1x1 with Phanisnotonfire.

[borneofash]

Sam followed the prince with an unamused look on his face. He, yet again, reminded the prince, "It's your duty. You're meant to run this kingdom one day." Sam wondered why Ashton wasn't used to it yet and sucking it up like everyone else, but it seemed like the prince complained just to hear himself speak sometimes. "It wouldn't feel quite so early if you weren't out all night. All you have to do today is make small talk and be polite, it's not like you're making any decisions." He mumbled under his breath, "Thank god for that." He, and everyone else, knew that the prince wasn't ready to run a meeting himself, and no matter how hard the king tried to train him, Ashton just wouldn't budge from his cushy, self-providing life style. He was their only son, though, so they didn't have much choice. Sam was just grateful that he wasn't tasked with the job of preparing Ashton for his kingly responsibilities. He knew that was a nightmare because he could hear Ashton complain through the door the entire time.

[Consulting_Angel]

Ashton pouted at the reminder, and wondered if he should start taking count of how many times he was given it in a week. Because he knew well enough that it was what he was meant to be preparing himself for, but he was less than willing to be a suck up. He'd much rather have his freedom to do what he wanted, without having to compromise comfort or luxury. Clearly, though, that was too difficult. He would rather abdicate, if he had any siblings, but then again, he'd still be conflicted because he really wanted to be king... even if it was only for the title. He shook his head at Sam. There was no way he'd not even spend at least an hour or two out at night. "Yes, yes... talk about the weather... 'how is your daughter, Reginald?'... laugh politely at any bad jokes... I've got that down," he responded, already prepared with something of a script. He glared towards Sam, lightly, hearing that he muttered something, but he decided not to ask questions. At least, he thought, he didn't have to run the meeting, mostly because he thought it was boring... and he hadn't been told the full agenda for it anyway.
Once they reached the doors to the meeting, Ashton took a moment, just to mentally prepare himself again, then he smiled lightly at Sam. "Now you must leave me, my gracious, loyal... guard," he said, and spotted the king starting to approach them. Good. He wasn't late, like last time (but that was because he had been fussing over a spot... which had been on his shoulder).

[borneofash]

Sam bit his tongue for once, refraining from mentioning that no one's jokes could be worse than the prince's. As the king approached, Sam bowed, "Your highness," before excusing himself. He shot Ashton a quick wink as he passed, as a little reassurance. Though it may have been inappropriate, he wasn't the most professional of the guards anyway. As long as the King, or worse, another higher-up guard, saw him, he figured he could get away with breaking the rules every once in a while. After all, that's what made the job fun. Other than the little interaction he got in a day, most of his job was waiting, watching.
His job during the meeting was little more than keeping an ear on the room to make sure that if there were any disagreements, he could get there fast enough before it turned nasty. This kingdom was relatively peaceful though, and he hadn't ever had to escort a visiting noble from the castle.

[Consulting_Angel]

He narrowed his eyes slightly at the wink, unsure what to think of it. He did not have time, though, to ponder over it, for it was time to go into the room. Ashton walked in, just a step behind his father, as the other king also arrived with his daughter, Marissa, and a handful of guards.

It seemed that, once inside the meeting room, there was meant to be some sort of arranged seating that hadn't been mentioned beforehand, for Ashton's father and King Reginald both deliberately directed their heirs to a specific seat. They weren't very subtle over it, though they clearly seemed to think that they were. Ashton chose not to mention it, which was perhaps a wise decision on his part. After a couple of noble officials on each side arrived and were seated, the meeting began. The focus was, Ashton quickly gathered, an arrangement between the two kingdoms to form an alliance. He remained fairly quiet through it all, just listening. He had been about to tune it all out, when he heard his name being mentioned - at which point, he snapped to attention. A pit formed in his stomach as he continued to listen to the proposition being made - and it sounded very much like a decision had already been made anyway. He would be married to Princess Marissa, in order to seal the alliance between the two kingdoms. For once, Ashton fell conpletely speechless, stunned by this revelation.