🛡️  ERIC  🛡️

I picked a tiny jasmine flower from a shrub nearby, it had a scent that comforted my troubled mind. I put it on Reia’s hair. She grinned.

She sat on a bench near the inner palace walls. It kept the palace secured for decades. Her gaze was on me, she tapped her hand on the bench so I occupied the seat beside her. She looked like mother. Her responsibilities were as big or even bigger than mine–– the King trusted her that much.

All the women in the family arrived earlier from Anbeia, being slower because they traveled on carriages.

“This palace became an emblem for our society. It is where all the kingdoms’ future was secured. And we are the ones primarily keeping the emblem from any harm or danger, Prince Eric, ” Reia spoke. “You are to be the safe keeper of the future of our people. But as early as now, you have the duty of keeping us all safe, Eric.”

“I know my duties, Reia,” I tried to make the situation happy. “If you felt like this is all wrong, you may have misjudged them as well.”

She chuckled. “You’re letting puppies inside your home. Once they are strong and mighty like a wolf, they’ll eat you then hunt for all of us. I don’t want that to happen, father neither.”

“Jean is not what you’re trying to say, Reia. I love him and I’ve known him for a while now. Lyra on the other hand was loved by everyone in Anbeia, I’ve seen that.”

I trusted Jean with my life. I would give my all for he and me to be together.

“Maybe, they let you see what they wanted you to be a witness of. Believe father and me, they’re not trustworthy.

“You know why father did not talk with you and sent me instead?” Her smile was not leaving her lips while talking.

“We might argue.” I smiled with the thought.

Among my siblings, I was the most hard headed. I grinned at the thought of me being as kingly as I could be. I decided all the time for myself and did not let my judgement be biased by others opinions, not even father’s nor mother’s.

I sighed. “Can you support me with this? Please??”

“Can I convince you not to be a fool in any way?”

I shook my head, a little annoyed that she was not getting my point. A disaster might be looming around and this was difficult for us, but I had did what I could for our kingdom. And I would do everything to save them from any harm.

“I feel that you’re all doing this for your love to Jean. Please..,” She sighed and stood, facing me. “Do this for your family instead: do not marry his sister or you’ll jeopardise us all.”
Forcing a smile, I nodded. I understood everything, and she needed to trust me. I love her, our family and our country.

“If you have nothing to say to me, I’ll be going inside.”

I nodded.

“I’ll head inside now, you have to talk with father and mother later. Bye brother.” She smiled and walked away.

I stayed for a while, looking at the busy city of Becan. From atop this hill, everything seems normal. But walking on the streets, it may be as chaotic as it can be.

Jean approached me, his walk becoming more regal as time went by. His attitude seemed to had matured as well.

We bowed. “My Prince, may I sit beside you?”

I looked at him from the side of my eyes as I sat. I missed hearing his voice. I was steaming inside, emotions waiting to let out. I sighed, maintained my calm.

“Of course you may. My Prince.” I rolled my eyes.

We chuckled. It was the first time in four days that he spoke to me gayly since we had arrived.

He looked at me from his lashes. “I’m sorry. I was selfish.”

Tears swelled on my eyes. “Jean.”

I hugged him and cried heavily on his shoulders.

We stayed like that for a moment while he rubbed his hand on the back of my head, the other moved up and down my spine.

My crying became softer until I stopped. He pulled away from me and used his thumbs to wipe away my tears.

“Do you want to talk?” he asked.

“Later, I guess. I have to talk with my King and Queen.”

He nodded. “Later it is. I’m just here, alright?”

I wanted to kiss him but anyone might see us here.

“I missed you, jerk.”

“I’m sorry, love.” He addressed me love?

I raised my brow.

“What do you want me to call you–– dear?” He laughed.

“Not so much. Any would be fine. It is so unusual, but I love it.” I would be happy if he could call me any endearment, as long as it was him.

We talked more about the arrival of my house’s ladies, and his tomorrow, if their travel was continuous.

Later, our conversation was interrupted by a servant, told us that I was being summoned in Father’s study. Jean walked with me to the right wing of the palace then left me near my father’s study with a smile.

The servant knocked on the door. The servant went inside briefly then went outside again after announcing my arrival.

