Louis' pov:

"Your highness, why did you run away from me in the morning?" Louis' mouth gaped open. He stared up at the prince, his blue eyes wide with surprise.

Colour tinting his cheeks, he managed to stutter out, "I – I did not – what?" Harry smirked down at him, offering a hand. Louis looked at it and turned up his nose. Pushing himself off the ground, his stood up, staring straight at the prince with his hands behind his back. Harry dropped his hand, looking down at Louis with a raised eyebrow.

"Is that why you are stuttering?" Louis mouth was pursed, his thin lips pressed together. That particular statement did nothing to improve his mood.

Getting his mind together, Louis said, "I stuttered over the fact that you could even suggest something so blasphemous. Like I would ever run away from you." Harry's nose crinkled as he breathed in. Louis' eyes strayed down for a moment before coming back to his eyes, hardening with determination. He continued, "In fact, you should be the one running away from me after you dared to slam a door in my face."

His lips twitched. "Why?" He said, "Are you going to slay me in a fight to death?"

Louis' jaw dropped. "Are you suggesting I might lose the battle?"

Someone stepped in between. "I apologize for interrupting, your highnesses but I must take a leave. I have some important letters to send and I had almost forgotten about it. I have to stop being tardy or our father will give me a sound hearing." Gemma said.

"Of course." The prince said and Gemma turned to Louis. "Louis, come to my work chambers if you need anything. It's right next to Harry's."

Louis nodded. "I'll try not to disturb you but I might need your help for something or the other." He winked at her as she left with a smile.

Harry cleared his throat. "On first name basis, are we?"

A corner of Louis' mouth turned up. "We are certainly not, your highness but your lovely sister and I do seem to be. I hope that doesn't upset you."

The prince's mouth twisted. "I do not wish to be on first name basis with anyone other than close friends and family and you don't seem to be either one of those."

"That's not what I meant, your highness." With a smirk lighting his face, Louis walked back into the palace, hopefully leaving the Prince staring after him.

...

Louis stared at the stack of parchments in front of him. One in particular seemed to be glowing, its back resting on the table top. Louis' hand hovered over it, his mind whirling but coming up void of any words. What had he thought? Did he think he would just sit on a chair in front of a piece of parchment and the words would just come to him? After so many years? He had forgotten how to talk to his family, particularly his father. He hadn't seen his father's face in what felt like ages.

His fingers twitched. He watched as the ink from the quill slowly dripped onto the aging parchment, the edge breaking out into thorns as the ink seeped into it. Swallowing through the clod in his throat, Louis closed his eyes. He saw the grey walls of his father's study as if he was sixteen again. He saw himself standing in front of the King of Helianthus, his head bowed down. He remembered how he wanted to cry but he couldn't, for it would only disappoint his father further. He had held his hands behind his back, interlocked together in a tight grip to stop them from shaking. It was awful but he had deserved it. He didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to his sisters. He had heard the news when two new princesses had come into the world just as he had heard when his mother had passed away. Never was he allowed to visit.

Hardening his mouth, his eyes opened as the quill finally traced patterns over the yellow parchment.

Dear father,

Respected father,

He crumbled the parchment, throwing it in the corner. He was going to be stern. He wasn't going to bow down and let his father walk all over him. He was going to inform him of the updates and let him know that he would be coming to be king soon. That was it. There was no need to dilly-dally. Drawing up a fresh new piece, he put his quill to paper.

King of Helianthus,

Good day, father. I am writing this letter sitting in the palace of the kingdom of Solis. My plans are to marry the Princess Gemma and make her my queen. I am doing what you asked, father. I am getting myself a wife. Are you happy?

We have been spending some time together and she is truly beautiful. You would like her, father. I am sure you would. She seems to be a diplomat too. She is well educated of course. She is the heir to the throne, after all. It won't be a problem to have her in tactical meetings. It was something you always despised with mother. Did you know she knows how to cook too? Of course you don't, you haven't met her.

She has a brother who is very protective of her. I despise him and he despises me. But not to worry, I am sure I would be able to get his approval for the marriage in the end. He is stubborn and has one of the greenest eyes I have ever seen. He looks at you like he's known you since you were a child and knows everything about you. But of course he doesn't. If he did, he would've already thrown me out of his kingdom. He and his sister share the same smile. They have the same dimples. It really suits the both of them, father.

When you meet the royal family of Solis, father, you will notice that they are all so fine-looking. It seems to run in the family and has certainly passed to the children. Gemma has the most gorgeous eyes. You will like her I am sure. I really hope you like her, father. She is a very well-mannered woman. I will not make the same mistake as I did when I was young. I will not disappoint you, father. I promise to be careful.

I wanted to keep this letter to the point but alas, I could not. I hardly get to write a letter to you, father. I cannot write them without news of development without fearing that you might think of them as wasteful and stop reading. I never get a reply but I know these reach you. I know you are very busy, father, I understand. I hope these letters comfort you, knowing that I have almost reached my goal. I will be back soon.

I would love to see Daisy and Phoebe in person. I haven't seen Felicite and Lottie in so long I hope they haven't forgotten me. I would love to hold them like mother would have. I have heard of the mischief that the twins are up to. I know I wouldn't be able to take part in it once I am back but I hope to take pleasure in watching them for I would have to play my role as a stern king. I will finally have your approval, father. I will make sure you are proud of me. I will have a wife soon and I will return. Hope to see you soon.

Prince of Helianthus and your faithful son,

Louis.

He stared at the letter hard, eyes scanning for any mistakes, any faults. His father would not like that. He picked up the parchment, trying hard not to clench his hand or crumble the letter and start all over again. He was about to fold it when he heard a knock on the door. The letter slipped out of his hand and he put it under a book in haste. "Come in!"

Gemma opened the door, a smile on her face. "May I ask what you are doing, your highness?" She asked, her face humorous.

Louis returned her smile and said, "Nothing that cannot wait, my lady. Whatever you are here for wil,l I am sure, be of much more importance."

She gave out a pleasant laugh. "Charming as always, Louis. I was wondering if you could accompany me as I tend to the gardens."

His eyebrows rose in surprise and he frowned. "Why would you tend to the gardens yourself? Why not hire a gardener?"

Her eyes dropped to the ground as a sigh left her lips. "Because here we like to do things ourselves, Louis. We do have a gardener but because I like to tend to the plants and give them my love, I do."

Louis' head tilted slightly. He observed the princess with her head down and disappointed eyes. Something in her voice and words struck him as familiar but he couldn't figure out where. It made him seem... Unworthy. He frowned. It didn't take him long to come to a conclusion. He let out a sigh. "Your highness, did you and the prince have a chat?" 

A/N: I  was out and I almost forgot to publish this chapter OMG. Anyway, things are finally starting to get interesting. I just want to warn everyone that this is going to be a slow burn fic. Most probably because everyone knows stories write themselves. So if you are annoyed that they haven't kisse yet, you're gonna have to wait but you'll get your reward. I promise.

On another note, I hope you liked the chapter. This is just the beginning because trust me, you're in for a ride. XOXO.