To Be A Prince

Dear Mum and Dad, 

Things are going well in Genovia. I had my first day on the job and I had to attend a ball for the Prince’s birthday, which was interesting. Very different from the birthday parties back home. 

They’ve set me up with quarters inside the palace so that I can always be close to the Prince. Luckily my room is nothing like any of the dorms I’ve lived in. It’s basically like a studio apartment; I have a bathroom and a little kitchenette all to myself. It seems like they’re going to feed me most of the time though, so I’m not sure how much I’ll be using the kitchen, but it’ll be nice to have. 

The King, Queen, and Prince all seem really nice so far, so all in all things are going good!

I hope you’re both doing well, 

Love, 

Remus

Remus knows that he should tell his parents that there is a doctor that lives in the palace to care for the royal family and its employees. He knows that his mother will want to know and will be relieved to hear it. He understands that she wants to know those kinds of things because she cares, because she’s his mother. But his gut twists in discomfort and anger bubbles up in his chest anyways. His logical side tells him to just add a “P.S. There’s a resident doctor, so please don’t worry” and be done with it. The illogical side, however, jumps back into the conversation to point out that he shouldn’t feel like he has to tell her anything if he doesn’t want to. 

Remus glances at his watch and curses, realizing he may be late to his second day on the job. He jumps up and folds the letter into an unsealed envelope that he slips into his jacket pocket, deciding that he’ll figure it out later.

As Remus makes his way to James’ room in the guest wing of the palace, he pulls out a different piece of paper from his other pocket. He had started to make a map after Dorcas gave him a tour the day before James had arrived. It’s a rough draft as of now, but he notes hallways and doors as he walks. 

He finally turns down the corridor that James’ room is on and looks up to find the night-shift security guard trying to smile through a yawn as he approaches. Remus nods at the guard, who nods back, looking tired and grateful, before heading back in the direction Remus had come from to get some sleep. 

Thank gods I don’t have to do that , Remus thinks as he settles into his place by James’ door. Remus has always been a night owl; he loves the night sky, the moon, and the stars. But part of his love for night time comes from the lack of responsibilities and distractions after a certain hour – when the world gets quiet and he allows himself to stare up at that great black abyss where all his dreams used to lie. He thinks that working overnight, stuck inside, an impenetrable roof between him and the sky, would suck all the joy out of the night. 

When Remus was nine years old he decided he wanted to become an astronaut and it became his whole personality for a couple years. He would spend hours reading about space, pretending to understand advanced astrophysics explanations of supermassive black holes and the big bang. His mom decorated his room in a space theme and even put glow in the dark stars and a moon on his ceiling as a ploy to try to keep him from sneaking outside in the middle of the night to stare at the sky. 

When Remus was fifteen years old the limitations of his body crushed his dream of going into space. He probably got more upset over the simple google search that revealed that diabetics can’t go to space than he did over the actual diagnosis. His father tried to tell him that he could still study astrophysics, while his mother seemed quietly relieved that her son wouldn’t someday be that far out of her reach. She had never liked sending him away, but she disliked it even more after the diagnosis. 

Despite the loss of his dream to go to space, Remus could not shake his love for that great dark abyss. He tried to, and he successfully found other interests and goals, but every night he could not help but look up at the sky in awe at its sheer beauty, reminded of everything he’s loved and lost. 

Remus is quickly shaken from his thoughts pitying the poor night guard when James opens the door to his room, fully dressed and ready for the day ahead. Dorcas had warned Remus that James was an early riser, but he hadn’t been expecting the Prince to be up and beginning his day by 7 AM the day after his birthday ball. 

“Good morning, Remus!” 

“Good morning, James,” Remus replies, remembering James’ request to be referred to by his first name.

“Have you had breakfast yet?” 

“Yes,” Remus nods. 

“Well, in the future if you ever want to eat breakfast with me, you can,” James says as he begins walking down the hall. Remus assumes he’s heading towards the family quarter’s dining room or the kitchen, but he had thought those rooms were in the other direction. He glances behind him in the opposite direction as he follows James, trying to remember where he is. 

“Our Chef, Arthur, makes the best omelets I’ve ever had, I swear.” 

“Oh really?” Remus asks, only half paying attention as he pulls out his map to reference and add to as they walk. 

“What’s that?” James asks, stopping and moving back to Remus’ side to peer over at the piece of paper. 

“Oh, nothing. It’s just, you know…” Remus trails off. He’s not sure why, but he feels a little embarrassed and caught. 

“A map?” James looks up at Remus with a smile and an excited twinkle in his eyes, which immediately puts Remus back at ease. 

