Chapter Text
Chapter 01
Baz
I can't believe I agreed with this shit. I can't believe I let my father put me in the middle of this freak show. But there's nothing I can do now, so I keep my smile on and pretend to be happy, anxious even, while my father and his counsellors pick thirty-five names.
I always knew that as the heir Prince of Watford, I would have to do things I wouldn't like, but I didn't expect it would be so soon. Since my mother died, years ago, my father says that I am the future of the House Pitch and Watford and because of that, I must rule the kingdom someday and produce an heir, to keep our legacy.
Of course the last part he used to say over and over to me. Maybe he thought that if I have heard it enough, I would stop being gay and would find it appealing to marrying a woman. I suppose that is also why, only two months after my 18º birthday, he and his counsellors made me agree to find a bride, who I shall marry soon, so I can start producing the heirs.
Until days before my birthday, I kept agreeing with my father over this, but only because I thought I was buying more time for me to come with a solution. Because I thought that eventually I would be allowed to be who I am, no matter my titles. I thought I was being smart, playing my father until someday he would have no choice but to agree with me, to give up on making me someone I’m not.
But, my father was smarter than I thought. He probably knew that I was never serious in my words about marrying a girl.
My father is the consort king, my mother was the one with royal blood, and since she died, he tries to prove himself to everyone. Especially the old counsellors that worked for the crown. And that’s why he set up this whole situation, using the rebellion and the rebels to make me agree with him.
Despite loving my parents, especially my mother, I recognise that not all their politics are right. And many times they forget the poor and prioritise the riches. Because of that, some years ago, before my mother’s death (ten years ago), a group of rebels started to reunite and act against the crown.
The man who leads them is called ‘The Mage’, only people inside know his real identity. The only thing we know is that in the last years, they tried to take us out of the throne. It was also why they killed my mother, the queen. People say that it was on that night that the rebellion really started. And they try to convince people around the kingdom that they are doing these things for all of them, for the greater good. But I don’t believe it.
We don’t know who the rebels are, but we know that they are spread between them, the people, and they are increasing, even more, the tensions between us. And that’s why my father’s idea is a bit logical, and it would be good under other circumstances or involving other people.
Years ago, the crown used to make a competition called ‘The Selection’. In this competition, thirty-five girls would be chosen between the people, and they would be brought to the castle. The heir prince would live with these girls and know them better. With time the prince would send some girls home until only one was left. This one would marry the prince and become a princess, and later the queen.
‘The Selection’ was something usual years ago, and my father brought it back. He said that with this, the people would see that we see them as equal. That even a poor and simple girl could become a queen. All the counsellors agreed with him, and I could do nothing else. They thought that this would make the people calmer, and it was always good to ensure the future of the kingdom with a marriage.
They choose the names in front of me, and I have to pretend to like that. And even that was a political scheme because some names they just took randomly (like it should be), but most of it, it was by a political choice, girls who came from families that support us completely, or that still have their loyalty in doubt. It was also a chance to take girls of families that were against us, and use them as hostages. To remember them who was in charge here.
And I hate to be a part of this.
I hate to be used as the face of this show, to be a pawn in their hands.
But I know, I’ll have to keep up with this, at least until I’m the king.
“And with that one, we have our thirty-five girls.” Lord Edwards, one of the oldest counsellors, says when they choose the last.
“Great,” my father says. “Let's leave everything organised, so this night we can call the families, as soon as we start this better. People will like to see that we are receiving all kinds of girls here.” The men only nod to him, and some leave the room with the files in their hands. The official announcement would happen tonight.
“You should look happier, my prince,” Edwards says when he looks at me. “I’m sure that between those lovely girls, you’ll find one to be your queen.” I force a smile and see that my father is looking with more attention to me.
“I know I will.” He makes a reverence to me and leaves the room. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I’ll be going,” I say to my father, making a reverence myself and turning my back to him.
“Basilton.” He calls, making me stop.
“Yes, father?” I turn to him, but he’s already by my side.
“You will choose any one of the girls, make an heir and ensure our lineage. After that, you can do whatever you want in your private life.” His cheeks blush at his last words. I think this was the closest in all these years he came to acknowledge my sexuality. I take a deep breath before answering.
