Errant Prince {for YaoiXMandy}

[CleverFox]

Sunlight spilled across the meadow that was located just on the outskirts of the royal capitol, the sound of birds more or less being completely overshadowed by the sound of thundering hoof beats. The animal in question was a black stallion with a long mane and tail as well as feathering at the ankles, the rider that was sitting astride the horse a lithe young boy with unruly black hair and piercing silver eyes. His expression one of deep concentration though there was also an air of exhilaration since he was rarely free to do as he was currently. Granted by all technical standpoints he wasn’t free to do it now either but that wasn’t stopping him nor was he thinking about possible repercussions. Clad in black finery and wearing a cloak that was black lined in blue, it was obvious that he was nobility at least. He also wore a pendant around his neck with a very distinctive design.

A royal crest.

He wasn’t very far from the walls that surrounded the capitol city so the danger was minimal but still the simple fact that he was breaking the rules and was somewhere he shouldn’t be made this an exhilarating experience to say the very least. He was often at odds with his father and pretty much anyone else that tried to tell him how he was to do things since he had a mind of his own and was keen to use it rather than just following along blindly where others would lead. The fact that he would be happier if he were to just accept the hand that fate had dealt with him was one that was quite clear to everyone around him. But of course Crown Prince Nicolas Vallier was anything save for the accepting type and tended to fight against things that he didn’t agree with quite passionately, which would make for a good quality in a leader if anyone could ever harness that and put it to a more productive use.

Reaching the tree line at the edge of the meadow Nicolas pulled back on the reins and brought his stallion to a stop, the boy gazing around sort of out of habit to see if anyone was around. The boy was thinking that for once he’d gotten away with his reckless behavior, having managed to sneak away from his tutor when the man wasn’t paying attention to him and was instead focused on whatever it was that he’d been droning on about, Nicolas himself hadn’t been paying attention at the time. Which was also a rather bad habit of his but not something he was in any great hurry to change. “I knew this was going to be worth it,” he said as he sat back in the saddle and turned his horse to head back to the palace, intent upon sneaking inside and pretending that he hadn’t been outside the gates since that was of course, out of bounds for him.

[YaoiXMandy]

A frantic young man ran through the palace corridors, stopping only when he reached a room. His panicked knocking seemed on beat with his panting, waiting impatiently as the door slowly opened to reveal a tall, slender looking young man. The man looked no older than twenty-four, hair brown and shaggy, eyes a deep navy blue. Bryce Fenwick looked slightly annoyed, though not by the exhausted man before him. "Let me guess..you cannot find the prince?"

The tutor nodded, catching his breath hesitantly. "W-Well yes my Lord, I only but turned my back for a split second and--"

"Prince Nicolas only but needs a split second to find trouble." Bryce responded, giving a slight half smile despite his obvious tire. He had been up all night writing, sorting out letters from his family far away. He had been living at the palace for quite some time now, chosen to be a bit of a mentor for their errant young prince. Although he loved the boy dearly, he became a handful far too fast. His parents, the King and Queen, were often too busy to tend to the adolescent. Which left the maids in constant disarray.

However, Bryce had grown accustomed to his playful, yet stubborn demeanor.

"Worry not. I'll have our adventurous prince back before you know. And a bit more obedient as well." The taller man headed out of the palace, a yawn escaping him as he moved towards the stables. A chestnut colored horse awaited him, and after mounting the mare, Bryce let her move in a steady canter towards the meadows that surrounded the palace gates. He followed the hoofprints of another horse, whom he immediately presumed it to be Nicolas. This had not been the first time the boy had snuck off during a lesson, but he had gone increasingly far.

Bryce kept his mare steady, arriving on the scene just when young Nicolas had finished speaking.

