Royals

Honestly, if he had been any other male Peyton was sure she would have left right then and there at the comment. How many guys was he competing with? If that was his way of flirting, then perhaps he wasn’t worth her time after all. Despite her better judgements, she still stayed. Though her eyes squinted with a glare that would send the best man running for the hills. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” She smiled, deciding it was better to forgive and forget. It was her last night of complete freedom after all. After tomorrow she’d have to watch her actions, not call too much attention to herself for fear that the royals would find out and fire her. And that she definitely couldn’t afford. There was no way she could get her old job back, was sure that her position had been filled just as quickly as she had given her resignation. His voice drew her out of those thoughts, though, a genuine smile taking over her face. A jerk, perhaps, but at least he was sweet some of the time.

“Yeah? Like what, exactly?” She called just loud enough to be heard over the music. Peyton wasn’t sure what made her drag the boy along. She could have left at any time, probably should have even, but she couldn’t deny the boy’s charm. And God, really, how was she supposed to say no when he bit his lip like that? Peyton pried her eyes away, taking in the lights instead of the boy as she took a small step closer, letting her hips move to the beat of the music in time with his own movements. She had to refrain from rolling her eyes yet again at his words, her eyes meeting his once more. “Well that’s all fine and all, but really, do you expect me to call you sir all night? Because if so, you’re sadly mistaken, my friend.” She let her arms slip from around his neck then, turning her back to him though she made no other movements to walk away from him. But what was the fun in simply playing his games without any form of hesitation or playing hard to get? Even if she had no intentions of leaving, she wasn’t going to just play into his hands. “Though I suppose I could just call you…mistress. What with how many guys you’re competing against.”

Stephen grinned at her and shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps, but everyone is entitled to their secrets” he said, letting his eyes flicker over to where his body guard was for just a moment, before returning them back to the girl in front of him. He couldn’t help but wonder at how she would respond if she knew who he really was, who it was she was talking to. He hoped that she’d still glare at him like that even if he was no longer a stranger but instead the prince. Though he lightly shook his head at the thought, no, it wouldn’t matter how she acted. No one would find out who he really was, he had to make sure of that. Hell, for all he knew she may have a death wish for him. He was certain there were people out there who did. He needed to get his hand on another drink soon. 

He let out a laugh, his eyes twinkling as he followed the girl. “What’s the fun in telling you straight away?” he said to her, not even paying attention to the other people dancing around him. The glances he from the corner of his eye didn’t matter to him as he looked at her. He just focused on the music that filled his ears and the rhythm both him and the girl were dancing to. As he had wanted them to do. “Do you come here often?” he said to her, although what he really wanted to ask was did he have the chance of seeing her again, or would this be a one time thing. Either way he was going to enjoy his time with her, although he couldn’t help but silently wish that the latter wouldn’t be true and their would be more times like this.. 

“If my mind serves me right, I’m almost certain that you haven’t told me your name” he said, attempting to switch the attention away from him. He watched as she turned her back to him, and for a moment his grin faltered as he thought that he’d done something to upset her. But she stood in her spot on the dance floor and didn’t move away from him. Eventually his grin widened back to it’s usual size and he would’ve laughed if she hadn’t begun speaking. Despite being so close to her he had to strain to hear what she said over the music pumping around them. Though he was pretty sure he’d gotten the gist of it. “You can call me anything you’d like” he whispered in her ear, lightly touching her shoulders before dropping his hands back to his sides and letting out what he hoped seemed like a sigh in defeat. “But, if you must, you can call me Stevie” 

The combination of the words that left Stephen’s mouth and the grin on his face had Miles’ stomach tying itself in knots for a moment. He was forced to glance away, busy himself with scanning the grounds for any possible dangers, before he could hope to say something that wasn’t accented with too many attempts at throat clearing. “I’m your bodyguard. I don’t need to impress you.” He said after a moment, when he finally felt like he was back under control. And God, he needed help if he was going to be able to make it through this job without incident. He turned his attention back to Stephen, a half smile now on his face. “It’s your parents I answer to.” He added. Though, if he were honest, he wanted to keep on Stephen’s good side more so than his parents. He’d be able to do his job a lot easier if the prince actually liked having him around. At Stephen’s next comment, he couldn’t help but lift a hand to his own hair, running his fingers through it as if he half expected the dark coloring to change to the grey Stephen before their very eyes. Granted, one too many years of stress from working in the castle and maybe it’d happen anyway. “I’m twenty-six.” It took him a while to actually answer Stephen’s question, unsure of why it should matter how old he might have been. His hand fell back to his side a second later. “I’m sure they picked me for my qualifications rather than because no one else wanted the job, actually, but they also probably thought neither of us would get attracted to each other. So, bonus, I guess.” Now that he had met Stephen, he wasn’t so sure they had gotten the last part right on either of their parts.

