☀️ JEAN ☀️ (Jean's POV)

My youngest brother looked troubled today. Being my favorite sibling, I knew him very well.

“You looked good, don’t worry.” I tapped Gareth’s shoulder, my lips wide.

Everyone was dressed to impress that night,  maybe excited that it has been long since the last event of this kind was held, often in this palace–– the center for all the Southern Alliance's gatherings.

His gray orbs sharp, his lips pouted. “I know. But I wish I was able to select my clothes for tonight.”

“You’re more than fine. Believe me.”

The night’s gathering was meant to bind a fragile yet powerful alliance of the four southern kingdoms but almost all reeked of vanity and insanity. I hated them all but I had to act like them, for camouflage.

“Standing out is better. Look at your shiny coat and pants,” my brother said it like he heard my thoughts, funny.

It was my usual but I felt I should attract someone tonight. With my blue-colour eyes, neat brows and hair, a shiny silver coat with black tie and a matching slacks I knew I would cut a dash in this grand ball with this outfit.

With his height, a foot lower than me, I was able to make a mess out of his very neat-looking black hair and he was surely angry about it.

“Hey! No! This is the most difficult part in all of this, you know..” He pouted.

The expression on his face was priceless that's why I chuckled.

He punched my shoulder. “Hey you—”

I was about to punch him as well when our eldest brother, the crown prince butt in.

“You two, stop it!” he commanded.

Gareth looked down while I smiled at our eldest and winked which made him roll his eyes. I wanted to make fun with Gareth more. I poked his shoulders to get his attention.

“We're being guarded by,” I mouthed “an a***ole.”

We giggled like we're not allowed to laugh.

“Tell me who you're trying to get here, okay?” I added teasingly.

“I'm sure I won't tell you,” he mouthed “a***ole. ”

We were told to get ready. Coming from Anbeia, together with all the high nobles, we were the first to be called. The new feel of Becan’s throne hall impressed me more. All chandeliers and fancy crystal candle holders were lit. Flowers decorated the already elaborate, newly painted and polished interior of the hall. While the aroma of cooked food made me hungry. I bet father would equal the upshot of the event soon.

In spite Gareth’s dislike of his look, he still walked with confidence and joy. What a child!

🌺 🌺 🌺

It was noisy with all the chatter while chamber musicians provided a nice background music. After all the necessary activities and eating, Gareth asked me to go with him to the left-wing gardens so that our King would permit him. He said he would just play around with Prince Philip, the younger prince of the Royal House of Thales–– one of the most illustrious royal houses in all the known land. I raised a brow and told him that I'll go if and only if father would approve.

It is rare that I won’t oblige myself with his silly requests. So after asking for the King's permission, Gareth dragged me out to the gardens. Hedges of greens and flowers soon appeared. As we get further, the lights were dimmer–– small trees have blocked the lights. We ran across silhouette of persons, who came to be the royalties he was searching for.

Gareth greeted Dion, the Thals' youngest sister, and Philip. Gallantly, Gareth greeted Prince Eric, the eldest, however omitting his bows, which I would have corrected but seeing them all happy with the acquaintance made me let it go. I smiled to Prince Eric, he smiled back.

The Thal siblings shared a common thing–– they were all blondes. The boys hurried along the paths, disregarded the fact that Dion wore a ball gown. However, she carried up her big skirt, unhesitant to run and follow the two.

From that cute sight, my focus directed to Eric's smile–– his tender-looking lips and blue-green eyes. Though athletic, his physique looked soft. Standing above six feet, I was slightly taller than him.

I nearly forgot to be courteous to Eric. While I wanted to lecture my brother about not doing the royal bow a while ago, I forgot to act according as well. Eric did not remind me. Maybe he waited for me to have it done being civil. Forgetful wasn’t what I had to be.

I did the most clumsy thing that I could do: I bowed haste and had not been able to consider the close space between us. So my head brushed with his tight abdomen. Heaven only knows what he thought of me now.

Slowly and shyly, yes in what feels like forever, I glanced at him while waiting for his bow. Startled, he stepped back a few steps securing our distance and he bowed. He did all of that with proper grace and elegance, making me amazed and mousy.

He chuckled. I was stressed about how to take back my dignity after what happened. I was trying to show off but I should have known better.

“I'm sorry, Your Royal Highness,” I said in a not so friendly tone.

He laughed harder, amused by the humour in it. But hey! I am not trying to be funny here. After he composed himself, he offered a handshake with me.

I have no idea why he was trying to shake my hand. He sighed. I guess my cluelessness became too obvious for him.