Her eyes sparkled. “Please come in, my Lord.” She bowed then walked away.

Two of the king’s guards  are outside the door, they smiled at me while I waved at them.

I headed inside.

“Please take a seat.” Queen Rose smiled and gestured me to seat across her on the intricately carved dark-wood chair.

I loved mother so much. Her comfort I needed this much at this time. We were trained to always compose ourselves and to have a strong character, even in our lowest moment, we should be able to carry on with our chins up. Having that in mind, I composed myself and adjusted my sitting posture.

Ever beautiful, I missed her hair, silver lines formed a bun up her head. Her evergreen eyes brave as ever had taught me how to be strong.

Remembering that, my eyes darted on the intricately designed wall. My father’s portrait hanged there, twice as big as true to life. This receiving room was one of the biggest in this palace.

“Your father will come out shortly.” She sat beside me and held my hand. “I love you, Eric. Please remember that.”

She kissed my hand and I her cheek.

“I love you too, mother.”

Father went out from his dressing room. I stood and bowed.

“You’re stubborn, aren’t you?” he asked. “I may not enlighten you, but we will try our best.” He grinned bigger as he sat on the chair across me.

Mother went back to her former seat beside father. He sighed.

“King Jaques did convince you about marrying his daughter, didn’t he?” Father did not went around the bush.

“He did not.” I was not good at lying but I tried anyway. I don’t want Jean to be pulled away from me.

My father narrowed his eyes.

“He was as cunning as ever.” My father nodded several times. “Well, I trusted King Leonard more than Jaques. We have closer ties with Escotto than Anbeia. Your sister, Reia, is friends with Maia. I believe you’re friends with Maia as well, right?”

I nodded. “Yes, your Majesty. We are friends since our first semester at the Academy.”

“Why is that less probable now to be wed to Maia? You are friends with her since your stay at the Academy. According to your sister, you had not liked Lyra as much as your friend Maia, had you?”

I did not respond. I was done with this; my decision is final, this was for their sake.

“You have at least until tomorrow to think about this, son. Consider what Reia talked with you. We’ll talk tomorrow, I promise. Do you have anything to say?”

I shook my head in silence. It may be clear I was upset, based from his reaction. He gestured that I can go. I bowed then stood.

“Wait, son. If you’re wed with Lyra, and you loved Jean: you are giving Jaques so much power over you and all your future decisions. Be wise future King, ” he said then he grinned at me.

I nodded; walked away.

He was cunning as ever. That was what father had said. I could not trust this King. And I did not.

I walked to my room, King Jaques’ words clear on my memory.

🔹☀️🔹

In Anbeia, when Jean and I  had talked with King Jaques two days after his 21st, the king told me to stay so Jean left first.

He walked to me, whispered to my ear, “If you ever tell your father about me forcing you to marry Princess Lyra, your father shall die. Remember this very well: I can do all that. Don’t ever go against me. I won’t let you see Jean again if anything goes wrong. You. Must. Marry. Lyra. Go now.”

He waved me away.

🌺  🌺  🌺

After the stressful day, after all the meetings and dinner, I finally got a private time with Jean.

After getting dressed for bed, I went excitedly up the bed. Jean was already in his usual boxers and a comfortable top. I squeezed myself to him. He smiled.

“How is my prince?” he asked.

“I am so tired. This day had been stressful. How about you?”

“I am pretty well. I missed you.” He kissed my forehead. “So much.”

I gazed at his eyes, I found pure joy in looking through it. I kissed him on the lips. “I have to marry your sister. I have to make it happen.”

He touched my nose and pecked me there. “Please don’t do this for me. This is beyond us. Think about this more–– think about your family.”

I hugged him, my face side ward on his chest. “You know that I love you. I will never let your father take you away from me. This is the only way that I can ensure that we will be together.

“Reia and my parents is doubtful about all this. They thought that King Jaques is planning for this–– using you against me. I told them they were wrong and told them this was my idea, so that they’ll believe me.” I looked up to his face, my chin on his chest. I poked his nose.

“I will do everything for you.” I kissed him on the lips.

My head I arranged comfortably on his chest.

“Me too.”

I felt him kissed me on my head.

Ensured that he will be with me through all this, I slumbered comfortably with him.