“Yeah,” he lets out a breathy laugh. “I started it when Dorcas gave me a tour two days ago.” 

“Oh,” James barks out a laugh. He begins moving again and Remus follows. “You can’t make a map of the palace based on that. It’ll be incomplete.” 

Remus’ eyebrows pull together in confusion. He assumed that Dorcas wouldn’t show him where everything is, but he felt like he had gotten a pretty solid idea of the place from her tour. James is looking sideways back at Remus, nodding at him to indicate that he should speed up and walk next to him rather than behind him. Once Remus is beside James, the Prince begins to explain. 

“I grew up here, Remus. I know every inch of this palace, including the hidden parts.” James steals a glance to see his reaction and Remus side eyes him back with a small smirk, thinking that the Prince must be pulling his leg. 

“I’m not kidding,” James says as they approach a door to a kitchen that Remus hadn’t known existed. “After breakfast I’ll show you.”

“I’m sure you have more important things to do than give me another tour,” Remus says. In truth, Remus knows he would love another tour, but it’s beginning to feel more like Remus is a guest than an employee and that is making him slightly uncomfortable. 

“Nonsense! I’ll tell Dorcas to reschedule anything that was planned for today. Today, Remus Lupin, I am going to show you around my home and we are going to become friends.” James flashes a smile and Remus can’t help but smile back, shaking his head at how odd this job is turning out to be. 

“Arthur!” James exclaims as they enter the kitchen, “I’ve missed you and those omelets!”

After James finishes eating and Remus ends up trying an omelet, the Prince keeps his word and tells Dorcas to cancel his plans when she comes to find him. 

“Is that okay?” James asks with a smile that perfectly depicts that he is apologetically asking for approval, while knowing he doesn’t actually need it. 

“I suppose,” Dorcas sighs. “You didn’t really have much on your schedule today anyways. Your parents were hoping you would attend Parliament’s session with them today, but it wasn’t a hard ask.”

Even though Dorcas is not technically Remus’ boss, her energy exudes authority. This would normally predispose Remus to disliking her, but Dorcas also exudes a certain cool factor that Remus couldn’t help but respect. 

He catches her eye and tries to silently communicate that this idea was all James’. She rolls her eyes and looks at James, seeming to understand Remus perfectly. 

“You get today. And only today,” she says firmly. “We have a lot to get done in the coming months.” 

“Thank you, Dorcas.” James gives her a smile full of charm and Dorcas rolls her eyes again before turning around to go attend to her many other tasks. 

“What she doesn’t know,” James whispers, leaning towards Remus, while keeping his eyes on Dorcas’ retreat, “is that we will be attending today’s Parliament session. Just not with my parents.”

Dorcas rounds the corner and James and Remus look at each other – Remus wearing a face of confusion and James wearing a mischievous grin. 

He elbows Remus gently and nods down the hall behind them, “C’mon.” James stuffs his hands in his pockets and starts his tour with an eager pep in his step. 

“So, did you have fun last night?” James asks and Remus genuinely wonders if he remembers that he is the Prince’s employee. 

“Yeah, I mean it would’ve been more fun if I hadn’t thought I’d lost you in your own house on my first day.” 

Remus remembers his panic when he looked around and both James and the curly black-haired woman were gone. He had been watching them closely as they danced, worried about the mania in the woman’s eyes, when he had been distracted by James’ friend. He was dressed in a navy, velvet tux and had his almost shoulder length black hair hanging loose and wavy. He appeared a bit shorter than Remus, but had broad shoulders and sharp facial features. Remus swears he only looked away for a second, but when he looked back toward the dance floor both of the dancers were gone. 

“Shit, yeah…” James says, throwing Remus an embarrassed look while scratching the back of his head. “Sorry about that. It wasn’t planned.” Remus raises his eyebrows at James and smirks.

Remus had found James in a room next to the ballroom shortly after seeing the man who James had stumbled into earlier sneak out of it. He tried not to take note of the fact that the man looked a lot like James’ friend who distracted him. 

“I’m going to assume that since my parents helped hire you, they made sure that you are cool about uh… gay people?” 

Remus can’t help but let out a little laugh at the irony and nods, “Yes, I’m cool.” 

James raises his eyebrows at him in intrigue. Despite James’ best efforts to make Remus a fast friend, he refuses to share that much of his personal life with the Prince on his second day. 

“So,” Remus tries to turn the subject back to the black haired man that James had snuck off with. “Who was that? The man you snuck off with?” 

“I didn’t sneak off with him,” James says in confused awe. “He saved me from dancing with Bellatrix and then practically dragged me away.” It seems that James, lost in the memory, forgot to give the name again. Remus tries to wait for him to remember, but after a moment of silence he reminds him. 