“Don’t worry father, I will finish what you started,” the idea was his after all. “and will ensure my lineage.” My father can say what he wants, but he’s not a Pitch. I walked away before he could answer and leave the room.
I walk, nervously, to the library, my favourite place in the castle.
I take a random book and sit close to the fireplace in the corner. The place was huge, so I usually sit in hidden places to escape from everyone else.
My head hurts when I try to read the book, and I know that if I close my eyes, I’ll start crying again. I try to swallow the tears before it falls on my face, but that only makes my head hurt more. I’d go back to my room and cry at peace, but I wanted to hide from people, and there would be the first place they’d look for me.
I thought I already had cried everything I had in the past days when my father told me their decision about The Selection. When I woke up this morning, I thought I was better. I thought I had accepted that and moved on, but I was wrong.
Seeing those men choosing my future and making me do something I don’t want, made my stomach flinch, and my tears come back again.
I never was very romantic. And I always knew that as the prince, love wouldn't matter. Everything is politics.
And once I realised I was attracted to other boys, I understood I would never have what I wanted.
But as the years passed, I still hoped to find someone who would love me. I hoped that the rules would have changed and I would be able to marry for love, with a man, and not just as a strategic move.
My mother loved my father. I don’t know why, honestly, but she did. And he loved her. I used to hear her stories when I was a child, of how they fell in love. How a poor boy conquered the heart of the heir princess and became a king beside her.
And I wanted that love. I longed for that so much.
I wanted a love story. I still do.
Reality is terrible. I want to crawl back to my bed and go back to sleep. To dream about things I wouldn't get in my life, not for real.
But I couldn't. I had to prepare myself, to keep this show moving, and pretend to be the perfect prince to everyone.
I had to forget these ideas. They weren't for someone like me.
I am the heir prince, the future king of Watford.
I couldn't keep dreaming and crying over lost hopes and loves.
Simon
I've been waiting for almost two hours, and I contain myself from crossing my arms and huffing loudly. I hate waiting, especially when they told me it was urgent, and I almost ran to get here stopping everything I was doing.
But I don't want to disrespect anyone or look ungrateful. These people took me out of the streets years ago, when I was a child. So, I think the least I can do is to be a bit more patient.
The Mummers, as they call themselves, are a group of people who don't agree with the polítics of the crown and claim for our rights. I don't exactly know what they do, but for what they told me, they fight for our rights. Fight for what is right, not using extreme ways as the noble do.
For the stories I already heard, they're awful people. Like evil people, they lie and kill anyone who says a word against them. They have the blood of innocents in their hands. And they don't want us to do anything about it.
There are other groups, who also fight against the royals, but the most known are the rebels. They are extremists and don't care about the deaths they leave behind. And I believe that there are always non-violent ways of dealing with things, especially with people, that's why I don't agree with them either.
It's also why I’m glad to be here, with Davy and the group.
I have been part of this group since I was a child, but unfortunately, they never let me do anything grand. Just deliver messages and small things. And because of that, I don't know much about what they do. But I know they help people, they spread peace.
"Simon." I hear a voice behind me, which makes me stand. "I'm sorry I made you wait so long."
"That's okay, sir." I lied. I can't tell him the truth, Davy was too good to me.
Davy was the leader of ‘The Mummers’. He was the one who found me and brought me here. Thanks to him, I was no longer a kid without a permanent roof over my head. He gave me a home, food, clothes, and a purpose for my life. Before I was just a mad kid, wanting to punch someone, wanting to blame someone for my shitty life.
But now, I want to help people too. I wanted to free people of the oppressor crown. I studied centuries of our monarchy, and I saw how wrong our kings and queens used to rule. The House Pitch was in the power for the last five centuries, and in all the books Davy gave it to me, I read how bad they ruled all these years. How awful they were doing in it.
The only one I never understood was the queen Natasha Grimm - Pitch. Queen Natasha, died ten years ago in an accident, some people say she killed herself, others that her husband did it. The noble says a rebel was the one who took her life. Even the years before her death, it’s a bit of a mystery to me. The books don’t say anything, and if you ask around, the answers are divided.