"Is it going to be worth it, lad? I would like to hear you say that after you're thoroughly punished for it." Bryce chuckled softly, his horse coming to a stop before young the dark haired boy's own majestic stallion. His deep blue eyes immediately softened upon the sight of Nicolas, sympathizing slightly. The boy couldn't do much, and didn't have quite a say yet. But the things he did were still naughty, never well thought out, and quite a nuisance. "Well, well, didn't suspect yourself to get caught did you? Your mentor is no fool, I was once young you know!" Bryce's grin faded almost instantly. "But I cannot let you get away with your naughtiness...so what do you suppose I do?"

[CleverFox]

Nicolas had gotten the urge for adventure out of his system, for the moment at least, and he was about to head back to the palace where it would at least be easier to downplay what he'd done. However before the eleven year old had the chance to really do more than turn his stallion toward the gates that would take him back inside the capitol he heard hoof beats and then a voice spoke up, asking if it was going to be worth it. Nicolas's gray eyes shirted up to the face of the young man who had been around practically forever and was supposed to be his mentor though Nicolas was just as rebellious for him as he was for everyone else. "Well it would have been if you hadn't shown up. What are you doing here anyway Bryce? Don't you have more important things to be doing?" Nicolas spoke up, the child seeming a little nervous but at the same time he still had a bit of arrogance to him, something that was more or less unavoidable given his station in life.

Nicolas frowned when Bryce went on to make the comment about him not expecting to get caught and that got a bit of a snort out of the boy as he shook his head and said, "I fully expected to be caught, just not before I made it back to the palace." Young he may be but Nicolas was no fool and knew that he couldn't slip away from lessons and not be caught. He just hadn't expected that they would find him outside the city walls, which was a pretty serious thing for him to have done considering he hadn't brought guards with him. Which he did know better than to do however he was young and tended to overlook the inherent dangers that were posed to the crown prince and heir to the throne.

Nicolas grew a bit nervous as he watched the grin fade from Bryce's face before the man stated that he couldn't let him get away with what he'd done before asking the child what he supposed the man should do. "I propose that you forget the fact that you found me here and we just pretend it didn't happen," Nicolas said, the boy reaching up to swipe away a lock of his black hair that had been blown into his face by the wind. "It's not really important after all, nothing happened." He felt the need to add that bit at the end just so that his mentor would have to think about the fact that he had came out and nothing had happened, which in Ncolas's mind at least made it okay.

He wasn't sure that this would work for him and he was a little bit nervous but he was trying not to let that show as he gave his mentor a piercing look. This might have been intimidating if given by someone older and larger but Nicolas was still young and he was small for his age, the boy having a lithe frame that really just wasn't all that imposing.

[YaoiXMandy]

Bryce couldn't help the sardonic grin that formed on his lips as the eleven year old responded to him, flippant and derisive as usual. And yet, he were anxious to be speaking to an authority figure in such a manner. It truly reminded the mentor of himself as an adolescent, and now he could see why he was chosen for this job. This was, in fact, total and utter karma. It was here to bite him in the rear end, and portray just how much of a brat he was to his own mentors in the past. Bryce shook his head, a laugh escaping him.

"You are the important 'thing'. I, like many of the workers in the palace, want nothing but the best for you...young prince. But if you continue wandering about like you own the kingdom, which you certainly do not yet, you'll find yourself in terrible occurrences. Think of it this way..."

Squeezing his legs firmly against the mare, the horse began to move, circling the boy as Bryce made his point. "You want to live to see your papa's age, yes? You are out of bounds, young prince. This is not a playground, but a game of chance. Suppose, if I hadn't come looking for you, a bandit would've found you instead. Slit your throat and steal your stallion without even a second thought, he would! How would your poor mother, the queen, react in your death? Your choices are important, and you're old enough to make them without doing something detrimental."

He stared into the boy's eyes, not a fan of scaring the adventurous lad. But he had to get it through to the boy how careful he had to be. He knew what dangers lay beyond the palace walls, and without guards to escort such a valuable person to the kingdom, he could be an easy target.