“Oh, right. Regulus. Regulus Black. He’s the younger brother of Sirius Black, my best friend. They’re the two sons of Walburga and Orion Black and cousins of Andromeda Tonks, Bellatrix Black, and Narcissa Black.” James looks at Remus to see if he is following, which he is, and then adds: “They hate us.” 

“Well, Sirius and Andromeda don’t hate us. And I’m starting to think after last night maybe Regulus doesn’t hate us either.” 

James is smiling, probably thinking back on his memories from the night before again. Remus feels the urge to ask more about this ‘Sirius,’ but he reminds himself that there are a million reasons why he shouldn’t be asking about him, or anyone for that matter. 

“Oh here it is!” James stops and waves Remus over to a podium by the wall with a vase on it. James is smiling at him in a way that makes him a little nervous, which James can apparently read on his face because he laughs and then pulls down on the vase as if he’s going to knock it onto the ground. Remus steps back to get out of the way and watches a section of the wall, the size of a door, swing into itself to reveal a hidden passageway. Remus’ eyes go wide in shock and he looks at James to double check that he is seeing what he thinks he’s seeing. James is already looking at him with a huge grin, obviously pleased by Remus’ shock. 

“C’mon,” James says and heads into the passageway. Remus looks up and down the hall to see if anyone else is seeing this, but it’s empty. He lets out a breathy laugh and follows the Prince into the walls. 

James closes the door behind them and Remus has a moment of panic when he notices there’s no door handle on the inside to get back out. Luckily, James seems to be aware of this worry and quickly assures Remus that he knows this palace like the back of his hand. He then points out a lever behind him that can be used to open the door from the inside and Remus nods with a sigh of relief. 

Remus follows James through the tunnels of the palace and listens to him explain its history, stories from his childhood, and his family’s past. He also points out all the entrances, exits, and peepholes so that Remus can mark them on his map that he is scribbling away on. 

There are small holes along the lining of the walls that allow just enough light in to see where they were walking. The ground and walls are made of gray stone and every 10 feet or so there’s an alcove with a small stone bench. Along the walls there are black metal hatches that can be lifted up to peer through a grate or slit in the wall. 

“Yeah,” James says, sounding embarrassed. “There used to be a lot more peepholes, like ones that could look into bedrooms , but once I discovered them, my dad and I came in here with some tools and wood and covered most of them up. The only ones we left open are ones that peek into the more public spaces like the ballroom, the throne room, the entrance hall, and the debate chamber of parliament, which we are about to see.” 

They stop and Remus notices the muffled sound of people arguing somewhere nearby. James pulls on another lever on the wall and a door opens, letting them hear the parliament members clearly. James had said they were going to watch parliament’s session, but Remus’ eyes widen in awe anyway. He follows the Prince into the smaller room and peers over his shoulder through the grate that James had lifted the cover to. 

The pair look down on the debate chamber from a grate close to the ceiling, probably meant to look like it’s for air conditioning. Remus can’t help but think about the security risks associated with this peephole, and honestly the entire series of tunnels. He decides not to bring it up now though. He assumes that there’s a risk of the parliament members hearing them since James is being more quiet than he had been since the two had met. 

The room is an oval shape with two rows of what Remus thinks looks like glorified wooden bleachers lining the wall beneath and across from them. Each row is filled with men and women dressed in robes, looking miserable. On the far right side of the room is an elevated stand where the Queen, King, and Prime Minister are sitting and in front of them sits a scribe frantically typing.

“Viscount Black, you have the floor,” says the Prime Minister who is sporting an obnoxiously long white beard and looks like he should’ve died a decade ago.

Viscount Black? Remus thinks and looks at James in question. 

“Sirius’ dad,” James mouths back. 

“As we all know, the 25th birthday of an heir to the Genovian crown is a matter of great public significance. It signifies that this young person is eligible to assume the throne.” 

“Indeed, we are well aware of this, Viscount,” says an older woman with brown hair pulled back into a braid and Remus can tell from where he stands that she is rolling her eyes. He glances at James who is smiling at the woman’s interjection. “The King and Queen have indicated that Prince James intends to learn more by their side before assuming the throne.” 

“It was not Prince James to whom I was referring to,” Viscount Black paces in front of the stands. James’ smile falls into a look of confusion that mimics the looks on the King and Queen’s faces. 

“Centuries ago King Chevalier – may he rest in peace – passed away and left the kingdom in chaos due to his lack of heirs or surviving family members. The Great Genovian Civil Wars broke out and our people suffered considerably before a line to the throne was agreed upon. 