Miles gave a small nod of his head at Stephen’s dismissal of his apology. It was probably easier that way. If they weren’t constantly watching what they said around each other than he’d be able to get to know the prince better and figure out how to best serve him. The problem would come when they were around the rest of the royal family or some other important person and he slipped up and spoke to them as he would Stephen or anyone else in his life. He didn’t exactly want to get sacked because he told some duke the truth. “You say that now,” he scrunched up his nose, “but one day you might change your mind about letting me be so frank.” Though, he was still of the mind that it was most likely going to be him that would regret that decision. For now, he let the feeling pass. He had more pressing matters to attend to that didn’t include worrying about the distant future. When he glanced back at Stephen, he found him smiling. He had to look away again almost immediately, finding it near impossible not to return the smile as long as he was looking at him. “Well,” he shrugged, “I’ll only talk to them as much as you want me to. So, if you don’t want me to at all than I’ll excuse myself from their presence and go find you if you’ve wondered off somewhere.” It might have been important to keep all of the family happy with him, but his main focus was Stephen and the last thing he wanted was to make him mad by causing his sisters to break some unwritten rule between all of them.

As they continued to walk to the front of the palace, he could feel Stephen’s eyes on him on occasion. Assessing him, probably, but every so often he had to swallow hard to get his nerves back under control. It wouldn’t do either of them any good if he messed up on the first night because he couldn’t get himself to calm down. The problem with that was that Stephen seemed to like to throw him off kilter. The prince’s explanation had Miles’ feet stopping in their tracks. If it weren’t for the fact that the rest of his body agreed with the movement, he’d have ended up face first on the ground. “Er, thanks?” he offered up, his face contorting into a look of confusion. You’re not exactly ugly. Miles blinked a few times as the words sunk in. Far from it, in fact. He felt the warmth of a blush creep up on him and was thankful that the cool temperature kept it from showing up on his cheeks. It took him a moment longer before he got his feet to cooperate once more and allow him to jog the necessary steps it took to catch up with Stephen. “Rules, right,” he gave a nod of his head as if it all made sense to him as well, “but all your previous body guards were old so… what did it matter? I mean – I’m not… or well, I wouldn’t. Just, uh, wow – it is a nice night out tonight, huh?” Good one. Totally cool. No one would suspect a thing. Double oh seven, who? Move over Bond, there was a new spy in town by the name of Faye. Which was exactly why as soon as he was done speaking, Miles had to close his eyes and try to remember what it was like before he had been given his assignment, back when he knew what he was doing. “Er,” he cleared his throat, “I mean. I won’t sleep with your sisters. I swear.” It was hard for him to refocus and remember what they had been discussing after that. “Whatever I want?” he asked, as if that would clarify everything.

Miles wasn’t one for pouting, but he imagined that if he was he would have started the second Stephen began to laugh at him for nearly falling for his earlier behavior. As it were, he wasn’t, but he did give a shake of his head in response to the wink tossed his way. At the question, though, he shrugged once more. “Never had the chance, I guess.” Which, wasn’t exactly true since he had been to a few pubs before, he just usually had other things on his mind than playing a game of pool while he was there. “Well, if it wasn’t than you could always get someone else to play with you once we arrive,” he sent him a pointed look, “I’m sure there’s plenty of people that won’t care that you have a menacing body guard trailing your every move.” Menacing was pushing it, especially after his earlier blunders, but he wasn’t about to admit to that. “Right.” Although, he wasn’t sure a club or two would be a good idea. “As long as we get back in time for you to get some sleep, I suppose that’ll work.” He’d rather they get back in time for Stephen to get a lot of sleep – it’d help to smooth things over with his parents on Miles’ first day – but he didn’t see that happening. As the gates opened up, Miles stared at them forlornly before he shifted his attention back to Stephen. “After you,” he waved a hand forward, but even as he said it he continued to walk again, never wanting to be more than a step or two behind the prince. Just in case.