"Oh, sounds like a great way to end your little adventure doesn't it?" Bryce's expression became amused, though it didn't last long. "You know very well what you deserve for acting like a mischievous little imp. And just because nothing happened today, doesn't mean nothing would happen ever."

Bryce let his words hang in the air for a bit before he allowed his mare to stand beside the stallion. Taking the stallion's reigns, he led both the boy and the horse back towards the palace. Glancing at Nicolas' far from intimidating gaze, the man inwardly found it adorable. But, rather than let the boy know, he gave him a warning gaze of his own.

"It'd be smart to wipe that look off your face lad, lest you make things worse for yourself. You will go back to your tutor and apologize, but not before me and you had a little chat.."

[CleverFox]

Nicolas was used to the lecturing that he got from many people, his father usually but King Asher had limited time to deal with his errant child as he grew older and more prone to doing things that he shouldn't be doing and so the task of that had been turned over to Bryce, whom the King trusted, however even being used to it didn't really make it pleasant to hear. And of course he didn't appreciate the way that the man was making it sound as though he couldn't handle and protect himself, a frown appearing on the young prince's face as he looked ot his mentor as the mention of bandits entered the conversation.

Gripping the slender blade that he wore secured at his side Nicolas drew his sword and held it out in front of him with a fierce look in his silver eyes as he said, "I can handle myself, I've been trained to fight since I was old enough to hold a sword." Which was true but on the other hand the knights that had been tasked with training the young prince were all ordered to handle him with kid gloves so he had not as of yet ever been in a fight with someone that wasn't pulling punches. But to the boy that was holding his blade in his left hand that didn't occur to him so he thought himself fully capable of protecting himself without guards or really anyone else around.

Nicolas was not the least bit surprised when his suggestion that they just forget this happened was more or less tossed aside and he was not happy with what Bryce had to say. The young prince tried to keep his reins out of the man's grasp but that didn't work, the stallion snorting and tossing his head but following along as Bryce led him back to the palace. For his part Nicolas briefly debated hopping from the saddle and making a run for it but in the end he was pretty sure that wouldn't end well for him and so he sheathed his blade and glared at his mentor.

When told to wipe the look from his face Nicolas shook his head but it wasn't until he was informed that he was going to be expected to apologize to his tutor that he really got an attitude. "I have nothing to apologize for, it's not my fault he wasn't paying attention. And I had no need to pay attention to that lecture, I know that stuff already," Nicolas felt the need to say, not being a fan of being forced to apologize to anyone. He apologized when he thought that he'd done wrong but in this instance he didn't think that was the case.

Nicolas fell silent at that point and simply watched as the people made way in the streets as they passed, Nicolas still not sure why they always did that but not dwelling on it. When they arrived at the stables he jumped down from his saddle and took care of his horse himself, always doing that rather than giving him over to a waiting stable hand. Once that was completed the young prince turned to Bryce and waved a hand as he said, "You can go away now, I'm back where I'm supposed to be." Not technically true but he was back within the palace walls so to Nicolas it was the same thing.

[YaoiXMandy]

Bryce couldn't help himself, a slight chuckle escaped him as the little lad had the gall to draw his slender blade as if he knew how to use it. "Careful…you might poke an eye out." He was amused, but also a bit annoyed that Nicolas was being so difficult. "May I remind you that you are the precious prince, and although you may think no harm can come to you, I assure you that is not the case." He sighed, seeing harm come to Nicolas was the last thing he wanted to see. Well yes, he was surely going to harm that naughty bottom of his, but he'd much rather him have a sore bottom than a slit throat.

The thought made Bryce cringe.

He had a lovely wife back at his home, and with her, a young daughter. His biggest fear was for any harm to come to either of them, and as his time in the palace progressed, he realized he was becoming just as protective over Prince Nicolas as his own precious Aurora.

