Julian:

"Blue or red?" The maid before me asked, holding up two dress shirts. I frowned, not sure.

"Blue?"

"Excellent choice, sir!" She praised and passed me the silk shirt. I looked across the room at the two portraits now hanging on the once-barren walls of Jasper's room.

A picture of Will and another one of Thomas smiled at me from across the room and I couldn't help but smile. In the month after their passing, I had ordered the best portraitist to draw my two close friends.

Today was finally the day I was going back home to visit mom. I was so excited to finally see her after all this time and heartbreak but I was also fearful she would be upset by the newfound bond with Jasper.

Jasper strolled into the room and the maid scurried out. He glided over to me, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

I granted him a smile and continued to stare at the pictures. He sat beside me on the bed and sighed, "You really miss them, don't you?"

I nodded my head slowly and wiped away a stray tear. I slowly wrapped an arm around him and pulled him closer. He wrested his head on my shoulder and nuzzled in.

"I'll miss you, you know."

"Jas, it's only for a week."

Jasper chuckled, "I know."

I glanced out the window and saw the sun rising. "I should go."

I rose from the bed and Jasper followed suit. "But how will I manage without you?" He pouted, his lower lip sticking out slightly.

I pushed his lip back into place and planted a kiss on his forehead. "You've managed for long enough without me."

"Don't remind me."

I gave him a last kiss and slipped out the door, on my way to see mama. It was a long walk. Jasper had offered a carriage but I wanted to do the walk like the peasant I still was on the inside.

I arrived at her door a few hours later, coated in sweat. I knocked on the wooden door and waited, breath drawn and fists clenched.

The door swung open. "Hel- Julian!"

My mother's beautiful face was beaming when she spotted me and I couldn't help but beam right back at her. "Mama!"

"Julian! How have you been, baby?"

My smile dropped, "Mama... I found my soulmate."

Her eyes widened considerably and she took a shocked step backwards. "Who is she?"

"King Jasper."

Jasper:

I was pacing back in forth in front of the door, only three days had passed but I missed him so much. I went to the window, looking out where he had walked to get to the village when I saw a small figure walking.

Julian?

I opened the window and leaned out to see clearer. It obviously wasn't Julian because I could make out the small figure out a child next to them. I shrugged and went back to my bed, dropping down.

"My King, Julian is here."

I jumped up from my bed and ran to the throne room. I quickly tied on my cape and dropped down into my throne.

A few moments later, Julian came walking in through the door, with a... a child!

My mouth dropped open. "J-Julian! How great to see you!" I eyed the small boy. "And who is that who you have with you?"

Julian glanced down at the trembling boy and back up at me. "This is Tristan."

"Tristan? You're brother, perhaps?"

"No."

"Then who?" My patience was wearing thinner by the moment.

"I found him on the streets, his parents died last year and he's been living alone ever since." The boy sidestepped closer to Julian, eyeing me warily.

I frowned and continued to eye him up. "And why have you brought him here?"

"To be a servant. I'll train him."

"Julia-"

"Jasper!" Julian glared at me harshly. "I said I will train him."

I met his glare for a moment before looking away, giving up. "Fine."

"Thank you." And with that, he strode off with the boy.