“You may not have to, but wouldn’t it be fun to? I know I’d enjoy it” he said with a smirk on his face, nudging Miles’s shoulder playfully. Stephen would love to know what Miles would do to impress him. But as soon as his parents were mentioned he was drawn out of his thoughts and scrunched up face. “Looks like we’re on the same boat” he muttered to himself, although he wouldn’t be surprised if Miles had heard him. His parents were the main reason why he began sneaking out in the first place. Trying to get away from them, trying to get away from everything they were trying to force him to do. That’s what started this whole thing. Every since he could understand them all they did was try to prepare him for this life, trying to prepare him for this life that he didn’t even want. He would loathe the day that he would be crowned King Stephen, the second of his name and whatever else they say at coronations. But he didn’t want that day to ever come, he didn’t understand why it had to be him when Beatrice and Mary were older and more prepared for it than he ever would be. He let out a sigh. Why did it have to be so technical. Though, he couldn’t help but stop his self pity as he began to wonder what it would be like answering to them because they were his employers, not his parents. If he did something wrong the worst that would happen was that he’d be scolded, but that wouldn’t be the case for everyone else.“If anyone treats you badly, Miles, you’d tell me, yeah?” he asked this with all seriousness, which wasn’t something that Stephen did all that often. But Stephen had sudden got this urge of wanting to protect Miles, even if it was Miles’s job to protect him and not the other way around. But unlike Miles, Stephen only answered to his parents and while Miles would be forced to obey people of higher authority, Stephen wouldn’t have to. And if anyone tried to treat him badly he wouldn’t be able to answer back, but Stephen could. And Stephen would if it ever came to it. 

He returned from his thoughts when Miles finally answered his question, and he immediately went back to his playful self. He had figured Miles was young, but only a year older than Stephen? it was too good to be true. He rubbed at his ears slowly, but there was no denying that Miles had said he was 26 years old. “I’m a bit bummed that you’re older than me, but that’s okay. One year isn’t that much, hell, there might only be a few months between us” Stephen said, although it was unclear whether he was talking to Miles anymore. At this point he was just saying his thoughts out loud. “Who else have you been assigned to? any other royalty?” he asked Miles, looking over at the male curiously. There was so much Stephen didn’t know about him, so many questions that he wanted to ask his new bodyguard. Well, if all went well he’d have a life time to ask them all. He smirked a little as the rest of Miles’ words processed in his mind and couldn’t help but mentally thank them for making that mistake. They obviously hadn’t heard the rumours that followed Stephen. He let out a snort at Miles’s next words and shook his head lightly. “I doubt it” he said simply, looking over at Miles to see that he was scrunching up his nose. He let out a laugh at the sight of it before continuing on. “Let’s not focus on one day and just think about today, and today I really enjoy your frankness so it’s fine’ he said, as he looked at Miles carefully. He had noticed that Miles attempted not to look at him as much as Stephen did him, or at least tried to make it less noticeable. Unlike Stephen, who just blatantly looked at him whenever he felt like it. Stephen had never been one to shy away from things, but he figured he wouldn’t call Miles out on it. He didn’t want to make things too awkward. “Hm? Oh, that won’t be necessary. I don’t run off when I’m with my sisters, they’re two of the only people I can handle being around. Besides, they’re pretty cool when they want to be, I don’t think you’d mind them”

Stephen had to bit down on his lip hard at seeing the reaction that his words had gotten. He tried his best to not snicker at the other man, and continued to walk forward even when he realised that Miles had stopped. He glanced over his shoulder at his body guard and grinned widely. “No problem” he said, and at seeing Miles’ face he let out a small chuckle. “Okay, either you don’t get complimented as much as you should or you’re shyer than I thought you were. Either way I think I can take getting a guard flustered off my bucket list, and I didn’t even have to take my shirt off” he said as he looked forward, now walking with a spring in his step. He was having way too much fun with this, and it definitely was not one bit professional, but he just couldn’t help himself. Well, not if Miles didn’t mind it. If he did then he’d keep his thoughts to himself, for the most part. Stephen heard Miles catch up with him, but didn’t say anything to him until he finished speaking. “Well, let’s just say that my aunt and uncle didn’t make some of the same decisions my parents made. And, well, there were some love triangles” he said, running a hand through his hair as he looked up at the sky before returning his attention back to Miles. “Yeah, the weather is pretty good” he said, a smile returning to his face as he looked at Miles. He was beginning to think that maybe Miles hadn’t had to deal with people around his age much, but honestly Stephen couldn’t tell for sure. Maybe acting normal was how Miles connected with the people he protected better. He raised his eyebrow at Miles. “I’d like to hope not” he said, shaking his head and pushing the thought away from him. “That’s not something I want to think about” he said, and he was glad when the topic was changed. Stephen nodded his head, spreading his hands out in front of him. “Whatever you want” he repeated, before pausing for a moment and adding more terms to it. “Well, as long as it isn’t me not sneaking out anymore” 

