A/N: Song for the chapter -  On My Own by Niall Horan.

A footman knocked on the door of the chambers assigned to him by the Prince. The room was magnificent, to say the least. It was exquisitely furnished with mahogany wood, the chairs fitted with plush pillows. The bed was covered with a soft duvet beside which was a small table with a glass of water and an urn on it. Louis had certainly missed a good bed at night if not anything else.

A young man came in, a letter in his hand. "A letter from the prince, your highness."

Raising an eyebrow, he opened the letter.

Prince Louis,

You requested me to join you on a horse ride this morning and I obliged. I just have one request to make for it will surely make our visit much better. I wish for you to wear casual clothes so that we can go unnoticed by the people of my kingdom. Meet me by the stables at nine am.

Yours,

Prince Harry.

Louis frowned as he looked at the grand clock on his wall. He had to meet the prince in an hour. How was he to get ready in such a small period of time? But then again, Harry had specifically asked him not to dress up. He had given no further instructions on how exactly he was supposed to do that.

Sighing, he got up to try his best at meeting the Prince's request.

...

Louis hurried through the hallways of the palace at five past nine and almost regretted his decision of accepting the queen's invitation to stay here. He didn't have much choice in the matter anyways, he thought, as he finally found the doorway that led to the gardens. Hurrying past the marble fountain, he made his way to the stables.

The prince was already there, petting one of the horses. "You're late, your highness." He said, without turning around. Louis frowned at him.

"I apologize for my tardiness, I truly do. I was trying to follow your request and it took longer than I thought."

He turned to look at Louis and his eyes instantly widened. His lips twitched, a corner rising slightly. Thoroughly confused and slightly embarrassed, Louis looked down at his short breeches and the long dark coat that reached below his knees.

Harry schooled himself and asked, "What in the lord's name are you wearing, your highness?"

Pushing the hat up to uncover his eyes, Louis muttered, "Only what you asked, what else?"

Shaking his head, the prince of Solis gave a small smile and took the coat off Louis' shoulders along with the hat; which was nevertheless too big for him. "Wait here." He instructed.

He walked back to the palace, leaving Louis alone in the stables in only his tunic and short breeches; wondering what exactly was going on.

Harry was back within a few minutes, with a smaller coat which was made not out of velvet but out of coarse wool. He handed it to Louis who wore it with a slight twist of his lips. Never in his life had he worn such clothes. He reminded himself that if he didn't want to wear these for the rest of his life, he had to please the Prince. So, he mounted his horse without another word.

They rode out in the crowded towns for about an hour as the prince showed Louis all the fascinating places and shops that lined the roads. Soon, unable to keep his rumbling stomach quiet, Louis asked the prince to take a break. They got down their horses and walked over to a small tavern. It was full of men either eating quietly in the corner or drinking their afternoon away. As he had expected, it was loud.

As they walked over to a table in the corner, a man clearly out of his wits with the alcohol running through his body jostled into them. "Look where you are going, maggot-head!" He said, giving out a loud burp at the end.

Louis' face twisted. He couldn't believe a commoner had just insulted him, a prince. "Barf me out." He spat back. Harry held his arm and Louis could tell from the tightness of his fingers that he was warning him but he couldn't help it. It was the man's fault and he wasn't going to back down if it came to a fight.

"What did you say?" The man said, stalking towards him in what was supposed to be an imposing walk but due to being drunk, it just looked stupid.

Everyone was looking at them now, the room echoing with shouts of encouragement for a fight. Louis took the jacket off his shoulders and threw it down on a chair. The man glanced at his built arms but knew he couldn't back down now. Harry grabbed his arms, fingers digging into his naked flesh. "Louis, calm down."

He couldn't hear the prince through the rage in his ears. He had to teach the man a lesson. Nobody insulted Louis without getting a payback. "What are you waiting for, you rotten sod?" He indulged.

He smiled as the man came at him, his fists raised. Louis was about to bring up his own but there was a blur of movement and before he could do anything, the prince had the man's arm held behind his back as he howled in pain. Harry moved his body so it touched his and brought his lips to the man's ear. "Do you know who I am?" He hissed, words deadly enough to make even Louis' eyes widen.

The man sputtered. He twisted his head to look at the prince and squinted his eyes. All the blood drained out of his face. "Your - your highness." He stuttered. "I - I'm sorry, I didn't know who you were."

Harry's eyes were sharp as crystal shards. "And that is the only reason why I'm going to let you go." He said, his voice cold. " If you tell anyone about who I am, I will have you thrown in the dungeons for the rest of your miserable life."

Harry released him and walked back to Louis. He swallowed, surprised to see a new side of the prince. It wasn't something he had expected from him but he didn't mind. The Kingdom would be in good hands when he whisked the princess away.

They continued their way to the table and sat down in front of each other. Louis was staring at the prince but Harry's gaze was on the table. A lady approached them, asking them what they wished to eat. Louis asked for some bread with cheese and bacon and Harry asked for the same. He thanked the lady politely and she blushed before going to prepare their meal while Louis just sat and observed the prince.

They were silent and it was making Louis restless. "I apologise for what happened." He mumbled.

The prince looked at him in surprise. Schooling his emotions, he replied, "I asked you to calm down."

Louis looked down. "I know. I'm profoundly sorry." He meant what he said, Louis realised. He didn't want to disappoint the prince. It would not only hinder his plans but he could lose a possible friend. He had enjoyed his time with the prince today and he was the only person he knew - if he could even call it that - in the entire kingdom.

Harry nodded. "I wouldn't say the man didn't deserve it but remember, we have to maintain our secrecy if we are to slip through the crowds unknown. It is the only way we would be able to enjoy our day."

Louis pressed his lips together. "I understand." He said as the same lady came back with a platter filled with their ordered meal. The delicious smell cause his stomach to rumble and he was glad of the noise in the tavern.

He took a bite of the bread and cheese. It melted blissfully in his mouth and he gave out a small moan. The prince looked at him, his green eyes amused. With tinted cheeks, Louis said, "the food is quite delicious here, your highness. And I have to admit, I was dearly in need of some."

His lips twitched. "I could tell."

Louis looked at his plate and put another bite in his mouth. This time, he was very careful to not make a single sound. He didn't want to embarrass himself any further or he feared he might pass away.

"What plans do you have for my sister?" The prince asked and Louis almost choked. This was not a conversation he wanted to have at the moment. He wondered if he could run away but that would only make the prince suspicious.

What could he possibly tell the prince? That he was only here so he could get the princess's hand in marriage to please his father? That he was disgraced and clearly didn't deserve the princess who was an exquisite lady but he had no choice? That she would be miserable by being married to him but that was the only way to get his throne back? No. He could not say that.

So, he stared at the cheese running down the side of the bread, thankful for being taught to control his emotions at an early age. "I wish only to gain her heart, your highness." He replied, his own thudding hard in his chest.

He couldn't be further from the truth.

A/N: Soooo... What do you think? Now you know he isn't here for noble reasons. Then why is he here? If he regrets it so much, why doesn't he just go back? And why does he need his father's approval so desperately?

Read on to find out!

Oh and about those Easter eggs in the previous chapter; look at the names of their kingdoms carefully and maybe you'll find your answer ;)