"Perhaps he was at fault…but it wasn't for lack of attention. He should've tanned your hide before the lecture, I'm sure that would keep your attention!" Bryce couldn't help but poke a little fun at Nicolas' expense, the boy did quite deserve it. Although his voice was gentle and joking, it held an obvious foreboding. "That's nice to know you're smart, and I do not doubt you are, but one must set aside arrogance to gain more intellect. A wise prince makes an even wiser king. So in short..yes, you shall apologize. I'll make sure of that."

Bryce watched as the people easily made way once Nicolas was spotted, and the young scholar gave them cheerful greetings as they passed. The brown-haired male glanced behind him at the silent Nicolas, smiling slightly before continuing their trek towards the palace.

It wasn't long before the two arrived back at the stables, and both dismounted their horses. Like young Nick, Bryce was more keen on taking care of his lovely mare himself, and gave an approving smile as Nicolas did the same for his stallion. However, said smile disappeared as the boy once again tried to evade his inevitable punishment.

"Actually, I'm not going anywhere. As your mentor, I have to see fit that you really are back where you're suppose to be young one. Which you most certainly aren't. I did say we were going to chat before we meet up with your tutor..didn't I?" His voice was stern as hand reached out and held a firm grasp against the boy's slender shoulders. He led him inside the palace, and into his quarters. Closing the door behind them, Bryce sighed a little as he sat against his bed.

"Little lad, I do not like punishing you. But this constant disobedience, disrespect, and putting yourself in danger must end. Everyone here wants nothing but the best for you, and you cannot keep worrying them with your senseless excursions. I understand the want to be curious, I was young too once." He smiled a little, running a finger through his shaggy hair before his face became stern once again. "And I remember all too well how swiftly I was punished, especially for putting myself in danger. And as such, it is only fitting I punish you too. Pants down little lad, you know you deserve a right spanking."

[CleverFox]

"I don't think that nothing can happen to me but I can defend myself," the young prince said in the slightly arrogant manner that most royals tended to develop, the little heir actually not as obnoxious as most in his position would grow to be. Nicolas eyed his mentor when the man continued to scold him, the prince not the least bit happy about that nor was he any happier when Bryce decided to make jokes at his expense and say that his tutor should have tanned his hide before the lecture began.

"Like he has the authority to do that," Nicolas said with a snort, the child rolling his eyes just to show how ludicrous he thought that statement really was. Still he was going back, that had been established, and he was smart enough to know that he hadn't a chance of being able to get away from Bryce now that the man had caught up with him. Still just because he was resigned to it did not mean that he had to be happy about it and the black haired child decidedly was not.

Following along behind Bryce it wasn't long before they reached the stables, Nicolas hopping from the saddle of his stallion and moving to care for the animal himself rather than turning him over to a stable hand. He was quiet while doing this but once he finished he tried to dismiss Bryce, telling the man that he was back where he belonged and then frowning when his mentor said that he wasn't going anywhere. "I don't care to have any kind of chat with you," Nicolas told him, the little boy moving to walk away despite the stern tone in the man's voice, but before he got the chance to really escape a hand reached out and clapped down on his shoulder, the boy frowning slightly at that.

He tried dragging his feet as he was guided across the castle but that was just as fruitless as all his other attempts at escape had been. He looked at Bryce when the man once again started scolding him before he took a seat on teh side of the bed. Once again Nicolas tried to free himself, shaking his head slightly when Bryce fixed him with that stern look and ordered him to take his pants down, the young prince protesting, "There is no way I'm doing that. You are not going to spank me, I forbid it." He spoke in a commanding tone of voice, giving Bryce a look as though he fully expected the man to comply with what he was saying and release him.

[YaoiXMandy]

Bryce sighed, rubbing his temples slightly. He was annoyed, and it would do him no good to punish the boy in anger. He really was an errant little imp, despite being quite rebellious and naughty, and despite the fact he were clearly in trouble, Nicolas was trying to take that haughty, princely tone with him still! It was maddening, but Bryce tried to remind himself that Nicolas wasn't exactly the easiest to work with. It wasn't his fault he were spoiled to a tee, not to mention..the title of 'prince' can surely get to a child's head.

