Six years ago

   Alaric has hardly ever been in this room before. 

   It was pretty, like one from an old fairytale- from the tall, elaborate stained glass windows to the floor, decorated with intricate gold patterns that blossomed across the octagonal room like a metal flower- he wasn't sure if he wanted to wander around, to bask in the low sunlight and take in the air of the room, or run away, intimidated.

   With a crown heavy on his head, he stood beside his mother as he shifted uncomfortably in the suit he was told to put on. 

   "Quit squirming," snapped his mother, under her breath. 

   "The waistcoat's kind of small," he replied meekly, shifting his crown to make sure it wouldn't clatter onto the floor. His mother didn't look in his direction. "Too bad."

   Alaric was supposed to meet a boy his age that day, who he might get to spend the next part of his life with. Growing up isolated to the small crowd of adults that roamed the palace- whether it was his parents or servants or political figures he couldn't quite understand yet- this was quite new to him. 

   The Scarlet Kingdom was the only place he'd ever known- a small Kingdom home to the last living Vampires. They had lived here, been worshipped here, had ruled here for centuries for their perceived connection to the Gods of fate and destiny- the Divine.

   And he was one of the last ones left.

   But now, as he would be handed a key to the outside world, his was how his world would expand tenfold. 

❦

   It felt like a hazy dream. 

   Adrian fought to keep his focus on putting one foot in front of the other as his gaze darted around the halls, starry-eyed. The floor was of smooth, grey, stone bricks, a plush, velvet carpet cutting through its center. Late-morning rays poured in through the windows, like rectangular blankets of light lining the path. And to think this was just a hallway- it looked like a scene from a painted picture hung up in a museum. It was no famous painting, however, but something much, much grander. 

   He was in the palace. The palace of the Scarlet Kingdom. And he was about to meet the Prince himself. 

   "Well?" Asked his father, Oscar Clarke, who remained a few paces ahead of him. "Never thought you'd wind up here of all places, did you?" His two-toned eyes glinted as he asked the question.

   "Never," breathed Adrian, brushing a lock of hair from his eyes. His father chuckled. 

   "I guess I underestimated how shocking this would be for you," he said, fiddling with the envelope he held before him. "S'pose you'd get used to it over time." Adrian let out a nervous laugh, as he quickened his pace. 

   It wasn't long before they reached the throne room, where the royals stood.

   Alaric, meanwhile, had been patiently waiting, his heart racing at the thought of what was to come. The servant could be like anything- tall, short, quiet, loud- he didn't care what he'd be like. Only that he got someone to talk to. 

   Eventually, Adrian's gaze landed on the boy that must be the Prince- but frankly, he didn't look like what he'd imagined at all. 

   When he had imagined a confident, overpowering young man, a timid twelve year-old boy with long, ginger hair and a crown a touch too big for him stood right before the throne. Something about him felt softer, more human than he had imagined. He was about his age, and Adrian swore he saw his pale, porcelain skin grow a shade or two redder behind a pair of thick glasses when their eyes met.

   The Queen, scowled at Adrian, as if picking apart his every feature. His shoulders tensed as he decided to instead stare at the ground, though he relaxed a fraction his father's warm hand reached his shoulder. 

   "Well?" demanded Queen Eliza, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Her rehearsed, proper stance clashed with her tone and slicing gaze. "This is what you've brought?" Her voice was husky, yet certain as it echoed throughout the room, leaving Adrian struggling to suppress a shudder. 

   "Indeed, your Majesty," his father confirmed, and Adrian noticed a sudden shift in composure in his voice. He was nervous, too. 

   "I've brought the finalized contract, if you would sign it." Gingerly, he handed over the envelope and a fountain pen and ink from his inner coat pocket, leaving her to carefully remove the contents. Her gaze brushed across the paper she pulled out, until she looked directly at Adrian and grimaced. 

   "Really?" she said, her gaze burning a hole through Adrian. He swallowed as he instinctively clenched his fists, his fingernails pressing crescents into his palms. "And where did you say he was from?" she said.

   "I... Took him in, your Majesty," replied the man. "But after having him for a few months, I can assure he would be a perfect help for the Prince-"

   "And you expect me to agree with a random child from the streets working in the palace, Clarke?"

   "I think he can help, your Majesty, with our... Current image with the public. Besides," he swallowed. "What do you think Prince Alaric might think?" Alaric's eyes lit up, and he drew in a breath to speak, but his expression died down when the Queen interjected. 

   "He doesn't get to make those kinds of decisions yet," she said, plainly, then sighed. "Yet, I can't deny, having a good public image is something we need to work on." She pinched the bridge of her nose and paused. 

   "How about this," she said, suddenly, and this time Adrian's expression lit up with hope. "Edit this document later- make it to where the boy stays only until after Alaric's coronation, when he's put in a position of power- right now, since he's not currently leading the kingdom, he's not quite as... In the public's eye. So I suppose it's acceptable for now," she said, handing the items back to Clarke, and he pocketed them. "King Edrich and I will both sign it afterwards."

   Adrian, despite wanting to frown at the Queen's tone, couldn't keep a grin from tugging at the corners of his mouth. He looked to Alaric, who wore a small, shy smile, hope glimmering in his green eyes. 

   A boy Adrian's age that actually wanted to meet him. 

   Getting to meet and befriend someone Alaric's age in person. 

   A wish granted to both of them. 

   If only there wasn't an end date already set. 

❊