“I'm sorry for being rude, Prince Jean. However, we have not introduced each other formally before, have we?” He raised his brows.

I annoyed him a bit by reaching his unbelievably soft, gentle hand and tried to kiss it like he is a girl. He pulled it away just before my lips would touch it. Awkward at first, but we're laughing out loud soon.

I was astonished by the elegance in his attitude, even when being joyful, which greatly shows off without being harsh.

“Seriously, you're funny,” he complimented.

This time he casted a more formal stance. He aimed to do the handshake again, formally to greet: which I politely returned; and also which reminded me of how delicate and comforting his hand was. He added his other hand to it and I obliged myself to follow after him. After all, the opportunity of meeting him was nice. I wondered how he could have such precious hands given his athletic physique. It isn’t normal for princes to have such soft hands with all the combat skill required for us to acquire.

I focused back on what’s happening. “I'm sorry as well. I am Prince Jean, second in line of the Royal House of Anbeia.” I habitually said in a slower manner, striving my best with majesty.

But I still failed, looked like a nincompoop, not being able to practice truly like everyday. His hands was so smooth, the fact instilled in my being.

“It's not a problem. I'm happy, really.” He assured me that he was, keeping the handshake.

“I am Crown Prince Eric, first born of the King of the Thals,” he said as if he practiced and perfected it all his life.

Flawless. Kind. His blue green eyes sparkled like the stars in the dark night.

“I’ll get back at you,” I whispered so he wouldn’t hear me.

“Excuse me?” he smiled, inquisitive.

“Nothing, nothing.” I grinned so he wouldn’t ask again.

He released his grip from my hands. I looked at mine, my insides regretted not holding his for a longer time. Weird.

“You have this charm of high elegance. Confident, yet warm and kind,” I told him. “It is beautiful."

“Thank you. I'm pretty sure the Royal Academy taught that to you as well, didn't they?” his words are without arrogance.

I thought we have not been there together even for a year. Or maybe I just had not noticed him.

“Yeah. They sure did. Uh, I have not taken my studies there seriously, just took them as experience,” I was more ashamed to share but I felt the need to be true by his sincerity.

“School has been more serious for me.”

I could hardly understand him against the music and noise inside the palace hall.

“Let’s sit somewhere?” I asked him.

He guided me further into the garden. “I am crown prince and I needed to be better than the expectations of my beloved King and Queen to return all the love and passion they've been showing me,” he was more proud now and I felt the need to imitate him.

We sat on a bench beside a tree. The scent of the bush of jasmine flowers beside us were sweet. The cold of the nigh, harsh.

“I admire you and your honesty,” I hated to admit it.

He slowly rubbed his hands together. “Honesty is the best policy, right?” He chuckled. “Kidding aside, dishonesty with our people will only be unacceptable. When found out lying, it will be hard for them to follow us even with the simplest things.

“Trust is all we need to bond with them, and not breaking their trust earns their respect. Sooner, they'll love us and praise all our deeds–– our footsteps they will all kiss. That is the power of an honest leadership. Beautiful.”

“Preach!” my jest made us giggle. “Seriously, your words are wonderful. I'll be a hypocrite not to say this: I'm thankful I am able to talk to you. I like everything you have said and I can agree more.

“But isn't it hard to be honest with the society we have? Where did you spend your years learning all that? I know you had been to the Royal Academy, we all heard those there. I was just wondering how did those sink in to you. Who your friends are? Royals are so full of themselves,” I chuckled because I admitted something like that, realizing that we were taught all that.

My voice became softer, “I am usually full of myself. I can’t be wrong in any matter. You know, birds of whatever.”

All my life, when aristocrats did talk to one another, we all tend to show off how we are better than the other by making them feel bitter. Jealous. Anxious. All the bad things for others means the good for us.

Why did my boastful attitude can’t exist with him? Being that kind? Usually, I wouldn't show my weakness and wouldn't admit mistakes because I grew up like that, thinking highly of myself. But with him, a humbling honesty was better than lying.

He smiled all the time, I smirked.

“You're taking this conversation very seriously, huh?” he joked then sighed. “I was home-schooled in Thales before going to the Royal Academy with my younger sister. We've been best friends for eternity and she has been my most faithful company all throughout our years in the Academy. That... helped us a lot.”

His joy was contagious. He made me want to experience being like his sister–– to be his best friend. But I doubt that he would like to be my friend at all.

We talked more about our royal duties, customs and other stuff. I admired him more and more until our siblings came back tired. We thanked each other and headed back to the palace.

“Practice your bow. Get back at me.” Eric winked.