Some will say she was the best queen they ever saw. And some say she was terrible, like her ancestors. I wish I could know better. Now, I can suppose that, just like the ones who ruled before her, she was no good.
“Simon, I asked you to come here because I need you to do something,” Davy says, sitting in front of me.
"Great, what can I do?" I ask excitedly, which makes him smile a bit.
"I don't know if you already heard it, but the crown will make a Selection.” I frown.
“I didn't hear anything about that sir, what is this Selection?”
“'The Selection' was something they used to do some years ago. They take thirty-five girls from the whole kingdom and send them to the castle so the prince can choose one of them to marry him.” He sounds disgusted, and honestly, I feel the same.
“What if the girl doesn't want to go? Or to get married?”
“It doesn't matter. What matters is what they want. What the prince wants.” I feel his eyes scanning my face. “I already told you a couple of times about the prince, right?”
“You did, sir. You told me he’s just like his father, an elitist who doesn't care about people, not for real.” He nods.
“That’s right." He says, still nodding.
"But what does this have to do with me?"
“With the girls there, they’ll need more security. So, I want you to go tomorrow morning to the castle and apply to be a guard.” He leans to me. “Once inside, you’d be watching everything that happens inside and would inform me.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. “Can you do this for me, Simon? For our cause?”
“I …” Could I do this? Be a spy inside the castle? And live among those people?
“If you don't think you can do this, I can ask another person to do the job. But I thought you would want to help us, and I know you would never disappoint me.” I feel my throat closing.
“You don’t need to call someone else, I’ll do it, I can do it.” Davy smiles at me.
“I knew you were the right choice.” He stands. “Come with me. I will pass the details to you.”
I follow him to his office where he gives me details about the castle, the royal family and about some girls that were selected. I go back to my place, still thinking about everything. I didn't want to move to the castle and live with those people.
And I would've to see the prince playing with those girls, treating them as a piece of land. And honestly, I don't understand why a prince would have to do this to have a wife. I mean, being a prince must make everything easier. It mustn't be hard for him to find someone. But I guess, just like the rest of them, he sees it as a political game.
I look at the photos that Davy gave to me. The first ones are of the royal wedding, I see queen Natasha and her husband, smiling happily at each other. There are a bunch of pictures of them together until the prince starts to show in it too.
The next photos show the three of them while the prince is growing, and then the queen stops showing and I see a picture of the prince and his father at his mother's funeral. I don't know why they took photos of it. It was a funeral, a private moment.
The next photos show the prince and the king over the years, and I stop when I reach the last one. It's a photo of the prince and must be recent because I know we have the same age, and he looks like my age now.
I don't know why I'm staring at the photo, but I keep staring at it for a few minutes. I already saw his face before in photos and interviews, but never like this. In this photo, he isn't looking at the camera. I don't think he even saw the camera. And he seems to be thinking, looking almost sad.
I know that Davy already said a lot of bad things about this boy in the photo, but for some seconds I couldn't believe it. He seems like a normal kid like he has problems like everyone else.
Some things other than his look calls my attention. Like his black hair falling over his face. And how different is the colour of his eyes. I never saw someone with grey eyes. But it looks good on him.
I stop staring at the photos and remind myself that he is the enemy. He may look sad, normal, and gorgeous (more than anyone I've ever seen), but he's still the enemy. He is the heir prince, the future king of Watford, and the people are suffering because of people like him, because of his father.
So, I drop the photos and decide. I will get inside the castle and will help Davy take them down.
Baz
I woke up with the sun on my face and a heavyweight over my shoulders.
After days of publicity, The Selection will start today.
The last few days have been crazy here, there are people everywhere making sure everything is nice and clean for the thirty-five girls that will arrive today. Besides that, a lot of reporters would come today to register every detail of the competition.
And also today will be the arrival of the new guards. With the increase of people here, they have to increase security as well. Even more, because a lot of families are worried about a rebel attack inside the castle.
My father was happier than ever. Honestly, I never had seen him smiling so much like these days, and all counsellors were the same. They all thought this was the best move they did in years. I still have my doubts. I don’t think this kind of politics will help the people.
In fact, I think that the rebels will use this as an argument to say that we are wasting money to make entertainment when hundreds of people are starving. And I agree with that.
