🛡️ ERIC 🛡️

"Welcome to the palace library of Becan. This will be our temporary office while we wait for the construction of the third floor of the wings to finish," I informed him.

"Wow. There are a lot of books. This can easily be one of the biggest among all the kingdoms!" He winked.

Book shelves covered the walls from floor to ceilings of the spacious room, bigger than my own. It had high ceilings that houses all the books Duke Longbow collected. Though I could be sure that libraries in Anbeia would be bigger, we would still need to climb a ladder to get the books from the top shelves.

"Don't you have bigger libraries there?"

"The City Library? I'm not even sure. But for a palace library, given that this is only the duke's personal collection, this is still big."

"So, here is where we are going to work everyday. We have to be here on time, my father's policy. " I raised my shoulders. "Though I would not be hard on you."

I raised my brow and grinned.

"Yeah right. I am not a late comer, even when I was at the Academy." He laughed.

"Okay. We'll see about that."

I was explaining about our job when Jean spaced out.

"Hello?"

He didn't respond so I poked his shoulder. He looked at me and I smiled.

"Sorry, I just remembered father." He looked troubled, this must be important.

"Care to share?"

"That's what he instructed me before he went back to Anbeia: to do well here; to make sure that I will be useful here."

"Why do you worry? I'm sure you will do good." I smiled.

"My King, he is hard to impress."

"I don't know that but I feel like you'll work hard," I encouraged him.

"I will. But I want to make him proud of me. That is something I have not thought I can ever do since I was a child. He always expects more from me."

"Maybe he wants to see you grow more, for yourself and for the kingdom. When we're at our best, everyone will benefit from it, won't they?"

"Thanks for that." He smiled.

"I bet he loves you more than you know."

"I hope so." He sounded unsure.

🌺 🌺 🌺

After going through some other rooms that we can get into, I invited him for a walk through the gardens.

We went out through the west doors to the edges of the palace wall. From here, we can see all the roofs and buildings that make the city of Becan. Prominent domed structures dominate the skyline, taller more intricate buildings and proud monuments adorned the rubbish ambience of the majority of the dirty roofs and smoke-emitting exhausts.

"I cannot compare Anbeia with Becan. Its jewels are more glorious than this," I suggested.

"Father worked hard to improve the cities and towns of our kingdom." He looked at me then the city, he stepped at the stone bench. "I bet you won't let Thales loose with Anbeia, of course."

I smiled. "Our great grandfathers worked hard to achieve this long lasting peace. My father even told me stories about my great grandfather's bravery and industry."

"The Great King Emmanuel, the one that brought Thales into its Golden Age." He examined my face. "You look a lot like him, actually, your tan and your brows. He is the one on a painting at the corridor near the library, isn't he?"

"That's him. Actually the Golden Age of Thales was the outcome of the efforts of all three kings before my father."

"That's why you're pressured."

"Anyhow, my king and queen did not pressured me, in any way, to be better than them. I'm the one who wanted to be the best prince I could be, for them." I smiled.

His voice low and dull, "You know, I did not think like you. I never wanted to be even a better prince. There are already two in our family." He spoke lively, "But I want to be the best version of myself now." He closed his eyes.

He looked better than the first time we met.

We watched the sun set on the horizon hidden from all the land, its rays painted the skies of orange, blues and violets. A beautiful sight to behold.

I focused on his features, admitting that he became more attractive now than the times that I knew nothing of his personality.

I was sorry to myself that I could not enjoy his special treatment of me. I felt it all. I had more plans than to fall in love with a prince, who I could never marry.

It terrified me more than what I expected.

I hoped princes and princesses could marry anyone not based on gender.

🌺 🌺 🌺

Jean sighed and rolled his eyes after scanning each paper from a bunch in his hands.

Three days since his arrival, he was nailing his work already: a not so easy job as an ambassador. I guided him a few times, then he was doing everything on his own, better than what I expected-- extremely well to exaggerate. He worked hard, even patient on matters that would piss me off. He worked seriously yet he often bugs me with his jokes and stunts.

He said less cheesy lines today. Sometimes, I found him staring at me which made my stomach feel like there are butterflies in it and I hadn't looked at him like that at first. But when someone so handsome like him gives me this much attention and care, who am I not to appreciate?

When I finished all my papers, which piled up at the other corner of the table, I stood up and reached for a book I've been reading for days. Not being able to finish it because there always would be something that we could be doing instead after work. He made sure I cannot avoid them: I played songs in the piano, which he liked so much even if I don't have proper practice; fencing, which I liked that makes him adore my skills in it as well. I knew we enjoyed each other's company even more.

