For the third morning in a row, Blaine was awakened by the presence of somebody else in his bedchamber. He almost swore aloud until he opened his eyes and saw his mother perched gracefully on the edge of his bed.

“Mother?”

She smiled at him, showing all the parental affection Blaine never got from his father.

“Blaine, honey, we need to talk.”

Frowning, Blaine struggled to sit up in bed. Unsurprisingly, his legs were tangled in the sheets. He wondered idly how a single person could be so restless during sleep.

“Is something wrong? Is it father?”

Her smile did not fade, and her golden eyes sparkled. The Queen reached over to place a tiny hand on Blaine’s knee, which was poking out from underneath the covers.

“Last night, Lady Tina came to tell me that she stumbled upon the sweetest, but most dangerous, sight.”

Suddenly, as if somebody had blown out a candle, Blaine felt his blood turn to ice.

No, she couldn’t have.

“Blaine, my dearest son,” said the Queen, moving closer and gazing at Blaine with nothing but love in her eyes. “I know that you and Kurt love each other. Lady Tina and I have known for years.”

“You. . . what?”

“When she saw the two of you boys sharing that special moment together, she came to tell me the delightful news. I’m overjoyed that you’ve fallen in love, my son, but you must also remember your duty to this country,” said Blaine’s mother. “I love you so much, and I would give anything to make it possible for you to marry the man you love, for you to be happy. However, I’m afraid that such a thing is. . . not practical for reasons that I’m sure you’re aware of.”

For a minute, Blaine was stunned into silence. The idea that at least two members of the royal family were completely unfazed by his homosexuality sang of progress that Blaine could only dream of before. However, it was still only two people. He couldn’t imagine what would happen if he came out to the entire court. Would they take the throne from him?

Blaine thought that the throne was only a small price to pay for Kurt.

But, it wasn’t going to happen. When are you going to realize that, thought Blaine to himself.

“Does father. . . ?”

“If your father has ever thought your love for Kurt Hummelberry to be anything other than brotherly, he has not acknowledged it. Perhaps he does not wish to open that door and imagine such a possibility,” replied the Queen. “I love your father, but he has his flaws. Narrow-mindedness is one of them.”

“So, it is only you and Lady Tina who know of my true affections?”

“Lady Tina’s husband, as well.”

Blaine’s eyes grew wide. In his mind, he flashed back to yesterday morning when Lord Michael read the alliance treaty aloud to him, and suddenly he understood the strange underlying concern in Lord Michael’s eyes. 

Blaine fell back onto his pillows. “Mother, what am I meant to do?”

“Blaine, you are my dearest and only son. I’m afraid that the only words of comfort I can offer you is that if something is meant to be, it will be. And that it would be unwise at the moment to go against your father’s wishes and your duty to Dalton.”

“Yes, mother.”

“And, Blaine?”

“Yes, mother?”

Blaine turned his head to watch his mother stand and head for the door. She glanced back at him with a sweet smile that reminded Blaine of sunshine. 

“It is my firm belief that you and Prince Hummelberry were meant to be.”

With those words crackling like wildfire in Blaine’s mind, he made his way leisurely to breakfast in the Grand Hall. Rachel was waiting for him, and he gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, ignoring the grins of every royal in the room when they saw.

“Where is your brother?”

“I tried to wake him, but he refused to get out of bed. He said something about having the most wonderful dream last night and his desire to meditate on it,” said Rachel. “Or something. I think he might be sick.”

Blaine smirked at her and watched with satisfaction as his future wife’s eyes widened.

“Sick with love!” Rachel stage whispered. “Oh, this is delicious!”

Blaine elbowed her in the side and shot her a look full of meaning.

“It’s almost as if this drama is making up for the impossibility of me ever joining the New Directions. At least I will always find entertainment at the court of Dalton,” she said to Blaine as he sat down and began to eat.

Her words were light, but they only filled him with sadness. He was not the only one with crushed dreams in this situation. By marrying Princess Rachel, he would be stealing her passion.

Blaine felt like the worst person alive.

“So, Miss Rachel,” said Lady Sophia, the woman that Duke Nick was courting, leaning forward. “You must tell me who designed that gown for you. It’s gorgeous.”

“Oh, it was my brother!” laughed Rachel.

Lady Sophia’s eyebrows rose to her forehead. “Prince Kurt?”

Blaine watched the exchange nervously.

“Yes, he’s very talented. He’s designed a great number of gowns for me. Father always jokes how he wishes to hire him as the court fashion designer, even though he’s meant to be King someday.”

Lady Sophia’s eyes sparkled with interest, and Blaine was relieved to see that there was not a single hint of disgust in her eyes at hearing of such a strange hobby for a man.

“What an odd talent for a man to have,” said Duke Jeff offhandedly.

For some reason, Duke Finn suddenly snapped, “And if I were to suddenly declare my passion for designing clothing, would you have said the same thing?”

Duke Jeff looked wide-eyed at Finn, and then abruptly shook his head. “I only meant that it is a strange thing to hear of in Dalton.” Jeff turned to look apologetically at Rachel. “I know that McKinley is much different from this country. My apologies, your highness. I did not mean to insult your brother. He is very kind.”

“How noble of you,” snorted Duke Nick.

Blaine settled back in his chair, his heart alive with the strangest spark of hope. The young royals here appeared to be more accepting than their elders. Kurt had always been a fixture in the castle of Dalton for their entire lives. Maybe they had become used to the idea of. . . that.

Stop it, Blaine, he thought to himself. Nothing is going to change. Kurt will return to rule McKinley and you will forever be dealing with three broken hearts.

Blaine chanced a glance over at Finn, who was gazing at Rachel with barely concealed love.

Make that four broken hearts.