“Well, there is a first time for everything” he said, scratching his neck as they continued to walk on. That meant that he’d be teaching someone something for the first time, too. And he wasn’t sure which one of them would struggle the most. He listened to Miles talk but came to a sudden stop as the male continued speaking. Body guard. Stephen hadn’t thought about that as much as he should have. His previous body guard simply stayed in the shadows, he didn’t stick to Stephen like glue, the way that he was meant to. He gave him space, and Stephen was beginning to doubt that Miles would do that. “That’s the thing” he said slowly, trying to figure out how he should explain himself to Miles. “I’d prefer if they didn’t know I was royalty. No one knows my true identity, and I’d like it to stay that way” he said, glancing away so that he didn’t see Miles’s reaction to his words. Although he was certain he’d hear an argument against it so there wasn’t much point in looking away. “I mean, you don’t exactly have to look like my body guard while protecting me, right?” he turned to Miles, and this time his eyes were more pleading, trying to figure out a solution on the spot. “We can just be friends playing a game of pool, I’ll just be the one more focused on it.” Stephen folded his arms in front of him as he walked and only nodded his head at Miles’s words, although he wasn’t about to promise anything. Stephen couldn’t ensure that he’d go along with Miles’s plan, he wasn’t a big fan of sleep anyway. You missed out on fun when you slept. Stephen looked at the gates in front of them and watched it happily as it began to open up for them, he wanted to race out and away from them as fast as he could. But he willed himself to stay in his spot, until they were completely open and Miles spoke. He immediately began to walk forward. “This is my favourite part” he said as he walked out of the gates, taking a deep breathe as if the air was different outside of the castle. He was free of the gates, his life staying behind them as he walked forward and gladly left it behind. Suddenly he began to pick up his pace when the momentum continued, feeling completely energised as he walked. “Come on, the pub isn’t too far from here” 

Miles didn’t take himself for a person that was easily embarrassed or flustered. It took a lot for his cheeks to flush even a slight discoloration of pink. Yet, the second his name left Stephen’s mouth he felt the urge to duck his head down and clear his throat to get back the small semblance of professionalism he needed on his job. “You can just call me Miles. No need for formalities like last names when you’ll be stuck with me for a long while” He said, hand coming up to run through his short dark locks. Though, he had no real clue as to if that were true or not. He could be sacked the next day if his superiors found out he had been a willing participant in Stephen’s escape attempt. They wouldn’t see it as him going along with the inevitable so that the prince wasn’t alone that night even for a second. They’d see it as him making it obvious to Stephen that he could continue to behave as he did with his last body guard. “As long as you don’t’ make it a habit of sneaking off without me,” he added after some thought. The without him wasn’t necessary. Stephen sneaking off at all, even with him, would get still get him into some trouble, but it was better that than have the other male run off on his own and send him into a straight panic as he tried to hunt him down all over the city. Or, all over the world. He imagined it’d be very easy for the prince to hop on a plane and go anywhere he wanted, get as far away from him as he could manage to get in a short time, but he didn’t want to think about any of that right then.

