”
"If you will, if I must fall," Harry whispers, he pulls Louis closer, the blade hovers over his heart and the omega trembles. "Let it be by your hand."
"I can’t," The omega shakes his head, whining as tears spills over, "Harry, no."
“Will you stop me?” Harry repeats, dropping the blade as he wipes the tears away.
”My loyalty is with my Kingdom, not my Uncle.” Louis whispers. “I want to recover the omegas that have gone missing. I don’t care what happens in between or after that.”
Harry nods, laying a kiss on his head before he rises and leaves. The blade glints at the edge of the bed as Louis sits in silence, unsure what events he’s allowed to set forth as soon as Harry walks out his door.
{☆}
Something is wrong.
The thought barely forms before suddenly, something is crashing through his door. Louis jolts awake, mind scattering, heart jumping between his chest and throat. The noise drowns out his own deafening heartbeat almost completely.
His windows rattles as a body falls to the ground with a loud thud and a groan, “Harry?” He frowns when he receives no reply.
“I wanted to let you sleep,” The voice breaks the silence within the darkness, “You seemed like you needed it after last night.”
Louis feels himself unintentionally leaning forward as he tries to make sense of where the other was. “Harry…?”
“This scum thinks he can kidnap you, while you sleep,” Harry growls and Louis hears a sickening crunch. “Where are the others? I know you haven’t sold them yet.”
Louis scrambles blindly to wear he knows his lamp sits, switching it on quickly, his eyes wide when the full scene registers in his head. His Uncle lies on the ground with Harry’s foot on his neck, heavily injured.
“Answer me or I’ll break your neck,” Harry says, “I’ll do that either way but I can make it quick depending on your answer.”
“What’s going on?” Louis whispers in horror. “Harry, what are you doing?”
“He grew anxious, in fear you would finally mate,” Harry says coldly. “He was discussing selling you before that happened.”
”Is that true?” Louis looks at the pitiful sight his uncle made under the boot of the alpha. “Uncle?”
The ugly, bloodied sneer his uncle throws at him is enough to answer him, “You’re mine to sell as I please.”
Harry presses harder on his head, causing the Beta to scream in pain, “No, he isn’t.”
”Don’t kill him,” Louis says. His heart hurt at the betrayal, he knows his Uncle wasn’t fond of him, but he never fathomed he will sell him in a bid of power. “He will answer for his crimes in front of a jury.”
”There is no jury in a coup, Louis,” Harry says, looking up at him. “The borders are open, the South is invading as we speak — Mary and the others will be found in no time. I will kill him, Louis.”
“Louis, Louis!” His uncle reaches towards him, “Help me!”
“This is your mess. I'm not obligated to fix it for you and I never want to. I frankly don’t care and acting pitiful will never change that,” Louis says, his eyes sad and lip trembling. "I'll rebuild this kingdom free from the corruption you laid upon it."
Harry turns to him with a reassuring smile, “Don’t look.”
Louis doesn’t, but he still hears as the knife pierces his uncle straight into the heart. His twitches and convulsions are like a roaring wave in his ears as he chokes on his own blood. Louis briefly feels guilty for the person who will have to clean the mess Harry just made. It feels like eternity before a hand appears before him, breaking him out of his thoughts and he doesn’t hesitant to take it, allowing Harry to lead him out without a second glance.