“That line established the Potter family as the first family and the Black family as the second family, so that if there comes a day when the Potter line ends like the Chevalier line, there will be an established course of action for the kingdom.

“So, as of the third of November last year , on the occasion of his 25th birthday, another Genovian became eligible to assume the throne.” The Viscount stops his pacing in front of the King and Queen with a smug smile. The King and Queen, however, exchange a look of incredulity and seem, for a moment, unsure how to respond to the ridiculous speech. 

“My son, Lord Black.”

“Yes,” the King says cautiously, “But Sir, your son is only able to assume the throne if there is no heir to our line. I know you were not in attendance last night, but I can assure you that our son is alive and well.” 

“Technically,” a chipper voice came from a short woman wearing a pink beret and a sinister smile. “Genovian law states that an heir must marry before he or she takes the throne in order to ensure the promise of an heir and therefore the safety of their line.” 

“We have never enforced that law,” the Queen says. “The King and I ruled for five years before even trying to have our son. This is the 21st century and our son deserves to marry and have children when he wants to do so.”

Remus looks at James who is chewing on his lip, anxiously focused on the discussion surrounding his future occurring below them. 

“Genovia shall have no King or Queen without a partner by their side to ensure the promise of an heir,” the Prime Minister says in a tone as if he has the final word. Remus has quickly decided he doesn’t like the old man. 

“Prime Minister Dumbledore –” the King begins to say in protest. 

“That is the law of Genovia for the last 300 years. Prince James is not qualified to rule because he is unmarried. And forgive me, Your Majesties, but not all of us are sure that the Prince is ready to govern our great nation.” 

A breath punches out of James as if he’s been hit in the stomach and his eyes look panicked. 

“I suggest we allow Prince James one year, during which time he must marry, or he forfeits the throne of Genovia to the next married heir.”

“What? No,” James whispers, unconsciously inching closer to grate like he’s itching to be in the room to defend his right to the throne. 

“I object! I most strongly object!” The Viscount says loudly and slams his hand on the long table in front of the bottom row of parliament members. People begin shouting out different amounts of time ranging from a week to five years, but one voice carries over the rest and Remus is quite annoyed to find who the owner is. 

“Prince James Potter must marry by his 26th birthday on the 27th of March next year,” Prime Minister Dumbledore says with finality. 

James slams the cover down over the grate and begins quickly making his way out of the tiny room and back through the tunnels to find the exit that he wants with Remus hot on his trail. 

“This is absolutely ridiculous!” James’ voice echoes in the marble room as he paces in between his parents and where Remus stands with his back to the door. The King and Queen’s security guards are standing on the other side of the door, while Dorcas and Kinglsey are standing off to the side of the room. 

“It’s like…” James pauses. “It’s like they’re trying to trick me into an – an arranged marriage !” James stops in his tracks facing his parents. There is a horrible moment where James is comprehending what everyone else in the room seemed to already know. The King and Queen glance at each other and then back at their son with apologetic eyes. 

“That’s it,” he whispers. “They want me to get an arranged marriage.” 

James’ anger seems to kick back in and he’s pacing again. 

“How could they do this?” 

James’ parents, Dorcas, and Kingsley are all glancing between each other and watching the Prince as he is obviously trying to contain his anger. Remus doesn’t know James very well, he’s known him for less than 24 hours, but he’s pretty sure that this outburst of negative emotion is a bit shocking to everyone else in the room that has known him longer. 

“James,” the Queen steps forward cautiously, as if she’s approaching a spooked deer. 

James stops and turns to look at her. His shoulders slump and Remus is a little worried he’s going to start crying. He shuffles his feet uncomfortably and takes a deep breath as he watches the scene unfold. 

The Queen places a hand on her son’s shoulder and whispers, “You don’t have to do this, sweetheart.” 

Remus wonders if they would prefer to be alone for a conversation that could easily change the trajectory of the entire country. 

“You may be our only son, but you were born out of love, not duty. We love you James and if you… don’t want to be King, then we will support you in that decision.” Dorcas takes in a sharp breath, which causes the Queen to add, “And the country will move on.” 

James and his mother are staring at each other and it feels like the entire room is on edge waiting for the Prince’s response. Remus is staring at the back of his head of unruly black hair, but he can practically see the gears turning in his head. 

“I need to think,” James says, almost too quiet for Remus to hear. The Queen nods and suddenly the Prince has turned around towards Remus and is aiming for the door. Startled, Remus jumps aside and reaches to open the door just in time as James walks out. 

Remus follows and all he can think is: I'm going to have to move back in with my parents if this fucker doesn't get married in the next 10 months.