"Nicolas. You are a prince, I understand that. You are use to commanding. Here, however, you're still a prince. Though...you aren't commanding a servant to brush your hair. Instead, you are a prince about to be thoroughly chastened. Now take your pants down and come here, or I will have to come and get you. And believe me, that is not what you and I would want."

Bryce's voice was soft, setting his arms down to gaze unrelentingly at the young lad. He hoped he'd comply, but Nicolas was hotheaded and Bryce would have to be ready for anything.

[CleverFox]

"Has nothing to do with my station, wouldn't go along with this even if I was a servant," Nicolas told him, the child once again shaking his head and giving Bryce something of a hard look. Or at least that was what it was intended to be, the child didn't quite pull it off very well though the look in his gray eyes did sort of make him look pitiful, which was definitely not what the little heir was going for.

When all that served to gain was yet another order for him to take his pants down and come to the man, this time with the added threat of what would happen should he decide not to obey, Nicolas just shook his head again. "I've had enough," he said, the kid turning around and moving to leave the room, darting toward the door since he was not fool enough to think that Bryce was just going to let him leave after all of this.

Still he was a quick little thing so he managed to make it to the door and pull it open, Nicolas turning to look over his shoulder at his mentor to make sure that he had enough of a head start to get away. Which could of course work against him but Nicolas was still young and didn't have the best mind for strategy as of yet.

[YaoiXMandy]

Bryce inwardly chuckled at Nicolas' flippant response, though amused by his quick wit, he didn't portray it at all on his steely face. In fact, hearing the reluctant response only gave the scholar a heads-up. He had a feeling Nicolas was going to choose the harder way, and as much as it pained him to cause the lad pain...consequences were consequences. The little prince acted quite older than he was, though the piteous look on his face instantly reminded Bryce that he were dealing with a child. A child he once was himself...and his navy blue eyes softened.

"I've had enough."

Oh great. Bryce could see the rebellion in his eyes, knowing that if the kid felt trapped, he'd of course want to leave. He didn't think he'd actually make it to the door though! Perhaps it were Bryce's bad for having such wishful thinking...this was Prince Nicolas after all! He was a royal handfull.

Oh yes...karma at it's finest!

Bryce groaned a little as the boy made it for the door, shaking his head. "Alright, we can play it your way then. But don't say I didn't warn you, lad!"

The man was on his feet as soon as Nicolas pulled the door open, and being pretty fast himself from years of laboring work to support his family, Bryce had scooped the little brat up, tucking him efficiently under his arm. Closing the door with his foot, ignoring both Nicolas' squirming and a curious maid who was seeing the ordeal, Bryce shut the door once again with his foot. "You're real cute, you know that?" He frowned, heading for his bed.

Not before grabbing a convenient hair brush that lay perched against his writing desk. His wife always complained how he left things everywhere, which in case caused a mess. But Bryce could only smirk as he sat against his bed, resting the brush aside.

He would be using his mess to deal with a royal one.

Bryce placed the boy across his waiting knees, tugging his pants down and undergarments along with them. He hadn't planned to spank the boy bare, but he progressively was making it worse.

"You will learn today that disobedience and disrespect will leave you with a very sore backside, young prince." The man set aside any pity he felt for the lad, knowing he had been in this position time and time again as a boy. And you know what? It made him better. One arm placed efficiently around the boy's waist to keep him in place, Bryce lifted his free arm, his palm raised...letting it fall with a firm,

SMACK.

Right to the center of the boy's pale backside. He paused for a bit at the first smack, before smacking one cheek at a time with the same firm strength and slow pace, making the boy really feel the sting as it sunk in one cheek, and as the sting built, he'd place another stinging smack to the other.