"You're daydreaming of me again, aren't you?" He grinned.

"Just finish your work there," I said, nonchalant when he is so right about everything.

He nodded.

I hated him.

I gazed at his silver eyes focusing on his work, while being curious about how those sweet-looking lips taste like.

Thinking about it, I had not considered dating anyone that I liked, given my title and responsibilities.

All because I love my mother and father. I can't imagine myself ruining what they worked hard for us. I love my siblings; I couldn't let them take all the responsibilities after wrecking mine with selfishness. If I happen to select to love another man, the people will lose confidence in my family: they will suffer. I also love our people who have faith in me that I can lead them one day.

I just can't love someone because I like men.

Subconsciously, my eyes darted to him again. His long sleeved, cream shirt accentuates his broad shoulders. He was too muscular though-- not my usual taste. And just like that, here I am, confirmed to be daydreaming about him. I looked away, so he'll not see me entertained by his charms.

"Hey! Stop checking on me. I can't help it, can I? I'm so handsome," he said while touching his chin.

I pouted and pointed it to his unfinished papers. I rolled my eyes and chuckled. He went back to working.

"Why would I do that? I'm just looking if you're done. I'm bored." I said, I thought as an excuse.

It's clear that I lied but I'm also actually bored by reading, as you can observe.

"I'll be finished in a jiff. What do you want to do?" he almost whispered while continuing to scribble through the papers.

"I don't have any idea. Just finish that." With the book, I covered my face, which heated because of my excitement that he'll be finished sooner.

After Jean was done with his tasks, we tidied up and walked to the stables to ride horses.

We went up a hill south of the palace where the elevation is really high for sight-seeing.

As we went higher, the horses galloped breathily so we trotted, thinking about the horses.

When we reached the spot, I was dazzled by the reaction on Jean's face. His eyes widened in what we saw, his mouth opened in awe. I could not deny that I was proud to see him liking where I took him: the city of Becan from bird's eye view. Stars started to twinkle as it is almost sunset, the city lit. The rolling mountains to the north and south, the great plains of Thales and Anbeia stretching as far as the eye can see from east to west, dotted with towns and villages. Near the horizon, the sea was tainted with colors as it reflected the sky.

What made all of this more beautiful is a man beside me, who could possibly be a duke or a king someday, who showed me he liked me for who I was. And I loved that.

"Beyond there is Thales, right?" He is pointing out to the plains east.

I nodded while sounding, "Uhuh."

He pointed to the other direction. "So there is Anbeia: I miss them all there."

I could not let this feeling overtake me.

"I love this place." He arranged his hair being blown by the cold wind.

"Me too."

"It's obvious. But why did you take me here?" he asked.

"Nothing. I love this place and I want to share it with you," I told him.

He looked at me quizzically. I smiled then he looked away. I looked out and we have been silent for a while. When I gazed upon him again, I saw his hand. I miss them.

"Can I ask you something?" I inquired, so he faced me.

"This must be important? Go ahead."

"Not much," I lied. "Uh, why are you not asking to hold my hand anymore?" I wanted it to sound random.

He stared for a moment then chuckled. "You might be uncomfortable with it. I would love to hold them if you would like to hold mine too," he spoken his last sentence mousy.

He sighed.

I liked it when he examined my hands, holding them like he needed to, like his life depends on it. So I reached for his hands. He looked at them, together, then at my face. I darted my eyes away from his.

"What is this?" he interrogated.

He raised our intertwined hands.

"Our hands," I said plainly.

His confused face but serious eyes required me to explain further.

"You said you would love to hold them if I would like to hold yours too, didn't you?" My mouth pouted.

"I did but--"

"I want it when you hold them, when you examine them. I like it." I tried to explain.

I pouted, my brows arched together.

"Given this," He lifted our intertwined hands. "you like me, right?"

His grimace upsets me.

"It's different, isn't it?" I argued.

He lifted our hands together and widened his eyes. "No! Of course not."

"Yes! It is different. I didn't say I like you." I really felt that I do like him and that I should say it, but with the situation we were in, this; us won't work.

He hummed.

"If you don't like for me to hold your hand, then fine." I tried to pull my hand away but he held them tight.

"I didn't say I don't like it when you hold my hand." He arranged our hands to be comfortable.

For a while, we stayed silent, content.

A little while, it was getting dark already so we decided to go back. We rode the horses and went downhill to go back to the palace.

Upon reaching the stables, we dismounted and headed to our rooms to get dressed for dinner.