It was late in the afternoon when Prince Vaughn saw a familiar face entering the palace's library. A sly smile escaped his lips as he followed the person to where he went. The prince entered the library and scanned the place until his eyes spotted a brunette man wearing royal blue clothes. It's Kiren, his childhood friend and personal attendant, who has been cleaning up all his mess.

Prince Vaughn trusted his friend more than anyone. He relies on him not only for work-related matters but also mental and emotional support. Kiren has rooted his existence in the prince's heart. They appreciate each other and support one another like pillars even when the times are hard. As they grew older, the bond they shared became something unique that links them both to look out for each other.

Kiren's sitting at one of the tables accompanied by a pile of books when the prince finds him. The corner of the prince's lips tugs upward when a familiar pout and crease forehead paint on his friend's face. Something Kiren does when troubled and in a rush to finish the task on hand.

The young royal tiptoed to where Kiren's seated. He sat in front of him and watched his friend do his work. He stayed there for a while, listening to the flipping of pages and the clock ticking from seconds to minutes.

Bored, the prince heaved a sigh and slumped his head by the table. "What do you think my soulmate looks like?" he started mumbling. "Do you think they're beautiful? What do you think they like or dislike? When do you think I'll meet them? How should I greet them-"

"Pardon me, your highness," Kiren interrupted, slamming the pile of papers on the table. "If you wanted to talk, please do it elsewhere. If you wish to meet your soulmate. I suggest you follow that red string that's connecting you to them instead of bothering me at work."

"Oh, you finally notice me, Kiren," the prince grinned in delight. "Aren't you happy to see me?" He opened his arms like waiting for a welcoming hug.

Kiren glared at the young prince in response. He's not happy by his highness's disturbance. "Am I smiling right now, Prince Vaughn?"

The prince shrugs, putting his arms down before leaning forward. "Anyway, Kiren, let's go to town. I heard there's a group of entertainers performing by the plaza."

"I'm busy." Kiren went back to the notes in front of him, but the young prince pulled it away from his sight. "What do you think you're doing, your highness?" The attendant hissed, crossed his arm to let the prince know he's not pleased.

"You should let the others do this," the prince replied, not answering his attendant's question. "Why are you even doing this kind of work? Aren't you supposed to be my attendant? You should be with me all the time."

"Your highness," he gritted, "I may be your attendant, but I am not required to follow you around all the time. I have work to do and things to manage that would help you when you decided to take over the work assigned by the court. So if you don't mind, please go elsewhere." Kiren snatched the paper and went back to work, ignoring the prince.

"Hm, how about we go to the cafe you frequent? Don't they have a new item on the menu recently? We should go try it." The prince continue to bother his attendant, not fazed with Kiren's glare and refusal.

The attendant sighed, so done with his highness. He chose to ignore the prince and turned his focus on the work in front of him. But not even five minutes passed, the attendant could hear the young prince mumbling again.

Prince Vaughn being a prince, doesn't want anyone to tell him off and ignore him, especially not by Kiren. He wants his attention. And right now, his highness's not getting any, so he keeps on making a ruckus until his attendant gives in. When the prince saw Kiren closed the book and tidy up, his lips curled into a smile. He won.

"Let's go, your highness."

***

The trip to town took a whole day. The young prince enjoyed sightseeing and strolling around their kingdom. The magnificent view, the sound of people's laughter, the smell of delicious fresh baked goods, and the warm air around made his visit worthwhile.

Sadly, he has to go back to the palace. As much as he wanted to stay longer, he had duties to attend. Kiren himself has to go back to finish his work, which again, the prince doesn't approve much. Prince Vaughn likes being close to his childhood friend. Even if he knows what he's doing benefits the kingdom, a part of him still wants to keep Kiren for himself. A selfish act, he'll keep until his grave.

"It's not that you'll never see each other. He's busy. You know how everyone's busy with the coronation and expanding of the border. He has to help there." His older cousin, Prince Gallel, exclaimed.

After the trip to town, the prince hasn't seen Kiren, and not even once did his friend drop by to see him. He's been out of the loop and easily agitated, not given any attention from his favorite person. He doesn't know why he has these feelings, but ever since the prince turned eighteen, he became too aware of Kiren.

"Easy for you to say." Prince Vaughn replied, walking away.

The two decided to spar outside when the warmth of the sun can still shine through the skin. But due to Prince Vaughn's mood swings, even his cousin can't find a way to please him.

Prince Gallel snorted, "Come on, Vaughn. Are you going to be in a foul mood just because you're getting ignored?" The older prince followed Prince Vaughn until he halted by the garden. "Why did you stop?" he asked, but no answer. His cousin's eyes fixated to somewhere - no - to someone.

Prince Vaughn didn't expect to see his attendant by the garden. He most certainly did not expect to see a man acting close to his attendant. The prince's mood soured, and the more his highness stared at them, the more his eyes twitched. When he thought it wouldn't get worse, the man wrapped an arm on his friend's shoulder. Thus, making the prince ball his hand into a fist and clench his jaw.

"Oh, is that your attendant's soulmate?" Prince Gallel asked, "They look good."

"They do not." Prince Vaughn whispered, but the words weren't audible to the other prince.

It's common to have a soulmate of the same gender. It's fate that brought them together, no questions asked. They can get married and live life freely in the kingdom. However, for the royalties, they prefer the opposite sex to get paired. Not only for political marriage but to sire the next king or queen.

"Do you know who he is?" Prince Gallel asked, turning his head to his cousin who's shooting daggers at the other people in the garden. "You know, if looks could kill, that man would have fallen dead on the ground."

Prince Vaughn turned his glare to his cousin, who chuckled in response.

"Cousin, we may not be allowed to marry our soulmates, but you're up to a more bitter end." Prince Gallel patted his cousin on the shoulder, making the other confused.

"You're spouting nonsense, Gallel."

"Am I?" He teased. "I guess you wouldn't mind if I also made a move on your beloved attendant, would you?"

"F' off, Gallel"

Prince Vaughn clicked his tongue before turning his back and walking away with fist still balled and jaw still clenched. He doesn't want to hold down Kiren, but the nauseating feeling that keeps squeezing his chest keeps resurfacing. He despite it. The ugly feeling of jealousy irritates his very core.

⸻