Mile's P.O.V:

I was sitting with my parents.

It was my aunt's wedding celebration.

A lot of guests were present in the party room.

The servants were walking around serving drinks and food to the guests.

Soon enough my aunt came in wearing her wedding clothes and sat down next to her husband.

The ceremony was over.

My father gave a speech wishing them happiness and ended it with announcing the start of the games.

The young soldiers did a sword dance in honor of the husband and the girl servants did a dance for my aunt.

Then Apo walked into the room and started dancing and playing his games.

He took off his shawl and threw it in the air and it turned into shining dust.

The audience started clapping their hands happily as Apo did another trick.

He took some of the dust in his hand and blew on it and it turned into rose petals.

I smiled and clapped my hands.

My parents also seemed happy with his games.

Then he took a servant girl's hand and walked her into the middle of the room and they started dancing together.

He ended his dance with twirling the girl who landed in his embrace then patted her hair which had some of the dust and the dust was replaced with a flower crown decorating the girl's hair.

Then he twirled on one leg and stopped gracefully right in front of my aunt and her husband who laughed at his amusing dance.

He smiled and bowed like he usually did.

Then took some of the rose petals and threw them in the air and they turned into a bouquet which he caught before it could fall to the floor and presented it to my aunt and her husband.

Then walked over to the music servants and started playing the instrument he was assigned to.

I sighed heavily and leaned back in my seat when another servant announced that the king of the neighbouring kingdom was requesting passage.

Then walked into the room with his wife and daughter.

"Princess Nook grew up nicely don't you think so Mile?" My mother asked smiling.

I smiled thinly and nodded.

Then turned my attention to Apo who was still playing his instrument.

"Yes...A work of art if I may say" I said.

After sometime the princess walked over to greet me.

And I asked her to dance out of courtesy.

"I hope you don't mind my terrible dance skills...I never really took much care in improving them" I said.

"No offence taken your highness" She said smiling.

Then we started dancing together.

After some time the dance was finally over.

Then she went back to her parents.

I went back to my seat.

I saw my father and her father talking so I didn't have to guess what they were talking about.

I turned my attention to Apo and saw that he was no longer there.

I walked out of the room and went to find him.

I found him sitting by the window feeding Wik some fruits.

"What are you doing here?" He asked not looking up from what he was doing.

"I came to find you" I said.

"And you did...It's about time you go back" He said.

"Why should I go back?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow and looked up at me.

"You're not there so it's pointless to stay until the end of the celebration" I said.

"And what? You're going to celebrate with me?" He asked.

"Yes" I said.

He sighed heavily.

"How many times do I have to tell you for you to finally get it?" He asked.

Then let Wik fly and jumped off the window sill landing in front of me.

"If someone sees you...Both of us will be hanged...Is that what you want?" He asked.

I put my hands on his shoulders then pecked his lips briefly before pulling away.

He looked at me blankly then blinked twice before sighing heavily.

"You're really crazy" He said.

Then took a step back.

"I'm trying to protect you here...When are you going to accept my help?" He asked.

"I don't need your protection" I said.

"And what are you going to do then? Defy the traditions to be with me? Who will accept us even if we decide to run away? Or have you forgotten that this thing we have whatever it is won't be acceptable to anyone?" He asked.

I sighed heavily and nodded.

"Does it make you happy? To be away from me?" I asked.

Then put a hand on his cheek when he didn't answer me.

"Apo" I said.

"It doesn't" He said.

"Then why do you want to leave?" I asked.

"It isn't right" He said.

"Who cares if it's right or wrong? If we keep it a secret we can both be happy" I said smiling.

Then removed my hand off his cheek and hugged him.

"Don't you think this is for the best?" I asked.

Apo's P.O.V:

I didn't say anything but hugged him back.

"Apo?" He asked.

If I give him up I'll never be happy but if I don't do that things will be a lot more complicated.

Either way is hell.

"Say something" He said.

"I wish I was born as a woman Mile...Maybe things would have been a lot easier" I said.

Then let go of him and took a step back.

"If I agree to what you say then I'll have to wait for you every day to look at me discreetly and hope no one notices...But forget about me for a second and answer my question...Do you want that for yourself?" I asked.

"I won't have it any other way...You know as much as I do that I'll never give you up" He said.

I blinked twice then sighed heavily and nodded.

One day this agreement will have to end.

But for now I want to be stupid.

"I'm your slave aren't I?" I asked.

He pursed his lips into a thin line and looked at the floor.

"So I should just do whatever you want me to do" I said.

He didn't say anything but took a firm hold of my wrist.

"Then as your master...I set you free...You're now my equal...You've always been" He said.

Then let go of my wrist and turned to leave.

I watched Mile leave.

Wik came over and stood on my shoulder.

I smiled and gave him more fruits to eat.

But he didn't eat them and just looked at me.

I patted his head and in return he licked at my palm.

"You feel sorry for me right?" I asked smiling.

I stopped patting his head.

"I really envy you...Must be nice to fly anywhere you want" I said.

Then sat down and he flew over to a tree and dangled down from it.

I sighed heavily and hugged my knees as I kept a close eye on Wik.

I looked up when someone patted my shoulder and saw Bible.

I frowned in confusion and opened my mouth to ask him what he was doing here.

"I...I heard everything" He said.

My eyes widened in shock and horror.

"What?" I asked.

(Meanwhile)

Mile's P.O.V:

I went back to the banquet before my parents could notice my absence.

Then went to find Pete.

He was talking to one of the other young guards who danced with him earlier.

"Your highness" They both said politely as soon as they saw me.

I nodded at them.

"Pete come with me I want to talk to you about something...It's urgent" I said.

He nodded and followed me.

"I want you to keep an eye on Apo...I want you to protect him just like you're protecting me" I said.

He frowned in obvious confusion.

"Pete...This has to be a secret alright? You have to make sure he's alright no matter what" I said.

He nodded.

"Yes your highness" He said.

"Good...Now go find him" I said.

He nodded and left.

Pete's P.O.V:

I found Apo sitting with young master Bible.

They were talking about something as young master Bible patted Apo's shoulder.

I frowned in confusion when Apo suddenly started crying then young master Bible hugged him.

What's going on?

I was about to leave when something suddenly flew over to me and started screeching loudly.

I covered my ears because its voice was so disturbing.

"Who's there?" Young master Bible asked.

I chuckled awkwardly and walked out of my hiding place.

"It's just me" I said.

Young master Bible sighed heavily and nodded.

Then turned to Apo.

"Let's talk again some other time" Young master Bible said.

Apo nodded and the thing that attacked me earlier flew over to him.

Young master Bible walked away.

But I decided to follow Apo.

I have to make sure he's alright.