TW // a little mature content at the end.

Harry's pov:

"Once upon a time," He started, swallowing through the anxiety. "there lived a little boy as innocent as a new-born mare."

He settled down, leaning against the door and closed his eyes. Images swirled around in his mind as he saw the green gardens, the pretty dresses and her. He saw her laughing at him, her golden hair flying with the wind. He remembered the way her skin crinkled near her eyes when she smiled at him or the way her cheeks burned red when she blushed.

"The little boy always had a girl with him." He continued. "Every man in the kingdom wanted her but she had turned down all of them. Except for the prince. He adored her with all of his heart and soon there were whispers of an incoming marriage."

"The prince and the girl didn't do anything to stop the rumors. They didn't mind them for they were, in fact, planning to get married. Just not yet. He was protecting her, you see? She was in trouble. There was a group of men who were after her, who were afraid of her. They thought she was a demon, with her exquisite beauty and her gentle heart. Nobody that beautiful could have such a kind heart, they thought."

He wished he could hold her, wrap his arms around her fragile body. He wished she had never left him.

"Then there came another boy, almost a man, with the most graceful features anyone had ever seen. Soon, he had enamored the Prince and the girl with his charms. They became a group of four friends – the prince, his sister, the girl and the beautiful boy."

"Did the Prince and the girl get married?" Louis asked.

Harry swallowed. "No questions in between, your highness. Or I will stop."

He heard an indignant sniff from behind the door and he smiled despite everything. "The entire kingdom knew of their group. The four scalawags, that's what the people called them behind their backs for they were full of mischief. And they were happy. They were so happy, that they forgot about the danger that had brought them together in the first place."

Harry's heart was beating hard in his chest. He didn't want to go on, didn't want to tell it out loud. This was the story that haunted his nightmares. He wished he could forget it, wipe his memory clean.

"Then one day, it happened." He said.

"What? What happened?" The prince's alarmed voice came through the door, pulling out a chuckle from Harry.

"No questions, as I said. I do not like to be interrupted." He chastised.

A huff sounded through the door. "Fine. I apologize. Please, continue."

Harry's nose twitched as he began, "One day, it happened." The inside of his stomach was twisting, his breathing barely in his control. He was a nervous wreck. He could see an explosion of colours behind his closed eyelids as a series of events passed before him. "One day, she died."

Harry looked up at the ceiling, leaning his head on the closed door as tears stung his eyes. They were tears of betrayal, tears of sorrow and tears of anger. If it wasn't for him, she would've still been alive. If he wasn't a naïve, trusting boy, it never would've happened. "Then the group split up, each going their own way. The prince and the princess retreated to their palace and the boy disappeared, never to be seen again."

He went silent, unable to say anything more. "What an awful story." Louis complained.

Harry gave a low chuckle. "Not all fairy tales have a happy ending, your highness."

The door he was leaning against opened and he fell backwards, staring at the Prince's face from below with wide eyes. Louis' mouth parted as he stared down at the fallen Prince before bursting into a giggle. Harry gave a small pout and sat up, his arms wrapping around his bent knees. "You knew I was leaning against the door and yet you opened it!" He protested.

"How was I supposed to know you would sit on the carpet? Normal people like me don't do that!" Louis laughed out and the skin near his eyes crinkled.

"You were the one who refused to let me in! Was I supposed to stand up the whole time?" He asked, smiling. The Prince did not answer. Instead, he looked down, his smile disappearing. "I – I am sorry, I did not intend to bring it up." Harry said, his voice anxious.

"Oh no, I just meant to thank you." The Prince said. "I thought you didn't even like me but you helped me today. And I am very grateful for that."

He smiled. "It's a common courtesy, your highness. Do not thank me."

"Thank you anyway."

There was a moment of silence where the two Princes looked down, avoiding each other's gazes. Maybe the Prince wasn't so bad after all, Harry thought. Maybe he was just misunderstood. Then he remembered the documents he had seen just that morning and frowned. Or maybe this was exactly what the Prince wanted. Maybe he was trying to fool Harry, trying to throw him off balance. Not the first time someone had done that. He wasn't going to make the same mistakes again.

"Will you refrain from sharing this with anybody?" Louis asked in a small voice. Harry looked up, his eyes meeting blue. "It might be a lot to ask since we barely know each other but I request you to keep this to yourself. As a Prince yourself, you must know why these things have to be kept hidden."

Harry stared at the Prince. "Yes, I do. I will keep your secret." Louis looked at him with such gratitude, it was as if he didn't expect to be forgiven. Harry shook his head. "I must take your leave, your highness. I have a ball to return to."

"Oh of course. I hope you don't mind but I wish to retire early." The prince returned.

"Not at all" he said and walked out of the room after a small acknowledging nod.

He marched straight to his chambers where the marquess was waiting for him. He opened the door, raking a hand through his hair in frustration and laid down on the bed, snuggling with his pillows. Edwin looked at him with an amused smile as he shifted to join him. "What's the matter?" The marquess asked.

Harry sighed. "Do you remember how I said the Prince might not be who we think he is?"

Edwin chuckled. "Yes. Then I asked if you were suggesting he's gay."

A smile twitched out of Harry. "Yes I remember. That is, of course, not true. But I think he might not be a royal at all."

The marquess turned on his side and Harry turned to look at him. Edwin was the only person who knew everything. He was glad to have him, especially when he needed someone to talk to. The other things were just the cherry on top.

"And why do you think that?" He asked, his eyes on Harry's.

"I asked the foreign minister to look at Helianthus' documents. I wanted to research a little bit about the man vying for my sister's hand." Harry continued, a frown on his face. "But there was nothing! He hasn't signed anything in the name on his kingdom for years. There are no mentions of him in any of their public committees."

Edwin turned his head to the side, listening patiently. Harry smiled and rubbed his thumb on the marquess' hand, his heart warming. He was glad he had asked him to come by. He had most likely expected something else but Harry took pleasure in knowing that Edwin would listen to him talk about his problems if that's what he wanted to do. "Maybe there's a reason for that. You should know by now that everyone has secrets." He replied.

He sighed. "Yes I know and I wouldn't have bothered at all if my parents didn't have him in consideration. They think he is a good match for Gemma and I cannot just let her marry him without looking into him first."

Edwin snorted and Harry shook his head in amusement. "Stop joking, this is serious."

He wrapped a hand around the Prince's waist and climbed on top of him, his legs parting around Harry's middle. He held his face in-between his palms, caressing the Prince's cheek with his finger. "I understand. You love your sister. You want to protect her." He said.

Harry nodded, looking at the marquess, his chin tilted up. He put his hands on Edwin's hips, sliding them up to reach the curve of his bare skin. He leaned down, biting down on Harry's neck. The Prince gasped as he interlocked his fingers in the nape of his blond hair. Edwin brushed his lips on Harry's. "Do not worry, my Prince. I have a plan." The Marquess said, before pushing his lips against the Prince's, the two men disappearing in a tangle of sheets and silks.

A/N: First of all, I'm so sorry for not posting on Sunday. I posted an announcement explaining I could not because I didn't have my laptop with me. I'm so sorry please excuse me this once.

Anyway, this chapter has a lot of dialogues with little discription I'm sorry. Lots of things to apologise for.

I have to say, I was very excited to publish this. You finally know about Harry and Edwin. I thought I suggested it in chapter 7 but none of you got it so apparently I didn't do a very good job of it.

Hope you liked the Chapter! The next one will hopefully be completed by Sunday so that we can get back on schedule. See you then! xx.