I keep staring at the ceiling of my room, trying to prepare myself for what it's waiting for me, but it’s too much.
I don’t know what will happen. Or how I’m going to be able to do this, to fake the whole thing.
The counsellors told me that I have all the time I want to make my choice. But it's not really like that. For all the history, I know that a long Selection was not good. So, after all, I don't have all the time I want.
There's a soft knock on the door before the maid comes in. She comes to let me know that the girls are already here, and my father wants to see me.
“Okay, I’ll change my clothes and will go talk to him.”
“You’ll want help with your clothes, Your Highness?” She asks with a blush on her cheeks.
“No, I can change by myself, thank you.” She makes a reference and leaves.
She was new here, and I could see that she wasn't entirely comfortable with her position yet. Many people who worked inside the castle began that way, embarrassed for talking to someone with royal blood. I've always tried to leave them comfortable with me, but I know that many times it's not possible.
I leave my room after a few minutes, ready to start my day. Or something close to that.
My father is in his room, waiting for me and his food. He nods for me to sit in front of him, but I can see he’s irritated for taking me too long to come.
Sometimes I would like to tell him some truths, like the fact that technically I’m the one with power here, and he’s only the consort, so I should give the orders.
But I don’t want to fight, and I don’t feel ready to rule. Not yet, at least. So, I’ll let him enjoy his position a little while.
“The girls arrived some minutes ago.” He tells me. “They are in their rooms now, until lunchtime. In two hours they will take them to have their first lunch in the castle. I want you to go there, introduce yourself, have lunch with them and choose one for your first date.”
“Already? I thought I would have time, more than a few hours.” He looks more irritated.
“Basilton, follow my orders. The competition is entertainment and we need to keep the people entertained.”
“And I was thinking that it was about me choosing someone I will have to spend the rest of my life with.”
“You know what I mean.” At least, he had the decency of looking a bit embarrassed. “Do what I said. The Selection started this morning and only will finish when you choose one of them. But it would be better to give some stability to the kingdom with a new princess, so the faster, the better. And if the common people see that the things have already started, they will be calmer.” He tries to explain himself.
“Don’t worry father, I’ll do what you asked me.” I bow my head a bit and leave before he could reply again.
I wander around the castle for a few minutes, not knowing where to go or what to do. This thing barely started, and I already wanted to be over.
After I don’t know how long, I go back to my room and change my clothes to better ones. The girls have to meet a prince, and I would have to dress like one. People are waiting for me in my room, waiting to help me. I never understood why there were people to help me dress. It was easy enough to do it by myself.
But I didn’t want to fight today, so I just let them dress me while I kept thinking about what was waiting for me. A few minutes later, I’m ready, and they clear me to go to the dining hall. Some guards walk with me until we arrive at big doors.
I can hear whispers, different voices and giggles inside. One guard asks if I’m ready to go in, so I take a deep breath and nod to him.
All the heads inside the hall turn to the door, all the talks end and I hear gasps when I walk inside. I look around the room, feeling all those eyes on me. I see some girls giggling and some trying to do, what I think is a sexy face, which only makes me want to laugh and roll my eyes.
“Hello, ladies.” I greet them.
“Your Highness is a pleasure to have you here.” Sylvia, the responsible for the girls, says.
“Is a pleasure to be here as well.” I try to give my best smile and must work because I hear more gasps. “Before we can have lunch, I would like to introduce myself, officially, and to meet one by one.” They seem more excited. “I promise I won’t take much of your time and soon we can all appreciate our lunch.” I see some girls straighten their postures and smile more. “I’ll sit on that sofa, can you bring them to me?” I ask Sylvia.
“Sure, Your Highness.” She smiles and goes back to the girls.
I walk to the sofa followed by some people that are organising The Selection, only then do I see the cameras already filming everything. Sylvia brings the first girl, and I see her name on the name tag, Samantha. It would take forever to remember all of their names.
“Hello, Samantha,” I say, smiling at her, or trying to.
“Your highness,” She bows a bit. “You’re even more handsome in person.” She tries to look embarrassed and timid, but it sounds so fake that I again have to contain myself in rolling my eyes.
“Thank you. You also look more beautiful in person.”