“If you think that’s attitude –“ He swallowed, hard, “Should I apologize in advance? Because that’s nothing.” It wasn’t. Talking back to people that demanded his respect without deserving it was one of his specialties and one of the main reasons he probably should have foregone working in security to do something else with his life. However, the thought of protecting others had always appealed to him more than anything else. He just hadn’t wanted to enlist, which was why he was standing there now, walking behind a prince rather than doing something else. Miles reached up to fix his tie then, loosening it from around his neck until he could pull it through the collar of his shirt and stuff it into his jacket. “I’m sure I can handle them.” He shrugged, “Though, I don’t think I’ll have to all that much. I’m yours. I go anywhere you go. So, the only way I’d be with them is if you request that I be transferred to someone else or we’re at the same event and even then I’ll be hovering around you instead.” He had no plans to talk to anyone else in the castle unless they forced him to. The more he opened his mouth the more likely they’d decide that he wasn’t the right fit for them, after all. “Sibling rules? What kind of sibling rules?” Curious didn’t even begin to describe how he felt then. He purposefully sped up his steps until he fell in line with the other boy and turned his head until he was looking directly at him rather than at the road in front of his feet. Miles shook his head, a soft smile appearing on his features. “You already pay me. So, if I find proof you better think of something else to give me. Otherwise, it might not be worth the effort.” If it ever did happen, chances were he’d find some old magazine articles about it online, but he figured he’d forget about it long before he actually tried to research the royal family.

It took him longer than he cared to admit to realize that the shock and words that came from Stephen wasn’t serious at all. He had let his mouth fall open and was in the middle of trying to apologize when he snapped his mouth back shut and scrunched up his nose instead. “Cry me a river,” he waved a dismissive hand in the air before returning his focus back to the direction they were headed in rather than the other male. The fact that he was forced to think the next second only added to the fact that he should be looking forward. “Er, never played, actually.” Darts had been his game when he had frequented pubs in the past, but that was because it was the only one offered in most places in Ireland. The people there tended to like the drink too much and watched the games on the telly a little too closely to interrupt it by playing around with things like pool. “But – I’m willing to give it a shot as long as you’re willing to be patient with a novice?” The second they reached the gate, Miles began to backtrack on his thoughts of how alright they were going to be. He had forgotten they’d have to pass by other people that worked with him. His boss would know in just a few minutes how badly he had screwed up his first day by letting Stephen out of the grounds, and at night too. He ducked his head down, the embarrassed feeling from earlier coming back once more, and gave a small wave of his hand. “I’ll make sure he stays out of trouble,” he thought to add, but he didn’t know how well the other worker could hear him when he didn’t bother to raise his voice much. Oh well?

Stephen smirked at the words that left Miles’ mouth, cocking his head to the side as he watched the man. “That’ll depend on whether you impress me or not tonight, Miles” he said with a devilish smile on his face, although for the most part he was joking. If word caught wind that he had been sneaking out without his bodyguard he’d be headless within a day, and he’d rather not think about what could happen to his bodyguard if anyone found out that he hadn’t done his job. He liked going out and all, and he was without a doubt a reckless male, but despite it all he did know that deep down it was for the best that he had a body guard with him. He never strayed too far from his body guards, even if he seemed to suggest otherwise. But Miles didn’t have to know that right now, Stephen wanted to figure out if it would be easy for him to make the male squirm. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever had a body guard that didn’t have at least a hint of grey hair before. I think my mother purposely tries to make sure the three of us don’t get a body guard we could get attracted to, so either I’ve hit the jackpot or no one else wanted the job. So, how old are you?” 

Stephen couldn’t help but feel impressed by his body guard, his words made Stephen curious of what else he could say. It excited him, something new, something different. All he wanted to do was push the others button and see what would happen, listen to him speak the truth, the reality of it all. “No need” he said, dismissing the others words with a wave of his hand. Stephen didn’t want or need an apology, if anyone should apologise in advance for something they do it should be Stephen. Miles has a long, long ride ahead of him if he’s going to stick by Stephen’s side. Even if Stephen played nice, that’s not to say that it would be a smooth ride. When is being royalty ever a smooth ride. The answer to that is quite simple, it’s never smooth or simple. It’s complicated underneath the look of perfection, it’s stressful and chaotic.  So, it’s important for the bodyguard to be there for the royalty emotionally just as much as physically. Or so that’s what Stephen likes to think, most of the time that isn’t the case. But hey, at least this body guard has personality, that already makes him so much better than most. Stephen smiled happily at the words that left his body guards mouth, liking the sound of I’m yours coming from his lips. Had a nice ring to it. “That’s true, but it’s not everyday we meet someone new so they’ll probably want to know all about you. Like I said before, my mother keeps people around our age away from us for a reason” he said, shrugging as he continued to walk on from the palace, his body guard near him. 

