Chapter Text
The Prince Switch
These days
6:30
Time to get up and greet the day, at least if he wanted to get the groceries and catch the bus on time while still looking fabulous. He was already up though, it had become a nasty habit of his to get up in the middle of the night and stay awake. It’s just that he was waiting for someone. He knew deep inside that they would never come back, but he thought it was worth trying. Maybe they’ll realize they love him and come back to their little blue apartment. He eventually got his eyes off of the window, his body off the couch and finally into the shower. He wasn’t going to be late just because his heart refused to move on.
~POV switch~
“It’s six thirty your Grace, you should still be in bed.”
The Duke didn’t answer though, he just kept staring out from the porch and into the garden. His mother used to carry him around the garden, singing absurd songs that didn’t quite suit a noble. “Your Grace, please, you have a big day today, you might as well take a nap for a while to get some energy.” The Duke still didn’t answer, he was always numb in the mornings, a little numb in the evenings as well. He remembered when he used to be bursting with life. Getting into trouble with the staff and speaking out of place in meetings. But after what had happened three years ago, he wasn’t the same anymore.
~POV switch~
7:00
The brunette was finally out of his apartment and running down the sidewalk. He wasn’t the fastest person in the world but he certainly had enough resistance to go for miles on end. It took many months for him to get this strong, but when your job requires you to get fresh ingredients from the farmers market in a route buses don’t travel, all while not owning a vehicle of transportation, you exercise enough. After running for three exhausting miles, he finally made it. He breathed heavily as he made his way towards his family’s stall. “Tired already? You usually can take a few more miles before you’re this sweaty.” A voice from up ahead taunted him. He was too fatigued to make out the person but he guessed it was his sister Veronica. Thankfully he had enough muscle memory to locate the water fountain nearby. As he wetted his face with cool, icy water, an older woman came up from behind him and smacked his back. “AHH! Mamá! Why would you do-“ “Ay ya mejor cállate mijo! Te quedaste despierto otra vez, verdad?! Eso es porque eres tan huevón esta mañana! Menso..” (“Oh please, hush up kiddo! You stayed awake last night again, didn’t you?! That’s why you’re so lazy this morning! Idiot..”) The blue eyed boy steadied himself before talking to his mother, her brown eyes looking him up and down. “Mama, perdóname. Es un mal hábito, lo sé, voy a mejorar lo juro.” (“Mom, I’m sorry, forgive me. It’s a bad habit, I know. I’ll get better, promise.”) His mom sighed and shook her head,“De repente te vas de casa, consigues un trabajo que no implica la granja y luego sales con alguien por dos años solo para que se vayan y te destruyan emocionalmente…hijo, estoy preocupado por ti. Por favor, déjame ayudarte.” (“Suddenly you decide to leave home, you get a job that doesn’t involve the farm, and then date someone for two years only for them to leave you and destroy you emotionally… I’m worried about you. Please, let me help.”) Lance didn’t respond, he couldn’t, this was his battle and his battle alone. He was an adult now, he had to face his problems by himself. His mother saw he wouldn’t respond. She ‘tsked and walked away, muttering things to herself in Spanish. He wanted to go after her and comfort her, but a hand went on his shoulder, sturdy and firm. His father’s. “Mijo, mejor toma tus cosas y vete con tu hermana. Hablaré con tu madre, pero ponte las pilas y pon tu vida en orden, eh?” (“Son, it might be best if you take your things and leave with your sister. I’ll talk to your mom, but you better get your life together, alright?”) “Si Papá..” (“Yes Dad..”) His father gave him a firm pat on the back and went in the same direction his mother went in. Lance upsets his mother a lot these days.
~POV switch~
His blue eyes stared at the digital clock as servants rushed to get him dressed. He watched as it changed to seven o’clock exactly. The sound of the tower’s bell were heard and it made everyone kick into gear. All except the Duke. He didn’t bat an eye. “Your Grace, we must hurry if we want to make a good impression. The Royals appreciate punctuality.” The Duke rolled his eyes and took the coat one of the ladies were having trouble with.
His feet led him towards the portrait hall, his trusty advisor/nanny behind him. He passed every painting and only stopped to face one of a woman dressed in all pink. “You have her eyes. Or at least used to.” Cold blue eyes bore holes into white skin, “Used to? I still do.” The trusted advisor was unperturbed by the Duke’s icy glare, “The Duchess’ eyes were warm and alive, you used to be like that. Now you live to live and are unsympathetic as a storm.” “Well what else should I live for? My father was the only other person that made life worth living, now that he’s gone life is meaningless! I’m only here to make alliances and smile and wave! If that’s my only purpose then what’s the point of having sympathy?! What’s the point of having fun!…when there is no one to have fun with..” The duke’s voice went quiet at the end, his voice near shattering like ice. His stormy gaze went calm for a moment, he promised himself he wouldn’t do this. He shed enough tears at his parents funerals.
“You still have me..” His Grace turned around in a flash, “You’re just a servant! Nothing more than a man who follows me around telling me what to do and gets paid! You might have been a friend of my mothers but you have never been family to me old man!!” Coran stood before him with a pained expression. He had taken care of the duke since his mother passed away on his 6th birthday. He promised Melanor he would. Coran then returned to his professional persona, numb as the duke was in the morning. “Very well Aluro.” “That’s ‘your Grace’ to you, Mr. Wimbleton.” Aluro said as he walked out of the portrait hall. Aluro always snapped at everyone these days..