“Oh, that way, you will make me blush, your highness.” Her cheeks are perfectly normal, with no blush. And her voice is so irritating that I wonder if it would be too rude to send her home now. I decide that it might be, so I keep talking to her.
I don’t know how much time she spends with me, but I know that is more than enough. And probably, she’ll be one of the firsts to go.
There are more girls here than I can deal with, but I try to be polite and talk to all of them.
After almost an hour, I’m close to the end. I’m already craving for my lunch, and there are five more girls for me to talk to. Mary, one of the nicest and poor girls in the competition, leaves after our talk, which gives me time to drink some water.
I see a blonde girl coming in my direction, and recognise her from the pictures. Agatha Wellbelove was one of the favourites of the rich public and of my counsellors, which also includes my father. She’s rich, beautiful, and her family is a big supporter of mine. Everything they want.
“Hello, your highness.” She smiles and sits.
“Hello, Agatha. It's good to see you here." I say. "I believe I met your father a couple of years ago."
"Oh, yes. My family always had a good relationship with the crown." She sounds proud of that.
We talk for some minutes, and I can see that besides her smiles, she doesn’t sound like the other girls like she is trying to impress me. She looks happy, but for some reason, I don’t think she cares about me or the competition.
After her, there were two more girls that made me want to scream, and then a short girl walks in my direction like she was walking to death. Once she is closer, I can see her name, Penelope.
"Good morning, prince." She makes an exaggerated reverence before sitting.
"Good morning, Penelope." I try to remember what it was in her file but I can't, there were too many files. "I hope you are having a good time so far." I can see she is not very happy being here.
“The place is great, but the girls are quite ridiculous.” I contain myself from laughing and agreeing with her. “I hope it’s not a requirement to talk about you the whole time.” She crosses her arms, which makes me laugh.
“It’s not. Actually, I believe it would be very dull.” She looks a little bit less angry than before. “So, can I guess that your parents made you apply?”
“I don’t - I didn’t mean - I’m sorry …” She starts babbling, maybe she thinks I would send her home because of that.
“I understand a couple of things about doing what our parents want,” I say in a calm voice. “But I hope your time here improves.”
Before she could reply, Sylvia came to take her and to make me go faster. I wasted too much time at the beginning, which was a shame because I wanted to keep talking to Penelope. Maybe she is the only one besides me who doesn’t want to be here.
I talk to the last ones, and then we are all clear to take our lunch.
"Thank you all the ladies for giving me a little of your time. And I'm sorry for delaying your lunch, but let’s all eat now." They all smile at me, and I already make a list of the ones I will send home tomorrow.
Some of them I could send away now because I know that I wouldn’t bear spending only a day with them. So the rest of my life was not an option. But I want to let all of them enjoy at least one day. So, tomorrow they're out.
I also started to make a list of the possible ones I could choose. I can't escape this, I have to choose someone, and I know this won't be a marriage with love, not romantic love, but I can choose someone I like. Someone fun, smart and loyal that I will be able to have a conversation with. A friend.
Maybe, with time I could tell the truth, she could keep my secret.
The conversation along the hall is loud, even though I see some girls trying to be quiet, as it would be appropriate to a lady.
I look over the seats trying to decide who I would choose for the first date. My eyes stop in Penelope. She looked miserable here. Probably as I suggested, she applied because her parents made her. She didn't even seem to like me, not romantically.
That was great. Because I think it would be better if, in the end, I choose someone who is not in love with me. She was a good option. Of course, I didn't intend to keep anyone here if they didn't want to. But I feel that we could become friends.
I walk in her direction, drawing everyone’s attention. She doesn't notice me until I'm by her side.
"Miss Bunce?" She looks up, and I can see her eyes are scared. Could it be under the possibility of going home, or going out with me? "Would you accompany me on a walk?"
I hear whispers, angry whispers. Penelope doesn't answer at first. She seems to be thinking, probably wondering what it would be better for her to reply.
"I - Uh - " She sounds nervous. "Of course your highness, it would be an honour." She stands.
I offer my arm to her and escort her out of the hall. We don’t talk until we reach the gardens.
“It’s a lovely place, your highness.” She looks even more nervous than before.