Stephen returned his gaze onto Miles as the bodyguard quickly began to walk by his side, amusement written all over his face as he looked over at him. “You know, the usual” he said, attempting to act nonchalant as he shrugged his shoulders. But his signature smirk disappeared off his face as he couldn’t keep up the act of playing coy. “You’re not exactly ugly, Miles. Far from it, in fact. And you aren’t the first to not be ugly around here, and this can be a problem with three royal siblings that don’t get out much” he said with a laugh, folding his arms in front of him as he continued to walk, letting Miles process his words a bit before continuing. “So to ensure that my siblings don’t get any ideas, or vice versa, we have rules. For example, all three of us have a list of people and the other siblings cannot, under any circumstance, get involved with those people. We also have simple rules, you know, like no getting involved with each others body guards. I mean, I don’t know about you but I don’t what my body guard to have slept with one of my sisters, that is just a disturbing thought” he said, as if it was all simple and normal. In his world, it was. And that’s how things were done by them. Stephen left it at that, only speaking again once Miles had finished talking. He had made a good point, he already technically did pay him. “Whatever you want, then”

Stephen couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh at the sight of Miles, sending a wink his way that was meant to scream Got you. Stephen loved playing games, all types of games for that matter. As soon as he had seen a pool table in person he immediately began to learn all he could about the game, quickly persuading someone to let him have a go. “You’ve never played? ever? even I’ve played and that’s saying something” he said to the male, shaking his head lightly. Stephen tapped his chin, as if he was thinking about Miles’ words and didn’t already know what he was going to say in response. “I guess that’ll be doable” he said with a smile on his face, hoping that Miles had already caught on that Stephen was just messing around with him. What could he say, he was a child at heart. “That settles it, then. We will go to a pub, I’ll get some alcohol in my system. We can play some pool, and if the night is still young we can check out a club or two” he said, rubbing his hands together happily as he walked forward. He didn’t even notice the change Miles made, completely oblivious as the gates opened and the people above him muttering apologies to him and other things that he had heard a million times before. He didn’t say anything in response and instead turned back to Miles, nodding towards the now open entry. “Come on, Miles. We have the whole night ahead of us”

And there it was. The lecture that came with his always speaking his mind. Although, it was a lot less harsh than he imagined it was going to be. “Yeah, well.” Miles shrugged his shoulders. “Just because you’re a prince doesn’t mean you get a free pass from me.” As much as he tried to be, he failed a lot at being the yes sir or no ma’am kind of person that he needed to be in his line of work. Blame it on his stubborn side, but he did try a lot of the time. A smile made its way onto his face at the next comment. He had no idea if it would be ill advised to speak bad against the king and queen or not to the prince, but he imagined no seeing as he could easily be overheard by someone that happened to walk by them. “You think you’re the only royal that’s snuck out during their teen years? I’m sure your parents have stories about their rebel days that they won’t ever share with you.” He said all of that before he began to tag along with Stephen, staying as close to the other as seemed appropriate to him.

As soon as they headed in the direction of the gate, he felt his attitude slip back into his normal one. The stiff posture and stern look all faded away into a more playful one that would shock his superiors if they saw – well, it would if they bothered to show any emotion other than stoicism. His hand came up to at least try to hide the smile that had made its way onto his face at the request from Stephen. “Maybe if you’re lucky, your highness.” He joked, not even bothering to stifle the laugh that made its way out of him. He’d drop the title soon enough since Stephen requested it. He just needed to get it out of his system one last time.

“Now that’s what I like to hear, Miles. I mean, I have enough people trying to suck up to me, so your attitude is a warm welcoming” he said, though paused for a moment as he thought about it. “Though, I’d be careful of my sisters if I were you, Mary will immediately want to know everything about you as soon as she sees that smile of yours, and Beatrice likes things done certain ways” he said, mentally wishing his new bodyguard good luck if he ever has to deal with his sisters. They were definitely something, especially when they were in bad moods. “But, just tell them that you are my bodyguard and they should lay off pretty quick, we have sibling rules for these things” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets as he continued to walk, his walk and movement being so laid back he sometimes even questioned how he could be royal. But he was quickly reminded with the image of his parents, his mother that he looked almost exactly like. “Definitely not, Mary told me all about the times Beatrice snuck out. I wouldn’t of believed it but she took a picture of her once, which was a shame because I betted her that Beatrice hadn’t. But my parents? that I seriously doubt. If you ever get proof then show me and I’ll pay you, too” he said, amused of the thought of there being evidence of his parents possibly getting down low or sneaking around. 

