Between Us

Chapter Four: Not What It Looks Like

I'll probably be done with the series by the time this is published, but I don't want it to end.
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Arthur stood before his father who had his lips in a thin line. He made sure to keep his posture straight but his head down. Though in public Arthur was a force to be reckon with in front of his father that was an entirely different story. Uther straightened his posture and watched as Merlin quickly left the hallway. Arthur tried his best to not watch Merlin walk away.

"What do you think you're doing, son?" Uther crossed his arms over his chest.

"I was speaking to Merlin." Arthur shrugged his father off.

"About?" Uther pressed.

"Father, why does it even matter?" Arthur huffed, "it was a harmless conversation."

Uther gave him a flat look and shook his head, "if it was harmless answer the question."

Arthur stood silent for a moment his neck burning, "it was about the ball."

"The ball?" Uther hummed.

"Yes, he was asking my thoughts on the Princess." Arthur lied.

"Why should he care?" Uther raised an eyebrow, "is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, father, I have no secrets." Arthur shook his head though he could feel the back of his neck growing warm.

Uther looked unconvinced but nodded. With a final huff he walked off leaving Arthur there to catch his breath. The prince sighed and rubbed at the back of his neck. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous but his stomach ached with anxiety and his heart was pounding in his ears. He hated when his father questioned him about Merlin. It seemed as though Uther was trying to catch him in some kind of act. He shook his head once more and adjusted his posture. He raised his chin and started towards his room. He had to stay composed especially today.

Once he was back in his room he let out a huff of relief and slid down his door. It wasn't a rarity for him to feel this stressed about a Princess visit, but something between him and Merlin was shifting and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He knew this could change their entire dynamic and he wasn't sure he wanted to ruin what they have for something that could potentially end. He sighed and rested his head in his hands. He wished the princess would just leave so that way neither of them would have to worry about what was going on in Arthur's love life and just enjoy each other's company. He groaned. Wishful thinking.

He rested his head on the door and shut his eyes not sure what to do with himself. All he could think about was Merlin and the more his thoughts continued the more he wished he would've done something when it was just the two of them. He groaned and balled his fists up; he wasn't one for regret but when it came to Merlin there was a lot that he wished he did. He sighed and looked towards a letter that rested on his night stand.

He stood up and grabbed it. Someone had dropped it in the hall where he had found it earlier that day and the only reason he kept it was because it was obviously a love letter. Arthur wouldn't admit it but he was a sucker for true love and who ever wrote the letter was deeply and tragically in love. He sighed and read over the words for the fifth time that day.

My love, or do I truly call you that? I haven't told you how I feel so I'm sure it's not appropriate to call you so, but I wish I could tell you. I wish I could scream it from the very top of the castle. My love. My love. My love. You make my heart stutter and my cheeks burn. My love. Seeing you smile can keep me awake for days. But lately I haven't seen you smile and I would do anything to hear you laugh once again. My love. I wish there was something I could do. But we are star-crossed and yet two sides of the same coin. How are we destined to be but farther than ever. My love. I wish I could make it better.
-Yours truly.

Arthur burned to know who wrote this letter and for whom. It was far too beautiful for the original owner or their love not to have. But he again couldn't run the risk of exposing either. He sighed and held the note close to his chest. He wished someone ached as badly for him as the writer of this note did for their love. He wanted the romance, the passion but with his father constantly trying to arrange marriages he felt like he would never have the chance.

He moved to his window and gazed upon the kingdom. The villagers bustled with life and he watched as they all rushed about. He wished he could be a part of the action and not have to be stuck worrying about his hand in marriage alone. He sighed and caught a glimpse of Merlin and Gwaine talking. The knight winked at Merlin who smiled softly at him. Arthur felt his face burn. He hated when Gwaine flirted with Merlin. It felt like an invasion and it took everything inside of him to not stomp downstairs and scold Gwaine.

He rolled his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek. He watched as Merlin laughed at something Gwaine said and he couldn't control the scoff that escaped his lips. Merlin rarely laughed at his jokes as of late and Arthur couldn't help the pit of jealousy in his stomach. He pulled himself away from the window and turned to his wardrobe. He knew the moment of truth was coming soon and that he'd have to woo the Princess but he wished he didn't. He hoped that something would postpone the dinner.

He rubbed his forehead and decided that he might as well get it over with. He huffed. He wasn't sure what he was feeling but he knew for a fact that it was not excitement.