“You don’t need to pretend I already expected that at least one of you wouldn’t want to be here for real, that wouldn’t want to marry me,” I say, smiling with her surprise. “It’s okay I’m not sending you away because of that. Unless you ask me to.” She sighs.
“Can I be honest with you?”
“Yes, please.” We sat on a bench.
"I really appreciate being chosen to be here, but I only applied my name because my family asked me to."
"Your family's name is Bunce right?" She nods. "It seems familiar."
"Yeah, we have a complicated history with your family. We weren't always a big supporter of the royal family. Many years ago, my parents had friends who were part of groups who wanted you all out. My parents didn’t agree with them, but the shadow of this friendship was always in our family. My mother thought that if I didn’t apply, you and your father could think we are acting with the other groups. Which we are not." She adds the last part quickly.
“I believe in you.” She seems to relax a bit. “But why didn't you want to participate? You don’t want to be a queen?” She blushes.
“I never thought about it, but it’s just that - “ She starts to play with her dress.
“Your heart is in another place.” I complete, and she looks up. It was clear in her face that she was in love already, but not for me.
“Yeah, I’m sorry I know that all the other girls …” I cut her.
“That’s okay. You are not committing any crime, and I think it is great that you don’t feel anything for me.”
“You do?” I nod.
“Yeah, I always wanted to have a friend, someone who won’t tell everything to my father. And I think you are perfect to be my friend. If you want to, of course.”
“Really?”
“Yes, you don’t want to be here, but I’m guessing you don’t want to disappoint your parents.” She nods. “And I kinda like you. You seem fun, sarcastic and smart.” She smiles.
“That’s me.”
“Perfect then, every time you get sick of this competition come looking for me, I’ll keep you here and bring your family back at our side, and once you get enough of here, just let me know and I’ll send you home.”
“This seems amazing, honestly. And you don’t seem as bad as I thought.” She laughs. “I always imagine that you were a lot more spoiled and a total prat. But I think I would like to be your friend.” I smile at her.
“Great. Now tell me about the one who has your heart.” She sighs, looking away.
She tells me all about the boy she was dating. Her family didn’t know, but they were super in love. He wanted her to apply for the Selection because he didn’t want her to lose the opportunity. But when her name appeared on TV as one of the selected ones, they got into a fight, and he broke up with her.
This morning, when she was leaving her home, she saw him with another girl, laughing, hugging her. So, she didn’t want to go back yet and face him. Face them. She was still in love with him, of course, but she didn’t want to deal with it.
We talk for long minutes until I walk her to her room. We said goodbye, and I promised to call her for another walk in the next few days. It was a great conversation, and I know I made the right decision to want her as my friend.
I don’t have anything to do until dinnertime, so I decide to go to the library and hide from everyone. On my way, I see some new guards, who look nervously at me making a disastrous reverence in my direction. I only nod and keep walking.
I keep my eyes on the floor and try to walk faster, so I can be alone at the library. I’m almost there when I listen to the noise of something falling on the floor. I look up and keep still at my place.
A guard, a new guard is in front of me, some inches away. He gets down to catch his sword that he let fall, but his eyes are on me, and for some reason, I don’t look away or start to walk again.
He seems young, maybe the same age as me, and I’m sure that I never saw someone so beautiful. I don’t know what's more attractive, his bronze curls, the moles and freckles spread on his skin, his blue eyes, or the blush on his cheeks.
“Uh - I’m sorry,” I don’t really know why I’m sorry. “Didn’t mean to stay in your way.” I’m pretty sure I was not in his way. I intend to keep walking, but I don't. I keep looking at the boy, and he's still looking at me too with a weird expression on his face.
“I’m sorry. I’m the one who kept you from following your way, your highness.” He seems nervous, angry almost.
“That’s okay.” I need to leave. “Have a nice day.” I look at the name tag on his uniform. “See you around, Snow.” I give him a short nod and finally start to walk.
Only when I’m inside the library do I take a deep breath and think about what just happened. What actually happened? I think no one ever left me so speechless like that. I don’t know what to think.
So, I try to not think and take a book.
But of course, it doesn’t work because the whole afternoon all I can think about is a pair of blue eyes looking at me.