Stephen looked over at his bodyguard in mock shock, dramatically placing his hand on his chest. “You hurt me, Miles” he said, attempting to look as serious as possible. But as soon as he heard the laughter and noticed the change within his bodyguard he couldn’t help but let out a laugh of his own, his smile and playful demeanour immediately returning back onto his face. “So, where should we go? I think it’s a bit too early for a club, so maybe a pub? are you good at pool?” he asked as they made their way to the gate that separated them from the outside world, the gate that Stephen hated with a burning passion. It was a visual reminder of how restricted he was in this life, and he would burn it down to the ground if he could. He continued to walk with Miles until they were at the gate, and he called out to the usual guards who were on duty at that time. “Hey, open up the gate, we’re heading out” he called out happily, pointing to Miles to emphasise his words. “And look, I have a new bodyguard! Thanks for not telling me the other one was leaving” 

“I’m sure you’ll find a way,” Peyton called over her shoulder, running a hand through her hair. She smiles at the chills that cover her body despite the heat as his voice tickles her ear. She knows she probably shouldn’t stay, go home and get a good night’s sleep before she were to move into the castle instead, but at the touch of his hand against her arm she turns around to face him, raising that arm to wrap around his neck and pull him ever closer. “You know, I don’t think you ever told me your name, sir.” Peyton smirked, letting her fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I could probably think of a few” he said casually with a grin on his face. God, this girl had him following her like a lost puppy. He figured it was because of the thrill, the new feeling of wanting something that you may not be able to have. You didn’t get that feeling much when you were royalty and had everything handed to you on a golden platter. He smirked when she turned to face him, biting his lip as she brought him closer to her. And he gladly let her, beginning to move to the beat of the song as he stood with her. He chuckled at both the words that left her mouth and the feeling of her fingers making contact with his neck. But shit. He had to think of a lie, and quick, though with the proximity of her and the alcohol in his system he wasn’t sure how good it would be. Surely he had to have a little faith in himself, though, this wasn’t the first time he’d gotten himself in a situation like this. “That’s because I didn’t feel the need to bother, what with how much you like calling me sir and all” he teased, hoping that she would not be suspicious and would simply take that as him being cheeky with her. No one could find out about his true identity, and he had to make sure of that. 

“You know, no one ever has the guts to tell me the truth like that. Not at least in these walls, unless you count my sisters, but they don’t have to treat me nicely” he said, though his body guard had given the king and queen way to much credit. Then again, he didn’t have the choice not to. “Though I’m not sure if I agree, I mean, I’m sure they can wipe their asses just fine. But my parents, outside? I doubt they’d last a second without a body guard” he said as he continued to walk, casually, as if it was normal to talk that way about the king and queen. If anyone else were to do it, hell, they’d be screwed if it was heard by the wrong people. But he simply didn’t care, he was like any other person that would occasionally say something rude about his parents. His just so happened to have a lot of power and could do serious damage if they found out. But he had stopped caring about that a long time ago. 

“Lead the way, your highness.” Gotcha. Stephen heard the change as soon as it arrived, the tone that he gladly greeted. He had a chance. With a smile he continued in the direction he had been going, watching the body guard closely. “Oh, I will alright” he said happily, though he stopped for a moment to look back at the body guard. “But for the love of god, just call me Stephen. I hear your highness enough as it is” 

One night of freedom. One night before she was forced to behave like a lady, as if she had never had one fun night in her entire life, though admittedly her life hadn’t been that thrilling, but she’d like to believe it wasn’t a complete snore fest. And tomorrow no one could tell her it was. “Yes, your royal highness. Why, of course. It would be my pleasure, your majesty,” Peyton feigned a posh accent, running her fingers through her hair in a failed attempt to make it look a little presentable, but messy enough to say she was having a good time. “Can I get you anything else, your highness?” she laughed. Tomorrow she’d go to work for the royal family, a maid to them if you will, and, God, she wondered what had happened to get her there. Peyton glided a small amount of gloss over her lips, rubbing them together and taking one last look in the mirror before stepping out of the bathroom and back into the club, slowly making her way to the dancefloor and into the crowd. One last night to dance with a stranger until the sun came back to greet them.